Addiction counseling focuses on treating the emotional, mental, and behavioral issues related to alcohol and substance abuse. It includes assessment, diagnosis, therapy, and prevention of contributory behaviors, and helps individuals overcome their addiction.

To work in addiction counseling, you'll need a bachelor's or master's degree. An addiction counseling degree will best prepare you for working with clients in this capacity. There are many options for online learning, and getting a degree online is easier now than ever. To learn how you can earn a degree in addiction counseling, continue reading below.

Choosing the Right Online Addiction Counseling Degree Program

Becoming a licensed addiction counselor requires attaining a master's degree. You can begin working in the field with just a bachelor's, however, or go on for a doctorate.

Whatever degree you enroll in, it's important to make sure the online program you pick is properly accredited. The Counsel for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, and the American Psychological Association are two widely recognized accrediting bodies.

Bachelor's Degree

An online bachelor's degree can qualify you for lower-level (non-licensed) positions. You'll likely be able to work directly with clients, but not necessarily in an official counseling capacity.

Many colleges and universities offer a bachelor's in addiction counseling or a bachelor's in addiction studies. These degree programs cover the core courses that most bachelor's do. They then delve into classes that explore addictions from a scientific and counseling perspective. Completing a bachelor's degree online takes most students four years.

Master’s Degree

To practice as a licensed counselor, you'll have to complete a master's degree in counseling. You can do a general counseling program or an addiction counseling program that'll better prepare you for working with clients who have alcohol and substance abuse habits.

An online master's degree in addiction counseling will cover counseling basics and then delve into addiction counseling at a deeper level. The program should take one to two years, and involve a practicum.

Graduate Certificate

A graduate certificate allows you to specialize in a particular type of counseling, such as addiction counseling. You might pursue a certificate in addictions counseling if this is the field you want to work in, but you’re master's is in general counseling.

Alternatively, a certificate might allow you to do more work with a bachelor's degree. You could complete a bachelor's, a certificate, and then a master's.

Most online certificate programs take six months to one year, and they cover only courses directly related to addiction counseling.

Doctorate

An online doctorate degree in addiction counseling allows you to study and practice at the highest levels. The coursework is the most advanced of any degree program, narrowly focused on addiction counseling, and prepares you for research, teaching, and leadership positions.

There are two potential doctorates that addiction counselors can pursue. The first is a Ph.D., which is a research-based program that takes four to six years. The second is a Psy.D., which is a clinical program that takes three years. The Psy.D. has a substantial practicum component, while the Ph.D. has a large research paper. Either program can qualify for licensure if you skip the masters.

Which Addiction Counseling Degree Program Is Best for Me?

Bachelor’s DegreeMaster’s DegreeGraduate CertPh.D. or PsyD
I am interested in gaining entry-level experience in addiction counselingx
I want to get started in my addiction counseling career before I pursue more educationx
I want to become a licensed professional counselorx
I want to pursue or switch to a niche counseling specialtyxx
I already have a counseling degree and want to gain specialized knowledgexx
I want to work in academia, administration, or clinical practicex

Addiction Counseling Degree Program Curriculum

These degrees' coursework includes an extensive study on addiction counseling. The bachelor's also includes general studies. Some examples of classes are:

  • Bachelor’s Degree: ~120 credits; Intro to Substance Abuse Disorders, Theories of Personality and Addiction, Group Counseling in Addiction
  • Master’s Degree: ~30-60 credits; Co-Occurring Disorders, Diagnostics, Assessment and Treatment, Counseling Chemical Dependency Adolescents
  • Graduate Certificate: ~12-20 credits; Co-Occurring Disorders, Diagnostics, Assessment, and Treatment, Counseling Chemical Dependency Adolescents
  • Doctorate Degree: ~80-120 credits; Drug Abuse and Human Behavior, Addiction Programs and Professional Development, Psychological Psychology

Addiction Counseling Degree Program Clinical Requirements

Addiction counseling degree programs have a clinical placement component, also known as a “practicum.” It provides students with hands-on experience in a supervised setting, where they can directly work with clients struggling with addiction.

Accredited master’s programs in counseling psychology generally require at least 600 hours of clinical experience, while Psy.D. programs in the field mandate a minimum of 1,500 hours. Bachelor's programs might not have an official requirement, but will likely encourage students to gain practical experience. Ph.D. programs usually have a practicum that's between that of a master's and a Psy.D.

Faculty can provide valuable guidance to students looking for clinical placements in addiction treatment facilities. Because you’ll be enrolled in an online program, you will likely be completing these clinical hours within your own community.

List of Addiction Counseling Degree Programs

Looking for an online or campus-based addiction counseling degree program near you? Browse our state-by-state school listings below.

Jump to Your State Listings

Arizona

Certificate Programs
1971 Jagerson Ave
Kingman, AZ 86409-1238
(928) 757-4331

9414 North 25th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85021
(602) 371-1188

California

Certificate Programs
3000 College Heights Blvd
Ridgecrest, CA 93555-9571
(760) 384-6100

50 Frida Kahlo Drive
San Francisco, CA 94112-1898
(415) 239-3000

43-500 Monterey Ave
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 346-8041

Certificate Programs
1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez
Monterey Park, CA 91754-6099
(323) 265-8650

Certificate Programs
1500 N Verdugo Rd
Glendale, CA 91208-2894
(818) 240-1000

380 E. Aten Road
Imperial, CA 92251-0158
(760) 352-8320

Associate Programs
One College Drive
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
(530) 541-4660

Associate ProgramsCertificate Programs
1600 W. Imperial Hwy.
Los Angeles, CA 90047-4899
(323) 241-5225

Colorado

102 Administration Building
Fort Collins, CO 80523-0100
(970) 491-1101

1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
(719) 255-3000

Connecticut

Graduate Certificate Programs
800 Country Club Rd
Waterbury, CT 06723
(800) 345-2562

Graduate Certificate Programs
501 Crescent Street
New Haven, CT 06515-1355
(203) 392-5200

Master's Programs
181 White Street
Danbury, CT 06810-6826
(203) 837-8200

Florida

Graduate Certificate Programs
341 Tigert Hall 300 SW 13th St
Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 392-1202

Graduate Certificate ProgramsCertificate Programs
4202 East Fowler Ave
Tampa, FL 33620-9951
(813) 974-2011

Georgia

Certificate Programs
Administration Building
Athens, GA 30602
(706) 542-3000

Master's Programs
82 College Circle
Dahlonega, GA 30597
(706) 864-1400

Hawaii


Honolulu, HI
(808) 521-1868

Illinois

347 S Gladstone Ave
Aurora, IL 60506-4892
(630) 892-6431

Indiana

107 South Indiana Ave.
Bloomington, IN 47405-7000
(812) 855-4848

Certificate Programs
2325 Chester Blvd
Richmond, IN 47374-1289
(765) 973-8200

Graduate Certificate Programs
2300 S Washington St
Kokomo, IN 46902-9003
(765) 453-2000

3400 Broadway
Gary, IN 46408-1197
(888) 968-7486

1900 West 50th Street
Marion, IN 46953
(765) 677-2870

2186 North Sherman Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46218-0567
(317) 543-3235

Bachelor's ProgramsGraduate Certificate Programs
2550 Northwestern Avenue, Suite 1100
West Lafayette, IN 47906
(866) 522-7747

Certificate Programs
2200 169th Street
Hammond, IN 46323
(219) 989-2400

Kansas

Graduate Certificate Programs
2030 E College Way
Olathe, KS 66062-1899
(913) 782-3750

Certificate Programs
1700 SW College Avenue
Topeka, KS 66621-0001
(785) 670-1010

Kentucky

Graduate Certificate Programs
521 Lancaster Ave
Richmond, KY 40475-3102
(859) 622-1000

512 E. Stephens St
Midway, KY 40347-1120
(859) 846-4421

Master's Programs
6191 College Station Drive
Williamsburg, KY 40769
(606) 549-2200

Certificate Programs
1906 College Heights Blvd
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1000
(270) 745-0111

Louisiana

175 Sam Sibley Drive
Natchitoches, LA 71497-0002
(318) 357-6011

700 University Avenue
Monroe, LA 71209-0000
(318) 342-1000

Maryland

101 Braddock Road
Frostburg, MD 21532-1099
(301) 687-4000

Massachusetts

588 Longmeadow Street
Longmeadow, MA 01106
(413) 565-1000

235 Wellesley St
Weston, MA 02493-1571
(781) 768-7000

Certificate Programs
486 Chandler St
Worcester, MA 01602-2597
(508) 929-8000

Minnesota

10225 Yellow Circle Dr.
Minnetonka, MN 55343
(612) 861-7554

Master's ProgramsCertificate Programs
1500 Birchmont Dr
Bemidji, MN 56601
(800) 475-2001

Graduate Certificate Programs
225 South 6th Street, 9th Floor
Minneapolis, MN 55402-3389
(866) 808-4080

15251 Pleasant Valley Rd
Center City, MN 55012-0011
(888) 257-7800 x4175

Bachelor's Programs
South Rd and Ellis Ave
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 389-1866

Bachelor's Programs
720 Fourth Ave. South
Saint Cloud, MN 56301-4498
(320) 308-0121

100 Washington Avenue South, Suite 900
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(866) 492-5336

Certificate Programs
175 West Mark Street
Winona, MN 55987-5838
(507) 457-5000

Montana

Graduate Certificate Programs
Montana State University
Bozeman, MT 59717
(406) 994-0211

Nebraska

Graduate Certificate Programs
2504 9th Avenue
Kearney, NE 68849-1212
(308) 865-8441

Nevada

1300 Nevada State Drive
Henderson, NV 89002
(702) 992-2000

Graduate Certificate Programs
4505 S Maryland Pky
Las Vegas, NV 89154
(702) 895-3011

New Hampshire

Bachelor's Programs
25 Hall Street
Concord, NH 03301-3471
(603) 228-3000

New Jersey

Certificate Programs
505 Ramapo Valley Rd
Mahwah, NJ 07430-1680
(201) 684-7500 x7500

New York

160 Convent Ave
New York, NY 10031
(212) 650-7000

250 Bedford Park Blvd West
Bronx, NY 10468
(718) 960-8000

100 Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY 11549
(516) 463-6600

Certificate Programs
555 Broadway
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
(800) 637-2969

350 New Campus Dr
Brockport, NY 14420-2919
(585) 395-2361

North Carolina

Certificate Programs
287 Rivers St
Boone, NC 28608
(828) 262-2000

1601 E Market St
Greensboro, NC 27411
(336) 334-7500

9201 University City Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28223-0001
(704) 687-2000

Graduate Certificate Programs
One University Drive
Pembroke, NC 28372-1510
(910) 521-6000

North Dakota

7500 University Dr
Bismarck, ND 58504
(701) 255-7500

Ohio

401 College Avenue
Ashland, OH 44805
(800) 882-1548

1 John Carroll Boulevard
University Heights, OH 44118-4538
(888) 388-2977

Executive Office, 2nd Floor Library
Kent, OH 44242-0001
(330) 672-3000

Graduate Certificate Programs
2600 Cleveland Avenue NW
Canton, OH 44709-3308
(330) 471-8100

1476 Lancaster Pike
Circleville, OH 43113-9487
(740) 474-8896

2624 Clifton Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0063
(513) 556-6000

Bachelor's Programs
2624 Clifton Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0063
(513) 556-6000

Certificate Programs
300 College Park
Dayton, OH 45469
(937) 229-1000

2801 W Bancroft
Toledo, OH 43606-3390
(800) 586-5336

Graduate Certificate Programs
3640 Colonel Glenn Highway
Dayton, OH 45435-0001
(937) 775-1000

Oklahoma

2800 West Gore Blvd
Lawton, OK 73505-6377
(580) 581-2200

3500 SW 119th St
Oklahoma City, OK 73170-9797
(405) 691-3800

Graduate Certificate Programs
107 Whitehurst
Stillwater, OK 74078-1015
(405) 744-5000

Master's Programs
100 N University Dr
Edmond, OK 73034
(405) 974-2000

Oregon

615 S Palatine Hill Rd
Portland, OR 97219-7899
(503) 768-7000

Pennsylvania

Certificate Programs
200 Prospect Street
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301-2999
(570) 422-3117

Master's Programs
15200 Kutztown Rd
Kutztown, PA 19530-0730
(610) 683-4000

Certificate Programs
301 Lake St
Dallas, PA 18612-1098
(570) 674-6400

Graduate Certificate Programs
5600 City Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19131-1395
(610) 660-1000

800 Lancaster Avenue
Villanova, PA 19085-1699
(610) 519-4500

One University Place
Chester, PA 19013-5792
(610) 499-4000

Rhode Island

Bachelor's Programs
600 Mount Pleasant Ave
Providence, RI 02908
(401) 456-8000

100 Ochre Point Avenue
Newport, RI 02840-4192
(401) 847-6650

Tennessee

Certificate Programs
1276 Gilbreath Drive
Johnson City, TN 37614
(423) 439-1000

Master's Programs
Southern Avenue
Memphis, TN 38152
(901) 678-2000

Texas

Graduate Certificate Programs
2200 Campbell Stree
Commerce, TX 75429-3011
(888) 868-2682

Bachelor's Programs
1201 W University Dr
Edinburg, TX 78539-2999
(956) 665-2011

1501 W.Chestnut Ave.
Denton, TX 76203-1277
(940) 565-2000

Vermont

Master's Programs
337 College Hill
Johnson, VT 05656-9464
(802) 635-2356

Virginia

1971 University Blvd
Lynchburg, VA 24515
(434) 582-2000

200 Richmond Road
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
(757) 221-4000

Washington

2326 6th Ave
Seattle, WA 98121-1814
(206) 441-5352

526 5th Street
Cheney, WA 99004-2496
(509) 359-6200

Wisconsin

Master's Programs
1250 W Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53233
(414) 288-7710

800 W Main St
Whitewater, WI 53190-1790
(262) 472-1234

Are we missing your school's program or need to update information listed? Please contact us so we can make the necessary changes.

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