All counselors need a master’s degree and a license to start a private practice. Aspiring addiction counselors should earn an online master’s in substance abuse counseling. Most online master’s in substance abuse counseling programs require 60 credits. This graduate program helps provide you with the skills and expertise needed to support people with various addiction and mental health challenges.

Why Should You Get a Master’s in Addiction Counseling Degree?

Along with an embedded addictions counseling internship, you can complete an optional criminal justice internship to qualify for a criminal justice addictions professional certification. Online students pay an additional $41 instructional support fee per credit. Enrollees in the counseling substance abuse counseling program complete a rigorous course curriculum, including foundational and advanced classes. Students can consult with their academic advisor to modify coursework to suit their career goals. Students can collaborate with institutional offices to access resources such as career advisement.

What Can I Expect From an Online Master’s in Addiction Counseling Program?

This is six times faster than the projected growth rate of 3% for all U.S. occupations. Accreditation is one of the most important considerations for online addiction counseling programs because it will directly affect your eligibility for financial aid and ensures the program meets licensing requirements for professional practice. All types of mental health counseling can have its challenges and rewards, but the population seeking treatment for substance abuse can be particularly challenging. Many patients with substance use disorders have comorbid conditions, including serious mental health diagnoses or a history of significant trauma.

Special Education (MEd)

• While online programs have many advantages, distance learning might not suit all learners.
• Alternatively, applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA in an applicable master’s program.
• Programmatic accreditors like NASAC and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs evaluate curricula and faculty quality against industry standards in counseling.
• Moreover, students learn about interpreting assessment instruments and profiles along with communication strategies with clients, parents, school personnel, and other relevant professionals.

Touro University Worldwide (TUW) provides a specialized Addiction Counseling program as part of their online Master of Arts in Counseling degree. Preparing graduates to become substance abuse counselors, this two-year graduate program explores the treatment of addiction and related disorders from a clinical counseling perspective. There are many substance use counseling degrees online with completely remote coursework.

• Each attendee completes foundational classes and focused coursework to gain competency in topics specific to the counseling field.
• An MS program focuses more on analytical studies and clinical applications.
• Because of the intricate nature of the brain and chemical processes involved in our bodies, you will also study the biological aspects of addiction.
• The Pre-Practicum is followed by the Practicum/Internship, which can help you to develop your counseling skills in a mental health practice setting under supervision.

• Keep in mind that you should only apply to institutionally accredited schools, though.
• A bachelor’s degree and relevant credentials are sufficient for many entry-level addiction counseling and social service positions.
• The top 10% of substance misuse and mental health counselors earned nearly $90,000 in 2023.
• Young people requiring counseling need people who are trained in the mental development of children and adolescents.
• The master’s program allows degree-seekers from all walks of life to pursue an advanced degree at their own pace.

Help Others Wrestling with Addiction by Earning a Master’s Degree in Addiction Counseling Online

• The Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network (ATTCN) has details about licensure requirements in each state.
• Experiential learning opportunities, such as internships, further aid students in exploring career options in the field.
• There are both pros and cons to working in private practice, and not every counselor will view the same factors in the same way.
• Students should familiarize themselves with the Student Handbook before they begin their studies and before they register for classes every semester.