Substance abuse counselor program

By helping them to see clearly their patterns of addiction and problem avoidance, the substance abuse counselor can cause a radical shift in consciousness. This kind of empowerment can work to change forever the life course of the addict.

From helping the client find employment to helping the addict reconcile with their family members, the substance abuse counselor works as both a mentor and an advocate in the life of the chemically dependent person. This can have a profound and lasting impact on the addict which is nothing short of life changing.

To become a substance abuse counselor you will usually need at least a two year training program. In addition, it is always wise to study a foreign language as bilingual and multilingual candidates are highly sought after. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May Salaries based on national data not school specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed March It is also wise to learn a foreign language as bilingual and multilingual employees are highly coveted.

Upon completion of either our Self-Paced or Accelerated Program, students will have earned the hours of approved education required, including supervised practicum hours. Learn more about our accelerated and self-paced programs to determine which one would work best with your lifestyle.

Our Accelerated Online Counseling Program offers flexibility so students can work within their own schedules, but has benchmark goals to help keep students on track. There are no in-class meetings with an instructor, however, students engage in weekly online discussions with their classmates and instructor. This learning format is best suited for students who:. Our Accelerated Online Counseling Program allows students to complete the hours of required education to obtain their certification in just six months.

Our program consists of six courses one course per month ; concurrent enrollment in practicum courses start in month two. Instructors are available as needed and provide detailed feedback to students on all assignments within one week of submitting, allowing for continual improvement. Online discussion forums facilitate engagement, enhancing the connection between student and instructor and also peer to peer.

More About Our Course Curriculum. Our Self-Paced Online Counseling Program was created specifically for those with busy lifestyles or those looking to complete their education as quickly as possible. Like our Accelerated Program, our Self-Paced Program is offered entirely online and designed for students who want to work within their own schedules. Our Self-Paced Program is the same as our Accelerated Program but students receive all coursework upon admission and can complete the course and practicum course in anywhere from 3 to 18 months.

The interaction and dialoguing works really well. The undergraduate certificate in alcohol and drug abuse counseling program meets California certification standards, so students living or working elsewhere must check requirements and standards in their states.

Most states require academic hours of substance abuse counseling to qualify for work in the field, as well as a specific number of practicum hours. Along with academics and experience, most states also require that you pass an exam.

Some states require completion of 2, to 6, internship hours before taking an exam, but requirements vary depending on your current academic level. When you are under the supervision of a licensed therapist, you are working and making money as an alcohol and drug counseling intern — and each state has different requirements for when you can take their exam — sometimes you need to complete internship hours before you finish your academics, other times you can complete the practicum hours after the academics.

During the last class in the program, the practicum, students are assigned to work with clients on-site in the community, and they participate in a seminar where they go over their fieldwork.

Preparation for on-site work begins almost as soon as students begin the certificate program. Then we help them get a signed agreement with that agency for six months of practicum totaling hours, a minimum in all states. The undergraduate certificate at National University combines training in psychology, physiology, law and ethics, case management, and counseling.

Students learn to correctly diagnose dependence issues and develop unique treatment plans based on individual client needs. Developing relationships with other counselors and professionals is an important part of the program; students go out in the field to learn first-hand from experts already working in the profession. Classes are varied and geared to the practical application of the skills students are learning: for instance, in Introduction to Substance Abuse, students are required to go into their communities and interview two to three drug and alcohol abuse counselors to find out why they got into the field.

Another class has students attending several step meetings to think, process, and assess the effectiveness of the step method in aiding recovering addicts. By the time students reach the last class in the program, Practicum in Substance Abuse, they are working on-site and getting practical experience as a counselor.

As Dr. Since the National University program is online, enrollment is international. Class sizes remain small, under 20 students. With classes starting monthly, students can enter the program at any time and take as long as they need to complete it. Classes do not have to be taken sequentially; students can start in the middle and loop back to earlier courses as scheduling allows.

Posson was involved in developing the undergraduate certificate program and knows full-well the toll that drug and alcohol abuse can take, particularly on military families. During that time, Dr. Posson began looking into certification and licensure pathways and realized there was no practical way to take the academic courses while still on active duty.