University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlights the best programs for an associate in addiction studies.
Overview of an Associates in Substance Abuse Counseling
The need for substance abuse counselors and addictions counselors is on the rise. The opioid epidemic persists with no systemic solutions in sight, despite dramatic overdose numbers. On top of this, rates of alcoholism are very high, even if they seem to be at a plateau. Then there are other drugs to consider, such as cocaine, benzodiazepines, and amphetamines.
If you want to be part of the solution to this national problem and help people on an individual level, you can start with an associate's in substance abuse counseling. Typically, this degree should take around two years to complete. If you already have another degree but wish to join the ranks of caring providers who fight addiction every day, you can even consider a certificate program that can lead to state licensure.
Associate's substance abuse counseling degrees are two-year degrees that will prepare you to work in a substance abuse clinic, hospital, or even in a private practice in addiction counseling, as a substance abuse counselor, addiction counselor, and may prepare some students to work as mental health counselors. Depending on the specific degree and program you choose, your academic work will prepare you for the next steps in the licensure process. That work will be vital in that it will form the basis for your supervised experience and your entire career. For example, you may not need a master's degree to work in addiction counseling, but a drug counselor or substance abuse counselors who wish to run their own practice can definitely profit from a bachelor's degree or master's addiction counseling programs.
Your coursework will include things such as the statistics surrounding drug abuse, psychological theories of personality and development, as well as various topics pertaining to patient treatment. You will learn how to accurately diagnose patients, how to recognize relapses, and how to interact with their larger support structure including family dynamics. You should make sure that your program is appropriately accredited and that your state licensing board will recognize your hard work and apply it to your application file.
Top 10 Best Online Associate in Addiction Counseling Programs
University of St. Thomas-Houston
Score: 79.7
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $33,660
- Out-of-State:$33,660
- Net Price: $19,207
- Acceptance Rate: 97%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 66%
- Total Enrollment: 3,588
- Undergrad Students: 2,646
- Graduate Students: 942
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
St. Petersburg College
Score: 72.15
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,682
- Out-of-State:$9,286
- Net Price: $2,132
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 38%
- Total Enrollment: 23,501
- Undergrad Students: 23,501
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
Clarks Summit University
Score: 70.68
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $32,400
- Out-of-State:$32,400
- Net Price: $16,176
- Acceptance Rate: 65%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 552
- Undergrad Students: 376
- Graduate Students: 176
- Grads Salary: $48,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
University of Providence
Score: 69.95
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $29,018
- Out-of-State:$29,018
- Net Price: $22,318
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 955
- Undergrad Students: 593
- Graduate Students: 362
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
Florida SouthWestern State College
Score: 64.11
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,401
- Out-of-State:$12,979
- Net Price: $7,792
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 57%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 14,326
- Undergrad Students: 14,326
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $60,000
- Student-to-faculty: 27:1
Southwestern Assemblies of God University
Score: 60.56
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $18,610
- Out-of-State:$18,610
- Net Price: $19,217
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 42%
- Total Enrollment: 1,794
- Undergrad Students: 1,491
- Graduate Students: 303
- Grads Salary: $55,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Camden County College
Score: 52.77
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,056
- Out-of-State:$4,056
- Net Price: $2,957
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 22%
- Total Enrollment: 7,770
- Undergrad Students: 7,770
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $38,900
- Student-to-faculty: 23:1
Northcentral Technical College
Score: 52.18
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,861
- Out-of-State:$5,615
- Net Price: $10,866
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 32%
- Total Enrollment: 6,069
- Undergrad Students: 6,069
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $41,700
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
CUNY Kingsborough Community College
Score: 51.9
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,252
- Out-of-State:$8,132
- Net Price: $8,073
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 61%
- Graduation Rate: 27%
- Total Enrollment: 15,042
- Undergrad Students: 15,042
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $41,800
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
NHTI-Concord's Community College
Score: 48.29
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,200
- Out-of-State:$15,450
- Net Price: $16,936
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 52%
- Graduation Rate: 30%
- Total Enrollment: 2,619
- Undergrad Students: 2,619
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $42,800
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
