Are you seeking a meaningful career path centered on making a positive impact in your community? Do you want to help motivate people to change their lives for the better? Let compassion evolve into action by earning your Bachelor's in Human Services with a concentration in Substance Abuse online at SNHU. If you're passionate about helping those with substance use disorder on the road to recovery, this online substance abuse counseling program serves as an important educational first step toward becoming a drug and alcohol counselor. Throughout the program, you'll receive specialized training and tools you need to support sufferers of alcoholism, drug addiction, and other substance use disorders as they endeavor to restore their lives and relationships.

In this program, you'll learn how to:

- Analyze social, political, and historical events and trends as they relate to your role in advocating for those in need

- Use culturally responsive strategies across diverse populations

- Provide comprehensive, well-informed care while applying knowledge of law and ethics

- Demonstrate professional communications in both formal and informal networks

- Evaluate policy development, strategic communications, and coalition-building opportunities

- Build a skill set in inquiry, critical and creative thinking, and decision-making

Note: This program does not directly lead to licensure since the licensure process and educational requirements for drug and alcohol counselors vary by state. To learn more about licensure, see the Career Outlook section on this page. Coursework for substance abuse concentration explores the process of diagnosing, treating, and reintroducing an individual recovering from substance use disorder to a healthy, sustainable life. You'll learn about screening techniques, prevention strategies, pharmacological factors, and more.

"Our courses are designed to empower our graduates with the tools they need to help those in our communities who are struggling with substance abuse," said Seth Matthews, associate dean of social sciences. "From the early stages of helping someone understand they have a problem, through diagnosis, treatment and recovery support, substance abuse concentration graduates are equipped and prepared to support life-changing transformations in their client's lives."

Core courses in the human services degree online curriculum highlight the importance of law and ethics, confidentiality, and case management. The addition of the substance abuse concentration includes new courses that focus on each step of the prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation process. The substance abuse degree concentration has been designed with the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) in mind to teach you the 12 Core Functions of a drug and alcohol counselor, including:

- Developing assessment and diagnosis skills using interviews, case histories, and other data

- Facilitating group discussions and conducting interventions

- Creating recovery plans and treatment strategies

- Weighing legal and ethical issues associated with addiction

- Understanding caseload, evaluation, and documentation management

Courses in substance abuse concentration are taught by practicing professionals who bring years of experience to their teaching. You'll develop the research and communication skills needed to identify and assess community resources for your clients, conduct assessments, and interview and assist clients who need services. At the end of the substance abuse counselor degree program, you'll have knowledge and skills that will help position you for success in the field of human services. You'll demonstrate your newly gained skill set in a capstone course experience that allows you to apply what you've learned to the real world.

Note: While the Bachelor of Arts in Human Services with a concentration in Substance Abuse offered by Southern New Hampshire University does not directly lead to licensure, it does provide a significant portion of the substance abuse coursework most often required for licensure. Students seeking licensure or certification may be required to complete additional coursework and will be required to complete fieldwork as prescribed by each state. Most states also require a passing score on a licensing exam. If you'd like to learn more about becoming licensed in your state, you can download this document for links to individual state licensure boards.

Part of SNHU's mission statement is to expand access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That's why you can apply at any time and get an acceptance decision within days of submitting all of your required materials. Decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 6 (8-week) undergraduate terms.

$150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)