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Substance Abuse Counseling Career Opportunities

Choose a Degree Designed to Help You Create a Healthier Community

Complete in 3.5 Years

6 Starts Dates Per Year

The online Foundations of Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counseling bachelor’s degree will prepare you to assess, diagnose and treat those struggling with alcohol and drug abuse disorders in both individual and group settings. You’ll graduate with credits that can be immediately applied to a master’s degree, plus the skills to begin a career as a counselor.

  • 22% projected industry growth for the counseling field through 20311
  • Earn credits towards a master’s degree and complete your graduate education faster
  • Learn from expert faculty
  • Study online on your schedule

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Careers in Substance Abuse Counseling

Courses for the online Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counseling major explore the diverse causes of substance abuse disorders and the effective solutions available to those struggling. This program provides training for some of the most in-demand counseling careers, plus professional opportunities in the community and social service field.

  • Rehabilitation Counselor: $48,447 per year*2
  • Substance Abuse Counselor: $48,520 per year*1
  • Social Worker: $50,390 per year*3

The need for substance abuse counselors is on the rise, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics expecting a 22% growth in the industry by 2031.1 This growth will create more than 77,000 new positions for counseling professionals throughout the decade.1

  • Top salaries for substance abuse counselors can reach $77,980 annually4
  • 10% growth expected for the community and social service field by 20315
  • 294,600 new careers expected to be created for community and social service professionals by 20315

Sources and Disclaimer

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors.” Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm.
  2. Payscale. “Average Rehabilitation Counselor Salary.” Retrieved from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Rehabilitation_Counselor/Salary.
  3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Social Workers.” Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm.
  4. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, Pay.” Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm#tab-5.
  5. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Community and Social Service Occupations.” Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/home.htm.

*Additional education may be required.