Associate Degree In Addiction Counseling

Can You Get Licensed With An Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degree

Absolutely! Provided that your substance abuse counselor program is appropriately accredited and meets state requirements, completing an online addiction studies program offers the same level of preparation as an on-campus program. You will likely need to complete an in-person clinical experience or practicum even if you do study online, but this can typically be completed in your local area.

Why Choose Our College

• Making student success our #1 priority.
• Designing courses that develop critical skill sets and expanding our students knowledge base for a life-time career.
• Ensuring that the skills businesses need are the skills we teach.
• Offering affordable programs that typically take less time to complete and have smaller class sizes than those of other schools.
• ong> Offering on-campus, hybrid, and completely online diploma and degree programs that provide more flexibility to fit your life-style.
• Having the best career services team that has done the networking for you with numerous local employers and are here to help.

All of us at Stautzenberger College are here to help you succeed, whether its our free tutoring, helpful financial aid options, or connecting you with businesses for that great job. We are here to prepare you for quick entry into the workforce.

Financial Aid available to those who qualify.

Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees

A substance abuse counselor degree is required for a career in substance abuse counseling. These counselors provide assistance to people with alcohol and drug addictions. They evaluate the health of their clients, develop treatment plans, assist with behavior modification and skill-building, and educate and counsel families. Counselors may work in a healthcare setting or in a private practice. Those that excel as substance abuse counselors are compassionate and have the abilities to communicate, listen in a non-judgmental way, remain calm, and interact with different types of people. Pursuing a substance abuse counselor degree online is a budget-friendly solution for many.

Recommended Reading: How To Help An Addict Without Enabling

Why Is Certification Important

Addiction counselors must become certified to practice their profession. Since this specialty is relatively new, there is little in the way of consistency between each state. Some require lengthy periods in which burgeoning counselors must work under close supervision. Other states have little more than an educational requirement.

Some systems allow counselors to enter the field with little more than a one-year certificate rather than a degree. Their duties and pay scale are appropriately curtailed, however. Nonetheless, a person can attain licensure and then decide to return for more education and a higher level of state certification.

Furthermore, when a person has state licensure in one state, they can either find a state that offers full reciprocity or one that will allow temporary licensure. Most states allow a grace period for those with temporary credentials. Counselors must complete their new state’s requirements before the period ends, however, if they wish to remain in the profession.

Finally, state licensure shows that a counselor has satisfied certain requirements and is thus able to practice within the scope of that license. This is very helpful when seeking a job. While experience is always a huge benefit when seeking employment, a license is iron-clad proof of skills and knowledge.

Counselor Licensing And Certification Boards By State

• Board Name with Abbreviation as : Alabama Board of Examiners
• Boards Abbrev: ABEC

• Board Name with Abbreviation as : Board of Professional Counselors
• Boards Abbrev: ??
• Mailing Address : PO Box 110806 Juneau, AK 99811-080
• Physical Address : 333 Willoughby Ave. 9th FL State Office Building Juneau, AK 99801-1770

• Board Name with Abbreviation as : Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners
• Boards Abbrev: AZBBHE

• Board Name with Abbreviation as : Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling
• Boards Abbrev: ABEC

• Board Name with Abbreviation as : Board Of Behavioral Sciences
• Boards Abbrev: BBS

• Board Name with Abbreviation as : Center for Credentialing & Education, State Board of Addiction Counselor Examiners
• Boards Abbrev: CCE

• Board Name with Abbreviation as : Connecticut Certification Board
• Boards Abbrev: CCB

• Board Name with Abbreviation as : The Delaware Certification Board
• Boards Abbrev: DCB

• Board Name with Abbreviation as : Florida Credential Board
• Boards Abbrev: FCB

Georgia

• State : Georgia
• Board Name with Abbreviation as : Georgia Addiction Counselors Association, The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia
• Boards Abbrev: GACA, ADACBOG

• Board Name with Abbreviation as : Department of Health, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division
• Boards Abbrev: ADAD

• Board Name with Abbreviation as : Idaho Board of Alcohol/Drug Counselor Certification
• Boards Abbrev: IBADCC

• Board Name with Abbreviation as : Illinois Certification Board
• Boards Abbrev: IAODAPCA

Nevada

New Hampshire

Read Also: How To Treat Nicotine Addiction

Career Opportunities In Addiction Studies

For most therapists and counselors, a masters degree is required. Thats not often the case in the field of substance abuse, where opportunities are growing at more than three times the average job growth rate for all occupations. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, while most jobs in the field require at least a bachelors degree, some jobs require as little as a high school diploma and a certification class.

Different states and employers have different requirements. With an associates degree in this field, you might find opportunities such as program counselor or addiction counselor in inpatient or outpatient facilities, or you might be limited to support roles in substance abuse and mental health services. Often, workers in the field of substance abuse counseling who dont have a masters degree must work under the supervision of counselors who have this advanced degree. To attain a counselor role with only an associates degree, you may first need to gain a couple of years of work experience in a support or assistant role in substance abuse and mental health treatment.

Having a bachelors degree expands your career options in the field of substance abuse counseling considerably, but it still might not be the end of the line for your college studies. While 19 percent of substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors have a bachelors degree, 30 percent have a masters degree and another 16 percent have a professional degree.

Addiction Counseling Education In Mississippi

An addiction counselor is a mental health professional who specializes in work with those who suffer with substance abuse disorder. Their work is most often found in drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers or outpatient clinics that are designed for this specific purpose. Mississippi offers only a few options for addiction counselor licensure, and they all require a masters addiction counseling degree. However, Mississippi drug rehabilitation facilities may be able to hire staff for non-counseling positions, which allow workers to be a part of the rehabilitation process without providing one-on-one counseling services.

Once licensed by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, addiction counselors conduct careers that generally take place in drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities. They are also licensed to conduct one-on-one counseling sessions with clients who are suffering with substance abuse disorder. In fact, some addiction counselors work in private practice or with other outpatient solutions to the scourge of drug abuse.

You May Like: Why Do People Get Addicted To Drugs

Online Addiction Counseling Certifications

There are many different types of addiction counseling certifications that are available to students in Mississippi. The most common type of certification is the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor certification. This certification is offered through the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors . To become a CADC, you must complete an accredited training program and pass an exam. Other types of addiction counseling certifications include the Certified Addictions Professional and the Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor certification.

Certification requirements for addiction counselors in Mississippi are more stringent than in some other states. Candidates must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school, and they must complete at least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience. They must also pass an exam administered by the Association of Addiction Professionals.

Types of Substance Abuse Counseling Certifications in Mississippi

CACREP Accredited Certification

Counselor Testing & Examination Process in MIssissippi

Choosing An Associates In Counseling Degree Program

Associates degrees provide students with an introduction to post-secondary learning and often have core curriculum requirements that every student must complete. While associates degrees in counseling are available, they are not common therefore, students interested in counseling career paths may also choose to pursue a degree that provides related knowledge, such as psychology, human services, or family studies. Both counseling associate degrees and associate degrees in related fields will prepare students for further specialization in some of the most popular counseling areas of practice: professional counseling , marriage and family therapy, school counseling, substance abuse counseling, and rehabilitation counseling.

Associates-level degree programs are often designed to develop breadth of knowledge in core areas, such as writing and composition, math, humanities, and science, with a smaller number of subject-specific electives. Students can choose from a range of courses related to counseling and mental health as part of the elective requirements, depending on what is offered at the school. Choosing an area of counseling specialization becomes more important at the graduate level as each state has specific degree and course requirements for each practice area.

Recommended Reading: What Is Drug Dependence And Addiction

The Ashland University Addictions Program Features Include:

We Help You Succeed

Our dedicated faculty and advisors will help you every step of the way. Some of our services consist of free tutoring, one-on-one career management, and study strategy tools.

Financial Aid Available

Ashland University provides a number of financial aid options ranging from tuition assistance grants to standard student loans. Financial aid may cover up to 100% of tuition, depending on a variety of factors. Financial aid is not available to non-degree seeking students.

Affordable

$23,063 for traditional incoming first-year students with a 4 year freeze. The tuition rate for the online Associate of Arts with a Concentration in Addictions is $385 per credit hour or $23,000 for the 60 hours of an associate degree.

Internship Opportunities

Ashland Universitys Department of Addictions Counseling, Prevention, and Human Services works with community treatment providers to offer students internships where they can receive hands-on experience in the addictions treatment field.

Make a Difference Immediately

Students are trained in quality ethical client-centered treatment practices to help individuals and families struggling with difficult issues related to substance use disorders. Ashland University focuses on quality education emphasizing ethics and current best practice to prepare students for a career in addictions counseling.

What You Will Learn In An Addiction Counseling Technician Program

can be completed in just 5 month

• Utilize theories of addiction, substance assessment, and counseling techniques.
• Prepare you through course work to demonstrate the skills employers are looking for in this field.
• Apply ethics and boundary considerations and practice an understanding of diversity and tolerance for others.
• Develop motivational interviewing skills to help patients cope.
• Understand the neurobiology of addiction, family addiction dynamics, and special population considerations in addiction counseling.
• Demonstrate knowledge of group process, case management, crisis intervention, trauma and recovery, and vocational rehabilitation.

Read Also: How Do You Convince An Addict To Get Help

What Certification Will I Need

The National Board for Certified Counselors administers an exam to allow counselors to become certified and in some states, is a step toward becoming licensed.

• Masters degree in counseling or related field from accredited college or university
• 3,000 hours of counseling experience and 100 hours of supervision for two years after earning a masters degree
• Passing score on exam

As an aspiring substance abuse counselor, you can also take an exam to denote your specialization. The NBCC offers the Master Addictions Counselor certification.

Doctoral Degrees In Substance Abuse Counseling

Although there are a limited number of programs at the doctoral level, earning a doctoral degree in substance abuse counseling can aid individuals in opening their own private practice. It also opens doors for professionals who are interested in teaching their craft at the university level. Depending on the school and program of attendance, this level of program will typically take students three to seven years to complete. The length of study may also depend on the individual’s enrollment as a full time or part time student.

Courses in which students will participate in include practical psychopharmacology in addiction treatment, multicultural issues in addiction, addiction research, and advanced inferential statistics. All students will also be required to write and successfully defend a dissertation. I

ndividuals who are interested in pursuing a doctoral degree will need to ensure that they have met all of the admission requirements. These requirements include the completion of a master’s program with a GPA of at least 3.0 and a current professional resume outlining all past experience within the counseling field. The total cost of education for this degree level averages $54,788, however students can often reduce the cost of their education by transferring accredited credits from previously attended institutions.

You May Like: How Can I Help An Addict Recover

Are Associate Degrees In Counseling Offered Online

With growing interest in online education, many institutions now offer associate degrees fully online or through hybrid methods. In general, however, associate degree programs in counseling are less common, so there are fewer fully-online options. If you want to complete your degree online, you may consider completing a degree in a counseling-related field, such as psychology, family studies, or human services, as there may be a greater selection of programs available. Other considerations when choosing an online program include whether the curriculum closely mirrors the on-campus counterpart, whether you must attend classes online, and whether you must visit the campus at any time during the program.

Addiction Counselor Testing & Examination Process In Montana

You will download your LAC credential application from the Licensed Addiction Counselor Program section of the BSD. Besides your personal information you will need:

• Official transcripts from all coursework
• Weekly time sheets from your clinical supervisor
• Fee of $250
• Fingerprint and background check

Although you will send your official transcripts you will also be required to list the individual coursework you’ve taken to show you have met the Board requirements for education. Likewise, your clinical supervisor or supervisors will be required to indicate that you have completed the specific hours of supervised experience required for each of the 11 skill areas as designated in the experience portion of your training.

Applications are usually processed within 30 days. Once approved you will be contacted via mail by the National Association for Addiction Professionals with details on the time, date, and location you are scheduled to take the NAADAC Level I Exam.

The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice, objective questions and focuses on eight areas of expertise:

• Treatment admission
• Clinical assessment
• Discharge and continuing care
• Legal, ethical and professional growth issues

There are three hours allowed for the exam and it will test your knowledge in the areas of:

• Counseling practice
• Pharmacology of psychoactive substances
• Theoretical base of counseling
• Professional issues related to Substance Use Disorder treatment

You May Like: How To Cure Food Addiction

How Long Does It Take To Become A Drug Counselor

Breaking into the field of substance abuse counseling takes less time than mental health counseling, which generally requires a master’s degree. However, most employers look for relevant work experience or a higher level of education than high school, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics .1

You could get a certification without a degree, and you could start a career that way, said Seth Matthews, associate dean of human services at Southern New Hampshire University. But without that academic foundation of the bachelors degree, youre going to hit a wall.

Substance abuse counselor degree programs train students to observe and interview patients, carry out treatment plans, and handle crisis situations. Many programs include opportunities to participate in fieldwork to provide hands-on experiences. Such practical experience can go a long way toward fulfilling your career aspirations to become an addiction counselor.

Associate Degree In Addictions Counseling

The associate degree in Addictions Counseling introduces you to the treatment of addictions while preparing you to work in a variety of therapeutic settings. This program creates a pathway to apply for Texas Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor .

Online access: SAGU offers this degree 100% online . Earn your degree in the comfort of your favorite study spot.

New Reduced Tuition for SAGU Online Beginning Fall 2021, SAGU is dropping online tuition from $499 to $399 per credit hour. That is a value of up to $10,000 on a 4-year degree.

This online degree is available to SAGU American Indian College students at a special tuition price. SAGU AIC students pay only $575 $399 per hour, but experience the same flexibility of online learning.

Don’t Miss: How To Get Over Drug Addiction

Choosing A Great Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling School For Your Associate Degree

The substance abuse/addiction counseling associate degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.

National Certified Addiction Counselor Level Ii

This credential requires that candidates hold a minimum of a bachelors degree in substance use disorders/addiction or a related field such as social work, psychology, mental health counseling, etc. Candidates should have a state-issued license as a substance use disorders/addiction counselor or professional counselor and provide proof of at least five years of full-time supervised work in the field. NAADAC will also accept a total of 10,000 hours. On top of the degree requirement, the credential requires 450 contact hours of education in substance abuse disorders/addiction counseling. Applicants must also complete 6 hours of ethics training and then 6 hours of HIV/other pathogen training within the 6 years prior to application. Finally, applicants must provide passing scores on the NCC APs NCAC Level II exam, pay a non-refundable initial credentialing fee of $235, and then be prepared to pay $200 every two years after that for licensure renewal. Renewals must also include evidence of 40 CEU hours, a verifiable work history for the past two years, and a signed statement affirming adherence to the NAADAC/NCC AP Code of Ethics.

Recommended Reading: How Many People Struggle With Addiction