Addiction Counseling Graduate Certificate Programs

Updated: Oct 22, 2023

Statistics show that deaths related to substance abuse addiction are on the rise. The online graduate certificate in addiction counseling program offers students the opportunity to enhance their current skills, and to advance their career opportunities to work with people that have addiction issues. Individuals in all 50 states must complete an accredited program to obtain post-master’s certification in addiction counseling.

What Are the Online Addiction Counseling Graduate Certificate Requirements?

Individuals that work in addiction counseling and already hold a master’s degree in a related field may choose to advance their knowledge and their career options with the completion of an online grad certificate in addiction counseling (also commonly referred to as a post-master’s certificate program). Students must complete admissions requirements before gaining entry into the program, which typically include:

  • Submission of an application and all required application materials
  • Must meet specific GPA requirements for prior academic degrees
  • Individuals must meet technical requirements as designated by the school
  • Must submit transcripts and other required documentation of degree completion

There is usually no submission of GRE or GMAT exam scores required for completion of the post-master’s certificate in addiction counseling programs. Prospective students want to check this and make sure that they meet all other admissions requirements before applying to their certificate program of choice.

What Type of Classes Are Included in the Online Addiction Counseling Curriculum?

Some classes and curriculum requirements of graduate certificates in addiction counseling programs may vary somewhat by the individual school. Students must make sure that a particular program curriculum meets the needs of their career goals or the requirements for their particular state.

One example of the typical curriculum of the post-master’s certificate program is offered by Grand Canyon University. The program consists of 15-credit hours of study, including:

  • Specialization in Professional Counseling
  • Introduction to Addictions and Substance Use Disorders
  • Co-occurring Disorders
  • Family Issues and Addictive Disorders
  • Counseling Chemical Dependency Adolescents

The curriculum of the post-master’s certificate in addiction science program at the University of Southern Indiana is an example of how the curriculum of the same or similar program may vary from one university to another college or university. The 24-credit hour curriculum at the university focuses more on theory and regulations, compared to some other schools, offering courses such as:

  • Addiction Counseling Theories and Techniques
  • Theory and Practice of Group Addiction Counseling
  • Psychopharmacology
  • Legal, Ethical and Professional Standards in Addiction Science
  • Research Methods in Addiction Counseling

Students also complete a three-credit-hour field and supervision experience before graduating from the University of Southern Indiana program.

What Type of Career Can I Pursue with an Online Graduate Certificate in Addiction Counseling?

Individuals completing a post-master’s certificate in addiction counseling program have already earned a required degree, and are perhaps working at a position in the addictions field. Individuals that want to complete the post-master’s certificate program have career opportunities working in facilities that may include:

  • Substance abuse inpatient or outpatient treatment facilities
  • Community-based facilities or organizations
  • Hospitals
  • Integrated health facilities
  • Military or Veteran's Affairs

There may be other career opportunities available to graduates of post-master’s certificate in addiction counseling programs, depending on their local community or the state where they live and practice.

Addiction Counseling Graduate Certificate Programs List

Interested in an addiction counseling graduate certificate program? Check out our listings below to find a traditional, online, or hybrid program near you.

California

SchoolLocationDetails
Loma Linda UniversityLoma Linda, CAOnline - Drug and Alcohol Counseling

Colorado

SchoolLocationDetails
Regis UniversityDenver, COHybrid - Addiction Counseling

Connecticut

SchoolLocationDetails
Albertus Magnus CollegeNew Haven, CTAddiction Counseling
Fairfield UniversityFairfield, CTHybrid - Addiction Counseling
Post UniversityWaterbury, CTOnline - Alcohol & Drug Counseling
Southern Connecticut State UniversityNew Haven, CTHybrid - Addiction Counseling

Georgia

SchoolLocationDetails
Mercer UniversityMacon, GAOnline - Substance Abuse Counseling

Illinois

SchoolLocationDetails
Adler UniversityChicago, ILHybrid - Addiction Counseling
Governors State UniversityUniversity Park, ILHybrid - Addiction Counseling
Northeastern Illinois UniversityChicago, ILAddiction Counseling
University of St FrancisJoliet, ILHybrid - Addiction Counseling

Indiana

SchoolLocationDetails
Indiana Wesleyan UniversityMarion, INOnline - Addiction Counseling
Purdue University NorthwestHammond, INAddiction Counseling
University of Southern IndianaEvansville, INHybrid - Addiction Counseling

Massachusetts

SchoolLocationDetails
American International CollegeSpringfield, MAAddiction Counseling
Cambridge CollegeBoston, MAAlcohol & Drug Counseling
Regis CollegeWeston, MAHybrid - Addiction Counseling

Michigan

SchoolLocationDetails
University of Detroit MercyDetroit, MIHybrid - Addiction Counseling
Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MIHybrid - Addiction Counseling
Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MIOnline - Specialty Program in Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Minnesota

SchoolLocationDetails
Minnesota State University MoorheadMoorhead, MNOnline - Addiction Counseling
Winona State UniversityWinona, MNOnline - Addiction Counseling

Montana

SchoolLocationDetails
Montana State UniversityBozeman, MTOnline - Addiction Counseling

North Carolina

SchoolLocationDetails
Fayetteville State UniversityFayetteville, NCSubstance Abuse Studies
University of North Carolina at PembrokePembroke, NCOnline - Addiction Counseling

North Dakota

SchoolLocationDetails
University of MaryBismarck, NDOnline - Addiction Counseling

Nebraska

SchoolLocationDetails
University of Nebraska at KearneyKearney, NEOnline - Alcohol & Drug Counseling
University of Nebraska Medical CenterOmaha, NEHybrid - Addiction Counseling

New Hampshire

SchoolLocationDetails
Antioch University-New EnglandKeene, NHHybrid - Addiction Counseling

New Jersey

SchoolLocationDetails
The College of New JerseyEwing, NJHybrid - Addiction Counseling

Nevada

SchoolLocationDetails
University of Nevada-Las VegasLas Vegas, NVHybrid - Addiction Counseling

New York

SchoolLocationDetails
Hofstra UniversityHempstead, NYHybrid - Addiction Counseling

Pennsylvania

SchoolLocationDetails
Immaculata UniversityImmaculata, PAHybrid - Addiction Counseling

SchoolLocationDetails
Universidad Central de BayamonBayamón, PRHybrid - Addiction Counseling

Rhode Island

SchoolLocationDetails
Salve Regina UniversityNewport, RIHybrid - Addiction Counseling

South Carolina

SchoolLocationDetails
University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia, SCHybrid - Addiction Counseling

South Dakota

SchoolLocationDetails
University of South DakotaVermillion, SDOnline - Addiction Counseling and Prevention

Utah

SchoolLocationDetails
Rocky Mountain University of Health ProfessionsProvo, UTHybrid - Addiction Counseling

Virginia

SchoolLocationDetails
College of William and MaryWilliamsburg, VAAddiction Counseling

Washington

SchoolLocationDetails
City University of SeattleSeattle, WAHybrid - Addiction Counseling
Eastern Washington UniversityCheney, WAOnline - Addiction Studies

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