The institution connects learners with a variety of internal and external funding opportunities, such as scholarships and fellowships. Online participants in the addiction studies program benefit from a virtual classroom environment, connecting them with other distance learners, faculty, and institutional resources. The remote program curriculum comprises core classes and advanced coursework in the counseling field. Grand Canyon University, a private institution, is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. The college offers flexible educational options to individuals from all walks of life, boasting 50 total master’s programs, with 45 available online. People from around the globe can connect with the institution’s community and resources through the online learning modality.
Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies
Union College, a private institution in Barbourville, Kentucky, provides premier graduate programs to learners from all walks of life. Individuals interested in counseling careers can benefit from the online master of science in substance abuse counseling program. Experiential learning opportunities, such as internships, further aid students in exploring career options in the field. Students with current careers in counseling-adjacent fields often find the online program to be an attractive option for advancing their education without disrupting their work. Learners can modify their course trajectory in consultation with faculty advisors, and degree-seekers can discuss their professional trajectory with career services counselors.
The tuition rate for the academic year 2025-2026 is $670 per credit.
Learn more about the value of earning your master’s degree in addiction counseling. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredits master’s and doctoral degree programs in counseling and its specialties in the United States and worldwide. CACREP certifies all counseling specialties, including rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, marriage and family counseling, and addiction counseling. While each program is slightly different, the standard for a master’s degree in addiction counseling is a minimum of 600 hours of supervised fieldwork. On this page, we evaluate five reputable U.S. schools offering online master’s in addiction counseling programs.
MSW with a Graduate Certificate in Substance Use Disorders included
I am more than satisfied with the quality of the education and instruction of the staff. As a student with no prior experience as a counselor, this program has provided me with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to work with a broad range of populations. From the application process, to enrollment and throughout each course, HBFGSAS has provided exemplary… The instructors not only deliver educational material in an understandable and professional manner, but they also bring their own experience as professionals into the online classroom. Through feedback throughout my internships while enrolled in HBFGSAS, it is evident that the education provided in this program greatly exceeds what is expected of clinicians in the field of substance abuse counseling. I am a 4th semester full-time student in the IR COD program at the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies.
- No matter where you study, our faculty advisors will work with you to find an internship opportunity that best supports your academic and professional goals.
- Admission requires a regionally accredited bachelor’s degree, 2.5 GPA, personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and a possible interview.
- Courses and practicums are completed at the university’s Marion or Indianapolis (North) sites or entirely online.
- Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation.
- The Center offers workshops on topics like grant writing, presentation skills, publishing in scholarly journals, and understanding the academic job search.
- Classes train students in counseling theories, ethics, legal standards, evidence-based approaches, diagnosis, treatments, and professional identity.
The online TUW MA in Addiction Counseling prepares graduates with skills and knowledge they need for success in this in-demand field. With a master’s degree in addiction counseling, you can pursue state licensure, which allows you to provide clinical one-to-one counseling services to your clients. If your career goal is to work in a private practice as drug addiction a clinical addiction counselor, a master’s degree in addiction counseling is certainly worth it. The structure and content of an online master’s in addiction counseling depends on the specific school and program. Most master’s in addiction counseling programs take two years to complete and require credits. The damage from substance use disorders reaches beyond the person who is using substances.
- Students in this program will be able to understand the factors that lead to addiction, and how it can be prevented, and how ongoing addiction issues can be addressedtaken care of.
- Historically, schools have designed curriculum and practicum arrangements to align with credentialing standards only in the state where they operate.
- The 36-credit program includes classes such as group counseling theory and practice, introduction to addictions and substance use disorders, and social and cultural diversity issues in counseling.
- The master’s degree in counseling psychology is accredited by MPCAC and requires a year-long internship.
If you’re passionate about helping others through recovery, earning a master’s degree in addiction counseling can be a powerful way to launch or grow your career. This guide explores 50 of the most respected and accredited graduate programs in the U.S., each designed to prepare you for licensure and impactful work in clinical, community, or private practice settings. Whether you’re just beginning your career or making a professional pivot, the right program can equip you with the tools to create lasting change in individuals, families, and communities. The greater your level of education, the higher your counseling salary is likely to be. Bureau of Labor Statistics, master’s degree graduates (in any field) can expect to earn approximately $12,000 more in annual salary than individuals with a bachelor’s degree. A master’s degree in addiction counseling will also open the door to a variety of more advanced career opportunities—such as treating co-occurring mental health disorders.
Student Experience
Required coursework covers topics like substance abuse prevention, psychopharmacology, and psychopathology and coexisting disorders. Students may pursue an addictions counseling concentration and complete a criminal justice internship to become a certified criminal justice addictions professional. Distance learners can pursue an online master’s in addiction studies that emphasizes a cross-cultural examination of treatment and prevention issues. Students may enroll part time or full time, gaining the skills needed to pursue careers in program management and international policy. substance abuse counseling definition Notably, Capella University also offers an online master of science program in clinical mental health counseling in addiction treatment and recovery.
Arizona State University, Online
Regent University is ranked #298 in national universities and #113 in top performers in social mobility by U.S. The Addictions Counseling Concentration at Governors State University provides specialized training in advanced addiction treatment methodologies. Students engage in comprehensive learning focused on evidence-based practices like Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Accredited by IAODAPCA and NASAC, this program meets critical certification requirements while emphasizing multicultural perspectives on substance abuse.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 18% job growth for counselors by 2032, highlighting the demand in this profession. An online master’s degree substance abuse counseling offers a flexible path for individuals aiming to advance their expertise in addiction treatment. These programs equip you to assess, diagnose, and treat substance use disorders. Coursework dives into psychology, counseling techniques, and ethics, preparing you for licensure and leadership roles in clinical settings.