20 Best Bachelors in Addiction/Substance Abuse

As the United States grapples with the opioid epidemic which kills more than 130 people every day, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services the need for people trained to help with addiction and substance abuse has never been more critical. However, that need transcends the massive scope of the opioid epidemic, as people from all walks of life struggle with addiction. If you want to help, you’ll need to pursue a degree to prepare you for the work. Here are the 20 best bachelor’s programs in addiction and substance abuse. How do I apply for a bachelor’s in addiction/substance abuse? Most programs don’t begin with the first day of class freshman year of college. Coursework usually starts during a student’s sophomore year, and in many cases, students need to apply specifically to the addiction/substance abuse programs at their respective schools. Departments typically require a certain minimum GPA (usually 2.5) and a â€Å"B† or â€Å"C† in basic coursework. Some, like St. Cloud State or Indiana Wesleyan, below, require a formal interview. St. Cloud State also requires three letters of recommendation. Once you’re in the program, expect to maintain at least a 2.5 GPA overall and potentially a 3.0 GPA in major coursework to stay in the school’s good graces. Because book learning can only teach so much, particularly in this area of study, nearly all of these programs require practicums and/or internships so students get crucial real-world experience. When you’ve completed their degree, you’ll likely meet the coursework minimum to achieve counselor certification in your state. Prices for addiction and substance abuse bachelor’s programs vary; the average cost per academic year for the schools on our list is $19,129, with the median not much more than that at $19,751. How much can I earn with a bachelor’s in addiction/substance abuse? Not a ton, but not a pittance, either. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists $44,630 as the median pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, though that varies by employer. (Government jobs have a median of $51,690, with jobs at residential facilities earning $38,190). Pay also varies by location, with counselors in Utah and Alaska pulling down the highest average salaries of $66,330 and $62,920, respectively. And the demand for counselors will only grow. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates it will expand by 22% between 2018 and 2028, far ahead of the 5% growth average for all occupations. That means another 68,500 jobs on top of the 304,500 that already exist. And they can be found just about everywhere, because substance abuse affects people from all backgrounds in all locations. We do the research so you don’t have to! That’s right, we get the hard work out of the way. We know that you’re itching to pursue your educational goals, but you may not know where to start. We’ve crafted a unique and proven ranking methodology that sets us apart. Our ranking score is based on the following three aspects: 40% Potential Salary After Graduation 30% Individual Program Accreditation 30% Overall Affordability Want to learn more about how we gather that information? Please feel free to visit our dedicated methodology page for a step-by-step breakdown. We’re an open book! The 20 Best Bachelor’s Programs in Addiction and Substance Abuse If you’re interested in becoming an addiction/substance abuse counselor, read on for our list of the 20 best bachelor’s degrees in addiction/substance abuse. 1Viterbo UniversityLocationLa Crosse, WisconsinAverage Net Price$20,457More Information Small Viterbo University student body: 2,610 is in La Crosse, WI, blocks away from the Mississippi River. The school dates back to 1890, when it opened as a training facility to prepare Franciscan nuns to teach in elementary schools. Men weren’t allowed to study there until 1971, which helps explain why women still make up 73% of the student body. Viterbo offers Substance Abuse Counseling as a minor within its bachelor’s degree in psychology. The program uses â€Å"evidence-based training practices† that include video technology (via the university’s digital video lab) so students can hone their counseling skills based on feedback. The point of the program, according to Viterbo, is to give students the knowledge they need to identify and treat substance abuse and the skills to provide effective intervention or referral services. Students from Wisconsin will be happy to know their coursework meets the state’s requirement for 360 hours of classroom instruction to earn a Substance Abuse Counselor certification. The curriculum offers a comprehensive overview of issues related to the field, such as psychopharmacology, behavior disorders, interview skills for social work, theories of counseling, and more. Viterbo requires eight specific substance abuse counseling courses to earn your minor, and students pursuing a BS in psychology must complete one additional course (such as Psychological Testing or Brain and Behavior) that does not count toward the major. At $20,457 per academic year, the school is slightly more expensive than the median and average prices for schools on this list, but not by much.