Online Degree in Addiction Counseling College degrees for battling substance abuse

Established in 1965, Central Texas College is a community college located in Killeen with a distance learning program that encompasses more than 400 online courses and 60 degree and certificate programs. It offers a 2-year, fully online Associate of Applied Science degree with a specialization in chemical dependency. Full-time distance learners can complete the 60 required credits in 4 semesters, taking classes in such subjects as the pharmacology of addiction and the principles of intervention and counseling. Online students at CTC may begin their courses - which are delivered in an asynchronous format - on a monthly basis. Each course ranges from 5 to 16 weeks in length, so that students may select the duration that best fits their schedules. CTC recommends that online students devote a minimum of 6-9 hours per week for each course. Financial assistance is also available, with the CTC Foundation offering about 200 awards each year through approximately 170 scholarships. These awards are both need- and merit-based. Applications for scholarships may be submitted online between January 1 and March 31 each year. Online students may also transfer credits from previous accredited colleges and universities to count toward their degree requirements. Transfer credits must come from lower division classes in which the student earned a "C" or higher. To ensure that transfer courses are compatible with the student's major and specialty at CTC, transfers are considered on a case-by-case basis. CTC also makes special efforts to help military personnel and their families by offering maximum credit for military training and experience.

Kansas City Kansas Community College is a 2-year public institution that offers distance learners an Associate in Applied Science in Addiction Counseling. Grounded in both theoretical and experiential learning, the addiction counselor training program will give you the chance to develop your skills and position yourself to begin a career in the counseling field or to prepare for further education. The associate degree program also provides a helpful foundation for those working toward the national counseling exams, but students should be aware that most states require you to have a bachelor's degree in a human services or a related field to obtain licensure. Graduates of this program should be prepared for work as counselors in treatment facilities, mental health agencies and private practices; as juvenile or adult probation and parole officers; or as workers in institutions that provide abuse prevention services. Careers as counselors or teachers in secondary and post-secondary schools are also an option. Depending on a student's chosen electives, it takes 61-64 credits to complete the associate degree. Courses may be completed online or in a blended format. Most classes are delivered in a synchronous format through the Blackboard system, with weekly assignments and fixed beginning and ending dates. There are no requirements for admission to this program; simply fill out the online application and contact the Arts, Humanities, and Social Science department for program-specific advising. Transfer credits may be accepted after the admissions and records office evaluates your official transcripts and determines the KCKCC course equivalent or most appropriate elective designation.

Northcentral Technical College, established in 1912, is a technical community college in Wausau, Wisconsin. NCT's substance use disorder counselor (SUDC) associate degree program is for those interested in helping others overcome addictive issues and substance abuse. This 60-credit degree is available in both Online; Hybrid formats. Students will learn to develop treatment plans and management skills, document and maintain clinical records, and adhere to ethical and behavioral conduct standards in the field. NTC graduates find employment working in substance abuse counseling programs at correctional facilities, employee and student assistance programs, and other community and social service agencies. Distance learners are eligible for licensure in Wisconsin as abuse counselors-in-training, and graduates should be prepared to find entry-level employment or to use their educational background to pursue additional education at a 4-year institution. An internship is required for this major; however, a nearby internship site is not guaranteed, so online students should be aware they may have to move or drive a considerable distance to participate in supervised on-site training. A criminal background check is required for placement in clinical sites or field locations for the internship. In terms of licensure, this degree is also worth 500 hours of supervised experience toward the 4,000 hours required by the Department of Safety and Professional Services for substance abuse counselor licensing. NTC offers test-out options to new and transfer students, in both major-specific to general education classes, to let them apply credit for knowledge that has been previously attained either through work or college coursework. Official transcripts are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) is a public 2-year college located in Dryden, New York, that offers an A.A.S. degree and a certificate in chemical dependency counseling. To complete this degree in 2 years, full-time students must take a minimum of 15 or 16 credits for 4 semesters, for a total of 62 credits. TC3 requires students to have a minimum grade of "C" in both college writing and major-specific, chemical dependency courses. The associate degree program is offered in a hybrid format, with 80% of courses available online. The certificate program, which is 26 credits in duration and designed for professionals already working in the field, may be completed entirely online. Associate degree students must also participate in 2 semesters of field experience. Each 4-credit fieldwork class requires 120-150 hours of supervised work experience plus 1 hour of classroom instruction a week. TC3 associate degree holders are prepared to work in professional settings such as therapy communities, rehabilitation centers, outpatient programs, correctional facilities, hospitals, and other support organizations. Degree holders may also begin careers at human service and criminal justice agencies, where they can find positions as case managers, case workers, social welfare examiners, and child care workers. TC3 offers distance learners career coaching and placement services, with job postings and regional employment information. As part of the State University of New York System (SUNY), transferring credits to and from TC3 is a straightforward process for most online students, provided they follow student transfer mobility guidelines for SUNY schools. TC3 also accepts non-high school graduates as non-admitted students who wish to pursue the 24-credit hour equivalency diploma.

Established in 1923, Allen Community College is a 2-year junior college located in Lola, Kansas, where online students can earn an Associate in Science degree, or an Associate in Applied Science degree, with an emphasis in Addiction and Prevention Studies. The A.S. and A.A.S. degrees require 65 and 60 credits to graduate, respectively. Each degree requires 2 years of full-time coursework focusing on areas such as substance abuse awareness, introductory topics in counseling, pharmacology, and cultural anthropology. Both online degrees from ACC prepare you for careers in addiction counseling, social work, personal counseling, mental and public health, rehabilitation services, and work at corrections facilities. For students who already hold a bachelor's degree, ACC also offers a 33-credit hour addictions counseling certificate. All courses and requirements, which require about 6-8 hours of work per class each week, can be completed entirely online. Courses are delivered asynchronously, but there are regular deadlines for assignments and online meeting times through the Blackboard system. As a distance learner, you also have online access to the library and writing center, as well as 24/7 technical support. ACC has transfer agreements with all six Kansas Regent Universities, Washburn University, and other local colleges and universities, making it easy for online students to transfer credits to 4-year institutions. ACC also has an established equivalency credit guideline for work that students completed in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. While online tuition fees are slightly higher than those for on-campus courses, distance learners are eligible to receive financial aid via private and federal sources, as well as through programs offered through the school. All prospective ACC students must complete a FAFSA to be considered for internal and federal awards.

Located in Tempe, Arizona, Rio Salado College is a community college with online associate degree, certificate and continuing education options in behavioral health, addiction, and substance abuse disorders. The Associate in Applied Science in Addictions and Substance Use Disorders program can be completed entirely online and prepares students for careers as addictions and substance abuse professionals in behavioral health clinics, support programs and substance abuse awareness organizations. Depending on the elective courses you choose, you must complete 61-64 credit hours to graduate. The curriculum focuses on scientific theories and technique, counseling ethics, communication skills, interviewing and documentation, and recovery and relapse. Advanced courses in this program explore family dynamics, relationships, and cultural components of daily life and their relation to addiction and recovery. In all general education and major-specific courses, distance learners are required to earn a "C" or better and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0. Full-time online students should plan on taking 12 credits or more per semester to finish the degree in 2 years. Part-time students can follow the same sequence of classes as full-time students, but will need additional terms to complete all requirements. The degree program also helps prepare online students for licensure; however, licensing and certification requirements vary by state, so students should familiarize themselves with their state's guidelines and conditions before starting the program if they intend to pursue licensure. For online students with previous coursework or applicable work experience, Rio Salado accepts transfer credits from U.S. regionally accredited colleges and universities and ACE-evaluated credits, including military credit, CLEP, and DANTES.

Mohave Community College is 2-year, public institution located in Kingman, Arizona. Founded in 1970, this community college offers an online Associate of Arts in Substance Abuse Counseling. Online students must complete 62-68 credits to graduate, which typically takes 2 years for full-time students. While major-specific courses for this degree can be taken through MCC's self-paced, asynchronous format, students should note that general education requirements cannot. Those courses follow more traditional formats, with start and end dates, regular deadlines and cohort learning technology. For the self-paced portions of the degree program, online students work closely with professors who provide individual guidance intended to support students from the outset and ensure their mastery of specific competencies within each course. You must earn an "A" or "B" in major-specific courses before moving on to the remaining requirements. General education coursework must be completed with a "C" grade or higher and a minimum 2.0 GPA. Prospective students in the substance abuse degree program should contact the department and receive approval before registering for major-specific courses. Graduates of MCC pursue careers in substance abuse and mental health counseling and may work at schools, correctional treatment facilities, and social, human service and religious organizations. The associate degree also serves as a strong foundation for students who wish to pursue a bachelor's degree before entering the workforce. All incoming students must take a placement test to determine their entry point into the curriculum. For students with prior college learning, MCC accepts credits with a grade of "C" or higher. Pass/fail grades may be accepted for students with a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA. All applicable credits must have been earned at a regionally accredited college or university.