20 Best Masters in Addictions and Recovery

Students at the University of North Texas are known as Eagles, or collectively, with faculty, as the ‘Mean Green Family’. The institution offers more than 106 bachelor’s degrees, 88 master’s programs, and 36 doctorates. Campus is made up of 14 colleges and schools, making UNT the leading university in North Texas. 

The MS in rehabilitation counseling specializes in preparing students to work with individuals who have disabilities, and to help them gain equal access to every area of society. Graduates are commonly professionals working as counselors and administrators, aiding those with disabilities in finding employment and maintaining independence. 

From your first day, you’ll be given intensive support and close supervision by a nationally and internationally renowned faculty. You’ll also gain support from experts within the field of rehabilitation. The curriculum itself combines on-campus instruction with service learning through the campus’ Wellness and Employment Learning Laboratory’ (UNT WELL). 

According to their website, UNT has been named one of “America’s best college buys” for 24 years running. Average annual tuition for a graduate studying at UNT and studying 9 credit hours per semester is $22,568 for in-state residents, or $30,164 for out-of-state students. 

Governors State University was founded in 1969 and is a four-year public university based in Illinois. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and every program offered by the institution has either been awarded professional accreditation or is undergoing the process. 

The curriculum for this Master of Health Science in addictions studies has been fully accredited by the Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association, or IAODAPCA, in the state of Illinois. It’s also accredited by the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC), the only accrediting organization that represents those working within addiction. 

The program has also been ranked in the top 5 online addictions studies programs in the country by numerous sources, including the Center for Online Education, Great Value Colleges, and The Best Schools. You’ll gain the knowledge and theory needed to advance your career working with individuals with addictions, culminating in an internship at the end of the program. 

At GSU, graduate level study costs $8,282 for residents of the state, or $14,636 for students who are out-of-state. In 2020, the average amount of aid awarded via grants or scholarships from the institution was $8,684. The costs for room and board and other expenses total around $12,000. 

Nova Southeastern University began in 1964 and focused on graduate studies in STEM fields. The institution has since grown and expanded into fully online distance learning, with the most popular fields including nursing, medicine, and psychology programs. According to U.S. News & World Report, the university sets a strong example in taking students from low-income families. 

This Master of Science in counseling consists of 33 semester hours plus your concentration. You can choose from three concentrations in clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, or substance abuse counseling, totaling 60, 48, and 48 credits respectively. If you choose substance abuse counseling, you can combine it with an education concentration for 60 credits total. 

These curricula differ and the concentration that you choose will depend on the field that you’re working in. To find more information about the kind of courses you’ll take in each concentration, you can look here. The admission requirements also vary slightly between each of these specializations. 

Tuition is due in full at the time that you register for your program. The graduate tuition rate for master’s level courses is $790 per credit hour, with some additional fees due. These include a $50 application fee, $30 registration fee per semester, and $250 to $500 student services fee per semester. 

Nearly a third of students at Monmouth University are eligible for Pell Grant funding, while almost half of students in their first year are the first in their family to pursue higher education. As a growing university, Mounmouth can offer a broad range of courses without compromising on low faculty-to-student ratios. 

The Master of Arts in addiction studies comprises 33 credits and will see graduates ready to work as a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor, or LCADC. This makes the program a good choice for students who have an existing undergraduate degree, or those who want to change careers and require licensure as an LCADC. 

Alongside your application and $50 application fee, you’ll need to submit two Professional Counseling Recommendation Forms, a narrative of four to five pages that answers questions highlighted on the application essay form, and potentially your GRE scores. You’ll also need evidence of your undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. 

Graduates may qualify for grants and scholarships as part of their financial aid package, just like undergraduates at Monmouth University. Tuition for graduate level study at this institution costs $1,233 per credit hour, plus a comprehensive fee of $356 for 9 or more credits, and $178 for less than 9 credits. 

Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a rapidly-expanding institution with a growing catalog of courses available on-campus or fully online. The learning management system (LMS) is also constantly expanding; today, tens of thousands of enrollees sign up for an online course that provides flexible learning around an already busy schedule. 

GCU offers the Master of Science in addiction counseling via the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The program combines classroom theory with hands-on, real-world experience. You’ll study courses like Psychopharmacology, Professional Ethics, and Counseling Theories, fully preparing you to pursue your licensure and seek a career in a related field. 

Courses can be completed on-campus or studied online if you need greater flexibility around your schedule. As part of this program, you’ll be required to complete the “pre-practicum”, which is a piece of supervised experiential learning that includes direct contact with patients. 

Graduate tuition is $11,074.71 and the average amount of financial aid paid to students via grants or scholarships is $7,074. Inclusive of all tuition, fees, and books and supplies, the net total is around $25,000. GCU accepts FAFSA information to work out what financial awards you may be entitled to. 

Capella University has nearly 40,000 enrolled students, with nearly 80% female. The university also has a unique approach to tuition, with a system called FlexPath that lets you set and manage your own deadlines, and manage the overall cost of your education; it’s “on-demand” education as they refer to it. 

Capella University has been named an Approved Education Provider by the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC). Additionally, the faculty comprises scholar-practitioners who actively work within their respective fields and can impart real-world knowledge and experiences to your learning. It’s no wonder that 90% of students were satisfied with their experience according to a recent survey. 

Your program combines real-world experiential learning with coursework that is split between on-campus instruction and online work. You’ll participate in an internship where you can practice the skills and knowledge that you’ve gained through direct contact with patients, plus a residency. 

Tuition for master’s degrees at Capella University is worked out on a per-credit basis, with the cost being between $435 and $805 per credit hour depending on your program. This program comprises 48 credits at a cost of $560 per credit (or an estimated $26,880 on average). 

Most of Cambridge College’s programs are taught in the evenings or on weekends, increasing the flexibility and ease with which you can fit higher education around your existing commitments. Classes are taught by a 450-strong faculty of full and part-time scholar-practitioners who have a wealth of experience to draw on. 

Cambridge College offers an addictions counseling concentration that can be paired with either mental health counseling or school adjustment and mental health counseling. Graduates will complete the necessary courses to allow them to seek CADAC or LADC certification, and be ready for a career within a public health agency, residential treatment program, hospital, or other health organization. 

The curriculum for this specific concentration comprises 3 courses, each worth 3 credits. These are Addiction Disorders, Family Treatment of Substance Abuse, and Psychopharmacology in Addictions and Mental Health; you can read more about each course or download the program sheet here. 

Just as Cambridge College is split across multiple locations, tuition varies from one campus to the next. According to collegetuitioncompare.com, the average graduate school tuition and fees are around $14,731.56, with around 8% of students receiving financial aid averaging $3,625. 

Since 1966, Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. It’s a Christian institution that weaves Christ-centered teaching through its curriculum, transforming students’ character and leadership skills. 

This program will advance your theoretical knowledge in the field of addictions counseling, while providing hands-on experience under clinical supervision. As a Christian institution, Indiana Wesleyan University aims to produce graduates who are highly qualified with strong character and leadership qualities. As a graduate, you’ll also be prepared to pursue licensure within your state, in addition to national certification. 

Through the curriculum and coursework, you’ll be prepared to work with individuals who have both chemical addictions and other addictive behaviors, like eating disorders, sexual disorders, and gambling addiction. Students are challenged and encouraged to integrate their beliefs into their practice as qualified counseling professionals. 

This Master of Arts with a major in clinical addictions counseling consists of 48 credit hours in total, with tuition costing $578 per credit hour. Students need to make payment for their full tuition three weeks prior to starting the course, and textbooks are not included in the cost of tuition. 

Mid-America Christian University hasn’t always gone by the same name. Founded in 1953, it was first called the South Texas Bible Institute and used the facilities of the First Church of God. With an inaugural class of just 26 students, the institution restructured from a three to a four-year university in 1955 and was renamed the Gulf-Coast Bible College. After two more name changes, it became the university we know today. 

The M.S. in counseling with a specialization in addiction and substance counseling will prepare graduates for careers in counseling those with substance abuse and addiction disorders, or further develop the knowledge and skills possessed by those already working in such fields. You’ll cover topics like pharmacology, advanced counseling and psychotherapy, and addiction in the family. 

As this is a religious institution, instructors weave Christian perspectives into the curriculum and are committed to furthering students’ spiritual lives. Students on this program will learn how to call on their spiritual beliefs in the practice of offering counseling services, irrespective of the client’s own beliefs or background. 

This program is charged at $642 per credit hour, with a range of fees—some of which won’t be applicable—that can be viewed here. Every program offered by the university also has a $20 per credit hour fee, though this is included in the tuition cost. However, your overall costs may vary due to the level and number of courses chosen. 

At Assumption College, a Catholic college that’s sponsored by the Augustinians of the Assumption, 95% of recent graduates were employed or attending graduate school within six months of graduation. All courses and classes are taught exclusively by qualified professors and the student body represents 30 states across the U.S. and 14 countries across the world. 

Your rehabilitation counseling program at Assumption will prepare you to gain licensure as a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC), or to take on a number of other careers. This program is part of the Department of Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies (HSRS), with experiential learning blended into the academic curriculum to create students who are masters in their field. 

Some of the key areas of study in this curriculum include cultural diversity, individual and group counseling, medical and psychiatric rehabilitation, disability management, vocational assessment, and case and caseload management. Class sizes are small so you’ll get ample one-on-one time with your professors where needed. 

Assumption College charges tuition on a per-credit basis, with each credit costing $740.00 at a graduate level. You’ll also pay a $20 registration fee and $50 technology fee each semester. Payments can be managed online using the university’s Student Account Center, which makes managing the cost of your education a little easier and more transparent. 

Ottawa University enrolled just 706 students in the 2019 to 2020 academic year, yet their teaching quality and performance is excellent. Their main campus is based in Ottawa, Kansas, but the institution has other campuses in both Wisconsin and Arizona, not to mention the fully online programs. According to U.S. News & World Report, the university is a leader in its region for higher education, ranking at #43 for Regional Universities Midwest.

This MA in counseling combines practical fieldwork with coursework. The practical placement consists of nine semester credit hours and is spread across eight terms, totaling 900 contact hours with the community. You’ll work within a community health agency for around 15 hours each week. 

Before starting your field placement, you’ll need to meet several requirements. You’ll need to have completed at least 18 semester credit hours and cannot be on academic probation. You’ll also need to have earned at least a ‘B’—GPA 3.0—in Counseling Theories; Professional and Ethical Issues in Counseling; Counseling and the Helping Professions; and Advanced Psychodiagnostics, Treatment Planning, and Program Evaluation. 

Ottawa University will help students to connect with financial aid programs. You’re encouraged to contact the institution ahead of registering to explore what options might be available to you. In terms of tuition, you’ll pay $619 if staying on campus, or $635 if studying online. 

The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, established in 1949, is recognized as being the world’s top nonprofit organization when it comes to providing services and support to individuals and families who have been affected by dependencies on alcohol and drugs. The institution is a member of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers. 

You can choose from two addictions-related programs at this institution, depending on your preferred means of study. The on-campus option is the MA in addiction counseling: advanced practice, while the online program is the the MA in addiction counseling: integrated recovery for co-occurring disorders. 

While this is a full-time, 60 credit program, there are part-time options available. Your classes will be taught in the evenings and weekends, giving you greater flexibility around your existing schedule. There are three start dates in January, May, and September, and you will participate in a clinical placement in your first semester on the program. 

The on-campus program comprises 60 total credits, with a full-time study duration of 20 months, while the online option lasts 24 months for the same number of credits. Tuition is set at the same rate for both courses: $799 per credit, with a $70 technology fee. Books and supplies are $2,650 for the on-campus program and $3,000 for the online option. 

According to the Saint Cloud State University website, students of the university have contributed to a 53% decline in high-risk drinking behavior between 2005-2014; a 44% decrease in the average number of drinks consumed per week, and other notable statistics related to the field. You can see more of these here. 

One unique facet of this program is how it connects with the on-campus recovery community, which supports enrolled students who have had problems with substance abuse and have committed to remaining sober. You’ll take part in mentoring undergraduate students in group sessions, supporting them in their efforts to remain sober. 

There are also other opportunities to take part in research projects, undergraduate teaching, grant and bid writing, and other projects. Additionally, the Ability Event will connect you with people who have disabilities and are involved in creating activities that “simulate life from their point of view”. 

The cost of tuition for graduates who are also Minnesota residents is $4,285 per semester, or $8,570 per year. This rises to $6,222 per semester, or $12,444 per year for out-of-state students. Housing and meals, and books and supplies are charged at the same rate for both groups, or $9,728 / $1,200 per year, respectively. 

Antioch University is located in one of the nation’s culturally diverse hotspots, Los Angeles. The average age of the student body is 39 years old, with around 69% female students and 31% male. More than half of students receive some degree of financial aid, including grants, loans, and institution-specific scholarships. 

The MA in clinical psychology at Antioch offers numerous specializations, with the addiction and recovery specialization the newest. Teaching focuses on the “biological, psychological, socio-cultural-political, and systemic etiology of addiction”, rather than generalizing addicts or applying a one-size-fits-all perspective. Through your studies, you’ll learn to assess and diagnose individuals, then develop complex treatment plans. 

Alongside your application, you will need to submit a $50 application fee, though this can be waived if you attend an on-campus information session. You’ll also need to submit your official transcript for your undergraduate degree, in addition to an admissions essay. 

Tuition for the MA in psychology depends on the number of units being taken. The cost per unit is $808, though a minor discount of several dollars applies for taking between 4 and 16 units. You can see the full cost breakdown on this page. 

Montclair State University has a catalog of more than 300 programs at an undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral level. The campus comprises 11 colleges and schools. If you’re on the fence, why not check out their website; the Video Viewbook feature and Interactive Campus Map provide the perfect way to see your prospective campus from the comfort of home. 

This program will prepare you to work with varied organizations and individuals, including elementary and secondary schools, substance abuse rehabilitation and treatment centers, and a variety of community organizations. The curriculum has been designed to follow the guidelines set by state licensure and certification groups. 

For entry into the program, you’ll need to hold the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree, with a GPA of at least 2.9 or higher. The program consists of a total of 60 credit hours, which is inclusive of three semesters of placement work. You can also choose to study part-time if your schedule necessitates it. 

While some courses at Montclair State University have their own special rates for tuition, this program falls under the general master’s rates. Tuition at this rate costs $700.50 per credit hour, plus $29.78 in fees, for a total of $730.28 per credit. 

Bemidji State University (BSU) has been named a top-tier Midwest university according to U.S. News & World Report. BSU also has a partnership with nearby Northcentral Technical College, giving all students access to quality on-campus housing options, meal plans, and other important student services across campuses. 

This specific program at Bemidji State University is a master’s program in social work. The program typically lasts for two years full-time and includes around 900 to 1,200 hours’ worth of hands-on experience through an internship. If you meet the advanced standing requirements, you may be able to complete the program in as little as one year. 

To qualify for advanced standing, you’ll need to hold an existing undergraduate degree in social work that has been accredited by CSWE, with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0. You may also be asked to provide positive evaluations from the field experience that formed part of your undergraduate program, or to attend an interview at BSU. 

Bemidji State University believes in making tuition affordable to all, offering in-state tuition rates to all qualified student applicants, rather than just residents of Minnesota. For graduate level study, you’ll pay full-time tuition of $3,929 per semester, plus $4,330 for room and board, $445 for books and supplies, and $541 for fees. 

Established in 1971, Metropolitan State University is a fully accredited university and part of Minnesota’s higher education system. More than 10,000 students enrol annually and the alcohol and drug counseling faculty and program are listed within the top 10 majors offered by the institution. 

Graduates of the alcohol and drug recovery counseling MS automatically qualify for licensure in the state of Minnesota as an alcohol and drug counselor. You’ll be ready to integrate effective practices into your professional career and serve those who have been affected by substance use disorders. 

To apply for this master’s program, you’ll need to pass a background study with the Minnesota Department of Human Services. You’ll also need to have a clean medical history of at least two years in which you’ve not suffered from mental, physical, and substance use disorders. The remainder of the academic requirements for this program can be found here. 

The cost of tuition at Metropolitan State runs at $404.09 per credit hour for residents, or $808.19 for out-of-state students, plus fees of $36.11 applicable to each credit hour. Some specialty rates are available, which you can see here. Some additional fees apply and you can see a breakdown of these on the same page. 

At University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC) you can choose from a broad range of diverse degree programs, including 90 bachelor’s degrees and over 100 graduate programs. Outside of the classroom, there are over 350 student groups and organizations to choose from, in addition to 18 NCAA Division I varsity sports. 

According to UNC, in the past decade every single graduate to complete this program has also subsequently passed the licensure examination for addictions on their first sitting. Former students have gone on to work in places like Anuvia, the McLeod Treatment Center, SABER, Phoenix Counseling Center, and more. 

You’ll complete 60 hours’ worth of coursework and you’ll take part in three semesters of field-based, real-world experiential learning. You’ll spend 150 hours on practicum experience, plus 600 hours of on-site internship work; in total, there are 240 hours of experience with direct patient contact. 

Tuition rates differ for NC residents and non-NC residents. However, the cost of tuition reduces in stages depending on the number of credit hours you take. For a detailed breakdown of costs, you can click here to see the estimated tuition, fees, and other expenses. 

East Carolina University (ECU) has no shortage of impressive rankings and accolades under its belt. This includes making the Best 385 Colleges, Best Southeastern, and Green Colleges lists published by The Princeton Review. The institution has also been named by numerous U.S. News & World Reports. You can see the full list of rankings and recognitions here. 

This MS in clinical counseling specializes in addictions and consists of 62 credit hours, taking an average of two years to complete full-time. You’ll split your time between classroom theory and clinical practice, becoming eligible for licensure upon graduation. Specifically, you’ll be ready to obtain licensed clinical mental health counselor (LCMHC) status, in addition to licensed clinical addiction specialist (LCAS). 

Common roles for graduates of this program include community mental health professions, addiction counseling as part of an inpatient or outpatient program, working within a detoxification center or rehabilitation center, and home-based counseling. As a graduate, you’ll also be granted a one-year reduction in necessary experience to gain licensure as an LCAS by the N.C. 

The cost of graduate level tuition for state residents at ECU is around $4,452, plus fees of $2,787, and room and board costs of $10,030; this makes a total of $17,269 annually. Out-of-state residents pay significantly more, at $33,546, of which $20,729 is tuition. 

Johnson & Wales University (JWU) consists of four campuses and has a student body and faculty that feels like a close-knit community. The university’s motto of “Pride, courage, character, and community” is championed by all students, who are also known as Wildcats. In a recent 3,000-strong internship program, around 70% of senior students who participated in a paid internship were offered full-time jobs after graduation. 

The MS in addiction counseling at JWU lasts for 18 months and is a full-time program, beginning each year in June. You’ll meet in the evening or late afternoon, allowing you a flexible schedule that won’t interfere with your other commitments. Your faculty will include experts in their respective fields, including addictions and substance abuse, social work, and grief counseling. 

This program comprises 12 core courses, 4 electives, a practicum (150 hours), and a real-world internship. Through the practical experience, you’ll learn how to properly apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom. In total, your internship will cover 600 experiential field hours. 

Tuition at Johnson & Wales University varies from program to program. For each 3.0 semester credit course at MS level, you’ll pay $2,358, or $786 per credit hour. There are other costs that include your meal plan along with other fees; there are numerous options for meal plans and you can read more about each of these here.