50 Most Affordable Addiction Counseling School Programs

Get Matched With Addiction Counseling Colleges

Are you considering becoming an addiction counselor? Substance abuse counseling may be a good career choice if you are interested in helping people who suffer from drug and/or alcohol dependencies. Those who enter this field typically enjoy several benefits, including sustained job security and opportunities to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.

Addiction counselors primarily serve as advocates and strive to help clients manage the physical and psychological difficulties that often accompany addictions. It’s important to know, however, that they cannot prescribe medications to patients. Most work in individual and family service centers, hospitals, or residential substance abuse facilities. They typically meet with anyone who struggles with the use and abuse of one or more substances such as alcohol, narcotics, prescription medications, and other drugs. This means professionals are likely to counsel a wide variety of demographics, from teenagers to adults, as well as veterans and people with disabilities. You can, however, choose to specialize in the treatment of a specific population.

If you are interested in pursuing this as a career, finding an affordable addiction counseling program should be a top priority. Professionals in this field will need some level of higher education to qualify for employment.

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Top 50 Affordable Addiction Counseling Colleges and Universities

1

Purdue Global

Score: 100

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,110
- Out-of-State: $14,421
Net Price: $6,785
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 17%

Graduation Rate: 20%
Total Enrollment: 45,125
Undergrad Students: 33,510
Graduate Students: 11,615
Grads Salary: $83,000
Student-to-faculty: 26:1

2

Northern Kentucky University

Score: 98.25

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,896
- Out-of-State: $21,480
Net Price: $7,259
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 50%
Total Enrollment: 15,801
Undergrad Students: 10,776
Graduate Students: 5,025
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

3

City Vision University

Score: 97.72

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,400
- Out-of-State: $6,400
Net Price: $7,403
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 100%

Graduation Rate: N/A
Total Enrollment: 182
Undergrad Students: 132
Graduate Students: 50
Grads Salary: $36,100
Student-to-faculty: 7:1

4

California State University-Fullerton

Score: 95.8

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,073
- Out-of-State: $18,953
Net Price: $7,925
Acceptance Rate: 67%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 69%
Total Enrollment: 40,386
Undergrad Students: 35,432
Graduate Students: 4,954
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

5

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Score: 95.14

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,859
- Out-of-State: $19,939
Net Price: $8,105
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 53%
Total Enrollment: 31,559
Undergrad Students: 26,434
Graduate Students: 5,125
Grads Salary: $66,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

6

Coppin State University

Score: 93.45

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,001
- Out-of-State: $13,789
Net Price: $8,562
Acceptance Rate: 45%
Retention Rate: 62%

Graduation Rate: 24%
Total Enrollment: 2,006
Undergrad Students: 1,757
Graduate Students: 249
Grads Salary: $67,000
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

7

Marshall University

Score: 92.74

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,942
- Out-of-State: $20,294
Net Price: $8,756
Acceptance Rate: 97%
Retention Rate: 74%

Graduation Rate: 50%
Total Enrollment: 10,691
Undergrad Students: 7,952
Graduate Students: 2,739
Grads Salary: $68,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

8

SUNY Empire State University

Score: 89.24

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,630
- Out-of-State: $17,540
Net Price: $9,704
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 59%

Graduation Rate: 25%
Total Enrollment: 9,407
Undergrad Students: 7,735
Graduate Students: 1,672
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

9

Governors State University

Score: 88.77

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,320
- Out-of-State: $11,320
Net Price: $9,833
Acceptance Rate: 57%
Retention Rate: 56%

Graduation Rate: 21%
Total Enrollment: 4,427
Undergrad Students: 2,609
Graduate Students: 1,818
Grads Salary: $68,000
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

10

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Score: 88.3

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,019
- Out-of-State: $17,029
Net Price: $9,959
Acceptance Rate: 69%
Retention Rate: 59%

Graduation Rate: 41%
Total Enrollment: 2,387
Undergrad Students: 2,182
Graduate Students: 205
Grads Salary: $64,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

11

Western New Mexico University

Score: 85.66

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,868
- Out-of-State: $14,354
Net Price: $10,676
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 62%

Graduation Rate: 31%
Total Enrollment: 3,378
Undergrad Students: 2,377
Graduate Students: 1,001
Grads Salary: $66,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

12

Kean University

Score: 85.4

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,426
- Out-of-State: $21,076
Net Price: $10,747
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Retention Rate: 74%

Graduation Rate: 51%
Total Enrollment: 12,884
Undergrad Students: 10,845
Graduate Students: 2,039
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

13

University of Louisiana at Monroe

Score: 83.17

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,190
- Out-of-State: $21,290
Net Price: $11,353
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Retention Rate: 73%

Graduation Rate: 51%
Total Enrollment: 8,398
Undergrad Students: 6,552
Graduate Students: 1,846
Grads Salary: $65,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

14

Midwestern State University

Score: 83.14

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,310
- Out-of-State: $12,260
Net Price: $11,361
Acceptance Rate: 92%
Retention Rate: 63%

Graduation Rate: 41%
Total Enrollment: 5,784
Undergrad Students: 4,818
Graduate Students: 966
Grads Salary: $81,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

15

UNH College of Professional Studies

Score: 81.33

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,812
- Out-of-State: $9,372
Net Price: $11,850
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 40%

Graduation Rate: 15%
Total Enrollment: 1,425
Undergrad Students: 1,195
Graduate Students: 230
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

16

Youngstown State University

Score: 81.15

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,791
- Out-of-State: $11,151
Net Price: $11,900
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 78%

Graduation Rate: 49%
Total Enrollment: 11,071
Undergrad Students: 8,822
Graduate Students: 2,249
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

17

West Virginia University

Score: 80.04

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,648
- Out-of-State: $27,360
Net Price: $12,202
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 79%

Graduation Rate: 62%
Total Enrollment: 24,741
Undergrad Students: 19,059
Graduate Students: 5,682
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

18

Minot State University

Score: 79.45

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,634
- Out-of-State: $8,634
Net Price: $12,360
Acceptance Rate: 93%
Retention Rate: 70%

Graduation Rate: 45%
Total Enrollment: 2,777
Undergrad Students: 2,530
Graduate Students: 247
Grads Salary: $67,000
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

19

Washburn University

Score: 79.04

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,578
- Out-of-State: $20,582
Net Price: $12,473
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 69%

Graduation Rate: 54%
Total Enrollment: 5,460
Undergrad Students: 4,733
Graduate Students: 727
Grads Salary: $68,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

20

Montana State University Billings

Score: 78.99

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,706
- Out-of-State: $21,347
Net Price: $12,487
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 60%

Graduation Rate: 29%
Total Enrollment: 4,057
Undergrad Students: 3,665
Graduate Students: 392
Grads Salary: $68,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

21

Eastern Washington University

Score: 77.73

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,353
- Out-of-State: $25,892
Net Price: $12,827
Acceptance Rate: 96%
Retention Rate: 67%

Graduation Rate: 50%
Total Enrollment: 10,910
Undergrad Students: 7,604
Graduate Students: 3,306
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

22

Alabama State University

Score: 76.45

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,248
- Out-of-State: $19,576
Net Price: $13,176
Acceptance Rate: 97%
Retention Rate: 60%

Graduation Rate: 28%
Total Enrollment: 3,828
Undergrad Students: 3,296
Graduate Students: 532
Grads Salary: $66,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

23

Troy University

Score: 76.41

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,792
- Out-of-State: $19,584
Net Price: $13,187
Acceptance Rate: 95%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 46%
Total Enrollment: 14,156
Undergrad Students: 10,768
Graduate Students: 3,388
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

24

Fort Hays State University

Score: 75.91

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,633
- Out-of-State: $16,811
Net Price: $13,322
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 51%
Total Enrollment: 12,949
Undergrad Students: 10,427
Graduate Students: 2,522
Grads Salary: $65,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

25

Wichita State University

Score: 75.06

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,322
- Out-of-State: $19,240
Net Price: $13,553
Acceptance Rate: 95%
Retention Rate: 66%

Graduation Rate: 52%
Total Enrollment: 16,216
Undergrad Students: 12,049
Graduate Students: 4,167
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

26

Montclair State University

Score: 74.36

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,766
- Out-of-State: $24,126
Net Price: $13,742
Acceptance Rate: 91%
Retention Rate: 81%

Graduation Rate: 65%
Total Enrollment: 21,784
Undergrad Students: 17,290
Graduate Students: 4,494
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

27

University of Memphis

Score: 73.88

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,344
- Out-of-State: $14,784
Net Price: $13,873
Acceptance Rate: 95%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 48%
Total Enrollment: 21,917
Undergrad Students: 16,708
Graduate Students: 5,209
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

28

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Score: 73.59

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,214
- Out-of-State: $21,876
Net Price: $13,951
Acceptance Rate: 80%
Retention Rate: 84%

Graduation Rate: 70%
Total Enrollment: 29,551
Undergrad Students: 23,461
Graduate Students: 6,090
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

29

St. Cloud State University

Score: 73.17

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,117
- Out-of-State: $10,117
Net Price: $14,065
Acceptance Rate: 95%
Retention Rate: 69%

Graduation Rate: 44%
Total Enrollment: 10,420
Undergrad Students: 8,569
Graduate Students: 1,851
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

30

Winston-Salem State University

Score: 73.05

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,735
- Out-of-State: $17,391
Net Price: $14,097
Acceptance Rate: 73%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 50%
Total Enrollment: 5,004
Undergrad Students: 4,513
Graduate Students: 491
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

31

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Score: 72.53

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,864
- Out-of-State: $19,652
Net Price: $14,238
Acceptance Rate: 98%
Retention Rate: 61%

Graduation Rate: 46%
Total Enrollment: 9,389
Undergrad Students: 8,405
Graduate Students: 984
Grads Salary: $67,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

32

Lake Superior State University

Score: 72.17

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,266
- Out-of-State: $14,266
Net Price: $14,336
Acceptance Rate: 77%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 51%
Total Enrollment: 1,655
Undergrad Students: 1,655
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

33

University of the Cumberlands

Score: 72.17

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,875
- Out-of-State: $9,875
Net Price: $14,337
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Retention Rate: 70%

Graduation Rate: 44%
Total Enrollment: 18,053
Undergrad Students: 5,174
Graduate Students: 12,879
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

34

Worcester State University

Score: 71.81

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,286
- Out-of-State: $17,366
Net Price: $14,435
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 59%
Total Enrollment: 5,311
Undergrad Students: 4,478
Graduate Students: 833
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

35

Albany State University

Score: 70.93

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,934
- Out-of-State: $16,656
Net Price: $14,672
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 68%

Graduation Rate: 28%
Total Enrollment: 6,334
Undergrad Students: 5,812
Graduate Students: 522
Grads Salary: $63,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

36

National Louis University

Score: 70.58

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,345
- Out-of-State: $12,345
Net Price: $14,769
Acceptance Rate: 92%
Retention Rate: 61%

Graduation Rate: 31%
Total Enrollment: 7,525
Undergrad Students: 3,984
Graduate Students: 3,541
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

37

Metropolitan State University of Denver

Score: 70.44

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,780
- Out-of-State: $29,503
Net Price: $14,805
Acceptance Rate: 98%
Retention Rate: 63%

Graduation Rate: 29%
Total Enrollment: 16,995
Undergrad Students: 15,848
Graduate Students: 1,147
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

38

Emporia State University

Score: 70.26

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,356
- Out-of-State: $15,669
Net Price: $14,854
Acceptance Rate: 96%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 52%
Total Enrollment: 5,324
Undergrad Students: 2,740
Graduate Students: 2,584
Grads Salary: $67,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

39

Capella University

Score: 69.96

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,436
- Out-of-State: $14,436
Net Price: $14,935
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 36%

Graduation Rate: 21%
Total Enrollment: 39,727
Undergrad Students: 13,280
Graduate Students: 26,447
Grads Salary: $78,000
Student-to-faculty: 35:1

40

Oakland University

Score: 69.13

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,694
- Out-of-State: $23,188
Net Price: $15,161
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 58%
Total Enrollment: 16,108
Undergrad Students: 12,841
Graduate Students: 3,267
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

41

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Score: 69.06

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,748
- Out-of-State: $21,033
Net Price: $15,181
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 63%

Graduation Rate: 35%
Total Enrollment: 10,778
Undergrad Students: 7,824
Graduate Students: 2,954
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

42

Martin University

Score: 68.73

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,830
- Out-of-State: $12,830
Net Price: $15,271
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 67%

Graduation Rate: 29%
Total Enrollment: 187
Undergrad Students: 161
Graduate Students: 26
Grads Salary: $78,000
Student-to-faculty: 6:1

43

University of North Texas

Score: 68.68

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,164
- Out-of-State: $21,244
Net Price: $15,283
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Retention Rate: 80%

Graduation Rate: 59%
Total Enrollment: 44,767
Undergrad Students: 33,023
Graduate Students: 11,744
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 23:1

44

University of Central Arkansas

Score: 68.04

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,118
- Out-of-State: $17,258
Net Price: $15,456
Acceptance Rate: 91%
Retention Rate: 74%

Graduation Rate: 50%
Total Enrollment: 9,913
Undergrad Students: 7,994
Graduate Students: 1,919
Grads Salary: $62,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

45

University of Wisconsin-Stout

Score: 67.84

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,142
- Out-of-State: $18,706
Net Price: $15,510
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 52%
Total Enrollment: 7,234
Undergrad Students: 6,254
Graduate Students: 980
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

46

University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Score: 67.53

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,315
- Out-of-State: $17,274
Net Price: $15,595
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Retention Rate: 78%

Graduation Rate: 61%
Total Enrollment: 6,486
Undergrad Students: 6,028
Graduate Students: 458
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

47

Central Michigan University

Score: 67.49

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,190
- Out-of-State: $14,190
Net Price: $15,605
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 62%
Total Enrollment: 14,557
Undergrad Students: 10,401
Graduate Students: 4,156
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

48

Wright State University

Score: 67.33

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,188
- Out-of-State: $20,606
Net Price: $15,650
Acceptance Rate: 95%
Retention Rate: 64%

Graduation Rate: 44%
Total Enrollment: 9,678
Undergrad Students: 6,938
Graduate Students: 2,740
Grads Salary: $78,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

49

Western Connecticut State University

Score: 66.55

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,763
- Out-of-State: $16,095
Net Price: $15,862
Acceptance Rate: 84%
Retention Rate: 74%

Graduation Rate: 51%
Total Enrollment: 4,417
Undergrad Students: 3,799
Graduate Students: 618
Grads Salary: $68,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

50

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Score: 65.97

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,488
- Out-of-State: $36,402
Net Price: $16,018
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 84%
Total Enrollment: 54,955
Undergrad Students: 39,248
Graduate Students: 15,707
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Why a Degree from an Affordable Addiction Counseling School?

The cost of enrolling at a college or university can be substantial. While financial aid options such as scholarships, grants, and loans are generally available, the assistance provided may still not be enough to pay for an entire higher education degree. This makes finding an affordable addiction counseling school extremely important, particularly for prospective students with financial constraints. Regardless of the type of degree sought, opting for a more inexpensive program can be beneficial.

Counseling degrees are also extremely flexible. Not only can you choose from programs at varying levels, but you can pursue a variety of different career paths after graduation.

Some of the most common employment opportunities for counseling graduates include:

Addiction Counselor
Certified Addiction, Drug, and Alcohol Counselor
Clinical Supervisor
Alcohol or Drug Rehabilitation Facility Director
School and Community Service Manager
School and Career Counselor
Health Educator
Community Health Worker
Rehabilitation Counselor

While most states require addiction counselors to have a bachelor’s degree, it may be possible to find entry-level work in this field with minimal higher education. Some locations require nothing more than a high school diploma. Candidates should always verify that they meet the posted education requirements prior to submitting an application for employment. Identifying your ultimate career goals can help you determine which degree type will be necessary moving forward.

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Choosing an Affordable Addiction Counseling College

There are several factors you should consider when choosing an affordable counseling college. Every institution is different, making it important to compare and contrast several different options prior to making a final decision. As you assess the various programs available to you, pay close attention to cost, location, accreditation, instruction methods, and graduation requirements.

Cost
The cost of earning an addiction counseling degree can vary significantly, especially between public and private institutions. Take the time to carefully consider your financial situation prior to deciding which school is best. You can factor in financial aid options available, living accommodations, and the length of the program to more accurately determine the total investment.
Location
Where you plan to study can have a significant impact on your career, particularly if the college or university makes a distinction between in-state and out-of-state tuition. While some institutions charge the same amount regardless of where students are from, most schools charge state residents significantly less.
Accreditation
It’s also important to find a college or university addiction counseling program that is accredited. While most institutions maintain an overall accreditation status, individual departments can also choose to accredit the specific programs they offer. At the very least, make sure the school is regionally or internationally accredited before enrolling. Colleges and universities that lack accreditation may offer less financial aid, make transferring credits difficult or impossible, and may not properly prepare you for future employment.
Instruction Methods
Brick-and-mortar colleges and universities will offer the majority of their instruction on campus, requiring students to attend classes in person. Online schools, however, offer more flexible learning experiences, allowing learners to participate from anywhere in the world. Keep in mind, however, that some distance learning options require periodic in-person residencies. These are often referred to as hybrid programs. Choose the solution that suits your situation and budget best.
Graduation Requirements
While addiction counseling graduation requirements are often similar, no two institutions are exactly the same. This means that it is imperative for students to become familiar with expectations before enrolling. This includes reviewing curriculums and course listings to ensure they align with your ultimate education and career goals.

Online Options

If you are interested in earning an addiction counseling degree online, you should have little trouble finding a college or university offering an acceptable program. Options exist nationwide, with varying degree levels available.

While locating potential degree programs is easy, it’s important that you take time to research your state’s specific licensure and certification regulations prior to enrolling. This is particularly relevant for individuals pursuing a career as a professional addiction counselor. All substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors in private practice have to be licensed, but guidelines vary by state. Every state requires that counseling candidates acquire a master’s degree, as well as 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience. Passing a state-issued examination and yearly continuing education is also necessary. If you intend to become licensed and manage your own private practice, make sure you select an online program that helps you meet these requirements.

Professionals outside of private practice should also review their state’s licensure regulations. Not every state requires candidates to earn a specific degree, but examinations are relatively standard. You’ll also need to verify the accreditation of the online program. Most states require that professionals receive degrees from institutions accredited by board-approved agencies, which means researching state accreditation guidelines and school status is imperative.

It’s also worth noting that some online options offer accelerated programs. While a traditional on-campus addiction counseling degree typically takes a full-time student four years to complete, accelerated online programs can take as little as one-and-a-half to two years. For some, faster graduation timeframes and scheduling flexibility make this type of degree an optimal solution.

Ultimately, as long as the online addiction counseling program you select is accredited and offers a degree type accepted by your state for licensure purposes, this is a completely viable method of entering the field.

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Are Addiction Counseling Programs in High Demand?

Overall, the outlook for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors working in the United States is very promising. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), the profession is expected to grow by 25% from 2019 to 2029. This is much faster than the national average for other professions. The primary explanation for the anticipated job growth in this sector is mostly due to the fact that people will continue to seek addiction counseling services in the future.

It’s also worth noting that more and more states are moving towards rehabilitation services for drug offenders rather than jail time. This is due in large part to recent studies indicating that substance abuse addicts are less likely to offend again if they receive treatment for their addictions. Judges are expected to incorporate these findings into their sentencing practices, resulting in an increased number of counseling patients. Further, treatment programs tend to cost less than incarceration, making this alternative even more appealing. As the country continues to embrace a treatment and counseling-oriented approach, there will be an increased need for qualified professionals in the field.

Military veterans account for a significant portion of addicts. As care for these individuals remains imperative, position availability is unlikely to decline any time soon.

What Can You Do with a Degree in Addiction Counseling?

What you can do with an online degree in addiction counseling will depend on the level of education you receive. Another important factor is whether or not you choose to pursue licensure after graduation. Because options are varied, there are a number of potential careers to choose from within this field of study.

The most obvious career pathway is becoming an addiction counselor. Addiction counselors are responsible for working with people with substance use and abuse problems. They often create and implement therapeutic treatment plans in order to resolve substance dependencies for their patients. These professionals are also responsible for maintaining case histories, noting progress, providing evaluations, offering individual and group therapy, conducting interventions, and coordinating with the patient’s family members.

Alternatively, you could pursue a more administrative career as a clinical supervisor. Clinical supervisors serve as clinic or department managers and are generally responsible for the associated overall operational activities. Unlike addiction counselors, these professionals are far less likely to provide direct treatment. Instead, they tend to coordinate scheduling, direct employee activities, and delegate tasks that need to be completed. In most cases, it’s also a clinical supervisor that ensures a facility meets all applicable legal standards and regulations.

Another option is pursuing work as an alcohol and drug rehabilitation facility director. These professionals are even further removed from patient treatment. They are responsible for overseeing and managing the financial affairs, hiring, and maintenance of the professional teams in rehabilitation departments. While good communication skills are necessary, the most a facility director will interact with patients and families is during the admittance process or in order to resolve potential complaints.

Addiction Counseling Graduates Earn More After College

Overall, the earning potential for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is decent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for these professionals was $47,660 in 2020, which is higher than the median annual wage of $37,690 as reported for all occupations. The highest 10% of employees in this field earned more than $78,700.

As previously mentioned, licensure is required for addiction counselors in and outside of private practice. While requirements vary by state, most require some level of formal education in order to qualify.

According to PayScale, the average salary for counselors with an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in addiction counseling is $38,560. While this figure is just above the median annual wage, it’s important to realize that some employment opportunities offer less compensation than others. Salary is also often dependent upon location, with Nevada, Utah, Alaska, New Jersey, and Oregon offering the highest wage prospects.

Professionals with bachelor’s or master’s degrees are likely to make more. According to PayScale, individuals with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in addiction studies or Master of Science (MS) in addictions counseling make an average yearly salary of between $45,005 and $49,300.

While an online associate degree in addiction counseling may meet your state’s licensure requirements, it may still be difficult to find high-paying employment. This is because you are likely to be competing with candidates with bachelor’s or master’s degrees. As a result, the degree level you choose can have a direct impact on your earning potential.

FAQs

What are the admission requirements for addiction counseling students?

Most colleges and universities have predetermined requirements that prospective addiction counseling students must complete before admittance is possible. Every institution is different, so it’s important to review prerequisites carefully before submitting an application.

While specific requirements vary from school to school and will further depend on the type of degree you are seeking, expect to provide some variation of the following:
- Official High School Transcripts or College Transcripts
- Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Application and Fees
- Letters of Recommendation
- Personal Statement or Supplemental Essay
- Academic Work Samples
- Scores from College Entrance Exams (SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT etc.)
How long will it take to complete an addiction counseling degree?

It may be possible to secure some entry-level positions with an associate degree in addiction counseling. While this level of education does not satisfy licensure requirements for many states, it doesn’t take much time to complete. Most programs consist of 60 credit hours and can be completed within two years.

Most people pursuing a career as an addiction counselor will need a bachelor’s degree. This type of program typically consists of 120 credit hours of coursework that takes full-time students approximately four years to complete. Some colleges and universities offer accelerated online programs with projected graduation timeframes of two years or less.

Like associate degrees, many master’s degree programs in addiction counseling are comprised of 60 credit hours of coursework. The majority of full-time students are able to finish all associated graduation requirements in two years.
What type of accreditation should addiction counseling students be looking for?

When looking for a program in addiction counseling or a related field, it’s important to consider the college or university’s accreditation status. Proper accreditation means that the institution currently meets established academic and professional standards. Only accredited programs can guarantee students will be adequately prepared for work within the field after graduation.

Institutions can choose from several regional accrediting agencies, but departments and programs can seek specialized accreditation as well. In this case, the most prominent specialized accreditation organization is the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP).
What are the licensure requirements for addiction counseling professionals?

All 50 states and the District of Columbia require that chemical dependency counselors in private practice be licensed.

While specific requirements will vary by location, most have requirements similar to the following:
- - Master’s degree with a major study in counseling from a regionally accredited program
  - Coursework in specific content areas including, but not limited to:
- Human Growth and Development Theories in Counseling
- Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling
- Assessment in Counseling
- Career Counseling and Lifestyle Development
- Group Counseling Theories and Processes
- Hours of postgraduate counseling supervision over a specified period of time
- Endorsement from a professional colleague who holds a master’s degree or higher in a mental health field
- Hours of postgraduate counseling experience over a specified period of time
- Passing score on the state-issued examination
The licensure criteria for addiction counselors outside of private practice also vary from state to state. While not all states require applicants to have a specific degree, most require candidates to pass a board-issued examination.
Where to addiction counselors work?

Addiction counselors can work in a wide variety of settings. The largest employers for addiction counselors are outpatient centers, individual and family services, hospitals, residential substance abuse facilities, and the government.

Some of the most common places of employment include:
- Mental Health Centers
- Prisons
- Probation Agencies
- Parole Agencies
- Juvenile Detention Facilities
- Private Practices
- Halfway Houses
- Detox Centers
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
- Residential Treatment Facilities
- Outpatient Treatment Centers

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