2022 Best Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees
Substance abuse and addiction counseling programs teach students how to support individuals recovering from chemical dependencies and substance use disorders. For those interested in a counseling career, now is the best time to enter the profession. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook is 23% for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, which is nearly three times higher than the US average across occupations.
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2022 Best Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees
| Rank | School | Salary Score | Median Starting Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Dakota | 64 | $34,694 | |
| Ohio Christian University | 57 | $33,657 | |
| Indiana Wesleyan University Online | 48 | $32,602 | |
| University of Maine at Augusta | 48 | $32,560 | |
| Purdue University Global | 48 | $32,530 |
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2022 Online Colleges Offering Bachelor's Degrees
Ranking Details
#1 University of South Dakota
- Salary Score: 64
- Median Starting Salary: $34,694
- Locations: Vermillion (SD)
- Accreditation: HLC
The University of South Dakota (USD) is a medium-sized, public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Addiction Counseling and Prevention. The program provides students with the foundational skills to enter careers in addiction and counseling. Totaling 120 credit hours, the program offers students six specializations as part of two main tracks: (1) Treatment and (2) Prevention. Some of the program’s core courses include Fundamental Skills of Individual Counseling for Addiction, Study of Alcohol Use & Addiction, Group Addiction Counseling Practicum, and Addictive Family Systems & Family Counseling.
USD uses Daylight for students to complete their online coursework asynchronously. At USD, students can access resources, such as Coyote One Stop, ITS Service Desk, and academic services. An application, official transcripts, and ACT/SAT scores are required for admission.
#2 Ohio Christian University
- Salary Score: 57
- Median Starting Salary: $33,657
- Locations: Circleville (OH)
- Accreditation: HLC
A nontraditional Christian institution, Ohio Christian University (OCU) is a small nonprofit offering an online Bachelor of Arts in Substance Abuse Counseling. With 45 major credit hours, the program introduces students to the addiction recovery field. Some of the courses include Principles of Behavior, Abnormal Psychology, Prevention Strategies, and Trauma & Addiction. After graduation, students can sit for the Certified Chemical Dependency Assistant Status exam after completing 40 hours of chemical dependency training.
At OCU, students can take the flexible 5-week asynchronous program to complete weekly assignments for five consecutive weeks. Student resources include free tutoring and mentoring. Before admission, official transcripts, ACT/SAT/CLT test scores, and commitment to OCU’s lifestyle standards are required.
#3 Indiana Wesleyan University Online
- Salary Score: 48
- Median Starting Salary: $32,602
- Locations: Marion (IN)
- Accreditation: HLC
A medium-sized, Christian nonprofit, Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) offers an online Bachelor of Science in Addiction Counseling requiring 48 credit hours to complete. The 22-month program provides students with an overview of what a career in addiction and counseling entails from a Christian perspective. In addition, students are required to complete a 350-hour practicum at an approved addiction facility.
IWU uses Brightspace, a digital learning platform, to deliver its online degree programs in an asynchronous format. In addition, online student support services at IWU are available through tutor.com and their off-campus library services. Prospective students must submit proof of a diploma or GED, official transcripts, 60 transferable credit hours, and completion of PSY-150 (General Psychology) before admission.
#4 University of Maine at Augusta
- Salary Score: 48
- Median Starting Salary: $32,560
- Locations: Augusta (ME)
- Accreditation: NECHE
The University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) is a medium-sized, public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Mental Health and Human Services, which totals 121 credit hours. Students are required to complete one of the four concentrations for their degree, which includes the Addiction Counseling concentration. Some of the concentration requirements include Relational Systems that Support Substance Use Disorders, Substance Use Disorders and Trauma, and Crisis Intervention.
The program is offered through the online platform, Brightspace. In addition, UMA offers online student support services, such as counseling, tutoring, math labs, and academic coaching through Zoom. Admission requirements include a minimum 2.0 GPA, graduating in the top 75% of their high school class, and official high school or college transcripts or comparable GED or HiSET scores.
#5 Purdue University Global
- Salary Score: 48
- Median Starting Salary: $32,530
- Locations: Indianapolis (IN)
- Accreditation: HLC
Purdue University Global (Purdue Global) is a large, public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Psychology - Addictions. Totaling 180 credit hours, the program delivers the fundamentals of significant components of psychology combined with coursework in addiction and counseling. Some of the courses include Health Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Case Management in Clinical Settings.
At Purdue Global, students use the online platform, Blackboard Learn, to complete coursework delivered in an asynchronous format. In addition, Purdue Global offers online student resources, such as the Purdue Global Library, Career Service Specialists, and their Academic Success Center. General admission requirements include an enrollment agreement, GED or high school diploma, and official transcripts.
Overview of Online Substance Abuse Counseling Bachelor's Degrees
Students pursuing an online addiction and substance abuse counseling degree take classes to develop the knowledge and competencies necessary to treat individuals in need, including those with co-occurring disorders. Specifically, they learn about the symptoms and causes of chemical dependency and drug abuse by taking courses in psychology, counseling theory, professional ethics, and pharmacology. The curriculum also includes a practicum element in which students provide counseling services under supervision in a mental health facility, hospital, or rehabilitation clinic.
Students pursuing an online addiction and substance abuse counseling degree take classes to develop the knowledge and competencies necessary to treat individuals in need, including those with co-occurring disorders.
A few programs give students the option of choosing between a treatment specialization and a prevention specialization. While treatment specialists assist individuals dealing with substance misuse issues, prevention specialists typically work in schools with children who may be at risk of misusing illegal substances.
Admission requirements vary by school, but applicants typically need a high school diploma with at least a 2.5 GPA or a GED to apply. Most programs also require applicants to complete a background check. An online substance abuse bachelor's degree requires 120-124 credit hours, including a minimum of 32 credit hours in the major, and students can enroll either full- or part-time. The programs generally take four years of full-time study to finish. By contrast, part-time learners may take up to six years to achieve their degree.
While many distance learning programs deliver online courses asynchronously , some include prescheduled, synchronous sessions for group exercises and other activities. In general, online students have 24/7 access to learning materials, including pre-recorded lectures, discussion boards, and assignments.
Interested in learning about similar degrees? Learn more about online bachelor's degrees in counseling, psychology, and sociology.
EXPERT INSIGHT
Meet Our Experts
To better inform prospective students about majoring in substance use counseling and what it's like to be a professional, we've added insights from two substance use counseling experts throughout this page.
Dr. Wendy St. Pierre Dr. Wendy St. Pierre is an assistant professor of Mental Health and Human Services at the University of Maine at Augusta and a licensed clinical social worker.
Jay Shifman Jay Shifman is a mental health and addiction advocate and coach in Philadelphia who speaks on these topics across the country.
Terminology Within This Field
The language and terms used within the addiction treatment community is evolving. For example, some schools continue to use traditional terminology by offering degrees in "substance abuse counseling," while others have renamed their programs as "substance use counseling." We use a combination of familiar and newer terms to bridge the gap between past and present.
What Qualities Do You Need to Be a Substance Abuse Treatment Counselor?
Through their work, both St. Pierre and Shifman have had the opportunity to talk to many practitioners in the substance use and misuse counseling field. Both have observed that people who succeed as counselors share several key characteristics.
Empathy
Our experts say that people are often drawn to careers in this field because of their own or a loved one's experiences with addiction. Shifman is one of those people and he sees it as a distinct benefit that gives him the strength to persevere and the ability to authentically connect with others. St. Pierre agrees but adds a note of caution for those just starting their educational journey. "You have to make sure that you are emotionally ready, and that you can set aside your history and prior experiences and be open to learning about doing the work for other people."
Service orientation
The desire to serve others is another important quality, but this also requires some introspection. "If you're wanting to come into a field to help somebody who is struggling, you want to see them improve their situation [and] change their lives, then the field of substance use treatment and counseling can really provide that for you," says St. Pierre. At the same time, Shifman cautions: "You have to check your ego at the door by asking: Am I doing this for the right reasons? If the answer is no, maybe this isn't the right thing for you."
Patience
St. Pierre likes to remind future counselors that their clients will experience setbacks and relapses, which can be discouraging. "The pathway to recovery is not a straight line, and that can be heartbreaking for the individuals who enter this field," she notes. "You have to accept that you did what you could and be available to them when they're ready to come back."
EXPERT TIP
If you're not sure whether a career in substance use counseling is the right path for you, St. Pierre recommends calling the college you're considering attending and talking to one of the faculty members who works in the program.
How to Choose an Online Bachelor's in Substance Abuse Counseling Program
Students should enroll in a program that suits their overall personal and professional goals. In addition to evaluating the cost of the degree, they should evaluate whether a specific program helps meet future career objectives or provides enough support to distance learners. Below is a list of factors to consider when choosing an online bachelor's in substance abuse counseling.
What Can You Do With a Bachelor's Degree in Substance Abuse Counseling?
An online bachelor's in substance abuse counseling is the first step to becoming a licensed drug misuse and abuse counselor. These individuals earn a median annual salary of $47,660, working in settings such as outpatient centers, addiction clinics, and schools. As professional caregivers, substance abuse counselors must be certified in their state of practice.
As professional caregivers, substance abuse counselors must be certified in their state of practice.
However, bachelor's degree holders may also be prepared for entry-level positions in the human services sectors, where they can pursue careers as social and community and service managers. These positions typically don't require state licensure or certification.
Is a Career As a Substance Abuse Counselor Right for Me?
It's only natural to wonder if a certain career path will be a good fit for you, so it's important to compare your preferences and abilities with those related to the role. Substance abuse counselors need to be comfortable working in close proximity to other people. Counselors typically see quite a few clients each day, so you must have the ability to stick to a schedule and adjust your focus to each new client as they join you for appointments. In terms of other skills, the U.S Department of Labor notes that counselors need to be good listeners, clear speakers, and have the capacity for deductive reasoning (the ability to apply general rules to specific problems) and inductive reasoning (the ability to combine pieces of information into conclusions). Finally, there are some technical skills involved, such as the use of basic office and specialized medical software.
Frequently Asked Questions About Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling Degrees
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By The OnlineU team | 6/21/2022