Online Degrees in Substance Abuse Counseling

Substance abuse is a serious and growing problem in our communities, and the need for qualified substance abuse counselors has kept pace. So if you find yourself thinking, "I need a degree in substance abuse counseling," this is an excellent time to be taking the steps toward starting a vital and rewarding career. Starting an online course for substance abuse counseling will get you on track toward a challenging and rewarding career as a substance abuse counselor.

Substance abuse counseling has been recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA) since 1979, though counselors and psychologists were treating substance abuse and addiction in the U.S. for decades prior. Now called simply, "the APA Division on Addictions," it strives to aid advances in research, training and clinical practice regarding the numerous illnesses of addiction that affect Americans today.

Certification requirements for substance abuse counselors vary more than they do for any other counseling specialty, but your master's degree in substance abuse counseling will likely meet many of your state's licensing criteria.

A more generalized degree, such as an online master's in counseling psychology (with at least one online course for substance abuse counseling), is one way you qualify for substance abuse counseling licensure and also allows you to keep your options open for working in other counseling areas. Marriage and family therapy, school counseling and educational psychology are all hot career opportunities right now, go it doesn't hurt to get a broad-based education before focusing on a counseling specialization.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that the number of substance abuse therapists to increase by 21 percent through 2018, making it the second fastest growing counseling field.

The BLS found that the 2010 mean annual wage for substance abuse counselors was $38,120. But you can make the most of your salary opportunities by going into private practice or working in a higher paying state such as California, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida or New Jersey, where the mean annual wage was $57,760.
_{*U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, "2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health"}