If you have a strong desire to help people overcome obstacles in their lives, and you possess a gift for inspiring respect, trust and confidence in others, then perhaps you should consider a career in addiction counseling. Start by earning your substance abuse counseling degree online! Addiction counselors provide a variety of counseling, rehabilitation and support services and work in diverse community settings, including schools, clinics, community, mental health and family counseling centers, law enforcement agencies, churches, hospitals, and private practice.

Career Advancement in Addiction Counseling

By pursuing Ottawa University’s online Master of Science in Addiction Counseling (MSAC) degree, you will be well on your way to a rewarding job in a growing field. OU’s MSAC degree prepares learners to pursue careers as addiction counseling professionals, treating individuals with substance abuse and dependency disorders. Flexible and streamlined for success, Ottawa’s addiction counseling graduate degree provides the best opportunity for working professionals in Kansas City, who are seeking the fastest and most affordable option for degree completion without interrupting their work or personal responsibilities.

Addiction Counseling Classes

Curriculum for the 36-hour MSAC degree integrates theory, research, and practice and provides students with a foundation for doctoral studies and/or professional practice in addiction counseling. It is comprised of courses ranging from introduction to addiction and clinical and addiction foundations to co-occurring disorders and fundamentals of treatment, trauma, abuse and deprivation. OU’s masters in addiction counseling program can be fast-tracked with flexible eight-week terms - six terms per year - allowing you to take courses at your pace and with the ability to take more than one course per term.

Addiction Counseling Licensing/Certification

As most states require that individuals seeking the highest level of licensing and/or certification have a master's degree, the MSAC puts you on track for career advancement in the field. This program meets the educational requirements, in most states, for licensure or certification. It also meets the requirements for licensure in Arizona for the Licensed Associate Substance Abuse Counselor (LASAC). Licensure or certification requirements vary from state-to-state.

Master of Science in Addiction Counseling Accreditation and Recognition

Graduates of OU’s Master of Science in Addiction Counseling degree program will have built an important foundation for future study and work in mental health counseling, clinical psychology, social work, counselor education, law enforcement, law and human services. The program is led by Dr. Kirk Bowden, a highly revered professor and leader in the field of addiction counseling, and is accredited by the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC). In addition, Ottawa University is an approved Academic Education Provider through the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC). In 2017, Ottawa’s Addiction Counseling program was honored as the “Outstanding Addiction/Offender Program of the Year” by the International Association of Addiction and Offender Counselors, a division of the American Counseling Association.

“I truly believe that Ottawa University’s online masters in addiction counseling program is among the top in the nation. Our faculty are all highly qualified addiction professionals with many years of service and experience in the field,” Dr. Bowden said.

Career Outlook for Addiction Counselors

The employment outlook for addiction counselors is on the rise, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. The need for addiction counselors is expected to grow by 22% through 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $46,240 in May 2019. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount, and half earned less. The lowest 10% earned less than $29,520, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $76,080.

Prepare yourself to make a difference in people’s lives with our affordable online Master of Science in Addiction Counseling degree. A rewarding career in a fast-growing field is on the horizon! To learn more about earning your substance abuse counseling degree online at Ottawa University, contact us today!

See Also:

Huge Employment Opportunities for OU Counseling Grads

Careers in Human Services

What Can I Do with a Bachelors Degree in Human Services