Online Alcoholism and Substance Use Counselor Program
Prepare to support people struggling with substance addictions as a substance use counselor.
Prepare to support people struggling with substance addictions as a substance use counselor.
The need for substance use counselors is growing. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, job openings in the field will rise by 22% over the 2021-2023 period.[1] As the need for substance use counselors grows, standards for the profession are changing, too. In New York State, all counselors will soon need additional education to start or continue a career in this field.
With D’Youville University Online, you can gain the additional education you need to show employers you have the skills necessary to meet demand—and prepare to serve families and individuals in need of support.
We offer an online Alcoholism and Substance Use Counselor track as part of our online BA in Psychology program. It’s also available as a stand-alone track for graduates of another health- or human services-related bachelor’s degree, such as:
- Nursing
- Social work
- Criminal justice
- Education
- Sociology
This program combines online coursework that’s asynchronous—meaning no live classes you have to attend—with in-person internship experience that will help you hone your counseling skills in the real world.
[1] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm#tab-6
YOU WILL:
- Develop person-centered, empathetic counseling skills for a variety of settings, including community agencies, corrections/criminal justice, and more.
- Build practical skills for assessing clients and planning for treatment as part of an inter-professional care team.
- Complete two practicum and two internship experiences in a range of professional settings, developing a variety of real-world experiences under the supervision of a working, licensed substance use counselor.
Gaining specialized substance use disorder counseling training can help you stand out with employers as educational requirements change—and equip you to provide more skilled support to clients.
As a graduate of our online training program, you’ll develop an understanding of how addiction impacts individuals, families, and society, and build professional skills for one-on-one, family, or group counseling.
COURSES
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The program is offered to:
- Students who complete it as part of our BA in Psychology program
- Graduates of another bachelor’s degree who want to become substance use counselors (whether they are new to the field or currently working as counselors)
Students who wish to pursue the program as part of our BA in Psychology completion program must meet general admission requirements for undergraduate education and submit the following:
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities currently or previously attended.
- Proof of a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale for previous college coursework. Lower GPAs are considered for admission.
Students who wish to pursue the program who already hold a bachelor’s degree must meet general admission requirements for undergraduate education and submit the following:
- Proof of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited program with conferral date in a health- or human services-related field of study (e.g. nursing, psychology, social work, etc.)
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities currently or previously attended.
- Proof of a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale for previous college coursework. Lower GPAs are considered for admission.
CAREER OUTCOMES
Our program can equip you for substance use counseling certification. Once certified, you can pursue counseling roles in long-term care facilities, outpatient facilities, correctional/criminal justice settings, and more.
Depending on your previous qualifications and experience, you may also be able to pursue roles that involve managing substance use counseling programs.
Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Substance use counselors provide individual, family, and group services to people whose lives and relationships are impacted by alcoholism and drug addiction. As of May 2021, the median annual national salary for mental health counselors was $48,520.[1]
[1] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm#tab-5
Social and Community Service Managers
Social and community service managers direct, plan, and oversee programs that serve public needs. They may be responsible for budgeting, human resource management, and quality control for their departments.
The U.S. BLS projects that job openings for social and community services managers will grow by 12% over the 2021-2031 period, much faster than the overall occupational job growth rate of 5%. [2]
[2] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm#tab-6
While salaries vary by employer and job market, the overall median annual salary for health and human services managers was $74,000 as of May 2021.[3]
[3] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm#tab-5
READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
Fill out an information form and get ready to change