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Substance use disorders have become commonplace in the United States. People who use drugs are often shunned by large segments of our society. Many also may have difficulty maintaining a family life or a roof over their heads. At the same time, advances in treatments are providing hope for many. Addiction counselors are key to the process of helping clients manage harmful drug use, as well as helping individuals find lifestyles that don’t include illegal or harmful drug use. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota offers an M.A. in Counseling and Psychological Services program taught both on campus and via online learning. We also offer a two-year online Graduate Certificate in Addiction Studies program. This allows individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a healthcare field to enhance their counseling skills with a focus on addiction and chemical dependency. Students interested in pursuing both programs can through the Dual Track: M.A. in Counseling and Psychological Services and Graduate Certificate in Addiction Studies. Learn more about our programs and how they can launch you into a career as a substance abuse counselor.
How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor
While the requirements for becoming a substance abuse/addiction counselor vary by state and locality, they usually require a bachelor’s degree for entry-level positions. However, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) job statistics for substance abuse counselors, 68% of the psychology majors working in the field in 2021 held advanced degrees. Many employers require a master’s degree for addiction counselor work and prefer those with a clinical background and experience.
When performing substance abuse counseling in a private practice, the practitioner must be licensed, usually hold at least a master’s degree, and have successfully completed a required number of supervised clinical counseling hours. In the public sphere, substance abuse/addiction counselors are governed by state regulations, which vary. Most require that a
Addiction Counselor Duties and Responsibilities
As advisors who specialize in addiction and substance abuse, addiction counselors offer compassion and strategies for sobriety while engaging in deep psychological work with their clients. The families and friends of clients also may participate in counseling sessions, and group sessions may be part of the recommended counseling program.
Here are some of the usual tasks and activities that form the work of addiction counselors:
- Evaluate mental and physical health
- Collaborate with clients and other health professionals to develop treatment plans
- Recommend treatment goals
- Help clients identify problematic behaviors and situations
- Provide information and assistance to family members of clients
- Refer clients to colleagues, resources, and other health professionals
- Prepare clients with discharge planning and transition plans
- Teach community groups about substance abuse
- Supervise and conduct group counseling sessions
- Present and publicize outreach programs
- Support clients during legal procedures and court dates
BLS projects job growth for addiction counselors to be at 18% through 2032. The median wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $49,710 in May 2022, with the highest 10% earning more than $82,710.
Master’s Degree Program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
The M.A. in Counseling and Psychological Services program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is offered fully online, as well as in a blended format that includes in-person classroom instruction in Minneapolis. Our M.A. in Counseling and Psychological Services program prepares graduates to become either a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in Minnesota.
The supervised practicum provides experience in a counseling or mental health setting during two semesters for a minimum of 700 hours. Students can complete the program in 2.5 years. LPCCs must complete 4,000 hours of post-degree supervised practice. Obtaining this licensure categorizes LPCCs as mental health professionals in the State of Minnesota. Students earn 60 credits through this program. Review the course catalog for complete information about course requirements.
You may have experience with counseling or in a related healthcare field and wish to specialize in chemical dependency and addiction. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota provides the Graduate Certificate in Addiction Studies program, a two-year program that is fully online. It involves classroom learning and 880 hours of practicum experiences to teach students the theories, models, and approaches to treating patients with addictions and dependencies. Students earn 25 credits in this program. For more information about requirements, review the course catalog.
We also have our Counseling and Psychological Services, M.A., and Addiction Studies Graduate Certificate program for students who wish to complete a dual program. The practicum for the dual program consists of supervised experience in both a counseling/mental health setting and a substance disorder treatment setting for a total of 880 hours over two or three semesters. Students earn 61 credits through the dual track. For more information about requirements, review the course catalog.
An additional opportunity for students wanting to pursue a doctorate is early entry to the Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology program. That can save time and money for students eager to work as licensed clinical psychologists. This doctorate program in psychology is taught on the Winona campus.
Explore a Fulfilling New Career Role
Our students find a supportive, rich academic environment at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. We welcome adult learners who have experienced an interruption in their education and offer them practical, quality programs. Our online courses provide a participatory group learning environment with faculty members and other students.
If you are interested in the field of substance abuse and addiction counseling, now is a good time to share your gifts and develop the needed skills. Helping clients with substance use disorders is paramount for our communities at this time. Join with other mental health professionals in this important work. For more information, contact us today.
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