Best Addiction Studies Bachelor's Degrees
Why Get A Bachelor’s Degree in Addiction Studies Counseling?
A bachelor’s degree in addiction studies counseling is the ideal program for students who want to make a big difference in the lives of people struggling with addiction.
Being a substance abuse counselor can be an extremely rewarding position. You’ll have the opportunity to help people get their life together by treating a variety of conditions including substance abuse, depression, stress, and grief.
The career is also a great option for people who want experience working in a wide variety of environments. When students receive this degree, they can even hold a wide range of positions throughout their career.
Generally speaking, graduates of these programs will be responsible for counseling patients, maintaining client/patient caseloads, collaborating with families, performing evaluations, and many other responsibilities.
Bachelor’s in Substance Abuse Counseling
A bachelor’s degree in substance abuse counseling or addiction counseling typically takes three to four years to complete and encompasses 120 semester hours of college credit.
With a bachelor’s degree, aspiring substance abuse counselors will start their careers off on the right foot. Students will graduate with an understanding of the basic psychological and sociological factors behind addiction, as well as a grasp on counseling theory, techniques, and ethics.
While each school’s program differs in the specific courses students will have to take, the bulk of general class requirements remain the same. Your course load will likely start off with several general education classes before focusing on the psychology and sociology courses students will need to meet the requirements of their major. Topics will include individual and family counseling, healthcare ethics, and addiction-specific topics about assessing, treating, and preventing substance abuse disorders.
A master’s or doctoral degree beyond a bachelor’s is preferred by many employers and is required for therapists to hold before they can open a private practice. However, a bachelor’s degree in substance abuse counseling may be enough to get a foot in the industry door.
School Curriculum
Students who want to start on the path to become a substance abuse counselor should expect to take a curriculum of courses focused on psychology and sociology topics. Students will come away with the assessment and counseling skills needed to perform their jobs well.
Course topics may include:
Addiction Counseling Theories of Counseling Case Management Psychology Family and Group Counseling Individual Counseling Psychological Evaluation Diagnosis of Behavioral and Chemical Dependency Pharmacology and Psychopharmacology
Required courses will vary from school to school, but students can expect to graduate with a knowledge of the fundamentals of substance abuse counseling. Some of the topics that students will come away with a working understanding of include:
Assessment and diagnostic skills Treatment methods and tactics Case evaluation and documentation Facilitation of group and individual sessions Legal and ethical issues associated with and/or caused by substance abuse
Students may also tailor their degree to the career path they plan to follow upon graduation by taking classes that will be directly applicable to their desired career focus. Concentrations lead to careers involving social work, child psychology, psychotherapy, and more. Students should consult with their advisors to choose a path that works for them.
Top 10 Addiction Counseling Bachelor's Programs in the US
- University of South Florida
The college offers a minor in Addictions Studies for students who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Students must complete a total of 18 credit hours to receive this minor. After completing the program, students will be qualified to become a certified addictions professional. Students just need to pass the state examination for this credential.
Tuition
In-State: $6,410
Out-of-State: $17,324
Average Net Price: $9,787
# of Applicants: 36,986
% Admitted: 48%
Retention Rate: 91%
Total Enrollment: 44,246
Undergraduate Enrollment: 32,684 (74%)
Graduate Enrollment: 11,562 (26%)
Graduation Rate: 75%
Student Faculty Ratio: 23 to 1
Average Grads Salary: $65,905
10 Year ROI*: $619,902
- James Madison University
James Madison University is located on a beautiful, medium-sized campus in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Bachelor degree-seeking students at JMU have the option of pursuing a substance abuse education minor. Students can obtain this minor by completing 18 credit hours. The course will prepare students to take the Certified Prevention Professionals-ATOD examination.
Tuition
In-State: $12,206
Out-of-State: $29,106
Average Net Price: $18,708
# of Applicants: 23,579
% Admitted: 77%
Retention Rate: 89%
Total Enrollment: 21,820
Undergraduate Enrollment: 19,895 (91%)
Graduate Enrollment: 1,925 (9%)
Graduation Rate: 84%
Student Faculty Ratio: 16 to 1
Average Grads Salary: $66,607
10 Year ROI*: $591,238
- CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Arts students at this college are eligible to enroll in the minor in Addiction Studies Program. Here are some sample courses in this program: Drug Use and Abuse, Understanding Addictions through Research, and Chemical Dependency and the Dysfunctional Family. The program prepares students to become certified substance abuse counselors.
Tuition
In-State: $7,470
Out-of-State: $15,420
Average Net Price: $3,814
# of Applicants: 20,568
% Admitted: 41%
Retention Rate: 80%
Total Enrollment: 15,880
Undergraduate Enrollment: 13,746 (87%)
Graduate Enrollment: 2,134 (13%)
Graduation Rate: 52%
Student Faculty Ratio: 18 to 1
Average Grads Salary: $63,191
10 Year ROI*: $616,654
- Ramapo College of New Jersey
Students who would like to pursue a career in substance abuse counseling can enroll in a bachelor degree program of their choice while minoring in substance use disorders. The mission of the program is to ensure that students become knowledgeable in substance use disorders, psychology, social work, and counseling. When students complete this program, they will be eligible to become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse counselor.
Tuition
In-State: $14,678
Out-of-State: $24,229
Average Net Price: $16,823
# of Applicants: 7,331
% Admitted: 66%
Retention Rate: 85%
Total Enrollment: 6,142
Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,574 (91%)
Graduate Enrollment: 568 (9%)
Graduation Rate: 72%
Student Faculty Ratio: 16 to 1
Average Grads Salary: $65,128
10 Year ROI*: $583,988
- Colorado State University-Fort Collins
At this campus based in Fort Collins, Colorado, CSU is home to over 25,000 undergraduate students, and it boasts a 14 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. The public institution has 300 academic programs including a bachelor’s in psychology degree with a concentration in addictions counseling. This bachelor’s degree is perfect for students who would like to work in the clinical counseling field. Students who enroll in this bachelor’s program will complete coursework to qualify for the addiction counseling certification.
Tuition
In-State: $11,901
Out-of-State: $30,622
Average Net Price: $16,793
# of Applicants: 28,319
% Admitted: 81%
Retention Rate: 84%
Total Enrollment: 33,426
Undergraduate Enrollment: 25,789 (77%)
Graduate Enrollment: 7,637 (23%)
Graduation Rate: 70%
Student Faculty Ratio: 14 to 1
Average Grads Salary: $68,542
10 Year ROI*: $618,248
- Old Dominion University
ODU has a total student body of about 23,600 and a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1. Bachelor degree-seeking students can enroll in the addiction prevention and treatment minor program. Students will take courses such as Introduction to Substance Abuse and Human Behavior. The program can be completed online or on campus.
Tuition
In-State: $10,680
Out-of-State: $30,840
Average Net Price: $16,681
# of Applicants: 13,761
% Admitted: 89%
Retention Rate: 53%
Total Enrollment: 23,675
Undergraduate Enrollment: 19,176 (81%)
Graduate Enrollment: 4,499 (19%)
Graduation Rate: 80%
Student Faculty Ratio: 17 to 1
Average Grads Salary: $67,620
10 Year ROI*: $609,476
- Washington State University
WSU is a great choice for students who would like a career in clinical and health psychology. Students who are enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program have the option of pursing a minor in Addiction Studies. The program prepares students to become a chemical dependency professional. Throughout the program, students will study addictive behaviors.
Tuition
In-State: $11,841
Out-of-State: $26,419
Average Net Price: $18,002
# of Applicants: 21,434
% Admitted: 76%
Retention Rate: 79%
Total Enrollment: 31,607
Undergraduate Enrollment: 26,062 (82%)
Graduate Enrollment: 5,545 (18%)
Graduation Rate: 60%
Student Faculty Ratio: 16 to 1
Average Grads Salary: $71,310
10 Year ROI*: $641,092
- Eastern Washington University
Founded in 1882, Eastern Washington University is the preferred choice for students who want to work in their desired field after graduation as 79% of alumni have jobs related to their major. Students who would like to maintain a career in the clinical counseling field can complete a Bachelor of Arts in Addiction Studies through the College of Social Sciences. As a student of this program, students will take courses such as Community Prevention Methods, Relapse Prevention, and Survey of Alcohol/Drug Problems. These courses prepare students for the Substance Use Disorder Professionals certification
Tuition
In-State: $7,526
Out-of-State: $25,057
Average Net Price: $12,764
# of Applicants: 5,297
% Admitted: 96%
Retention Rate: 70%
Total Enrollment: 12,410
Undergraduate Enrollment: 10,756 (87%)
Graduate Enrollment: 1,654 (13%)
Graduation Rate: 54%
Student Faculty Ratio: 18 to 1
Average Grads Salary: $62,916
10 Year ROI*: $578,104
- SUNY College at Brockport
This SUNY campus is located in Brockport, New York, within thirty minutes of Rochester and Buffalo. The public institution invites students to pursue the bachelor’s in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Studies degree program, which consists of courses such as Introduction to Alcohol and Other Drugs and Criminal Justice and Addictions. During this program, students will learn a wide variety of counseling techniques so that they can effectively meet clients’ unique needs.
Tuition
In-State: $8,680
Out-of-State: $18,590
Average Net Price: $14,747
# of Applicants: 9,672
% Admitted: 55%
Retention Rate: 4%
Total Enrollment: 7,924
Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,673 (84%)
Graduate Enrollment: 1,251 (16%)
Graduation Rate: 64%
Student Faculty Ratio: 17 to 1
Average Grads Salary: $60,244
10 Year ROI*: $543,452
- University of Central Arkansas
UCA is a public college in a small town boasting a student population of 10,869. Students who would like to be an addiction counselor should consider enrolling in the Bachelor of Science in Addiction Studies program, partially because it is the only college in the state that offers this degree. After graduating from this program, students will have the necessary knowledge to work as an addiction counselor in a wide variety of environments, from outpatient clinics to government agencies.
Tuition
In-State: $9,188
Out-of-State: $15,998
Average Net Price: $14,796
# of Applicants: 5,397
% Admitted: 90%
Retention Rate: 75%
Total Enrollment: 10,869
Undergraduate Enrollment: 9,134 (84%)
Graduate Enrollment: 1,735 (16%)
Graduation Rate: 43%
Student Faculty Ratio: 16 to 1
Average Grads Salary: $59,290
10 Year ROI*: $533,716
Check out the full list of the 35 best bachelors in addiction studies.