2023 Best Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees in Minnesota

Capella University is a mid-sized, private, for-profit institution that offers an online graduate certificate program in addictions counseling.

• The Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior, Graduate Certificate in Counseling is A 100% online, and it requires 20 credit hours to graduate. The curriculum explores topics such as addiction treatment theories, substance use disorder interventions, and contemporary issues surrounding addiction. Example coursework includes Theories of Addiction Treatment, Family Systems and Psychoeducation in Addiction, and Psychopharmacology and Medication Management. Future careers include substance abuse prevention coordinators, correctional treatment specialists, and social service managers.

Blackboard is the university's learning management system for asynchronous and synchronous online learning. The software is flexible and accessible to both part-time and full-time students. Online students at Capella can access an online library, a writing center, tutoring, financial aid assistance, disability services, tech support, and military student services.

At Saint Cloud State University (St. Cloud State), a public university, students can pursue an online graduate certificate in the field of addiction studies.

• The online Graduate Certificate in Addictions Specialist requires 27 credit hours, and it's designed for students to gain knowledge and training in order to prepare for chemical dependency counseling. Some of the program’s courses include Professional Issues in Addiction, Psychopharmacology, and Addictions Counseling with Selected Populations. Students must also complete an internship comprising 880 hours of supervised training and 440 hours in an inpatient addiction center. Prospective careers include recovery specialists, social services coordinators, and correctional treatment specialists.

St. Cloud State facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on the learning management system D2L Brightspace. Online students can access student accessibility services, online library services, tutoring, and IT support.

Bethel University - MN is a medium-sized, Baptist, private, and nonprofit university. According to its website, Bethel is not an LGBT-friendly institution. Students can pursue two online certificate programs in substance use counseling.

• The 18-credit Addiction Studies Certificate Program can help students develop the skills necessary to work with individuals coping with addiction issues. Some of the online program’s courses include Counseling Microskills, Pharmacology of Addictions, and Cross-Cultural Perspectives. Potential careers students are working toward include recovery specialists, researchers, and addictions counselors.
• The online Alcohol and Drug Counseling Certificate Program totals 26 credit hours, and it prepares students to become licensed alcohol and drug counselors in the state of Minnesota. Prospective careers include substance use counselors, recovery coaches, and social workers, to name a few options.

Bethel facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on the learning management system Moodle for part-time and full-time students. The university’s remote student support includes academic advising, counseling, career development, and disability resources and services.

Winona State University is a mid-sized, public university that offers an online graduate certificate in addiction counseling.

• The Graduate Certificate in Addiction Counseling totals 24 credit hours, and this sequence of courses is meant to prepare students to become Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors in Minnesota. Sample courses include Psychopharmacology, Theory and Practice, and Addiction Counseling: Multicultural Concerns. Students are required to complete an in-person internship. Graduates may seek employment in community mental health centers, correctional facilities, or clinics.

At Winona, online students complete courses on the learning management system D2L Brightspace in synchronous formats. Students can complete online programs on a part-time or full-time basis. The university’s online student resources include advising, counseling, tutoring, disability services, and career services.

Prospective students seeking further education in substance use counseling can choose from a couple of online substance use counseling programs at Crown College — a small, private, and nonprofit college affiliated with the Christ and Missionary Alliance Church. According to its statement of faith, they are not an LGBT-friendly institution.

• The 125-credit, online Bachelor of Science in Alcohol and Drug Counseling gives students the skills to help people with addiction. The program’s courses include Social Science Research Methods, Diversity Issues in Counseling, and Group Dynamics. The curriculum also requires an in-person internship. Graduates may pursue careers like community health workers, recovery coaches, and case managers.
• The online Master of Arts in Alcohol and Drug Counseling totals 36 credit hours and aims to prepare students to sit for the exam to become Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors. This allows for licensing across 35 states. Some of the program’s courses include Alcohol and Drug Case Management, Psychopathology, and Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling. Students are required to complete an internship in order to graduate. Then they may pursue careers like research scientists, substance abuse counselors, and health educators.
• The online Undergraduate Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Counseling requires 12 credit hours. This standalone certificate program is designed for students seeking additional training in substance use counseling. Potential careers include recovery specialists, substance abuse counselors, and addictions counselors.

At Crown College, online students complete coursework asynchronously on Moodle, meaning they can work at their own pace, whether that's part-time or full-time. Online student resources include counseling, career services, disability services, financial aid, tech support, and an online library.

Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies is a small, private, nonprofit institution that offers an online graduate program in substance use counseling at the master's level.

• The school's Master of Arts in Addiction Studies: Integrated Recovery for Co-Occurring Disorders Addiction Counseling is a 60-credit program designed for students interested in becoming addiction counselors or looking to further their careers in this field. Sample courses include Lifespan Development, Group Counseling, and Evidence-Based Counseling and Theory. A 200-hour practicum, an internship, and two in-person residencies at Hazelden Betty Ford are required to graduate from this program. Graduates may pursue careers like care coordinators, recovery coaches, and addiction counselors.

Hazelden Betty Ford uses a learning management system to deliver online courses. New students will go through an online orientation to get them more comfortable with the distance learning experience at Hazelden Betty Ford.

Adler Graduate School is a small, private, and nonprofit institution offering an online graduate degree in counseling with an addictions concentration:

• The online Master of Arts in Counseling - Co-Occurring Disorders and Addiction Counseling, which ranges from 64-73 credit hours, teaches students how to treat addiction alongside other mental health disorders. Sample courses include Developmental Psychology, Multi-Cultural Counseling, and Behavioral Neuroscience. Students are required to complete 100 practicum hours and 600 hours of clinical internship. Graduates may work in mental health clinics, private practices, and social services.

At Adler, online students complete coursework remotely, and it's delivered asynchronously and synchronously on the digital learning platform Moodle. The school’s programs are offered fully online or in a hybrid format. Online student services include career services, a bookstore, an online library, and a writing center.