2023 Best Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees in Maine
Our list below highlights online substance use counseling degrees in Maine at all program levels available. Maine only has online undergraduate and graduate certificate programs for students who already have a degree but want to further their knowledge in substance use counseling. These online certificate programs can help prepare students to sit for licensing.
Alternatively, earning an online degree in substance use counseling may be a good first step toward entering this field. For those on a budget, we also list the most affordable online substance use counseling programs.
University of Maine at Augusta
- Locations: Augusta
- Annual Tuition: $19,238
The University of Maine at Augusta (UMA), a public institution with a medium-sized student body, has a couple of online programs in substance use counseling.
- The online Certificate in Substance Abuse Rehability Technician is a 30-credit program that prepares students to sit for the licensure exam in order to become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor in Maine. Some of the program’s coursework includes Case Management, Group Process, and Counseling for Substance Use Disorder. Graduates may pursue careers like certified substance abuse counselors, case managers, and social workers.
- The online Graduate Certificate in Substance Use Disorder program, totaling 18 credit hours, lets students who complete the program sit for the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor exam to pursue licensing and apply for the Certified Clinical Supervisor certification. The online certificate program has courses that include Substance Use Disorder Counseling; Substance Use Disorders and Interpersonal Relationships; and History, Assessment, and Treatment of Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders. Future careers may include clinical supervisors, certified substance abuse counselors, and recovery coaches.
UMA facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online courses on the learning management system D2L Brightspace, delivered 100% online. Prospective online students can opt for part-time or full-time distance learning. Online students at UMA can access academic advising, academic success coaching, accessibility services, career services, counseling services, and tutoring.
- Financial Aid Recipients: 99%
- Avg. Aid Package: $6,994
- Repayment Rate: 77%
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Avg. Graduation Rate: 15%
- Retention Rate: 65%
- Recommend Rate: 75%
- School Type: Nonprofit (Public)
- Undergraduate Online: 2,833 enrolled
- Graduate Online: 47 enrolled
- Certificate Online: 522 enrolled
Beal University
- Locations: Bangor
- Annual Tuition: $0
Beal University is a small-sized, private, for-profit university offering three online undergraduate programs in addiction counseling.
- The online Diploma in Addiction Counseling is a 14-month, 39-credit-hour program designed for students who want to start their careers in this field. Sample courses include Case Management, Multicultural Counseling in Addiction, and Psychosocial and Vocational Aspects of Rehabilitation. Graduates may seek careers like health educators, outreach specialists, and rehabilitation counselors.
- A 60-credit Associate of Applied Science in Addiction Counseling includes the diploma’s courses but builds on the student's knowledge and skills to advance in substance abuse counseling. Some of the program’s courses include Group Process, Addiction and the Family, and Motivational Interviewing. Potential careers for graduates include case managers, substance abuse counselors, and behavioral health technicians.
- The Bachelor of Science in Addiction Counseling totals 121 credit hours, and it's a 42-month degree program total. This online degree is designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of the skills and practices associated with this field through classes such as Community Psychology, Spirituality and Addiction, and Addiction Prevention: Theories and Techniques. Graduates may choose to enter careers like recovery support specialists, youth advocates, and social workers.
At Beal, online students complete coursework delivered in asynchronous and synchronous formats on the learning management system Canvas. Online student resources include online libraries, technical support, tutoring, and academic advising.
- Financial Aid Recipients: 81%
- Avg. Aid Package: $4,520
- Repayment Rate: 78%
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Avg. Graduation Rate: 32%
- Retention Rate: 0%
- Recommend Rate: 100%
- School Type: For Profit
- Undergraduate Online: 236 enrolled
- Graduate Online: 6 enrolled
- Certificate Online: N/A
Overview of Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees in Maine
While the number of fatal overdoses thus far in 2023 shows a year-over-year decline from 2022, the residents of Maine are still facing a serious public health threat. Fentanyl-laced street drugs, the opioid epidemic, and other forms of addiction continue to endanger lives, harm families, and negatively impact the state's workforce and economy.
However, healthcare providers, recovery advocates, government officials, and volunteers across Maine are working together to address the issue. Some of their recent achievements include tougher law enforcement related to drug trafficking, prevention-oriented educational programs for adolescents and teens, and improvements in Medicaid insurance coverage for substance use disorder treatment.
Perhaps most importantly, the state has dramatically increased the number of inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities and recovery centers in both urban and rural communities. The governor's office recently released a 10-point strategic plan for the next three years that seeks to expand Maine's treatment capacity even further, creating more employment opportunities for students who become qualified substance use counselors.
To help you find the right online bachelor's degree in this field, we've compiled ranked listings of the best online substance abuse counseling degrees, the most affordable online substance abuse counseling degrees, and the best online counseling degrees.
FAQs About Substance Use Counseling Degrees in Maine
What Can You Do With a Substance Use Counselor Degree in Maine?
Offering substance use counseling in Maine as a licensed practitioner is just one of several career paths open to you after you've graduated with an accredited traditional or online substance abuse counseling degree. You're not required to hold a degree to become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) or Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) in this state, but it will help you meet the educational requirements for certification. A college degree also reduces the work experience requirements you'll need to meet.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors earn a mean annual salary of $62,910. There are currently about 650 professionals practicing in Maine, but ProjectionsCentral expects the number of substance abuse counseling jobs to grow by 5.4% throughout this decade.
If you're not interested in providing one-on-one counseling, you may be better suited to a nonclinical role, such as a health education specialist or a community health worker. Working in a state or local government agency or nonprofit organization will allow you to assist people in your community.
How Do I Become a Substance Use Counselor in Maine?
In the state of Maine, the Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors is the governing body for licensure for professionals who provide face-to-face, telephone, and online substance abuse counseling. In this state, there are two paths to becoming a substance use counselor.
The first of two levels of substance abuse counseling certification is the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC). Although CADCs can provide individual or group alcohol and drug counseling unaided, they are not allowed to engage in independent or private practice. To qualify for this level of certification, you need to have completed at least 30 credits of college coursework in substance use or clinical counseling. You'll also need up to 4,000 hours of work experience and a passing score on the ADC exam sponsored by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC).
The second level of Maine state counseling certification is the Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC). Professionals with this credential may work independently or in private practice. LADC certification also requires at least 30 credits of college coursework in substance use or clinical counseling, up to 6,000 hours of work experience, a passing score on the IC&RC ADC exam, and a passing score on either the IC&RC AADC or CPM exam.
Both levels of certification need to be renewed annually. CADCs also need to complete 18 hours of continuing education every two years, and LADCs need to complete 25 hours of continuing education every two years.
If you decide to pursue a degree, you'll be required to enroll in a school that has earned institutional accreditation. As long as your program focuses on clinical counseling, the degree may be in addiction counseling, behavioral science, social work, or something similar.
You may be interested in the accredited programs on our lists of the best online substance abuse counseling degrees and the most affordable online substance abuse counseling degrees. For accredited master's degrees, you may want to explore our lists of the best online master's in substance abuse counseling and the most affordable online substance abuse counseling master's degrees.
Does Maine Have Reciprocity for Substance Use Counselors?
Yes, Maine has reciprocity for substance use counselors from other states who have passed the IC&RC ADC and AADC exams. As long as you're in good standing, you may transfer your counseling credential to a LADC credential in Maine. You can initiate the reciprocity process through the IC&RC. Maine-based substance abuse counselors may also be able to transfer their credentials to other IC&RC member states.
What's the Difference Between LADC and CADC in Maine?
Maine's two levels of substance abuse counseling certification are the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) and the Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC). The main difference between the two is the scope of practice. CADCs can offer substance abuse counseling in Maine without assistance, but they are not allowed to engage in independent or private practice the way LADCs can. The certification requirements are also fairly similar, except that LADC applicants must have more previous work experience and passing scores on two IC&RC tests instead of just one.
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