What Is The Difference Between A Ba And A Bs In Counseling
Most schools offer either a BA or a BS degree in counseling and some offer both. The main difference between these degrees is the coursework requirements. BA degrees typically require students to complete more coursework in arts, humanities, and foreign languages, whereas science degrees often have additional math, natural science, and statistics requirements. Generally, these course requirements are part of the degree core and electives rather than the requirements for the counseling major. Be sure to check the admission requirements for any graduate degree programs in counseling you may be considering to see if your bachelors degree will meet the coursework requirements as some do require specific courses, such as statistics.
Become A Substance Abuse Counselor In Minnesota
Minnesota has a single license classification for drug abuse counselors this is the Licensed Drug Abuse Counselor . The LDAC has minimum education, experience, and examination requirements. Minnesota colleges and universities offer curriculum that includes the required coursework for licensing because they are aiming to prepare students for licensure. The Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy adopted specific coursework requirements and courses that contain the 12 essential principles of alcohol and drug counseling.
Minnesota LADC licensing has two options. Applicants can become licensed by examination or by work experience.
Types Of Bachelors Degrees In Counseling
There are many different types of bachelors degrees in counseling and related fields that introduce students to foundational counseling content. Most undergraduate degrees are offered as a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science some degree programs may offer the opportunity to include a double major or minor in a related area or complete a practicum or internship. Earning a bachelors degree in professional counseling typically takes four years of full-time study, although part-time degree programs are also popular and can accommodate the needs of working professionals. There are numerous areas of specialization within counseling, but the five major areas recognized by the BLS are marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and substance abuse counseling. Below, you will find more information about the bachelors degree options for aspiring counselors in each of these fields.
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Hscd 306 Prevention Of Substance Use Problems4 Credits
This course will focus on how prevention practitioners can design and implement scientifically defensible prevention principles, programs and practices that meet the needs of their own communities. The course will examine science-based prevention and its relevance, the theoretical approaches to evidence-based prevention, and identify effective prevention principles, programs and practices. Special emphasis will be placed on adapting evidence-based models to meet local needs and interests. Successful completion of the course will qualify students for certification as a Certified Prevention Professional through the Minnesota Certification Board.
Professional Associations For Addiction Counselors
Its important for substance abuse counselors to stay up on the latest research and developments in the field.
Through membership in professional organizations, you may have opportunities to network with others, read informative articles, enroll in training sessions, and participate in industry conferences.
Organizations for addiction counselors include:
- Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network: These regional centers operate under the guidance of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- American Counseling Association: In this organization, you can learn from fellow addiction counselors as well as counselors from other disciplines.
- American Mental Health Counselors Association: This group is for clinical mental health counselors, such as Licensed Professional Counselors.
- International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors: Membership in this group can be a good fit for those who work as probation officers and correctional treatment specialists.
- NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals: This organization focuses primarily on chemical dependency and operates the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals.
- Society of Addiction Psychology: A division of the American Psychological Association, this group addresses chemical dependency and other addictions.
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Why Get A Degree In Addiction Counseling Online
Students who want to help others living with addiction may benefit from earning a degree in addiction counseling. An addiction counseling degree lets students enter different addiction counseling careers, or other careers in counseling and social services. Online counseling degree-holders may specifically focus on addiction counseling, or become general mental health counselors.
Many schools offer addiction counseling degrees online. Online programs benefit students who need a flexible school schedule. They also do not require relocation, which can cost a lot and disrupt learners’ lives.
Should I Get A Degree In Substance Abuse Counseling
Getting a Bachelors degree in Substance Abuse Counseling is a very personal decision. No one can make the decision for you. Most people choose this type of work because they have watched a close friend or family member struggle with addiction or substance abuse. It is not an easy thing to watch. The struggle can be heartbreaking and may lead to mental health concerns or a dual diagnosis that may have gone unnoticed if they hadnt chosen to seek treatment.
If you truly want to make a powerful difference in the lives of those who are recovering from addiction and substance abuse, then earning a degree in that field is the right choice. Learning how to properly guide and nurture someone along their sobriety journey takes both skill and patience. Working toward this type of degree can lead to a variety of challenges and obstacles that will make you take a closer look at your own life. This will give you a unique insight that you can use to help others. Being able to see things from a different point of view is the best way to help others find a new solution to their own obstacles and challenges.
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Types Of Bachelor’s Degree In Counseling To Consider
If you’re interested in working as a counselor and assisting people with a variety of emotional or mental challenges, you may consider earning a bachelor’s degree in counseling. Collegiate programs in this field can vary, and there are several topics you can specialize in to prepare you for your prospective career. Understanding the different concentrations and the material you may learn in these programs can help you decide which one is the right fit for you. In this article, we discuss what a bachelor’s degree in counseling is, review the skills you may develop and provide a list of examples of these programs.
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Common Substance Use Counseling Courses
An online bachelor’s degree in substance abuse counseling provides students with an in-depth understanding of the negative impacts that substance use and misuse has on individuals, their loved ones, and society. By studying the coursework, students learn about the psychology behind addiction and how drugs and alcohol affect the body. They also gain hands-on experience treating and supporting people with substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health issues during and after recovery.
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Addiction Counseling Education In Minnesota
The largest percentage group of Minnesotas workforce is engaged in education and health services. The Mayo Clinic, also located in Minnesota, is a global leader in healthcare and medical research. The Unitedhealth Group is a national leader in healthcare and health services.
An online addiction counseling degree in Minnesota opens career prospects in public and private employment. Addiction counseling offers personally rewarding work that helps people suffering from drug use disorder. The states colleges and universities can help prepare students that seek to become addiction counselors in Minnesota. Students can study addiction and treatment or major in a related social science field, such as the behavioral sciences.
Career paths include licensing as social workers and psychotherapists, among other options. Minnesota is one of the small number of states with a single level license for substance abuse counselors. Minnesota requires formal education, supervised experience, examinations, and specific pre-examination requirements.
Minnesota provides a range of inpatient, outpatient, and residential services for substance use disorder treatment, rehabilitation, and addiction and substance abuse counseling. The overall approach is to recognize substance use as a treatable disease. There are also services for adolescents, with special licensing for late teen-age groups and youth groups.
Online Substance Abuse Degree Concentration Overview
Are you seeking a meaningful career path centered on making a positive impact in your community? Do you want to help motivate people to change their lives for the better? Let compassion evolve into action by earning your Bachelor’s in Human Services with a concentration in Substance Abuse online at SNHU.
If you’re passionate about helping those with substance use disorder on the road to recovery, this online substance abuse counseling program serves as an important educational first step toward becoming a drug and alcohol counselor. Throughout the program, you’ll receive specialized training and tools you need to support sufferers of alcoholism, drug addiction and other substance use disorders as they endeavor to restore their lives and relationships.
In this program, you’ll learn how to:
- Analyze social, political and historical events and trends as they relate to your role in advocating for those in need
- Use culturally responsive strategies across diverse populations
- Provide comprehensive, well-informed care while applying knowledge of law and ethics
- Demonstrate professional communications in both formal and informal networks
- Evaluate policy development, strategic communications and coalition-building opportunities
- Build a skill set in inquiry, critical and creative thinking, and decision-making
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Is Substance Abuse Counseling Right For Me
Are you concerned about the current substance abuse epidemic and want to help individuals affected by it? Are you a good listener with a strong motivation to help others? Do you possess excellent communication skills and are also calm under pressure/in a crisis? Then substance abuse counseling may be a good career fit for you.
This program is also a great next step if you already have experience in social work, counseling, nursing, or psychiatry.
Substance Abuse Social Worker
As a social worker, you might oversee client cases, assess progress, and maintain communication with family members. With supervision, you might provide some counseling services.
After completing your bachelors degree, you have the option of earning aMaster of Social Work online or on campus. There are also a few accelerated online social work degrees available.
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Undergraduate Addiction Studies Degrees As Graduate School Preparation
Do you have to have to earn a bachelors degree in addiction counseling to be accepted into a masters program? In most cases, no not if you are a competitive enough candidate all-round. In some cases, you will need a degree in a field thats at least loosely related. Washburn University, located in Kansas, notes that applicants must have degrees in human services-related fields because, as per Kansas law, licensees at the masters level must also meet requirements for licensure at the lower level this means having a bachelors degree in a field related to human services.
Most states arent this strict. Most programs dont impose this admission requirement. However, graduate programs are, to varying degrees, competitive. Before you can be licensed or certified as an addiction counselor, you will need to complete a supervised practice requirement. Graduate programs will look for evidence that you will be successful. You often need to submit references and resume, as well as a personal statement. You will likely need to go through an interview process. Graduate programs favor candidates who have not just an ideal of helping others but a sense of what it actually means in the context of a particular role.
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.
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Professional Certifications For Substance Abuse Counseling Degree Holders
Substance abuse counselor certification varies widely by state, though it usually requires at least some formal education. An associates degree in substance abuse counseling is commonly the entry-level education requirement for a license in this field, as earning your associates in addiction or a related field may qualify you for a technician or training license while you complete supervised experience. Some states allow you to become fully licensed after completing the required supervised experience, while others require that you work under supervision until you earn a bachelors degree or complete equivalent substance abuse counselor training. Other states may have different requirements. Examples of possible license titles at this level include Certified Addiction Counselor and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor .
A post-graduate certificate in substance abuse counseling can also qualify you for professional certification, depending on your states requirements. Possible job titles will vary widely according to the level of the drug and alcohol counselor training program as well as other aspects of your education and work history. Generally, a certificate program will lead to license titles similar to those opened up by a bachelors or masters degree.
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Indiana Wesleyan University Online
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A medium-sized, Christian nonprofit, Indiana Wesleyan University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Addiction Counseling requiring 48 credit hours to complete. The 22-month program provides students with an overview of what a career in addiction and counseling entails from a Christian perspective. In addition, students are required to complete a 350-hour practicum at an approved addiction facility.
IWU uses Brightspace, a digital learning platform, to deliver its online degree programs in an asynchronous format. In addition, online student support services at IWU are available through tutor.com and their off-campus library services. Prospective students must submit proof of a diploma or GED, official transcripts, 60 transferable credit hours, and completion of PSY-150 before admission.
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University Of New Mexico
The Psychology Department within the University of New Mexico offers a BS in Psychology with a BAC academic track that is among New Mexicos degrees in addiction counseling. UMNs addictions counseling degree program prepares graduates to sit for their LSAA or LADAC credential upon board approval. The University of New Mexicos addiction counseling degrees includes classes like drugs and behavior, alcoholism, treatment of addictions, learning & memory, and psychological research techniques, plus an applied clinical experience in addictions counseling, among others.
The University of New Mexico is a space-grant higher learning institution that was established in the late 1880s. The universitys Albuquerque campus covers more than 500 urban acres and serves more than 26,450 students each year.
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Degree: Psychology BS Basics in Addiction Counseling
How To Choose A Bachelor’s In Addiction Counseling Program
Students should investigate several programs before choosing where to pursue their substance use counselor degree, paying attention to accreditation, program requirements, cost, and location. A school’s accreditation status can impact a learner’s eligibility for federal financial aid. It can also influence subsequent graduate school admission and/or employment chances. Students should also compare curricula and decide which degree tracks best reflect their interests and career plans.
Time commitment and cost represent other important considerations when choosing a school. The majority of substance use counselor degrees take full-time students four years to complete. Alternatively, many degree seekers require the flexibility of a part-time schedule or online classes, which may prolong the graduation timeline but allow students to keep working or handle family obligations. The overall cost also tends to vary significantly between public and private institutions.
Students should also consider the cost of living on campus versus off campus and make sure to budget accordingly for transportation, room, and board. Learners who opt to earn an online degree should determine whether a program requires visits to campus and find out what a school does to help distance learners secure internships or supervised experiences. These requirements can add to transportation expenses and the time required to finish a degree.
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Counseling In A Diverse Society
Counselors work with clients from diverse populations and must understand the principles of cultural competency and cultural sensitivity, as well as how culture impacts the development and implementation of individualized treatment plans. This course focuses on values and belief systems socioeconomic characteristics and differences in drug use, abuse, and treatment among diverse populations.
Hscd 304 Substance Use And Native Americans4 Credits
This course provides a basic understanding of the unique cultural, historic and legal status of the American Indian. Topics covered include population demographics the shifting public policies toward American Indians the historic rise of chemical dependency among American Indians bio-psycho-social and economic needs and resources of the American Indian. This course focuses on culture, history and related chemical dependency issues from the American Indian perspective.
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