Are you interested in a career helping people and saving lives? Explore the most affordable online addictions and recovery degrees.
When you think of careers that save lives, you might not immediately think of an addictions counselor, but drug overdose is now the leading cause of death for Americans under 50. Addiction is a disease that destroys lives and families around the world.
But with the right help from someone like you, recovery is possible. In these programs, you'll learn to support individuals with addiction and their families. You'll gain tools to screen and assess patients, provide individual and group counseling, and develop treatment plans.
Online College Addictions & Recovery Programs
Explore our featured online programs and find the right match for you today.
What kind of addictions and recovery degree should you get?
Many Addictions and Recovery degree programs offer specializations. For example, you may be able to focus on a specific age group or setting.
The level of degree you should pursue depends on your state. Some states require a master's degree to work as an addictions counselor, while others require a bachelor's. You'll need a master's to open a private practice.
You can earn your degree either in person or online. Online courses give you much more freedom and flexibility. If affordable online programs are a priority, but you're not sure about the field of addictions and recovery, check out our article on the Most Affordable Online Colleges.
How much money do people make with an addictions and recovery degree?
Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, addictions counselors earn a median salary of $43,000. Salaries vary based on your credentials and the state you practice in. New Mexico, Alaska, and North Dakota offer the highest pay. Close runner-ups include New Jersey and New York.
Projected job growth for addictions counselors over the next decade is 23 percent. This is much faster job growth than average. There are several reasons for this accelerated rate. Most notably, more insurance companies are financing substance abuse treatment than ever before.
What can you do with an addictions and recovery degree?
With an Addictions and Recovery degree, you can provide substance abuse counseling in a variety of settings, such as:
Schools
Hospitals
Prisons
Rehabilitation or treatment centers
Community agencies
You can also open a private practice, which requires a master's degree. Other career options include a parole/probation officer, victim's advocate, case manager, or crisis counselor.
What are the requirements for a degree in addictions and recovery?
Most online degree programs in Addictions and Recovery require 120 credits. This can take 2-5 years to complete, depending on your pace.
Requirements will include both general education and major coursework. You'll study the brain, the psychology of addiction, addiction theory, case management, group and individual counseling, and more. You may be required to complete an internship or practicum. In some cases, you'll need 300-350 hours of relevant work.
Online College Addicitions & Recovery Programs
Explore our featured online programs and find the right match for you today.
What are the most affordable online addictions and recovery degrees?
To create this list, we've focused on the online programs with the lowest net tuition cost. Additionally, every school on this list is accredited. That means each school has met specific academic criteria in an extensive evaluation process.
Our data comes from trusted sources like:
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Glassdoor
PayScale
U.S. News and World Report
Princeton Review
These programs are flexible, affordable, and high quality. Whatever you'd like to accomplish in the addictions and recovery field, the programs listed below will help you do it.
Rankings
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