New research is always informing best practices in all types of healthcare, including the mental health field, which makes continuing education critical for counselors to provide the best possible services to their clients. A master’s degree in substance abuse counseling is an advanced credential for students who want to become substance use counselors or further their current careers in the field. Faculty teach students to listen to and advise patients from diverse backgrounds with a range of addictions.
Addiction Counseling Careers
- According to the BLS, the field features a growing workforce and a higher median annual wage than the median salary for all occupations.
- In addition to Forbes Advisor, his work has been featured on many online publications, including ZDNet, Bankrate and NurseJournal.
- The applicant’s personal and professional disposition, integrity, and general fitness to practice counseling may be considered in the admission process.
- Substance abuse counselors are trained professionals who work with people who abuse substances such as alcohol, narcotics, or other drugs.
- Upon completion of your online counseling degree, you will be qualified for several careers.
Addiction Counseling students take an additional 21 hours of specialized coursework in addiction counseling. Students’ internship experiences must consist of addiction-related work with individuals, couples, or families. OU’s substance abuse counseling degreee will also prepare students for future study and work in mental health counseling, clinical psychology, social work, counselor education, law enforcement, law, and human services. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors as of May 2023, retrieved May 10, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years.
Why Should You Get a Master’s in Addiction Counseling Degree?
- Detailed information, policies, and procedures regarding the various programs offered are provided in the Student Handbook.
- In addition, you will study the diagnosis and treatment of addictive disorders and complete an addiction counseling internship to round out your studies.
- The course is useful for counselors in training on the concepts and skills necessary to understand and lead counseling groups in various settings.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors as of May 2023, retrieved May 10, 2024.
As you continue your addiction studies, you can learn the latest in counseling theory and its applications to treating and helping clients in the recovery process. You may be wondering how you can become an addiction counselor without having to leave your current job or interrupt your family commitments. Our addiction counseling online degree can be completed 100% online with minimal disruption to your busy lifestyle. Certificate programs are short training opportunities for licensed counselors who want an extra credential in a focused area of practice. For example, a substance use counselor may earn a certificate in crisis counseling or lifespan mental development to fill out their clinical toolkit. It’s fairly common to specialize your practice within the substance use counseling field.
Ready to Apply?
Additionally, the location of your program can impact networking opportunities and even licensing requirements. Mental health professionals can have a major impact on the well-being of their clients, no matter what population they focus on. This course provides an overview of major career development theories, vocational guidance, decision making models, and occupational/educational information sources.
Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere. This course provides an introduction to adolescent substance use disorders prevention and treatment techniques and interventions. Institutional accreditation provides quality assurance to prospective students like you. Organizations recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the U.S.
- Substance use counselors typically need a state license to practice because of the responsibility they have to care for vulnerable people.
- A master’s degree in substance abuse counseling is an advanced credential for students who want to become substance use counselors or further their current careers in the field.
- NASAC aims to provide legitimacy to the study of addiction science by offering structured curriculum standards and expectations for faculty.
- According to the BLS, the highest-paying state for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors as of May 2022 is Alaska with an hourly mean wage of $33.06, followed by Hawaii with an hourly mean wage of $32.02.
- That said, it is important to ensure that it is a career that you’ll enjoy and gain psychological fulfillment from being part of.
Online Master’s in Addiction Counseling Degree
But all accredited programs require in-person clinical internships under the supervision of a licensed counselor. As an online student, you can arrange to work your clinical hours at a facility close to your home if the school is far away. An online master’s degree in addiction counseling is the gateway to a growing career path that is rewarding in both mental and financial ways. In some states, it is enough to get a license in this field, though others require a doctorate. Either way, many support positions will be waiting if you get the master’s degree.
Students learn about career development, program planning, and evaluation relevant to counselors. Special emphasis is placed on how career counseling and vocational guidance are practiced by professional counselors in rehabilitation programs, job placement agencies, and adult vocational training programs. Addiction counselors have rewarding careers in mental health agencies, in their private practices, in government agencies, in management roles, and in clinical research settings studying substance abuse counseling mental health. The rate of substance abuse and alcohol addiction, depression, and other mental health conditions has climbed in record numbers in recent years. This course explores theories and models of treatment of substance use disorders, drug classification, and assessment. It also continues building foundational knowledge, utilization of professional resources, and exploration of standards to help students prepare for licensure/certification within the counseling industry.
- Distance-learning programs tend to offer flexible class times, often during the evenings and on weekends or asynchronously.
- Students seeking to ease the financial burden of their education can explore the many internal and external funding options made available through the college.
- Additionally, NASAC accreditation provides purpose in the classroom, creating a connection between learned objectives and actual applications.
- Successful completion of the program culminates in the Master of Science in Addiction Counseling degree.
Select a Field of Study
Before enrolling in any particular program, make sure it satisfies the educational requirements for licensure in the state where you plan to practice. While online programs have many advantages, distance learning might not suit all learners. In a program with a heavy practical component like addiction counseling, students who learn best in interactive and engaging environments might prefer in-person or hybrid programs. Earning a master’s degree can enhance job opportunities and earning potential. Degree-seekers can begin earning clinical hours while completing an accredited program. Learners from all walks of life find the University of South Dakota’s online master of arts in addiction counseling and prevention to be an attractive choice.
