Bachelor’s Degree in Addiction Counseling
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Addiction counseling involves helping individuals identify and understand the underlying causes of their alcohol or substance use. Addiction counselors work with people struggling with addiction. They also counsel friends and family members who love or live with someone who lives with substance use.
An addiction counseling degree at the bachelor’s level can equip you with the communication, critical thinking, and organizational skills necessary to work with diverse people individually and in groups. You’d also learn therapy techniques, common psychological causes of addiction, and the best ways to facilitate rehabilitation. A bachelor’s degree may also prepare you for addiction counselor certification and state licensure requirements.
Should I Get a Bachelor’s in Addiction Counseling?
If you’re a good communicator, have a strong desire to help others, and are a stellar listener, a career in addiction counseling may suit you. Also, if you’re looking for a professional track with job growth, consider that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that jobs for substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors will increase by 19% between 2023-2033.
Some states mandate a bachelor’s degree to become an addiction counselor. However, if your state requires a minimum of a master’s in addiction counseling, a four-year degree can equip you with the fundamental knowledge to prepare you for graduate study and licensure.
Featured Online Addiction & Recovery Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
How to Choose an Addiction Counseling Program
If you’re interested in pursuing a four-year addiction counseling degree, you’ll need to consider many factors when choosing your ideal program. Investigating a prospective school can help you determine its capacity to provide you with a solid education that sets you on the path to gainful employment or graduate study.
determine whether your school has programmatic accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), which verifies that it has academic rigor and employs qualified faculty in the social work field. Accreditation also allows you to receive financial aid, and it can enhance your application to graduate programs in addiction counseling. Here are other qualities to consider in a prospective program:
Availability of online degrees or classes, including on-campus requirements- Length of program or time to completion
- Cost of living on vs. off campus
- Tuition rate per credit hour
- Fees for student support, parking, technology, and other services
- Undergraduate internship and research opportunities
- Minors or concentrations
- Admission requirements, such as entrance exam scores, minimum GPA, prerequisite coursework, letters of recommendation, and personal statement
What Courses Will I Take?
When pursuing a bachelor’s in addiction counseling, you’ll typically need to complete core classes in English, natural science, math, social science, and history. Depending on your school or chosen concentration, your major courses will likely include
- Foundations of addiction and substance use disorders
- Addiction group counseling
- Issues in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment
- Multicultural counseling
- Legal and ethical issues for addiction counselors
- Process addictions
- Psychopharmacology in treating substance use disorders
In addition to coursework, you may be required to complete an internship, a capstone project, fieldwork, and a supervised practicum.
Addiction Counselor Careers
There are several careers that involve helping and working with addiction. Some of these options are for professionals with addiction counseling degrees, and others will require additional education or training.
Social and Community Service Manager
These service managers oversee organizations and programs that provide services that help people and families in need. Some of these services include help with addiction and mental health support. Depending on the program, they typically manage operations, fundraising, program assessment, and other organizational functions. A bachelor’s degree can help this individual take on case management or a supervisory role.
School and Career Counselor
These counselors work in business and educational settings and assist people in achieving their goals. School counselors help students with social and academic skills, and career counselors assist working professionals with improving their employment prospects and engagingin professional development. Counselors in either setting provide resources and support to individuals struggling with addiction, and they sometimes are called on to report possible instances of substance use. Keep in mind that you will need a master’s degree in counseling to work as a school counselor.
Health Education Specialist
Health educators promote public health and wellness initiatives and increase awareness of positive health behaviors. They typically hold jobs in public health departments, non-profit organizations, and healthcare settings. Health educators can teach classes, manage community programs, and help individuals find the health information and resources they need.
Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, or Mental Health Counselor
These professionals work in various settings helping people find treatment for addiction disorders. A counselor with a bachelor’s degree is qualified to evaluate a person’s readiness for psychological or medical intervention. They can also help clients develop plans for treatment or recovery and make referrals to mental health counselors to make sure clients get the help they need.
Rehabilitation Counselor
Although some states require these counselors to have a master’s, a four-year degree can qualify professionals to provide some rehabilitation services, such as helping clients find employment or live more independently. Rehabilitation counselors also help people in addiction recovery to assess their skills and occupational interests, direct them to resources, and assist them in finding employment.
How Much Do Addiction Counselors Earn?
According to the BLS, addiction, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors earned a median salary of $53,710 in 2023. Professionals with bachelor’s degrees working in practitioners’ offices and hospitals can earn higher wages. The top 10% of earners in the same year made $89,920 in 2023.
After graduating with a bachelor’s, you can do several things to increase your addiction counselor salary, such as pursue a master’s degree with a concentration, such as substance use counseling. You can also earn an addiction counselor certification to work more with clients in one-on-one settings. Some four-year programs can prepare you to take exams to become a certified substance use practitioner, national certified addiction counselor level II, or a certified addiction specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions About Addiction Counseling Bachelor’s Degrees
While a bachelor’s can qualify you for many career opportunities, a master’s in addiction counseling can expand your job prospects further. Also, some states require at least a master’s to acquire certification or work in clinical settings.
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