by our College Data Analytics TeamSubstance Abuse/Addiction Counseling was the 254th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 5,433 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 5.4% reduction in substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 5,728.
Our 2023 Best Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools ranking analyzes 160 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for substance abuse/addiction counseling students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of substance abuse/addiction counseling programs later in this article.
A major in substance abuse/addiction counseling prepares you for careers in which giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times is crucial. Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do and talking to others to convey information effectively are all required skills for careers related to this major.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Specific substance abuse/addiction counseling careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are various different levels of substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees. Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest substance abuse/addiction counseling degree you can get. The type of substance abuse/addiction counseling degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to substance abuse/addiction counseling, with approximately 46.2% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for substance abuse/addiction counseling workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 45.1% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 26.4% |
| First Professional Degree | 9.0% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 8.5% |
| Some College Courses | 4.0% |
57.2% of substance abuse/addiction counseling workers have at least a master's. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in substance abuse/addiction counseling have received.
This of course varies depending on which substance abuse/addiction counseling career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your substance abuse/addiction counseling degree? Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling careers are expected to grow 23.2% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to substance abuse/addiction counseling.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Mental Health Counselors | 194,200 | 23.1% |
| Substance Abuse Counselors | 126,200 | 23.2% |
As you might expect, salaries for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers substance abuse/addiction counseling grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|
With over 651 different substance abuse/addiction counseling degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased substance abuse/addiction counseling school rankings to help you with this.
Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling is one of 11 different types of Mental & Social Health Services programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mental Health Counseling/Counselor | 7,609 |
| Other Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 4,069 |
| Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling | 3,405 |
| Psychiatric/Mental Health Services Technician | 2,779 |
| Clinical/Medical Social Work | 2,534 |
View All Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Related Majors >
