What degree is best for a substance abuse counselor? The answer is a little more complex than you might think. Substance abuse affects more than 46 million people over the age of 12 each year, making the need for qualified substance abuse counselors that much greater.1 Substance abuse counseling jobs can be found all across the country, and employers are actively recruiting new and experienced counselors.
The Behavioral Health Jobs website is for people looking for a new career in the behavioral health industry. We upload new jobs daily for entry-level, mid-level, and senior-level positions at various healthcare organizations, including addiction treatment centers, hospitals, government facilities, private practices, and others.
If you are interested in finding a new substance abuse counseling job near you today, check out all of the available jobs on the Behavioral Health Jobs website.
What Degree Is Best for a Substance Abuse Counselor?
Currently, there are 58 schools and universities that offer degrees and coursework for a substance abuse counselor. Some of these schools include:
- Thomas Jefferson University
- Wright State University
- Colorado State University
- University of Cincinnati
- Lehigh University
- And many others
What degree does a substance abuse counselor need? That depends on the position you are applying for. Each state has different education requirements, and the job post should list the minimum education requirements.
Bachelor’s Degree
Getting a bachelor’s degree is the first step to becoming a substance abuse counselor. Over the next four years, you will study the foundations of addiction, group counseling, assessments and diagnostics, multicultural counseling, legal and ethical issues, and psychopharmacology.
Degrees in psychology, counseling, sociology, and human services are ideal for anyone interested in working as a substance abuse counselor.
Master’s Degree
A master’s degree in psychology, social work, or a related field is often required for more advanced positions. With a master’s degree, you can work a variety of jobs, including health and community service, leadership roles, and doctoral degrees in addiction counseling. This typically will take anywhere from 2-4 years to complete.
Licensing
After completing your master’s degree, you can further your education and earning potential by earning a certification in addiction counseling. The types of certifications available include:
- National Certified Addiction Counselor (NCAC)
- Master Addiction Counselor (MAC)
- National Certified Adolescent Addictions Counselor (NCAAC)
- National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS)
Behavioral Health Jobs is the best website for finding a new substance abuse counselor job. Our job board is searchable by experience level, organization type, distance from home, and other search criteria.
Substance Abuse Counselor Degree Requirements
College students who are still unsure about their careers have a few years to pick a major. If you are leaning toward helping people reach their sober goals, here are some of the substance abuse counselor degree requirements:
- Choose your degree – Talk with a school counselor about which options are best to become a substance abuse counselor. They will put you on a direct path to achieve your goals, which may include courses in:
- Biology
- Clinical psychology
- Case management
- History of psychology
- Personal development
- Counseling ethics
- Complete supervised clinical practice hours – While working on your degree, most substance abuse counselors will need to complete up to 3,000 hours of counseling experience plus up to 100 hours of supervised practice. This is very helpful in determining where you want to work and which area of addiction counseling you want to specialize in.
- Become nationally or state-certified – In addition to your degree, you will need to obtain a license or certification in order to treat patients. Interested applicants can take the state board licensing exams through the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) or the National Counseling Exam (NCE).
Each state has different rules and regulations to qualify. Be sure to read the job post carefully to determine the education requirements and any required licensing or certifications.
Check out Behavioral Health Jobs Today for New Substance Abuse Counseling Jobs Near You
What degree is best for a substance abuse counselor? The Behavioral Health Job website is for job seekers who are interested in finding substance abuse counselor jobs and other worthwhile careers. We have several posts that discuss different job descriptions, their requirements, and other information to help you land a new job.
If you are ready to begin a new career as a substance abuse counselor, begin a new career search today by going to the Behavioral Health Jobs website.
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