Best Online Master’s Programs In Substance Abuse Counseling

masters in substance abuse counseling

Mental health counselors can be lifelines for people struggling with many types of mental health issues. Whether they are leading support groups, engaging in one-on-one therapy, or taking on other related jobs, compassionate and educated people willing to work in the mental health field are in high demand. This course provides an overview of human lifespan development within the profession of counseling. The course addresses theories of individual and family development, both typical and atypical, across the entire lifespan.

What can I do with a master’s in addiction counseling degree?

Being in private practice often means setting your own schedule, doing your own marketing, and taking care of or hiring out administrative tasks such as billing. Mental health counseling is a professional field focused on helping individuals, families, and groups improve their mental and emotional well-being and address underlying mental health issues, including substance use and trauma. Mental health counselors may also work with people who are not suffering from acute mental health crises and instead want to optimize their mental health through regular counseling.

University of the Cumberlands

masters in substance abuse counseling

Earning a master’s degree in addiction counseling, along with obtaining the proper licensing credentials, can help position you for possible career advancement opportunities in the field. Career options with a master’s in substance abuse counseling include substance use counselors and postsecondary educators in health specialties. Addiction counselors must have a strong desire to help people who have a substance use disorder, and should be able to inspire respect, trust and confidence in those individuals.

Ottawa University Online Ottawa University Online Ottawa University Online Ottawa University Online

masters in substance abuse counseling

The structure and content of an online master’s in addiction counseling depends on the specific school and program. Most master’s in addiction counseling programs take two years to complete and require credits. On this page, you can explore the top online master’s in addiction counseling programs and key factors you should consider when choosing a graduate school program. Clinical mental health counselors may also work in residential facilities, hospitals, or private practice. This course provides an overview of clinical psychopharmacology for substance abuse counselors. A substance abuse counseling master’s degree may provide a step toward a career as a licensed substance use counselor.

masters in substance abuse counseling

Choose a Program Level

If you attend an unaccredited school, you may not qualify for federal student aid or be able to transfer your credits to accredited institutions. And if you plan to become an addiction counselor, you may need substance abuse counseling a degree from an institutionally accredited school to qualify for licensure. One of few programs accredited by NASAC, USD’s addiction counseling offers its students small classes and personalized attention.

  • Distance learners with an interest in counseling often find the master of arts in counseling to be a beneficial and flexible program.
  • This often takes two years to complete with a full-time schedule or three years with a part-time course load.
  • The course provides students with the history and development of addiction counseling.
  • Learners can listen to lectures and complete assignments around work and family responsibilities.
  • Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
  • In 2023, the highest-paying industry (that employed at least 10,000 of these professionals) was the local government.

Each attendee completes foundational classes and focused coursework to gain competency in topics specific to the counseling field. Students can work with their academic advisor to choose electives, modify their course schedule, and ensure their program path aligns with their career goals. Experiential learning opportunities, such as internships, further aid students in exploring career options in the field. Students with current careers in counseling-adjacent fields often find the online program to be an attractive option for advancing their education without disrupting their work. Learners can modify their course trajectory in consultation with faculty advisors, and degree-seekers can discuss their professional trajectory with career services counselors.

  • Mental health counselors can be lifelines for people struggling with many types of mental health issues.
  • Crown College’s online classes run asynchronously through eight-week sessions.
  • We pulled data for these categories from reliable resources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System; private, third-party data sources; and individual school and program websites.

masters in substance abuse counseling

Factors Influencing Earning Potential