What Did Your Career Trajectory Look Like After You Graduated How Did You End Up In Your Current Position
After I graduated with a BA in psychology from Pennsylvania State University, I went on to West Chester University to get a master’s degree in criminal justice because I was interested in studying the criminal mind and how it works. After that, I went back to clinical psychology to get my Ph.D. because I wanted to focus on therapy and life coaching in the addiction arena.
University Of Holy Cross
New Orleans, Louisiana
Standardized Test Score Requirements: requirements varyPoints: 18
At Northwestern State University of Louisiana, you can earn an affordable BS in Addiction Studies. The Bachelor of Science degree will focus on psychology coursework and will prepare you for careers in the human resources or communications fields. In addition to learning and understanding human behavior, youll also gain valuable and marketable skills like how to collect, organize, analyze and interpret data and solid communication skills. An advanced graduate degree is also available for those looking to advance their education. NSUs program has several accolades, including spots for affordability and online coursework. Northwestern State University of Louisiana is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Net-Price Tuition: $10,448
Standardized Test Score Requirements: requirements varyPoints: 18
Net-Price Tuition: $9,273
How Much Do Addiction And Recovery Majors Make
While addiction and recovery careers do not generally come with high salaries, these practitioners benefit from helping others. In general, midcareer professionals can expect to make $40,000-$50,000 per year, depending on their role and where they work. Securing an advanced degree can open up greater career opportunities and more lucrative salaries.
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What Does A Substance Abuse Counselor Do
Substance abuse counselors work with clients who struggle with addictions. They help individual clients establish personalized treatment plans and regularly check up on their progress. Since these professionals advise people from diverse backgrounds who may abuse different kinds of substances, treatment plans will vary.
Substance abuse counselors evaluate clients physical and mental health as they establish treatment plans, recording clients behavior to monitor their responses throughout the process. Substance abuse counselors understand the importance of ensuring their clients environmental safety during recovery, and they help clients avoid dangerous situations, people, and past behaviors that might lead to relapse.
Studies have shown the benefits of substance abuse counselors working with clients families and friends. When a patient has a support system that understands the importance of recovery, outcomes improve. Substance abuse counselors can also help their clients get additional support through professional and social outlets, for instance, connecting those who are recovering from alcoholism with groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, where they can establish a community of peers.
University Of Maine At Augusta
Standardized Test Score Requirements: requirements varyPoints: 22
Whats the good news about the University of Maine at Augustas affordable Bachelors in Addiction Studies? You can customize it to fit your specific career goals, whether you want to work with kids, teenagers, adults, or the elderly. This BS in Mental Health and Human Services offers a concentration in Addictions Counseling and will also fulfill the Licensed Social Worker-Conditional credential. Coursework in the concentration includes classes like Trauma and Addiction, Counseling for Substance Use Disorder, Crisis Intervention, and Adolescence, Sub. Abuse & Criminality. On top of this coursework, youll learn highly essential skills from advocacy to management to handling crises. Field experiences at reputable local businesses are available. The University of Maine at Augusta is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Net-Price Tuition: $9,899
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Is Psychology A Good Major
With its broad applications and the high level of personal satisfaction derived from helping others, a degree in psychology or counseling can be a great choice of major. Knowledge and understanding of human behavior can be beneficial in almost any job.
Your undergraduate degree in psychology can enable you to begin helping others in a rewarding career whether you’re passionate about helping those struggling with addictions, working with children and adolescents, assisting the criminal justice system with forensic psychology, or other compelling avenues. If you choose to continue onto an advanced degree, your options can expanded even further.
One of the best things about a graduate degree in psychology is that its so wide-ranging in its career applications, said Dr. Barbara Lesniak, associate dean at SNHU. For example, there are many options in the corporate world, like training and development, management, sales and marketing. Virtually any job in which you deal with people and need to know how to relate to them and what influences their behavior will benefit from a graduate degree in psychology.
Salaries For Substance Abuse Counselors
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors earned the following salaries at the 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles, as of May 2018:
Salary and employment data compiled by the United States Department of Labors Bureau of Labor Statistics in May of 2018 . BLS salary data represents state and MSA average and median earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Individual job listings with educational requirements and salary information accessed directly from internet job boards and directly from the sites of employing agencies and do not constitute offers of employment.
All salary and job growth data accessed in October 2019.
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What Will You Learn In Libertys Bs In Psychology Addictions And Recovery
- Overview theory and treatment of substance abuse
- Social psychology
- Psychology and Christianity
The flexible and affordable courses provided through Liberty University allow you to study on your schedule to complete your degree. This undergraduate psychology program will prepare you for your desired career path through courses like Treatment and Recovery of Addictions, Behavioral Modification, and Psychology of Personality. In addition, you will have the opportunity to complete an internship through this program to further prepare you for success after graduation.
Licenses Certifications And Registrations
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors in private practice must be licensed. Licensing requirements vary by state, but all states require these counselors to have a masters degree and 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience. In addition, counselors must pass a state-issued exam and complete continuing education every year. Contact information for your state’s regulating board can be found through the National Board for Certified Counselors.
The licensure criteria for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors outside of private practice vary from state to state. For example, not all states require applicants to have a specific degree, but many require them to pass an exam. Contact information for individual states licensing boards can be found through the Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network.
All states require mental health counselors to be licensed, after completing a period of postdegree supervised clinical work under the supervision of a licensed counselor.
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Addiction Studies Salary Information
Nationally, the top 10 percent of substance abuse counselors earned an annual salary of $78,700 in 2020, while those in the bottom 10 percent earned $30,590, according to the BLS. Business, professional, labor, political and related organizations paid the highest mean annual salary to substance abuse counselors in 2020, with a wage of $70,940. The BLS salary statistics show that in 2020, substance abuse counselors in Nevada earned the highest mean annual wage of $68,560 among all states.
References
Graduate With A Solid Understanding Of The Essential Concepts Of Psychology Sociology And Addiction Theory Needed For A Career In The Addiction Field
Managing addiction involves more than just identifying available treatment options. Prepare for a career helping those facing substance use disorders, while meeting the coursework requirements for the national certified addiction counselor , level i and ii certification exams.*. Human resources in most companies accept applicants with a degree in psychology since the degree provides a good background in understanding how to deal with other people.
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Addiction Specialist Specializations & Degree Types
Educationrequirements for addiction specialists vary based on the role theyfill.
Socialworkers helping clients with addiction may have an associate orbachelors degree in psychology or behavioral health with anemphasis in addiction. However, most addiction specialists arecertified counselors which requires at least a masters degree.There are numerous masters programs across the country inaddiction counseling. Some students may choose to simply complete amasters in counseling and complete an additional certificate inaddiction. Professionals looking to further their education canpursue a doctorate in psychology or even an MD in psychiatry.
Bachelors Jobs And Salary In Addiction Counseling
The Labor Statistics Bureau of the US Federal Government reveals that the 2019 median addictions counseling salary was $46,240, which calculates to $22.23 per hour. And, during the calendar year of 2019, there were nearly 320,000 counseling professionals working in the field of behavioral disorders, mental health, or substance abuse.
The statisticians at the BLS also offer their professional estimates as to the job outlook for substance abuse counseling jobs over the next decade. Between 2019 and 2019, the BLS anticipates that substance abuse counseling jobs and opportunities will grow at a pace of 25%, which is significantly faster than the anticipated job growth average of all jobs of approximately 8%. This impressive, anticipated job growth for jobs in substance abuse counseling amounts to the creation of nearly 80,000 new substance abuse counseling jobs.
It is helpful to review how the substance abuse counseling salary moves through a percentile of earnings analysis.
Percentile Wage Estimates for Addictions Counseling Salary Data
Percentiles for Substance Abuse Counseling Salary are as follows
- Bottom 10% $29,520 per year
- 25% $35,960 per year
| $ 66,070 per year |
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Certificate Programs In Addiction Counseling
A certificate program is a short-term training module that helps expand a students knowledge of a particular subject. The curriculum for an on-campus or online addiction counseling certification program There are many available on-campus and online substance abuse counseling certificate programs from which to choose.
Some students choose to earn a substance abuse counseling certificate online program as a technique to jumpstart a career, while other students choose to earn a certificate in addiction counseling online or on-campus to boost their current career. A substance abuse counselor certificate online program is often an alternative route for those who wish to make a career change, as an adult, later in life.
There are many different, available online substance abuse counseling certificate programs that can help refine a students knowledge. This variety of addiction counseling certificate online programs cover the many areas of addiction counseling.
- An addiction counseling certification online program can train specialists to assist those struggling with addiction to identify those issues that create their need to self-medicate.
- An on-campus or online addiction counseling certification program can help refine a counselors assessment skills that ultimately improve a clients treatment and plan and likely outcome.
Military Benefits For Online Students
Service is important to us, so whether youre currently serving in the Armed Forces, have served, or are married to someone who serves, were here to serve you. Libertys military benefits are available to:
- Active duty service members of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Reserve/National Guard
- Spouses of service members and veterans/retirees
- Current Department of Defense employees
We are proud to support you in your pursuit of a flexible and affordable online education by offering you the following benefits:
- Tuition discounts $250 per credit hour for undergraduate courses
- Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times
- Potential college credit for military training
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Licensing And Certification Requirements
Substance abuse counselors who work in private practice must obtain a license. States require substance abuse counselors to have a master’s degree and clinical experience to qualify for a licensing examination. The licensing board may require the applicant’s education program to include coursework specific to substance abuse counseling. State licensing boards require applicants to complete between 2,000 and 3,000 hours of work experience in substance abuse counseling under the supervision of a licensed counselor.
The National Board for Certified Counselors, or NBCC, offers the master addictions counselor credential for substance abuse counselors who hold the organization’s national certified counselor certification and meet education and experience requirements. Applicants for state licensing and certification must pass a written examination to earn the credential and work in private practice.
What Do Addiction Specialists Do
The dutiesof an addiction specialist vary widely based on the role they filland their place of employment. Typical day to day responsibilitiesfor addiction specialists who are licensed counselors include:
- Assessingpatients mental health disorders and addiction issues
- Diagnosingmental health disorders in clients
- Writingtreatment plans to help patients overcome addiction and managemental health issues
- Providingtreatment in the form of one-on-one therapy, group sessions,workshops, and other activities
- Educatingpatient and family members on addiction and mental health issues
- Performingurinalysis to determine if clients are staying drug-free
- Maintainingclient records
- Schedulingintake assessments and therapy for clients
- Collaboratingwith other healthcare providers to provide holistic treatment
- Assistingclients with making new housing arrangements in order to removethemselves from negative situations
- Helpingpatients access social services
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Masters Programs In Addiction Counseling
In order to practice privately as an addiction counselor, most states require a minimum level of education that generally includes an on-campus or online masters degree in substance abuse counseling. Many addiction counseling professionals prefer to complete a masters in addiction counseling online degree as a masters degree in addiction counseling online program usually provides the flexibility and convenience working learners require to complete their studies.
A variety of masters in substance abuse counseling online degree programs offer online coursework, with clinical and practicum experiences available in the students local marketplace. Note that a masters degree in addiction counseling online program requires a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical counseling work that is supervised.
Become An Addiction Counselor
Substance abuse and addiction counselors treat individuals with drug and alcohol addictions, gambling and eating disorders. This career field is one of the most challenging mental health fields and requires a person with compassion, understanding and empathy.
They also have to be strong, self-confident and honest individuals able to deal with confrontation, stress, setbacks and incremental success. With the courts more willing to make drug or alcohol rehabilitation as part of sentencing for crimes involving substance abuse and addiction, the field is growing with opportunities in many areas.
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Bachelors In Human Services
People with addictions may rely on the assistance of government or community agencies. Those organizations depend on human services professionals who can work with their clients and provide administrative leadership.
As with many degree programs that apply to addiction counseling, you can expect to take a few psychology classes as part of your studies. These may include Abnormal Psychology and Developmental Psychology.
Youll also study program implementation, case management, disability services, and multiculturalism. The curriculum may include Social Welfare, Public Policy, Client Assessment, Addiction Rehabilitation, and Social Behavior.
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You may need to complete a practicum course in which youll gain experience in a local human services setting.
After graduation, you might look for an entry-level addiction counseling job, or you may become a caseworker, a program manager, or a youth services specialist. You may work in a non-profit agency, a correctional facility, a group home, or a medical clinic.
University Of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Student-Faculty Ratio: 18:1Undergraduate Enrollment: 10,519Standardized Test Score Requirements: scores required unless youre 25+ years old or have 24 transferable college creditsPoints: 19
The University of North Dakotas low-cost addiction studies program comes in the form of a minor in Chemical Dependency. While you could pair it with several major options, one good one is psychology. Offered through the Department of Social Work, the chemical dependency minor program is designated as an Addiction Counselor Training Program by the North Dakota Board of Addiction Counseling Examiners. Sample coursework includes Health and American Indian Cultures, Developmental Perspectives on Adolescent Problem Behavior, Drugs Subject to Abuse, and Substance Use and Abuse. All students in the program will be required to take a practicum. Upon completion, youll be eligible to take the exam to become a licensed addiction counselor in North Dakota. UND is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Net-Price Tuition: $15,374
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Bachelors Of Applied Behavioral Science
Studying applied behavioral science can help equip you with skills to help people swap their addictive behaviors for healthier ones. Applied behavioral science specialists may work in group or one-on-one settings where they guide people toward positive choices.
The degree program will include several psychology classes, such as Social Psychology and Statistics in Psychology. Courses specific to the behavioral science department may include Analyzing Behavior, Economics and Behavior, and Group Behavior.
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Youll also study human development, aging, professional ethics, and communication. Earning a bachelors degree in this field can help prepare you to enter the job market as an assistant applied behavioral science specialist for advancement, you may want to pursue graduate studies.
Your bachelors degree may also qualify you to be a case manager, a residential counselor, a family liaison, or a youth program director. If you want to take your studies to the next level, you may also earn a masters in applied behavior analysis online or on campus.
