How We Rank Schools
At BestColleges, we believe a college education is one of the most important investments you can make. We want to help you navigate the college selection process by offering transparent, inclusive, and relevant school rankings.
Our rankings are grounded in a few guiding principles and use the latest statistical data available from trusted sources. Read our ranking methodology. We hope our approach helps you find the school that is best for you.
#1
Impact The Lives Of Others With A Post
In 2017, over 70,000 people in the U.S. lost their lives because of a drug overdose, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The statistics on the drug epidemic are alarming. If you feel called to work toward saving lives and strengthening communities, consider earning your addiction counseling certificate at Grand Canyon University. The Post-Master of Science in Counseling: Addiction Counseling Certificate program is designed for working professionals who hold a masters or doctoral degree in counseling, behavioral health, social work, nursing or a related field.
Offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, this addiction counseling certificate examines the assessment, treatment and aftercare of substance abuse and addictive disorders. It explores co-occurring disorders and best practices in working with chemically dependent adolescents. There is a focus on Christian principles and biblical truths. Aspiring counselors are encouraged to explore addictions in light of the Christian worldview, and to look for appropriate ways of integrating faith into their practice.
Want To Make A Difference
If youre serious about earning your masters in addiction counseling, here are some next steps to take:
Once you enroll, youll be on your way to gaining the skills necessary to help people manage their addictions and maintain healthier lifestyles, and thats something you can feel very good about.
Related Guides:
Read Also: How To Break Free From Addiction
University Of California San Diego
The University of California, San Diegos online substance abuse counseling certificate program offers an Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling certificate program that is approved through the California Consortium of Addiction Programs & Professionals. UC San Diegos certificate in addiction counseling online programs curriculum also meets the education requirements for a CADC- 1 certification. This addiction counseling certificate online program from the University of Californias programs required 33 credit units over eighteen months, on average. It is noted that there is a limited residency requirement for certificate candidates.
The University of California was founded in 1960 as a result of the Morrill Land Grant Act. The University of Californias campus in San Diego is also a sea-grant and space-grant school that is home to approximately 40,350 students.
Highlight: The San Diego Campus of the University of California is the southernmost member school of the states university system.
Degree: Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling
What Can I Expect From An Online Bachelor’s In Addiction Counseling Program
During online bachelor’s in addiction counseling programs, students gain foundational knowledge in addiction treatments, case management, and psychopharmacology. They also develop soft skills like listening, communication, and empathy.
Most bachelor’s in addiction and substance use disorder counseling programs require students to complete around 120 credits. Learners can graduate in four years of full-time study. However, online students can take longer if they enroll part time. Most programs blend core coursework with research and internship opportunities to gain experience in the field.
Most bachelor’s in addiction programs are concentrations within broader programs in fields like counseling, sociology, or psychology. As such, these programs usually do not offer further specialization options.
Read Also: What Percentage Of Meth Addicts Recover
Why Should I Get My Certificate In Addiction Or Substance Abuse Counseling Online
Working professionals who have an existing degree in mental health counseling can benefit from getting their certificate in addiction counseling online. The certificate in addiction counseling is designed to enable a counselor to earn their states licensure to legally work as an addiction counselor. Many states require a prospective addiction counselor to complete a set number of hours in order to be eligible for licensure as well as earn their certification. An online substance abuse counseling certificate program enables the working professional to complete their required hours and attend classes at the same time while saving time and money.
You do have to make sure to complete your work by the deadlines set by the instructor of the program in order to complete the program. However, attending a course for your certificate in addiction counseling online allows you to attend class according to your schedule and in the comfort of your own home.
Professional Licensure And Certification
All states require either certification or licensure to practice as a substance abuse counselor. Most states have multiple levels of licensure, typically a bachelorâs-level license that requires ongoing supervision and a masterâs-level license that allows independent practice. This program meets the core educational content requirements for licensure in the State of Arizona. This certificate also meets the educational content requirements for most states in the U.S. In addition, we are pursuing NASAC and NAADAC certification. Please visit our professional licensure page for the most up-to-date information on requirements for licensure in your state.
Don’t Miss: What To Do When Child Is Addicted To Video Games
Masters In Addiction Studies Ranking Methodology
We ranked 20 schools that offer masters degrees in addiction studies and related degrees based on tuition, program credit length, and graduate-level student enrollment. Tuition rates and program lengths were gathered from each schools website. Tuition is an estimate based on average full-time enrollment of 12 credits per semester. It did not include variable factors such as housing or personal expenses. Graduate student enrollment was obtained from the National Center for Education Statistics.
We sorted by lowest tuition, shortest program length, and highest graduate student population and assigned points to each school in each category. The breakdown of distribution is as follows: 40% tuition, 40% program length, 20% enrollment. The maximum possible points was 100.
We strive to be as accurate as possible in our data-gathering. If you work for a school listed above and notice an error in our data please reach out to us so we can make a correction.
Also Check: How To Get An Addict To Stop
Schools In Michigan Offering Addiction Counseling Or Substance Abuse Programs
Michigan has one of the top Substance Abuse Counseling Schools in the country. The University of Detroit Mercy in Detroit, MI is considered one of the top 25 regional universities in the Midwest. This is according to the U.S News and World Report. At Detroit Mercy, they offer a Master of Arts in Addiction Counseling, including a licensure as a Professional Counselor program.
Other schools offering Addiction Counseling in Michigan include:
Also Check: How To Cure Opiate Addiction
Don’t Miss: What Is Addictive Personality Disorder
Is There A Need For Substance Abuse Counselors
The National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates 25% of American adults struggle with substance use disorders.3 That trend is driving increased demand for substance abuse counselors. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 25% growth for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselor occupations through 2029 much faster than the average for all occupations.1
Theres another major factor contributing to the demand drug offenders. The BLS notes that in recent years, the criminal justice system has recognized that offenders with substance use disorder are less likely to offend again if they get treatment. As a result, many states have begun to mandate treatment and counseling services for drug offenders in lieu of jail time.
Military veterans make up another significant portion of a substance abuse counselors caseload. More than 10% of veterans have a substance use disorder, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.4
Societal trends combined with the growing need for substance abuse counselors make this an ideal time to pursue a substance abuse degree.
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Minnesota State University offers a graduate addiction counseling certificate online program with its CACREP-accredited Addiction Counseling Certificate program. Students enrolled in Minnesota State Universitys online substance abuse counseling certificate program will also complete an internship and practicum experience to apply the theoretical knowledge learned online. Certificate candidates typically complete this certificate in addiction counseling online program in about two years, study full-time or up to five years as a part-time student. Students can opt for a dual certificate but are encouraged to investigate the requirements for the dual certificate prior to enrolling.
Established in 1887, Minnesota State University is a public higher learning institution that is a member school of the states system. The universitys suburban campus in Moorhead is home to approximately 7,450 students.
Highlight: Minnesota State Universitys humble beginnings include the states legislative body passing legislation to create a teachers college.
Degree: Addiction Counseling Certificate
You May Like: Lash Addict Beauty And Spa
Associate Degree In Addiction Counseling
Floridians who want to get an early start on a career in mental health can launch into addictions counseling with a CAC license. This license only requires a high school diploma or the equivalent, but an associate addiction counseling degree will take them much farther. These days, community colleges have degree programs dedicated to addressing the addiction crisis in their area. This specialized degree will certainly help graduates land better jobs with better pay than if they only had a high school diploma.
An associate addiction counseling degree is also a smart move for those who aspire to higher licensing levels. The two-year degree will provide the core college curriculum they need to move into a four-year college or Florida university. On top of that, these programs provide a firm foundation in psychology and addictions counseling that will come in handy on the job. Finally, since community college credits are much cheaper than those in four-year schools, community college students will see a great savings in their first years.
You May Like: How Do People Get Addicted To Alcohol
Graduate Sooner With Your Military Education
Turn your professional military education and training into college credit with Purdue Globals innovative PME2Degree program. We award members of the military credits for college based on the level of their occupational training and PME transcripts.
We have extensively reviewed the education and training for many occupations across each branch of the armed forces and evaluated them for credit toward a Purdue Global online degree.
If your occupation has not already been evaluated, our team will provide a complimentary review of your Joint Services Transcript and civilian transcripts to award the maximum amount of credit toward your degree.
Don’t Miss: How To Become An Addiction Counselor In Texas
Study Psychology And Addiction From A Christian Perspective
Offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, this Christian substance abuse counseling MS degree is an intensive survey of psychological theory and counseling practices, presented within a biblical framework that expands upon the Christian worldview. Students explore the cultural, familial and sociological influences on people with addictions. There is an emphasis on character formation, stages of spiritual growth and personal spiritual health for the counselor.
Upon Graduation You Will Be Able To:
Don’t Miss: Why Are Prescription Drugs So Addictive
Online Graduate Certificate Programs In Addiction And Substance Abuse Counseling
Graduate certificate programs are generally structured to accommodate college graduates who have already entered the workforce and mid-career professionals who intend to continue working while taking graduate courses. Many programs allow for part-time enrollment and schedule classes at times that are less likely to conflict with traditional work hours. In addition, an increasing number of schools use distance-learning technologies to offer all or most of a graduate certificate programs required coursework online*.
Online graduate certificate programs in addiction and substance abuse utilize learning management systems to stream live and pre-recorded lectures and virtual class sessions, and to deliver other instructional materials. Students can thus access coursework from home, work, or anywhere else with a secure internet connection. Many online programs offer all of their instruction online, while others require students to attend a limited number of campus visits for orientations, seminars, workshops, and other activities that benefit from in-person face-to-face instruction.
What Does A Substance Abuse Counselor Do
A substance abuse counselor helps people with resolving their addictions through the process of examining the mental and physical aspects of substance use and abuse. Your role as the counselor is to evaluate people at an intake appointment, determine the appropriate setting for treatment , create a treatment plan and support your patient as they begin their journey to better mental health and quitting their substance abuse. A substance abuse counselor helps their patient learn more about the reasons why they engage in substance abuse, look at underlying factors in their patients lives that contribute to the need to use, and evaluate the patients progress on a regular basis.
Jobs for substance abuse counselors are plentiful, and the field is poised for strong growth over the next eight years. The mental health field works closely with the medical care field as patients often start off needing medical care prior to starting substance abuse counseling. Youll find that many medical facilities have a substance abuse counseling job description that lays out the kind of work required of a substance abuse counselor along with the type of substances their facility treats. A substance abuse counselor can find work in medical settings, community centers, outpatient programs, and any clinical setting where theres a need for a counselor with substance abuse training.
Don’t Miss: How To Break Nasal Spray Addiction
Bachelors Degree In Addiction Counseling
Those undergraduate students who earn a degree in a field related to addictions counseling can consider working toward licensure as a certified addiction professional. This is perhaps the optimal academic level at which to enter the field of addiction counseling. A bachelors degree allows students the time to fully explore a topic and to learn more about what they want from a career and how they would like to achieve that.
Students can use their bachelors degree to earn a CAP credential and then work for a few years in the field as a way to determine whether they would like to invest in a masters degree, and which degree is best for them. Their bachelors degree and subsequent experience in the addiction counseling field should enable them to decide whether to pursue a master of social work, a masters in addiction counseling, or a masters degree in clinical psychology.
Cns 527 Pharmacology Of Psychoactive Substances
This Addiction Specialization course covers terminology, drug classification, physiological effects, psychological effects, withdrawal syndrome, drug interactions and treatment applications. All major categories of drugs are addressed: alcohol, depressants, cocaine and other stimulants, opiates, hallucinogens, cannabinoids, inhalants and other substances. The course also explores neurological commonalities of addiction and the hypothesized role of neurotransmitters and endogenous chemicals in addictions and compulsive behaviors such as gambling, sexual behavior and shopping.
Recommended Reading: How Do You Beat Addiction
How Much Money Can I Make With A Bachelors In Addiction Counseling
According to the BLS, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors earned a median annual salary of $47,660 as of May 2020. Those working for the government earned the highest median annual wage at $54,070.
Salary potential depends on location, title, employer, and experience. The top 10% of earners in the field made a median annual salary of more than $78,700 as of May 2020, while the bottom 10% earned less than $30,590.
Best 20 Masters In Addiction Studies Programs In 2022
Addiction is a critical epidemic across the country. The need for compassionate, dedicated counselors to treat those who suffer from drug addiction and alcoholism is expected to increase 25% by 2029. A masters degree in addiction studies prepares students to become certified counselors and potentially seek advancement in research opportunities. The average pay in this field is $46,240 per year.
Don’t Miss: Why Do People Get Addicted To Alcohol
Help Others With An Ms In Addiction Counseling
Offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, this MS in Addiction Counseling is designed to blend classroom instruction with real-world, hands-on learning experiences. Students examine matters of professional ethics, major counseling theories and principles, psychopharmacology and chemical dependency in adolescents. Graduates with a masters in addiction counseling emerge fully prepared to pursue licensure and work opportunities in various settings.
Matrix Intensive Outpatient Treatment For People With Stimulant Use Disorders: Counselor’s Family Education Manual W/cd
This comprehensive kit provides substance use disorder treatment professionals with a year-long intensive outpatient treatment model. Professionals can use this model when treating clients who are dependent on stimulant drugs, such as methamphetamine and cocaine. Access family education sessions and handouts.
You May Like: How To Help An Addict Who Relapsed
Earn Your Degree 100% Online At Gcu
New Scholarships Available!
GCU is dedicated to helping students change their lives.
- A convenient, streamlined option for achieving your degree on your time that pairs with a quality education.
- Access to a host of GCU resources to support your education journey including access to student service counselors, the GCU library, technical help, and more.
- Affordable options for all our bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees, as well as scholarship opportunities and special rates for those in military service and their spouses.
18%OFF
If you are a new student and looking to earn your education or secondary education masters degree, you may be eligible for a reduced cost of $470 per credit.
Education Master’s Degree Scholarship
