Typical Admissions Requirements For Online Certificate Programs In Addiction & Substance Abuse Counseling
Because online programs for substance and abuse counselors have quite a bit of variation in both their curriculum and orientation, there are very few single requirements for admission that all online certificate programs share across the board.
However, because all of them are designed as post-graduate programs, they generally require that applicants already hold at least a bachelors degree in a related field. For example, the online addiction and substance use related disorders graduate certificate offered through Arizona State University requires that applicants complete a bachelors degree in any health, behavioral health or counseling related field with a grade no lower than a 3.0 before applying.
Here are a few other prerequisites that are typically required for applicants to online certification programs for drug and substance use counselors:
- An applicants comprehensive CV, including relevant previous work experiences, internships, or participation in field-related extracurricular activities, organizations, or clubs
- Official transcripts from the degree-awarding institution that are relevant to the application
- A letter of recommendation from a counseling professional, a trusted professor or another instructor
- Payment of the necessary application fee
- Cover letter or statement of intent
How Much Money Do Substance Misuse Counselors Make
Not enough, to be honest. As with many social services and mental health jobs, the pay doesn’t reflect the value you provide to your patients and your community.
People tend to choose this career path for reasons other than money which is noble. But if this is something you want to do, spend some time figuring out if the pay can support your goals, both in the short and the long term: Will you be able to make your loan payments? Pay for rent and groceries? Save for retirement?
- Location: Does your online program require any on-campus learning?
- Arrow Circle Right Accreditation: Is the program accredited? Because it absolutely should be especially if you want to get your license or go on to get a graduate degree in your field.
- Arrow Circle Right Support: How does your program support online students? Will you have access to online tutoring, online mentoring, mental health services, and career counseling? What about internship placements?
Why Earn A Certificate In Addiction Counseling
Throughout this program you’ll learn effective and ethical addiction counseling techniques from experienced licensed professionals. Our program is flexible, allowing you to choose between online and face-to-face courses and full-time and part-time options. Coursework is based on values such as promotion of strengths, diversity, social justice and integrative wellness are at the core of the program. You’ll gain real-world experience with two internships in your home community and graduate as a career-ready professional.
Upon earning the Certificate in Addiction Counseling you can apply to become licensed with the state of Kansas as an Licensed Addiction Counselor . You’ll also be ready to take the next step and continue your education with a Masters degree in Family & Human Services, which provides the educational requirements to become an Licensed Master Addiction Counselor and later a Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor.
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Motivation And Shared Vision
Pursuing an online addiction counseling degree requires your ongoing commitment. You must be motivated for your career in addiction counseling. Your sense of purpose will help you withstand the challenges of graduate-level coursework. Sharing your vision about a career in addiction counseling with those who can support you in achieving your goals will help you stay focused and enthused in your studies.
Still unsure whether an online degree program is the right format for you? Take the brief assessment below to gain more insight into your potential as an online learner.
Associate Of Applied Science In Addiction Counseling
Location: 100% online
Overview
Our 20-month* addiction counseling online degree program includes the same coursework as our diploma program but builds upon that foundation to enhance students opportunity for advancement in the field. Youll gain the skills and knowledge needed to advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug or other dependency problems, learning from a diverse group of instructors that include university faculty with research and training expertise, as well as experienced practitioners in drug and alcohol treatment.
Career Paths & Expectations
This program is ideal for those who wish to enter the field with more education or advance an existing career within Addiction Counseling. Throughout the program, you will explore ethics and boundary considerations, all while working and interacting with those involved in Addiction Counseling. Upon graduation, you may choose to seek immediate work in the field or pursue licensure and/or certification through examination administered by the state in which you reside. Earning an Associates or Bachelors Addiction Counseling Degree is a prerequisite to becoming a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor an accomplishment that tells the world you have the commitment and dedication needed to promote change and save lives.
At the completion of this program, students should be able to:
Who is this Degree Ideal for?
Is It Right for You?
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Funding An Online Substance Abuse Counseling Program
Financial aid comes in many forms for students planning to earn an online bachelor’s degree in substance abuse counseling.
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As long as students attend an accredited online program, they should be eligible for the same types of aid as on-campus students. |
The financial aid process typically begins when a student submits a Free Application for Student Financial Aid form. The information provided determines what types of aid and the amount that each student may receive. Then, the schools notify students regarding how much financial aid they are willing to offer.
Although students must repay their loans with interest, federal student loans typically offer more favorable terms than private loans. Overall, students prefer scholarships and grants because they don’t have to repay them at all. To further reduce costs, they may also consider applying for financial assistance programs if they have special circumstances. For example, veterans and active-duty military personnel are often eligible for tuition discounts. Similarly, some schools have set up partnerships with various organizations, so if students are employees or members, they may be eligible for tuition assistance.
Due to a growing need for substance use and addiction counselors, several non-profits provide additional scholarships and grants.
Below are some scholarships for undergraduates studying substance use and misuse:
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 22% growth for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselor occupations through 2031 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.
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Hen Pfleiderer Ma Cadc Cai Substance Abuse Counseling
Stephen Pfleiderer began his career as an interventionist after struggling with substance abuse in his early 20s. After attending therapy, he realized that his passion lay in helping others recover from substance use and other mental health disorders. He studied Cognitive Behavioral Therapy under David Burns, MD, and received Level 3 certification as a TEAM therapist.
You decided to become an interventionist after recovering from substance abuse yourself. Is it common for professionals in this field to have suffered with issues involving addiction/substance abuse?
Do you find that you are able to empathize with patients on a different level because of your own struggles and subsequent recovery from substance abuse?
What would you say are the most crucial skills you gained while studying to become a substance abuse counselor?
How did you begin working at SF Intervention?
What type of person would excel in a career as a substance abuse counselor?
What are the greatest challenges you face in your career on a day-to-day basis?
And the most rewarding?
What advice would you give others who are considering a career as a substance abuse counselor?
Bachelor Of Applied Science In Addiction Counseling
Location: 100% online
Overview
Our 42-month* addiction counseling online degree program will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to provide direct client services in sincere and compassionate relationships. Upon completion of this program, you will have a comprehensive academic foundation and advanced core classwork to enhance an existing career or begin a career as an Addiction Counselor. Our instructors represent a broad range of experience, skills and knowledge in the area. University faculty with research and training expertise, as well as experienced practitioners in drug and alcohol treatment across many demographic groups and treatment settings, make up our quality group of instructors.
Career Paths & Expectations
This program is ideal for those who wish to pursue or advance a career as an Addictions Counselor. Upon graduation, youll be fully prepared to take on a variety of roles, such as a Certified Alcohol & Drug Counsel , Chemical Dependency Counselor, Psychiatric Tech, Child/Youth Provider and other positions. You may also choose to pursue licensure certification through examination administered by the state in which you reside. Earning an Associates or Bachelors Addiction Counseling Degree is a prerequisite to becoming a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor an accomplishment that tells the world you have the commitment and dedication needed to promote change and save lives.
Program Outcomes
Who is this Degree Ideal for?
Is It Right for You?
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Courses To Prepare You For Your Career
Seth Matthews, Associate Dean of Social Sciences
“From the early stages of helping someone understand they have a problem, through diagnosis, treatment and recovery supports, substance abuse concentration graduates are equipped and prepared to support life-changing transformations in their clients lives.”
How To Become A Substance Abuse Counselor
To summarize, here are the next steps for you to take:
Your studies can help you gain the skills necessary to help people resist and recover from their substance abuse addictions!
For 14 years, MyDegreeGuide.com has been dedicated to helping students like you finish your degree faster. Through in-depth credit for prior learning guides and accelerated degree tips, we want to help you realize your dream of finishing college… in less time!
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What Is Substance Abuse Counseling
There is an epidemic of substance abuse addiction and overdose deaths in the United States. Substance abuse counseling is a high-demand profession that can make a real difference in your community. Counselors are needed to help people who struggle with drug and alcohol addictions learn to modify their behavior to lead them on the road to eventual recovery.
Substance Abuse Certification Program
The Free Online Training for Substance Abuse Counselors certification program is designed to provide thorough, comprehensive training accessible to anyone interested in pursuing a career as a substance abuse counselor. The Free Online Training For Substance Abuse Counselors provides complete instruction in the principles of addiction counseling, including clinical interventions, ethical considerations, and legal statutes.
The substance abuse certification program cover topics such as risk assessment, group therapy, family intervention, relapse prevention, trauma-informed care, and recovery planning. Upon completing the program, students will be eligible to apply for a Substance Abuse Counselor certification. The program also includes hands-on training in crisis intervention and clinical case management. The course also provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in addiction research and treatment.
Free online training for substance abuse counselors is a great way to get the education and skills needed to work in this field. This type of training can be completed in a short amount of time and usually consists of online courses and interactive lectures that teach the basics of counseling, including addiction treatment, client assessment, and counseling techniques.
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How Can Online Courses Help Me Learn About Addiction
Online courses can introduce you to common psychological theories and practices surrounding addiction and addiction recovery. You’ll learn about common addictions, how they affect the brain, and how clinical skills can help you treat patients. Courses may include readings, lectures, and assessments that you can access via the internet and work through at your own pace.â
Best Free Online Training For Substance Abuse Counselors: How To Get Started
Substance Abuse Counselors are highly trained professionals who have a sworn duty to protect their clients, as well as the general population from the harmful effects of addiction. To do this effectively, Substance Abuse Counselors must be constantly upgrading and improving their knowledge base. Continuing education courses are required regularly and some states require them to pass an exam every year to maintain certification. As you can see, there is a need for continued training in this field. Substance abuse counselors can go online and take courses at any time of day or night that fits their schedule.
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Substance abuse counseling is a type of mental health counseling in which an individual learns how to reduce or stop their use of drugs and alcohol. Substance abuse counselors also help patients learn new ways to cope with stress, trauma, and other issues that may be contributing to their substance use.
The main objective of substance abuse counseling is to help clients achieve sobriety, which includes abstaining from all substances. Substance abuse counselors can work with clients who are struggling with addiction and whose use has become problematic or harmful in some way. They can also be helpful for those who want to stop using but arent sure how.
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Other Benefits Of Our Online Substance Use Counselor Training Program
We Use Moodle, A Personalized Learning Environment: The counseling course material is delivered via Moodle, an online learning platform. Since all coursework is submitted on Moodle, students can trust that all work is organized, secure and visible to their instructor in real time. Moodle also offers time management tools and interactive assignments, catering to the varying needs of students trying to earn their counseling certification online.
We Offer Rolling Admission: Whether youre ready to start today, tomorrow, next month or next year, you dont have to worry about aligning your professional or extracurricular schedule with when you start our program. Whenever you feel its time to start your journey towards a better career, give us a call and you can start the next day.
We Employ Real World Instructors: Many of our instructors are still in the workforce, meaning their lesson plans include the most up-to-date information and instructors are easily able to relate curriculum back to real and recent experiences. This also makes them a great resource for students looking for professional advice.
Overview Of An Affordable Online Bachelors Degree In Substance Use Counseling
Substance use counselors work one-on-one and in groups to help clients understand and address their chemical dependencies. As of 2020, addiction counselors earn a median annual income of $47,660, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While a bachelors degree can land applicants an entry-level job, a master’s degree, a significant number of clinical hours, and licensure are required in some states and for working at a private practice.
To gain skills in this field, students need to receive training in addiction counseling, which covers subjects such as psychology, addiction theory, human services, human development, and interventions for clients in recovery. While bachelor’s degrees in addiction counseling are available both online and in-person, many schools prefer to offer a specialization in substance abuse counseling through psychology or mental health degrees instead.
Pursuing an addiction counseling degree online is a legitimate option with many available programs. Although the majority are designed to be completed in four years or less by full-time students, part-time students may choose to finish the degree more slowly, taking up to six years in some cases. Overall, earning a bachelors degree requires students to complete 120-126 credit hours.
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The University Of Cincinnatis Bachelor Of Substance Abuse Counselor Program
UCOs Substance Abuse Counselor Degree Online is a cutting-edge, research-oriented program that offers proven practical course content and is designed to help you learn how to become a qualified clinician. The degree is designed to help full-time students as well as career professionals gain the knowledge, competencies, and skills needed to begin a career working with addicted persons or to advance their professional credentials.
Whether youre looking to advance your current career or are looking for an opportunity to learn to treat one of Americas most harmful disorders, our BS in Substance Abuse Counseling can help you get there.
Program Offerings
- Graduate in less than 3 years.
- Designed for full- or part-time students
- Start dates in spring, summer, and fall
- Graduates will meet Academic Requirements for Licensure
- Transfer-friendly
