20 Best Online Masters in Addictions and Recovery

Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Liberty University is a Christian University. Total enrollment sits at more than 100,000 and students study a curriculum that combines academic excellence with Christian faith. Students are otherwise known as ‘champions of Christ’. 

The Master’s in addiction counseling Program comprises 48 credit hours and lasts, on average, 2 years. It’s a fully online degree program made up of 8-week courses, and you can transfer in up to 50% of the total degree from past studies. As a graduate of this program, you’ll be ready to obtain your certification as a certified substance abuse counselor (CSAC). 

The degree will teach you assessment techniques in depth, in addition to the theory surrounding the substance abuse and addiction recovery process. You’ll also learn more about the psychology behind the causes of addiction and how to aid individuals stuck in harmful patterns that have led to their addictions. 

Liberty University is a non-profit institution, which makes their online programs some of the cheapest among the best online universities. Graduate level programs are charged at a full-time rate of $565.00 per credit hour, while the part-time rate is $615.00 per credit hour. 

The University of North Texas welcomes its new students into the ‘Mean Green Family’, a nickname given to the student body and faculties. You can choose from over 100 bachelor’s degrees, 88 master’s degrees, and 36 doctoral programs. Students are called ‘Eagles’ and study at 24 different colleges and schools, which makes the University of North Texas the biggest university in North Texas. 

UNT’s College of Health and Public Service offers the Master of Science in rehabilitation counseling. The program comprises 19 classes and has been ranked in 12th place for Best Graduate Rehabilitation Counseling Programs by the U.S. News & World Report; it was also the highest ranked program of its kind in Texas. 

Alumni of UNT’s rehabilitation counseling program have gone on to work in rehabilitation centers in the community, vocational rehabilitation organizations, schools, addiction clinics, and Veterans Affairs offices. You’ll help those with addiction disorders to overcome their addictions, find employment, and rebuild their lives. 

With a total of 60 credit hours, the average estimated cost of tuition and fees for Texas residents is $26,200. Out-of-state students who live outside of Texas are also charged a teaching fee. This varies from course to course, but a full breakdown can be found on the university website. 

This university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and has been through an assessment process to ensure that its programs adhere to the highest standards set by the Commission. Alumni of West Virginia University (WVU) have gone on to achieve greatness, gaining recognition that includes Truman, Goldwater, and Rhodes scholarships. 

West Virginia University was recently ranked among the top 1.5% of universities in the world by the Center for World University Rankings. The online Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling program is one of only 23 programs of its type in the U.S. While you’ll study dual specializations, they’re both conveniently combined into one program of study that integrates the two subject areas together. 

Thanks to the dual specializations, graduates of this program will also be prepared to work with a broader range of clients. You’ll be able to put together treatment plans and counseling that aids those with neurological events, chronic health problems, and mental health issues, in addition to substance abuse or other addictions. 

Tuition for graduate programs varies between $607.00 and $1,603.00 per credit hour, with all program fees included. This master’s degree comes in at the lower end of the scale, costing $628.00 per credit hour. You’ll take a total of 63 credit hours, so approximately $39,564 for the full cost of the program. 

The University of South Dakota (USD) is a large university with a small-college vibe. Dating back to 1862 under a different name, the institution has grown from a cohort of 69 students in 1883 to around 10,000 today. USD even has its own song; you can find the lyrics on their website. 

USD offers an MA in addiction counseling and prevention, which will prepare graduates to obtain the highest possible licensure offered by the state. Additionally, all programs at USD that are specific to addiction and substance use have been approved by the South Dakota Board of Addiction and Prevention Professionals. 

It’s a fully online program, which comprises as few as 33 credit hours on the advanced track, or 45 credit hours on the standard track. The track that you’re accepted into will depend on your certification status and academic performance in past endeavours. Full admissions criteria can be found in the graduate catalog. 

Online graduate programs are charged at a rate of $465.80 per credit hour. You may be eligible for financial aid, which can include scholarships, grants, student loans, and work-study programs. Some institution-specific scholarships are also available, which you can read more about here. 

The University of the Cumberlands has been welcoming students for over 120 years and places a strong emphasis on professional goals and employability. Nearly a quarter of students at the university are the first in their family to attend college, and yet the student body’s average GPA was recorded as approximately 3.2 on a 4.0 scale in a recent analysis. 

This online Master’s in addictions counseling is suited to either recent baccalaureate graduates, or practicing mental health counselors that want to broaden their knowledge and skills. The program is fully accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). What’s more, it’s the only online addiction counseling program in the U.S. to hold such accreditation. 

Courses that you’ll study include Psychopharmacology and Addictions, Motivation and Change, Family Therapy in Addiction Treatment, and Spirituality & Values in Counseling. You’ll take core coursework in areas such as psychological assessment, grief counseling, and human growth & development. You can graduate with a dual-licensure degree that sets you up to gain licensure as a professional counselor. 

Each credit hour for this program is charged at $400.00, with an additional $1,000 fee for textbooks and reference books. In total, you’ll pay around $24,000 in tuition, making the full cost of the course around $25,000. 

Nova Southeastern University has some of the best programs in the areas of healthcare and social sciences. The U.S. News & World Report ranked the school well at No. 165 in a list of the Top Performers on Social Mobility; this was thanks to NSU’s high levels of recruitment of low-income students. The full breakdown of the curriculum is available here. 

Nova Southeastern University offers numerous concentrations in its MS in counseling, one of which is the substance abuse counseling and education concentration. This comprises 48 credits if taken without the education track courses, or 60 credits if taken as a dual concentration. 

To be considered for entry into the program, you’ll need to provide official transcripts for your baccalaureate degree, which should be from an accredited institution. Your undergraduate degree in a related field will need to show that you’ve maintained a GPA of 2.5 or higher within the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate coursework completed. 

Tuition for master’s programs at Nova Southeastern is $790.00 per credit hour; this is cheaper than the cost of undergraduate study, which is $1,033 per credit hour. There’s a $50 application fee, plus a $30 registration fee, the latter of which is due each semester. 

Virginia Commonwealth University feels like one large family in many ways. There are a vast 432 student organizations and students contribute over 1.3 million hours of community service to local projects. There are also 35 sports clubs and 35 fraternities and sororities. 

Online@VCU offers an international program in addiction studies, which results in the M.S. in addiction studies degree. Your curriculum has been designed through a collaboration between VCU and two other institutions: Kings College London in England, UK; and the University of Adelaide in Australia. 

You’ll study entirely online at your own pace and can choose to study full-time or part-time. In total, the program comprises 36 credit hours minimum. By graduation, you’ll be able to apply addiction-related knowledge in the treatment of addiction disorders, design and implement treatment plans, and communicate your core knowledge of addiction. 

According to examples from VCU’s website, an average tuition payment for one semester of 9 to 15 credits is around $6,067 in tuition, plus $1,181 in fees. For a more accurate estimate, there is a tuition calculator available on the university’s website to generate your own estimate. At the time of collating this data, the tool was unavailable. 

According to The Princeton Review, The University of Oklahoma (OU) comes in the top 10 institutions in the country for academic excellence and tuition costs. The university was also ranked in the Top 10 Best Online Colleges by the U.S. News & World Report. 

This program focuses on a number of key areas, with courses lasting for 16 weeks. Degree topics include ethics; program implementation and evaluation; strategic planning and evaluation ethics; foundations in prevention science; cultural, social, and diversity issues; and prevention across the lifespan. 

Upon enrollment in the program, you’ll be connected with an advisor that will help you to create a unique graduation plan. The plan will clearly signpost and structure the courses you’ll need to complete, ensuring that your specific curriculum aligns with your career aspirations. 

Tuition for this program is charged at different rates for residents and non-residents. For graduate level study, residents pay $274.30 per credit hour, plus $163.25 in mandatory fees; this makes for a total of $437.55 per credit hour. Non-residents pay $885.10 tuition and the same level of fees, for a total of $1,048.35 per credit hour. 

The University of Buffalo’s (UB) recreational program includes Division I athletics, over 300 student organizations and clubs, and live music concerts. In fact, there’s a bunch of useful facts on the university’s website that highlight a lot of what goes on around campus, in addition to UB’s environmental responsibility. 

This MS in rehabilitation counseling has been accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and the New York State Education Department. According to the institution’s website, it is the most affordable CACREP-accredited program in Western New York. 

As part of the program, you’ll normally complete up to three semesters of clinical placement work, giving you a solid foundation of real-world experience by the time you graduate. Recent studies by the university have shown that 100% of graduates were working in the rehabilitation counseling field after being surveyed a year later. 

The average cost of a master’s degree program at the University of Buffalo is around $7,200 per semester. You’ll need to complete a total of 48 credits for graduation, with most students requiring 4 to 6 full-time semesters to complete all required courses. 

Monmouth University welcomes a lot of first-generation students, with half the student body the first of their family to get a college education. While we’re talking statistics, around a third of students at the institution are eligible to apply for the Pell Grant. 

Monmouth University offers the MA in addiction studies, which comprises 33 credit hours and prepares you for licensure as a licensed clinical alcohol & drug counselor (LCADC). It’s suited to any student who is either looking to build on the knowledge and skills gained from an undergraduate degree or to change career tracks. 

As the program has been built around the educational requirements of the LCADC licensure in NJ, you’ll be able to work in numerous fields in the substance abuse and addiction recovery field. The program is fully accredited by both NASAC and INCASE, and can be taken full-time or part-time. 

Tuition for graduate students at Monmouth is $1,233.00 per credit hour, which is above average compared to other institutions we’ve ranked. However, graduate students may be eligible for some financial aid, including assistantships, loans, and scholarships. There are also limited positions around campus that allow you to work as a research assistant in exchange for credit towards tuition.

Grand Canyon University is one of the fastest growing institutions in the state, offering courses at both undergraduate and graduate level, and taught on-campus and online. Founded in 1949, the first academic year saw around 100 students enroll, taught by 16 members of faculty. 

Taught by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, this program combines classroom (or online) instruction with real-world, clinical experiences. The carefully designed curriculum will introduce you to evidence-based disorders associated with substance abuse, and how to treat them. You’ll take courses such as professional ethics, major counseling theories, and psychopharmacology. 

For admission into the program, you’ll need an existing undergraduate degree from an accredited college, with a GPA of at least 2.8 or higher. Students who don’t meet this requirement aren’t automatically excluded however; you may still be eligible for admission if you have scored 500 or higher on the GMAT, or 300 or higher on the GRE. 

Tuition rates for online and evening programs at GCU depend on the program. Most programs fall within the range of $395 to $690 per credit hour. The MS in addiction counseling comes in at $545.00 per credit hour. A Net Price Calculator is available for the full cost breakdown. 

Post University has been around for more than 130 years and offers courses at the undergraduate and graduate level. As an enrolled student, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services, including academic advice, financial aid, tutoring services, and career and employability support. 

The Master of Science in counseling and human services is studied fully online and suitable for those with an undergraduate degree in an area such as psychology, human services, or criminal justice. After graduation, you might find yourself working in a mental health facility, correctional facility, community service center, or geriatric facility. 

Your key areas of study will be in the areas of addiction prevention, treatment, psycho-education diagnosis, and assessment and intervention. You’ll conclude your program with an internship, practicum, and capstone. These placements will give you valuable clinical experience in a professional environment. 

Tuition for this master’s degree is charged at a rate of $570.00 per credit hour, which is the cheapest available rate offered by Post University for graduate level studies. You will also likely be required to pay a technology fee of $50 per term and an electronic course materials fee of $90 per course. 

Dating back to 1969, Governors State University is a four-year public institution. It’s accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and what’s more, every program in the catalog either has professional accreditation or accreditation is being sought. With more than 5,500 students, the university provides more than 64 degrees and 24 certificates at undergraduate and graduate level. 

The curriculum for the MHS (Master of Health Science) in addictions studies is fully accredited by the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association (IAODAPCA). It is also accredited by the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC). If eligible, you may also opt to take the criminal justice internship, which satisfies the requirements for the Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional. 

You have three choices when it comes to structuring your studies. You may study entirely online, with no need to attend any on-campus classes. Alternatively, you may complete a hybrid course, where half of the coursework is completed online, or study exclusively on-campus. 

The majority of master’s degree programs have the same rate of tuition at GSU. You’ll pay $353 per credit hour as a resident of Illinois or Indiana, or $706 per credit hour as an out-of-state student. Some additional fees apply, including a graduation fee of $125 and an application fee of $50. 

Founded in 1978, Recent University is located in Virginia Beach and has been recently ranked among the top universities in the country by U.S. News & World Report. The institution has also performed highly in other reports from the same organization, including 2020’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs in Virginia. 

The human services program is as well-reviewed as the institution itself. Collegerank.com ranked Regent University in 6th place for the Best Online Master’s Degrees in Human Services 2020. This master’s degree sees graduates working in roles like substance abuse counselor, pastoral counselor, clinical case manager, or medical services manager. 

For admission, you’ll need to hold a BS or BA from an accredited college or university and in a relevant field. Degrees in counseling, psychology, or other human services related fields may be accepted, though other subjects will be considered. You’ll need to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on all undergraduate coursework too. 

You’ll take an average of 9 credits per semester, totaling 30 credits overall. Tuition is billed at $595.00 per credit hour, with an estimated overall cost of $17,850 for the entire program, or $5,355 per semester. This is the cheapest tuition rate available under the School of Psychology & Counseling. 

Founded in 1965, UMass Boston is the only public research university in the city, with a student body comprising more than 16,000 students. With UMB Online, you’ll have remote access to the same standard of program as students studying on campus. Courses are taught by the same faculties and managed directly by the university. 

There are two tracks on Umass Boston’s MS in Rehabilitation Counseling: clinical rehabilitation counseling and vocational rehabilitation counseling. Both tracks are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The best track for you depends on your career aspirations after graduation. 

The curriculum is made up of 17 three-credit courses, 2 four-credit courses, and 1 one-credit course, for a total of 60 credit hours. While tuition and fees vary from course to course and campus to campus, most graduate level courses cost between $1,230 and $2,250 per credit hour. Whether you’re a Massachusetts resident or out-of-state, you’ll pay the same tuition. 

However, this fully online program runs far cheaper at a cost of $575 per credit hour. What’s more, around 75% of students are granted scholarships that cover as much as 75% to 100% of their tuition. Bear in mind that the estimates above are based on the typical scenario, but other fees may be applicable. 

Established in 1879, Union College has affiliations with the United Methodist Church and offers nearly 40 majors. Just 30% of students live on campus, so you won’t feel out of place among the other 70% of commuting students and distance learners. Class sizes are small too, with a student/faculty ratio of 12:1. 

According to the Union College program guide, their Master of Science in substance abuse counseling was recently ranked among the top 5 programs of its kind in the nation for affordability. Comprising 60 credit hours, the program is fully online and has been created to meet licensure criteria for substance abuse counselors in Kentucky. 

You can apply for the program providing you have a minimum GPA of 2.5 from your undergraduate degree. Alternatively, if you’re already enrolled in Union College’s Chemical Dependency Counselor Certificate’ (CDCC), you may be able to transfer to the substance abuse counseling program. 

Tuition varies widely depending on your residency and school or college of study. A full list of tuition fees can be found on the college’s website. It’s worth noting that every student at Union College receives an institutional scholarship. According to their website, the average student award in one recent year was nearly $23,000. 

Established in 1966, Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) is a Christian university that blends academic excellence with Christian faith and values. The university shapes graduates who will go into their respective professions and champion the values of Christianity through their work. IWU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. 

In this program you will expand your theoretical knowledge and practical skills around the subject of addictions counseling. Should you take a clinical placement as part of your program, you’ll also gain valuable clinical experience that could boost your employability after graduation. You will also be ready to take state licensure or national certification assessments as a graduate, leading to potentially higher salary ceilings and new opportunities. 

After successful completion of all course work, you will be ready to engage with those who have addictions to substances or other addictive behaviors, including eating, gambling, and sexual disorders. However, as IWU is a Christian institution, you will also learn how to incorporate your beliefs into your practice as a professional. 

There are various majors available for this subject area, though the tuition remains the same across each of them; you’ll pay $578 per credit hour. The clinical addictions counseling major comprises 48 credit hours, though you can see the other programs here. 

Assumption College is a Catholic institution that brings together religious students from across the world; the study body comprises individuals from 30 U.S. states and 14 countries worldwide. It’s sponsored by the Augustinians of the Assumption and has had considerable success with its graduates, 95% of whom were employed or in further education within six months of graduation, according to a recent survey. 

Assumption College’s MA in Rehabilitation Counseling was awarded a place on the ranking of Best Rehabilitation Counseling Programs by the U.S. News & World Report. For admission consideration, you’ll need to submit your application with 2 letters of recommendation, your official bachelor’s degree transcripts, a personal statement, and your current resume. 

The curriculum focuses on key areas that include individual and group counseling, medical and psychiatric rehabilitation, disability management and rehabilitation planning, case and caseload management, consumer advocacy, and vocational assessment, career counseling, and job placement. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in a practicum that allows you to put your new skills into practice. 

Tuition for graduate programs at Assumption College costs $740.00 per credit hour. There are also additional fees, including a $20 registration fee per semester and a $50 technology fee per semester. For online distance learning programs, there is no application fee. 

Based in Dayton, Ohio, Wright State University (WSU) is a public institution with over 13,000 students who study one of nearly 300 degree programs. Campus comprises 11 different colleges and schools, with another campus located in Celina. WSU didn’t pluck its name out of thin air; the institution is named after the Wright brothers. 

Wright State University’s addiction counseling program leads to a Master of Rehabilitation Counseling (MRC), and prepares you to take assessments leading to professional counseling licensure, or LPC in the state of Ohio. However, you should be aware that the program doesn’t include rehabilitation study and will not qualify you for the certified rehabilitation counselor credential (CRCC). 

For admission into the program, you will need to hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 or better, in addition to a GRE score of at least 291 (or MAT scaled score of 403). Alternatively, a 3.3 cumulative minimum GPA is sufficient in place of the above. This is in addition to the usual admissions process and requirements. 

Graduate tuition is around $7,149 for Ohio residents, for between 11 and 18 credit hours, or $12,143 for non-Ohio residents. For between 1 and 10.5 credit hours, the cost of tuition is $660.00 per credit hour for in-state students, and $1,125 per credit hour for out-of-state students.