35 Best Online Bachelor’s in Counseling

Drexel University offers the best online counseling program in the country. Drexel University’s Bachelor of Science in behavioral health counseling is excellent, affordable, and flexible. What more can you ask for? Note that behavioral health counseling is a relatively narrow field. If you want to practice another type of counseling, you may be better off with another program on this list.

Some notable features of Drexel University’s behavioral health counseling program are its Behavioral Disorders, Advanced Counseling Intervention, Multicultural Counseling, and Psychiatric Rehabilitation Competencies classes. These courses will give you a newfound look at the counseling profession and the many theories and ideas you must know to become an expert in it.

Drexel University is charging $530 per credit in the 2020-2021 school year. Otherwise, the program costs $883 per credit, which results in a significantly more expensive university experience. But whether you’re paying $530 or more, you get what you pay for at Drexel, and we promise you won’t regret the education you receive.

The Florida Institute of Technology’s Bachelor of Arts in applied psychology program gives you access to some of the best courses and faculty in the country. Students at FIT’s applied psychology program concentrate in child advocacy, clinical psychology, forensic psychology, or organizational psychology. These classes will supplement your core psychology courses and the many electives that make up the program.

Some of the leading courses at the Florida Institute of Technology are Research Methods in Applied Psychology, Experimental Psychology, Civilization 1: Ancient through Medieval, Abnormal Psychology, and Applied Test and Measures. Students also take classes in humanities, physical and life science, psychology, mathematics, and social science. But core classes constitute most of a student’s studies: Of the 121 total credits, only 27 come from non-core courses.

Graduates from this program have become case managers, behavioral scientists, clinical psychologists, counselors, business people, marketers, sales people, and more. As long as you develop lasting relationships with your professors and perform well as a student, your opportunities as a FIT graduate will be boundless.

Are you a Christian who wants to combine scientific learning and the counseling profession with your faith? If so, look no further than Liberty University’s online Bachelor of Science in psychology program with a concentration in Christian counseling. The program bridges leading theories and science-backed methods of counseling with biblical scripture to create a well-rounded Christian-forward program.

Some notable courses in this program are Psychology and Christianity, Christian Counseling for Marriage and Family, and Christian Counseling for Children. Each of these courses examines how a Christian counselor and patient can use their faith to find healing, courage, and wisdom alongside tried-and-tested counseling methods.

Liberty University has frozen tuition rates for the past five years, making it one of the most intentionally affordable programs. Military students pay only $250 per credit hour, and first responders receive additional benefits. Notably, veterans can receive college credit for military training, which expedites and cuts the cost of your education. 

Southwestern Assemblies of God University offers an excellent bachelor’s in counseling with focuses on addictions, family conflicts, and spiritual crises. Students at SAGU benefit from small class sizes, which have significant advantages for students, regardless of the online platform. Prospective students should also note that SAGU graduates have 20% less debt on average than other private university graduates.

Some courses in SAGU’s excellent catalog for its counseling program are Abnormal Psychology, Introduction to Counseling, Addictive Behavior and Recovery, Crisis Intervention and Management, and Pharmacology of Addiction. While few counseling courses have a Christian emphasis, SAGU does require its students to take Christian courses. Plus, most faculty members teach from a Christian worldview.

Southwestern Assemblies of God University has an active admissions team that has a reputation for helping students secure scholarships and grants that they earn and deserve. Using these resources, your cost of the program can be considerably cheaper than the advertised sticker cost.

Ohio Christian University’s Bachelor of Arts in substance abuse counseling will prepare you for master’s programs in the field. In this program, you’ll learn the intricacies of chemical dependency, supervision methods and ethics of recovering addicts, and the theories of counseling catered toward addicts. As its name suggests, Ohio Christian University is a Christian university, and each student in this program takes several Christian courses.

Some of the notable courses in this program are Spiritual Dimensions of Illness and Recovery, Psychopharmacology, Prevention Strategies, Case Management, and Introduction to Substance Abuse. These core courses comprise 39 of the required 120 credits to graduate. Students must also reach 45 general education credits and 36 elective credits.

Graduates from Ohio Christian University can apply to the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals board for Certified Chemical Dependency Assistant status. Otherwise, students can pursue a career in social work or continue onto a master’s program to become a certified and licensed counselor. 

Crown College offers an excellent Bachelor of Science in Christian counseling online program. The focus of Crown College is to unite psychology theory and Christian perspectives. Thus, you’ll enroll in the same courses as you would in a secular institution, but these courses will come from a Christian worldview. If that’s what you’re looking for, Crown College is an excellent option.

There are four elements of the Crown College curriculum: Christian studies, general electives, major core classes, and electives. Some classes that students at Crown College take are Group Dynamics, Crisis Intervention, Introduction to Communication, Interpreting the Gospels, and Introduction to Literary Analysis. 

The possibilities for Crown College graduates are boundless. Many graduates continue directly to Crown College’s master’s program, which takes three years. And if students want to expedite their education, Crown College offers a two-year accelerated Master of Science in counseling program. Otherwise, you can begin your career as a social worker or professional in a Christian context.

Hope International University offers one of the most versatile Bachelor of Science in human development programs in the country. There are five available concentrations: behavioral psychology, community mental health and counseling, family studies, addictions studies, and graduate studies. With these concentrations, students can become early experts in what they wish to pursue in the real world or graduate school. 

Core courses that all students take are Adult Development, Social Issues, Christian Perspectives in Human Development, Applied Cultural Diversity, and Statistics for the Social Sciences. Other elements of your curriculum depend on your concentration, but some classes are Sociology of Families, Abnormal Psychology, and Career Counseling.

Graduates from this program have become behavioral health specialists, child life specialists, counselors of all kinds, child welfare specialists, and daycare service providers. Students in the graduate studies concentration in this program will expedite their master’s by one semester, which is an ideal option for aspiring counselors.

Columbia College offers an excellent online Bachelor of Arts in psychology program. The program offers an emphasis in sport psychology, which would amount to 33 semester hours. Otherwise, students fulfill the requirements of their major with core courses and seven psychology elective courses. Throughout the program, students learn many theoretical perspectives, including cognitive science, humanistic-existential, neuroscience, and poststructural. 

Some courses in this program are General Psychology, Personality Theory, Neuroscience, Learning Theories, Abnormal Psychology, and Cognitive Psychology. If you choose the sport psychology emphasis, you’ll take additional classes, including Psychology of Sport, Social Psychology, and a psychology internship. Students can complete the internship in an approved setting close to their homes. 

Students must complete 120 credits to graduate. Additionally, every student must complete an exit interview and pass Integrative Psychology with a grade of C or higher. Graduates from this program have become sport psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors, behavioral health counselors, and more. 

Oral Roberts University’s online Bachelor of Arts in Christian caregiving and counseling program suits people who want to become counselors, chaplains, missionaries, researchers, and more. Students who are enrolled full-time at Oral Roberts University can complete the program in as few as three-and-a-half years, but students can take longer to finish the degree if they please.

Some of the more notable courses in Oral Roberts University’s Christian caregiving and counseling program are Crisis Intervention, Developmental Psychology, Christian Leadership, Pastoral Approaches to Counseling, and Issues and Identity of the Caregiver. These classes focus equally on biblical perspectives and science, suiting students from all walks of life. 

ORU students benefit from working with a team of success coaches throughout the program. They will help you select your courses and find career opportunities. Additionally, students have access to ORU’s user-friendly platform, which grants them access anywhere and any time. And at $399 per credit hour, the university is affordable, too. 

Toccoa Falls College’s online bachelor’s in counseling psychology program prepares students for counseling positions in Christian and secular settings. Students in this program learn about the philosophy and theory of counseling, the influences of Christianity on counseling practice, and the ethics of counseling in church and secular settings. TFC students benefit from small class sizes, expert faculty, and excellent classes.

Some courses that Toccoa Falls College offers are Educational Psychology, Psychology of Religion, Counseling for Addictions, Personality Theories, and Research Methods in Psychology. Students can pursue a minor in Counseling, Marriage and Family Counseling, or Psychology, which would include several courses in the chosen specialization.

At $345 per credit hour for online students, Toccoa Falls College is one of the cheapest options on this list. The school offers dozens of financial aid opportunities, scholarships, and grants to qualifying students, too. If you seek an affordable and high-quality Christian education, consider Toccoa Falls college.

Pennsylvania State University’s online World Campus platform offers an excellent Bachelor of Science in human development and family studies. Students can choose to specialize in life span human services, but this specialization isn’t required. Penn State’s online human development and family studies program offers a flexible class schedule, several optional undergraduate certificates, and a relatively affordable rate for such a reputable school.

Several courses in the human development and family studies program are Family Development, The Helping Relationship, Resolving Human Development and Family Problems, Adolescent Development, and Family Relationships. Students must also take 45 credits in elective courses and twelve credits in courses similar to core classes.

To gain admission to this program, applying students must submit their high school or GED transcript, letters of recommendation, purpose statement, and the online application. Penn State usually confirms students’ admittance status between four and six weeks after the application is submitted.

Houston Baptist University perfectly balances the liberal arts, Christian thinking, and psychological theory with its Bachelor of Arts in psychology program. HBU’s program includes an emphasis in Christian counseling. If Christian counseling isn’t for you, consider another program on this list. If it’s your passion, though, you couldn’t do much better than at Houston Baptist University.

Some notable courses in this program are Christian Theology and Tradition, Abnormal Psychology, Introduction to the Bible, Psychology of Religion, Psychology of Personality, and Human Sexuality. integration of Counseling and Theology, Theories of Counseling, and Introduction to Christian Counseling are a few of the classes in the Christian counseling emphasis.

Applying students must submit relevant transcripts from the high school, GED, or universities they attended. Houston Baptist University charges $415 per credit hour and a $250 per semester online fee. While this program isn’t the cheapest option on this list, it is one of the best Christian counseling programs in the nation. 

As the opiate crisis sweeps through every corner of America, addictions counselors are in greater demand than ever before. And Grand Canyon University has one of the best Bachelor of Science in addiction counseling programs out there. It’s relatively affordable, and military members receive excellent discounts. Plus, it has faculty who are expert educators and researchers in the field. 

Students in this program take fantastic courses like Psychopharmacology in Treatment of Addiction and Substance Use Disorders; Multicultural Counseling in a Diverse Society; Trauma, Addiction and Substance Use Disorders; and Relapse Prevention in the Treatment of Addiction and Substance Use Disorder. These classes teach students the ethics, foundational theories, and the many steps of addictions counseling.

Major courses make up 72 credits of the 120 credits required to graduate. General education courses comprise 34-40 credits and open electives comprise 8-14 credits. Some other courses students may take are Christian Worldview, Environmental Science, and Applications of College Algebra. 

Bay Path University’s Bachelor of Arts in psychology: counseling foundations will prepare you for a successful future as a counselor. Graduates from this program have become court liaisons, marriage counselors, probation officers, child development specialists, and more. If you want to help others, whether that’s through counseling or social work, Bay Path University’s excellent online program will take you there.

Some notable classes in this program are Women as Empowered Leaders and Learners, Clinical Psychology, Principles of Sociology, Social Psychology, Counseling Diverse Populations, Abnormal Psychology, and Behavioral Research Methods. Students also take elective courses, including Literary Genres, Communicating for Leadership, Applied University Mathematics, and Computer Applications.

Bay Path University has an excellent online platform that has interactive pages that can inform you about scholarships, repaying your loans, grant programs, loan programs, and more. The ease of access that BPU offers is unparalleled by almost every school, and it’s something you should use in your favor.

The University of Cincinnati offers an excellent online Bachelor of Science in substance abuse counseling program. Here, students learn about the intricacies of addiction, including the environmental, biological, and sociological factors of addiction. The program also teaches you how counselors can and should intervene and act with their patients. This point is particularly important because of the sensitive nature of addictions counseling: Any misstep can prove fatal.

Students in this program take excellent classes like Historical Perspectives in Substance Abuse Counseling; Basic Pharmacology; Alcoholism, Drugs and Behavior; Foundations of Cultural Competence; and Ethics in Substance Abuse Counseling. Each student has a customized schedule that meets the needs of their working and family lives. 

The University of Cincinnati costs $486.00 per credit hour for residents and $501.00 per credit hour for non-residents. While the school is more expensive than many others on this list, UC students have the benefit of attending a name-brand school. This benefit can serve your resume, networking possibilities, and the career for the rest of your life.

Saint Leo University’s Bachelor of Arts in clinical psychology program prepares students for the counseling and psychology professions. Saint Leo University emphasizes that its program is customizable: Students can choose the courses they want and when they want to take them. It’s your education after all, so you should be in charge. With Saint Leo University, that idea has come to life.

Some courses students in this program take are Physiological Psychology, Foundations of Psychology Seminar, Psychology of Learning, Cognitive Psychology, Personality Theory, and Human Sexuality. Students supplement these classes with general elective credits and University Explorations, which includes courses like The Human Adventure, The Human Mosaic, and Science in a Changing World.

Saint Leo University graduates have become social workers, case workers, researchers, mental health counselors, occupational therapists, advertising assistants, and counselors. Some graduate schools that Saint Leo graduates have attended are the University of South Florida, the University of Central Florida, and New York University.

If you’re a Christian-minded empath who wants to make the world a better place, Arlington Baptist University’s Bachelor of Arts in biblical science program would be a great option for you. The program emphasizes a Christian outlook as a counselor and a citizen. Arlington Baptist University’s curriculum is perhaps more heavily theological than any other program on this list. If that’s up your alley, ABU is the school for you.

Some courses students in this program take are Gospels: Life of Christ, Human Personality, Methods of Biblical Change, Biological Psychology, Biblical Conflict Resolution, Counseling Problems and Procedures, and Marriage and Family Counseling. In this program, Christian-based counseling courses lie alongside classes rooted in the scripture and interpretations of the Bible.

Arlington Baptist University charges a flat fee of $6675 per semester, which translates to around $417 per credit if you’re taking 16 credits per semester. This fee is quite reasonable, especially for a program designed and taught by experts in the field. 

Clarks Summit University has so many excellent programs that we couldn’t isolate just one program for this list. Are you interested in secular counseling? If so, you’ll be interested in CSU’s Bachelor of Science in counseling program. If you’re interested in substance abuse counseling, consider the school’s addictions counseling major. If Christian counseling is for you, take CSU’s Bachelor of Arts in counseling ministries program.

Your courses will depend on the major that you choose. Some courses you may take are Dynamics of Discipleship, Abnormal Psychology, Personality Theory, Social Psychology, Marriage and Family Dynamics, and Understanding and Treating Addictions. The counseling majors share similar core classes, but they diverge into more specific subjects as you gain experience in school. Each 121-credit program includes a second major in the Bible. 

Students in this program benefit from a flexible transfer policy: Students can transfer up to 90 credits from community colleges and accredited four-year universities. 

Trinity International University’s Bachelor of Science in psychology program can prepare you for any number of professions and graduate schools. Note that most students finish this program in 3-4 years, meaning your education can go a lot quicker—and thus cheaper—than most psychology programs. And with an online platform, this program is as flexible as they come. 

Students can emphasize in counseling psychology, health psychology, or organizational leadership. Some classes that students in this program take are Personality Theories, Group Dynamics, and Integration of Psychology and Christian Faith. Besides these core classes, students also take courses in research methods, interpersonal skills, and human development.

Graduates from this program have become vocational counselors, social workers, sport psychologists, trauma counselors, professors, organizational psychologists, and more. Some work in the church; others work in secular settings. As long as you’re passionate about psychology and counseling, you will prosper in this program. 

Johnson University’s pastoral care and counseling program prepares students for the nuances and challenges of the counseling profession in secular and Christian contexts. If you’re interested in immediately continuing to a master’s program, Johnson University is a great option. Its Master of Arts in counseling program is affordable, rewarding, and fast. Plus, undergraduates from JU will have a head-start in the program because of their familiarity with the school’s values.

Some courses in the pastoral care and counseling program are Encountering Cultures, Spiritual Formation for Ministry, Interpersonal and Family Relationships, and Conflict and Communication. These classes will teach you the techniques, ethics, and theories of counseling, with an emphasis on the Christian scripture that informs counseling methods.

Johnson University charges $450 per credit hour for its classes, making the school neither the most expensive nor the most affordable option on this list. But for the education you’re receiving and the connections you’ll have for the rest of your life, $450 per credit hour is an excellent deal. 

Lee University offers an excellent Bachelor of Arts program in ministry leadership with an emphasis on counseling. The program seeks to create the next generation of church leaders and visionaries. The curriculum comprises ministry leadership courses, the counseling emphasis, general electives, the religion core, and general education courses that include classes in the humanities, communication, natural sciences, and social sciences.

Some courses in the ministry leadership major are Introduction to Multicultural Ministry, Gospel of John, Ministry of Worship, and Christian Theology. Classes in the counseling emphasis include Theories of Counseling, Methods of Counseling, Pastoral Counseling, and Personality Theories. These courses have a secular nature, but they’re taught with a Christian worldview in mind. 

Lee University has many excellent scholarship opportunities available to students. The Centennial, Presidential, and Dean’s Scholarships are available to new students, each awarding $5,000 per year for four years. There are also three awards available to transfer students, which each grant students $1,000 or more per year for two or more academic years.

The University of South Dakota offers one of the country’s best Bachelor of Science in addiction counseling and prevention programs. And it’s all available for students online. The degree leads to licensure in South Dakota; it may or may not lead to licensure in your state of residence, but we encourage you to double-check your state’s licensure requirements before enrolling at the University of South Dakota.

Some courses in this program are Study of Alcohol Use and Addiction, Group Addiction Counseling Practicum, Fundamental Skills of Group Counseling for Addiction, Study of Drug Use and Addiction, and Pharmacology of Addiction. Students can specialize in prevention, treatment, or both, which each require two additional courses.

At $351.25 per credit hour, the University of South Dakota offers some of the most affordable programs on this list. Students can benefit from many financial aid opportunities, which include scholarships, grants, loans, and more. 

Regent University is one of the best Christian learning institutions in the nation. And the school’s Bachelor of Science in psychology with a concentration in clinical and counseling psychology shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s carefully designed to cater to the needs of aspiring counselors who prefer distance learning over on-campus settings. The program is more secular than many other Christian programs, but it’s rooted in Christian values and scripture.

The program includes 120 or more credits, and students take courses in eight-week batches. Some classes that students in this program take are Christian Doctrine, Research Methods, Developmental Psychology, Counseling Skills, Survey of Psychological Assessments, and Multicultural Psychology. These courses will teach you the ethics, theories, and practices necessary to psychologists and counselors. 

Online students pay $395 per credit hour if they’re full-time students or $450 per credit hour if they’re enrolled part-time. To gain admission to this program, students must submit transcripts, the online application, and a government I.D.

Old Dominion University offers a full program and degree completion option for its Bachelor of Science in psychology program. The full program includes 120 credits, which students usually complete in four years. The degree completion program requires students to complete at least 30 credits at ODU, meaning they can transfer up to 90 credits to the school. 

Students fulfill the 120-credit requirement with major and general education courses. Some classes that students take are Oral Communication Skills, Scientific Reasoning in Psychology, Quantitative Methods, Applied Psychology, and Developmental Changes. Students must supplement their Psychology major with a second major, interdisciplinary minor, certification program, or two upper division courses.

One significant benefit of Old Dominion University’s online platform is the opportunity to take classes where you want, when you want—there are no stringent class meeting times. Graduates from this program have become social workers, psychologists, human resource leaders, and public relation managers.

The University of Phoenix offers one of the more interesting programs on this list. The school’s Bachelor of Science in applied psychology with a concentration in media and technology suits professionals who want to work remotely, become remote counselors, and use media and technology to reach and captivate new audiences. The University of Phoenix program requires students to take one five-week course at a time, which students generally love.

Some notable classes from this program are Influence of Media on Behavior, Biological Foundations in Psychology, Social Psychology, Theories of Personality, Theories of Behavior, and Life Span Human Development. Students can take electives in business, communications, science, journalism, political science, natural science, and other subjects. 

The University of Phoenix allows students to transfer up to 90 credits from community colleges and accredited four-year undergraduate institutions. And with dozens of start times per year, students can begin their studies almost any time they wish. 

Northern Arizona University offers an excellent Bachelor of Psychological Science in psychological science. This program emphasizes critical thinking, interpersonal skills, the scientific method, analysis, and the communication skills required for counselors and psychologists. This degree is a general program: Students equally focus on clinical psychology, research, and the theories of psychology.

Some courses in this program are Research Methods In Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Senior Capstone: Special Topics, and Principles of Learning. These classes introduce students to the many angles and techniques involved in the many jobs that make up the psychology field.

Graduates from this program have become clinical psychologists, researchers, professors, counselors, lawyers, human resource executives, social workers, nurses, and more. At $455 per credit hour, Northern Arizona University offers a relatively affordable education, especially considering the breadth and outcomes of this program. If you’re undecided about your future but you know it’s in psychology, NAU is the best school for you.

Do you seek a bachelor’s degree, but a four-year program sounds unrealistic to you? If so, you’ll probably like Aspen University’s online Bachelor of Arts in psychology and addiction studies program. Students who attend the program full-time can finish this program in under three years, making this program one of the quickest on this list. And with start dates every two weeks, students can begin this program any time. 

Some courses in this program are Medical Terminology, Substance Abuse in Educational Settings, Multicultural Advocacy, Assessment Procedures in Addiction Studies, Psychology of Addiction, and Substance Abuse. These courses sit alongside general education classes that will give you an understanding of the liberal arts. Students must also complete a senior capstone, which is a comprehensive research project.

Are you interested in joining this fast and fantastic program? Applying students must submit the online application, high school transcripts, official transcripts from any attended undergraduate institution, military documentation if applicable, and proof of a 2.0 or higher GPA. 

Central Michigan University offers an excellent Bachelor of Science in psychology. Students can take this program online or in a hybrid setting, which includes some on-campus courses. Students in this program take general education, core, concentration, and elective courses to earn the 120 credits required to graduate from this program. 

Some notable courses that students in this program take are Psychedelics and Psychology, Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Psychological Sciences, Applications of Research Methods, Research Methods, and Developmental Psychology. These courses will offer you a comprehensive foundation in the theories and practices of psychology, and a unique perspective in niche subjects.

At $417-$434 per credit, Central Michigan University is a relatively affordable program. Prospective students should note the robust nature of the school’s psychology program. While you may pay more at CMU than many other schools, you’ll have access to more courses, better faculty, and greater networking opportunities compared with other online psychology programs. 

Arizona State University’s online Bachelor of Science in family and human development is one of the largest and most flexible programs offered on this list. Students can choose from many start dates and hundreds of classes. Arizona State University is one of the largest educational institutions in the world, and as a student here, you can expect that ASU employs some of the best faculty in the country.

Some of the featured courses of this program are Research Methods, Introduction to Statistics, Social Statistics, Family Ethnic and Cultural Diversity, and Marriage and Family Relationships. Prospective students should note that this program is more heavily based on social work and administration than counseling and psychology. Thus, only attend this program if you wish to work for government agencies, nonprofits, and private social work-related practices.

Students in this program take 40 classes to graduate. Each class requires seven-and-a-half weeks of study, which is generally shorter than most on-campus courses. 

Opiates, meth, cocaine. These drugs, especially opiates, are ravaging communities across the globe. If you want to be part of the solution, consider Brescia University’s online Bachelor of Science in addictions counseling program. Students in this program can enroll part-time or full-time, depending on the requirements of their family and professional lives. 

This program emphasizes mental health, addiction treatment plans, ethics of addictions counseling, and preparatory classes. Some courses that students in this program take are Behavioral Psychopharmacology, Psychology of Addictions, Community Prevention: Theory and Practice, Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Case Management & Documentation, and Addictions and the Family. Students must take fourteen courses in major requirements and three electives to fulfill the addictions counseling degree requirements. 

Online students at Brescia University pay $425 per credit hour, making BU one of the more affordable options on this list. The school also offers several scholarships to eligible students, which can contribute up to $20,000 per year toward your education. 

Utah State University has an excellent Bachelor of Science in family life studies. Students can choose an emphasis in human development or family relations, which each require students to take four classes in the concentration. Students should note that the major has a 3.0 requirement: You must take your education seriously and study meticulously to gain admittance to the program.

Some courses in the core major program are Human Sexuality, Research Methods, Family Finance, and Families and Cultural Diversity. Depending on your emphasis, some additional classes you may take are Preschool Education Orientation, Infancy and Childhood, Methods for Family Life Educators, Families Crises and Interventions, and Social and Family Gerontology. 

Utah State University students benefit from experienced faculty, outstanding networking opportunities, and expert-level courses that will take you toward your goals. Note that this program caters more toward social work, educating children and adults, and administration than counseling. If you wish to be a counselor, consider another program on this list.

It’s important to consider addiction from a sociological perspective. By zooming out and examining the trends in cultures and socioeconomic classes, one can gain a comprehensive understanding of the addiction epidemic plaguing the United States. And with that understanding, one can play a role in curbing the epidemic. If you’re interested in taking this approach, consider Fort Hays State University’s Bachelor of Science in sociology with an addictions counseling track.

Some courses in the sociology major are Understanding Society: Introductory Sociology, Cultural Anthropology, Methods of Social Research, and Grant Writing. Classes in the Addictions Counseling track include Introduction to Addictions, Individual Counseling in Addictions, Client Management Procedures, and Group Counseling with Addiction Populations. 

Graduates from this program have become alcohol and drug counselors, adoption agents, lawyers, labor relations specialists, child welfare officers, congressional aids, and battered spouse advocates. Whether you seek a career in social work, education, or addictions counseling, this program will get you there. 

Northwestern State University of Louisiana offers perhaps the best Bachelor of Science in addiction studies program in one of the states most plagued by the opiate epidemic. This program provides students with the insight required to understand the epidemic, the theory to understand counseling, and the practices to prosper in the field. Students take classes in the psychology and addiction studies departments to gain a balanced perspective.

Some courses in the psychology program are Physiological Psychology, Diversity Issues in Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Psychology of Gender. Some classes in the addiction studies core are Family Dynamic, Case Management, Addiction Counseling Skills, and Introduction to Addictions Disorders. These classes provide you the skills to prosper as a social worker, counselor, psychologist, or agency administrator.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana students benefit from some of the most affordable tuition rates in the nation, at $375 per credit hour up to 12 hours, then $100 per credit hour thereafter. 

The University of Texas – Permian Basin’s Bachelor of Arts in psychology program is one of the most versatile and affordable programs of its kind. Graduates use their psychology degree to become counselors, marketers, salespeople, law enforcement officers, human resource managers, lawyers, realtors, and more. And at $303.71 per credit hour, graduates from UTPB don’t face the crippling debt that students at most other colleges do. 

Some core psychology courses that students take are Lifespan Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Positive Psychology, and Drugs and Behavior. There are no specializations or concentrations in this degree, but every student must take eight psychology electives. They can also supplement their studies with a second major or a minor.

The University of Texas – Permian Basin’s psychology program is 100% online. Students take eight-week courses, and they can begin the program at one of six different start dates per year. And with minimal admittance requirements, including a 2.0 minimum GPA, UTPB accepts students who have struggled within the education system. 

Bellevue University’s online Bachelor of Science in behavioral science is a 127-credit program. The key subjects that make up this degree are psychology, sociology, social psychology, and counseling. And some frequent topics in this program are multicultural diversity, ethics, and treatment strategies. Graduates from this program often enter Bellevue University’s Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling and Master of Arts in human services programs.

Some notable courses in this program are Foundations for Professional Success in Behavioral Science, Introduction to Human Services, Counseling Microskills for Human Service Professionals, and Counseling Theories. These courses will provide you the necessary skills to become a psychologist, counselor, social worker, human service manager, attorney, social service administrator, and more.

Bellevue students pay $425 per credit hour, which is a moderate but generally affordable price. Prospective students should search through Bellevue University’s list of scholarships that are available for first-year students and transfer students.