2023 Best Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees in North Carolina

East Carolina University (ECU) is a large, public institution that offers an online certificate in addictions counseling.

• The Addictions Prevention and Treatment Studies Certificate consists of 12 semester hours, and students can finish in less than a year. Some courses include Foundations of Addictions & Clinical Counseling; Alcohol, Tobacco, & Other Drug Education & Prevention; and Contemporary Alcohol/Drug Issues. This program meets partial academic requirements for the North Carolina Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor credential, but students still need to meet the other requirements on their own.

At ECU, students use Canvas to access their coursework, which is entirely online. Most coursework is fully remote, but some classes may have scheduled live sessions. Online students have access to the university library, tutoring services, and academic advising.

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP) is a public, Native American Non-Tribal Institution, which offers an online graduate certificate in addictions counseling.

• The Graduate Certificate in Addictions Counseling requires 12 credit hours, and includes courses such as Issues in Addictions for Counselors, Contemporary Issues & Special Population in Addiction, and The Family & Addiction — along with 300 clock hours at an approved field placement site. This program meets the North Carolina Addictions Specialists Professional Practice Board educational requirements for the Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist application. Graduates often work in addiction specific professional counseling careers, leadership roles, and advocacy positions in the field.

At UNCP, students use the software Canvas to access their coursework, which is 100% online. Distance learners have access to the university library, tutoring services, and academic advising.

Asheville - Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) is a medium-sized, public institution that offers the following certificate program in counseling.

• The Human Services & Substance Abuse Studies Certificate requires 17 credit hours and students may complete it in just three semesters. Courses include Developmental Disabilities, Addiction & Recovery Counseling, and Pharmacology, among others. This program is made for individuals already working in the field, individuals who want to obtain or renew credentialing through the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board, and/or students working toward a human services degree.

At A-B Tech, students use Moodle to access their coursework, which is entirely online. Online students have access to the university library, tutoring services, and academic advising.

Davidson-Davie County Community College (DDCC) is a medium-sized, public institution that offers the following addiction counseling certificate online.

• The Human Services Certificate - Addiction and Recovery Studies is a program that requires 18 credit hours and takes less than a year to complete. Students take courses — like Conflict Resolution, Addictive Behaviors, and Co-Dependency — to prepare for entry-level positions in organizations that provide social, community, and educational services.

At DDCC, students use Moodle to access their coursework, which is entirely online. Distance learners can access the university library, tutoring services, and academic advising.

Gardner Webb University (GWU) is a small, private, Southern Baptist institution that offers an online counseling degree at the bachelor's level.

• The Bachelor of Science in Human Services - Substance Use and Abuse (Degree Completion) requires 39 credit hours, and applicants should already have an associate degree. The curriculum includes the following courses: General Psychology, Ethical Issues in Human Services, and The Human Service Profession, among others. Graduates often work in geriatric care, group rehabilitation, social services, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, and nonprofit institutions.

At GWU students use the digital platform Blackboard to access their classes online. Some of these are scheduled live classes. Online students have access to the university library, tutoring services, academic advising, and more.

Montreat College is a small, private, nonprofit, and Interdenominational institution where prospective students can pursue an online master’s in substance use counseling.

• The Master of Science in Counseling Psychology with Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling equals 48 credit hours. This degree program delivers a Christian-based approach to help students learn the best practices of substance use counseling. Some of the program’s courses are Theories in Counseling, Family Systems Theories, and Spirituality and Religion in Counseling. Students must also complete an internship to graduate. Prospective careers for graduates of this program include community health workers, behavioral counselors, and youth counselors.

Montreat College utilizes a learning management system to deliver asynchronous and synchronous online courses. Resources for online students at Montreat College include academic coaching, peer tutoring, a writing center, academic advising, counseling, and disability services.