Bachelor of Science | Master of Science
Bachelor of Science in Addiction Counseling
Earn your degree in addiction counseling online at Ottawa University and gain the skills you need to pursue a career helping others overcome substance abuse issues as an Addiction Counselor.
About Ottawa’s Online Bachelor’s in Addiction Counseling Program
Prepare to help improve the welfare of those who find their lives jeopardized by various forms of addiction. As you pursue your online degree in addiction counseling, you’ll take courses covering a range of topics within addiction counseling including addiction, alcohol and other drugs (AOD), alcoholism, chemical dependency, substance use disorders, harm reduction, co-occurring disorders or dual-diagnosis.
In the addiction counseling program at Ottawa University, you will develop critical-thinking skills and study the factors that influence the delivery of addiction counseling and substance use disorder services, as well as how to assist individuals in obtaining long-term recovery.
The addiction counseling program is led by Dr. Kirk Bowden, President-Elect of NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals. Dr. Bowden holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from Northcentral University and serves on the editorial boards of Advances in Addiction and Recovery, the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, and Substance Abuse, the professional journal of the Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse (AMERSA).
Career Opportunities in Addiction Counseling
Upon completion of your addiction counselor education, you can be qualified for a variety of careers, including working for and
- Addiction Counseling Agencies
- Residential Treatment Facilities
- Hospitals — State, Local and Private
- Outpatient Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Centers
- State and Local Government Agencies
- Military Addiction and Substance Use Counselors
- Jail and Prison Addiction Counselors
- Parole and Probation Officers
This program is available in an online format and is designed to meet the state board of behavioral health licensing/certification and USDOE requirements in a majority of U.S. Because these requirements vary by state, students should confer with their state's licensure or certification authority to assure that this degree program meets their license or certificate requirements.
Master of Science in Addiction Counseling
The Master of Science in Addiction Counseling degree program prepares learners to pursue careers as addiction counseling professionals, treating individuals with substance abuse/dependency disorders. The curriculum integrates theory, research, and practice. Graduates may work in a variety of settings including private practice, substance abuse clinics, group practices, and hospital settings.
A master's degree is a required by most states for individuals seeking the highest level of licensing and/or certification. This degree program meets the educational requirements for licensure in Arizona for the Licensed Associate Substance Abuse Counselor (LASAC). The Addictions Counseling program meets the educational requirements, in most states, for licensure or certification. Licensure or certification requirements vary from state-to-state, therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to contact their state licensure or certification authority to assure that the degree requirements meet their state’s requirements.
The Master of Science in Addiction Counseling program is accredited by the California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators (CAADE). Graduates will have fulfilled the CAADE classroom and practicum requirements and will be prepared to take the certification examination offered by the Addiction Counselor Certification Board of California (ACCBC). Once students pass the certification exam and complete the required supervised internship hours (2,240), they will be eligible for the CATC III (Certified Addictions Treatment Counselor III) offered by CAADE.
In addition, The International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors (IAAOC) recognized Ottawa University's Master of Science in Addiction Counseling program with the 2017 Outstanding Addictions/Offender Program Award.
The Master of Science in Addiction Counseling program is also accredited by the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC). Ottawa University is an Approved Academic Education Provider through the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)