Addictions are powerful and often change people's lives for the worse, but there is help out there thanks to amazing research and dedicated professionals. The next step to becoming one of these professionals is getting one of the Best Online Master's in Addictions and Recovery.
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 21.5 million American adults aged 12 years or older struggled with a substance use disorder in 2014. Addiction can ruin lives – it hurts relationships, prevents people from maintaining a stable job, and hurts one physically and emotionally. However, thanks to constant research from dedicated healthcare professionals, there is hope for people who struggle with addiction.
A master's in addictions & recovery is an advanced degree that primarily trains future counselors and therapists. Students will learn about psychology, counseling theories, biology, and multiculturalism in providing treatment. Graduates of these programs will be on their way to earning state licensure for an addictions counselor and be confident in their ability to perform different treatment options for a wide variety of patients.
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What type of master's in addictions & recovery should you get?
As most students who are pursuing this degree are already working professionals, an online degree may be more accommodating for those with a busy schedule. Online degrees can be finished in as little as a year to two years, depending on whether the student chooses part or full-time. Online courses can also usually be completed on one's own schedule, with minimum to no scheduled group sessions.
Students who do choose to pursue an online degree should not worry about whether they will be excluded from gaining state licensure. In fact, most online programs follow state licensure prerequisites. When students graduate, they will receive the same diploma as someone who earned a traditional on-campus degree. Students should check with their program about these requirements before starting.
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How much money do people make with an online master's in addictions & recovery?
According toPayScale, the average salary of substance abuse counselors is $38,352. Over time, salaries do rise – counselors with 20 years of experience earn an average salary of $44,000. The highest-earning counselors make about $65,080, while the lowest-earning made only $26,210. Those who hold a master's degree will make significantly more in this field than those with only a bachelor's, with the average salary for a master's degree being $57,000.
The highest-paying cities for this field are Provo, Utah; Naples, Fla.; Madison, Wis.; and San Francisco, Calif. Those who have established themselves with a wide range of clientele typically make the most. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects that jobs for substance abuse counselors are expected to grow 20 percent until the year 2026.
What can you do with an online master's in addictions & recovery?
Most programs for this major feed into state licensure or state certification programs. The most common job upon graduation is a substance abuse counselor. In order to gain a license, graduates must also complete the required clinical work experience. These counselors can work in a variety of public and private institutions, such as hospitals, homeless shelters, jails, high schools, and social welfare agencies.
Of course, there are other career paths besides being a counselor or therapist. Graduates can also be a program coordinator, educator in schools, or a director. Other than just working with patients who are already struggling with addiction, the field needs people who can go out into the public and educate people about substance abuse. Educators and advocates can also work with the government and policymakers to develop better strategies and devote more resources to those who struggle in this area.
What are the requirements for an online master's in addictions & recovery?
Although a related bachelor's degree is not required for admission, it may be very helpful throughout the learning process. Applicants should submit their transcripts, letters of recommendation, and any graduate test scores (if required). In addition, most programs will want applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
Throughout the online degree, students will take a variety of courses such as ones that are more biology-based, counseling theories, and classes on multiculturalism and diversity. Most degrees also have a residency or internship component where they will be required to work a certain number of hours in a clinical setting.
What are the best online master's in addictions & recovery?
College Choice has ranked the 15 best online master's degrees in addictions & recovery. These schools were are chosen based on institutional excellence and student success.
Overall institutional excellence was calculated based on a variety of factors, such as entering students' test scores, graduation rate, and student-to-faculty ratio. Student success was based on average financial aid given, expected salary, and average student indebtedness after graduation. Our data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics' IPEDS database, PayScale, individual college websites, and the U.S. News & World Report.
Rankings
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