2023 Best Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees in Massachusetts

Prospective students can pursue the following online degree at the private, women’s-only, and nonprofit institution, Simmons University of Social Work.

• An online Master of Social Work in Substance Use and Misuse is a 65-credit program covering the basic principles of social work before diving into specialized areas of focus. Some of the program’s courses are Social Work Practice, Substance Use & Social Work, and Family Approaches. Students are also expected to complete two in-person, immersive practicum experiences. Future careers for graduates often include addiction counselors, clinical supervisors, and recovery specialists.

Simmons facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on the learning management system Moodle. Simmons offers its social work master's programs with accelerated, full-time, and part-time options. Simmons’ online student resources include career development, accessibility services, counseling, a bookstore, veterans services, an online library, tutoring services, and advising.

The University of Massachusetts - Boston (UMass Boston) is a mid-sized, public university with two online substance use counseling programs.

• The 60-credit Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling prepares students to work as rehabilitation counselors with people experiencing disabilities. The program offers two tracks: (1) clinical rehabilitation and (2) vocational rehabilitation. Example courses include Life Span Human Development, Foundations of Rehabilitation, and Motivational Interviewing. Students are required to complete a practicum and an internship. Prospective careers for graduates of this program are rehabilitation counselors, community health workers, and care coordinators.
• An online Professional Certificate in Addictions Counselor Education is a 24-credit certificate program that prepares students to sit for state licensure to become Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors. Sample courses include Criminal Justice and Substance Use Disorders, Family and Group Treatment of Substance Use Disorders, and Counseling Clients with Substance Use Disorders. An in-person practicum is required for graduation. Graduates may seek careers like substance abuse counselors, recovery coaches, and case managers.

UMass Boston’s online students use Blackboard to complete courses asynchronously and synchronously. The university offers both fully online and hybrid programs. Online student support at UMass Boston includes counseling, a writing center, disability services, academic support services, tutoring, financial aid support, and a math resource center.

At Bay Path University, a small, private, nonprofit, and women’s-only university, prospective students can pursue the online degree program below for substance use counseling.

• The online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - Foundations of Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counseling requires 120 credit hours. This program gives students a comprehensive overview of the psychology field, with concentration courses covering human behavior, substance abuse, and counseling foundations, among other topics. Sample courses include Drugs and Behavior, Physiological Psychology, and Counseling Diverse Population. Students are required to complete a 300-hour internship. Potential career options include care coordinators, substance abuse counselors, and recovery coaches.

Canvas is Bay Path’s learning management system for facilitating asynchronous and synchronous online courses. Some programs are 100% online, while others are delivered in hybrid formats. Online student resources at Bay Path include tutoring, accessibility services, financial services, and academic advising.

Fisher College is a small, private, nonprofit institution offering an online program in substance abuse counseling.

• The online, 18-credit-hour Graduate Certificate in Addictions Counseling is an eight-week program designed for students wanting to advance their knowledge and skills and become Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors. Some of the program’s courses include Addictions, Ethical and Legal Issues in Addictions Treatment, and Motivational Interviewing. If a student doesn’t have clinical experience, the program requires them to complete an internship. Potential careers include case managers, substance abuse counselors, and social workers.

At Fisher, part-time and full-time online students use a learning management system to complete coursework delivered in asynchronous and synchronous formats. Fisher’s online programs are delivered fully online and in hybrid formats. Online student resources at Fisher include a writing and academic support center, career services, student accessibility services, and an online library.