Overview
Research on substance abuse reveals that about 23.5 million people over age 12 in the United States have had some form of substance use disorder in the past year.* The toll of abuse is widespread and devastating to individuals and their families. They desperately need caring, compassionate substance abuse practitioners to help them overcome their struggle with addiction. Capella’s Master’s in Addiction Studies is designed to provide graduate-level counseling competencies necessary to help these individuals. Our program incorporates online coursework and a residency embedded in a 6-week course, which lets you learn and practice basic skills in your specialization. Position yourself for increased career opportunities in the fast-growing field of substance abuse treatment.
* 2013 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Survey on Drug Use and Health
The Building Blocks of Your Master’s Program
Earn your master’s degree in Addiction Studies in as little as two years with a curriculum that covers theoretical and practical skills necessary to offer treatment for addictive behavior. This program includes a course in supervision and program management along with 300 hours of internship to complement your academic coursework. This aligns with the common International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium requirements that states have set for credentialing examinations.
View a sample course sequence to understand program timing and see how your coursework, residency, and field work all fit together.
Degree Outcomes
With your Master's in Addiction Studies from Capella, you'll learn to identify behaviors and situations and apply counseling theories, models, and approaches to individuals and groups who face addiction. You'll also apply knowledge, skills, and best practices related to addiction treatment, and select appropriate assessments to evaluate clients and develop a treatment plan. Discover specifically what you'll learn — and how you can apply it.
Career Outcomes*
An online Master's in Addiction Studies degree can prepare you for positions in treatment and prevention programs, as well as general clinical settings where addiction professionals serve as members of a treatment team. Common jobs include addictions counselor, case manager, chemical dependency counselor, chemical dependency professional, clinical counselor, and correctional substance abuse counselor. Potential workplaces include mental health facilities, educational institutions, health care or management/administration, government agencies, vocational rehabilitation, and criminal justice/corrections.
*Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition.
*Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, endorsement, certification, authorization, other professional credential or salary advancement. State regulations and professional credential standards vary. It is the learner's responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for their states and professional associations. For more information on licensure, see the Licensure section on the School’s website.