Online Addiction and Substance Use Counseling Degrees of 2024

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $750
Out-of-State | $750

Credits to Graduate: 36

VCU's MS in addiction studies uses a unique international model to deliver a cutting-edge academic experience. Students collaborate with institutions, including King's College London and Australia's University of Adelaide, in completing the program. These renowned schools help you build diverse perspectives on addiction issues while placing you at the forefront of emerging research.

Students learn about the biological basis of addiction, intervention techniques, and treatment strategies in this entirely online program. Enrollees are considered an online student at all three participating schools, which grants full access to an international wealth of academic resources.

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $631
Out-of-State | $631

Credits to Graduate: 73.5 quarter credits

For learners seeking professional addiction counseling licensure, Drexel's online MS in addiction counseling may match their learning goals. Drexel developed the program's curriculum in keeping with the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission guidelines. The program satisfies most states' educational requirements for the Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Master Addictions Counselor examinations.

The curriculum highlights addiction theory, research proficiency, and clinical skills development. Students also have the chance to apply knowledge in field settings through optional practicum components.

Programmatic Accreditation: National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $829
Out-of-State | $829

Credits to Graduate: 60

The Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School's online master's in addiction emphasizes evidence-based approaches to addiction treatment. Students learn holistic management strategies rooted in mental health counseling using an asynchronous delivery model that maximizes scheduling flexibility. These strategies include differential diagnosis techniques and treatment approaches that center on resolving personal traumas.

While learners complete most requirements online, the program includes two mandatory campus residencies in Center City, Minnesota. Graduates enjoy excellent outcomes, including 100% pass rates on credentialing exams from 2017-2022 and a 90.6% in-field employment rate during the same time frame.

Programmatic Accreditation: National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $635
Out-of-State | $635

Credits to Graduate: 36

OU's online MS in addiction counseling helps students fast-track their way to licensure eligibility with an accelerated delivery model. The program's core follows from foundational work in counseling and clinical practices to cover research methods, treatment strategies, and management of co-occurring disorders.

Learners complete a required 150-hour practicum, with half of those hours involving direct patient contact. Students can extend the practicum for another 150 hours, which can help you qualify more readily for counseling licensure.

Programmatic Accreditation: National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $470
Out-of-State | $470

Credits to Graduate: 33-45

USD's graduate addiction counseling and prevention program curriculum has been a fixture of USD's academic catalog for almost half a century. USD is the only school in South Dakota to offer NASAC-accredited addiction counseling degrees.

Learners can choose from two MA programs in addiction counseling and prevention. One has a generalist focus, and other features a co-occurring specialization. The specialized program offers dual training in both mental health and substance use disorders.

Both programs have standard and advanced tracks. Standard tracks cover 45 semester credits, while sharply focused advanced tracks cover 33 credits.

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $370
Out-of-State | $370

Credits to Graduate: 60

Comprising 60 credits, Union College's MS in substance abuse program engages students with a 26-credit core, exploring the foundations of addiction in deep detail and proceeding through the relapse and recovery processes. The program culminates in two practicums: one in psychotherapy and counseling and an internship.

Learners complete coursework through a flexible, asynchronous delivery model that includes hybrid options. To take advantage of the blended format, students must live near the school's Barbourville, Kentucky, campus.

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $265
Out-of-State | $685

Credits to Graduate: 60

Open to a global base of learners, TTUHSC's online MS in addiction counseling program emphasizes telehealth care delivery. TTUHSC developed this aspect of the program to reflect the demand for remote counseling services.

Coursework covers four distinct areas: a scientifically focused core, specialty courses, experiential classes, and a clinical experience. The experiential and clinical components combine to cover more than one-third of the program's 60-credit total. 

The program's 2022-2023 cohort posted impressive outcomes: graduates posted perfect in-field employment and credentialing exam pass rates.

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $238
Out-of-State | $540

Credits to Graduate: 36

UAPB's MS in addiction studies focuses on four classes of addiction: alcohol, drugs, gambling, and tobacco. It is the only graduate program of its kind in the state of Arkansas.

The 36-credit curriculum covers diagnostics, statistical analysis, clinical modeling, and case management proficiencies. Learners also delve into emerging substance abuse research before completing a practicum seminar. Learning culminates in an intensive research project.

To qualify for admission, students need a bachelor's degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Applicants must also submit a compelling personal essay and three letters of recommendation.

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $816
Out-of-State | $816

Credits to Graduate: 60

Antioch's MA in addiction counseling operates as a specialized concentration in the school's clinical mental health counseling program. The low-residency program uses an online model to deliver primary coursework. Learners can complete their clinical learning components virtually or in person through a fieldwork experience.

Strong ethics, cultural sensitivity, human development, and social justice awareness highlight the program's 10-point list of learning objectives. Program graduates have self-reported certification exam pass rates of 80%.

Programmatic Accreditation: National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission, Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $368
Out-of-State | $368

Credits to Graduate: 32

Governors State's master of health sciences in addiction studies program's delivery model includes both fully online and hybrid options. Hybrid enrollees complete coursework at the school's University Park, Illinois, campus.

The curriculum emphasizes group therapy techniques and drug abuse prevention strategies. They also learn about pharmacology, treatment program planning and management, and applied theories of addiction.

Enrollees can choose a criminal justice focus for their internship, which may appeal to those seeking licensure as a certified criminal justice addictions professional.