For those who dream of becoming an addiction counselor, earning an addiction counseling degree likely seems like the first step. However, you do have two options – pursuing a college degree or opting for an addiction counseling certificate. Let’s take a look at these two options.
The field of addiction counseling is expanding rapidly and that means there is a growing demand for certified counselors. As a student, you can either opt to earn a bachelor’s degree, which will take about four years to complete, or opt for a shorter certificate program. At Sober College, our certificate program takes just six months to complete. But which option is right for you?
Option 1: Earn A Bachelor’s Degree
Many colleges and universities offer addiction counseling degree programs, and many even offer their programs 100% online. While these programs take as long as four years to complete and have a significant price tag, they can open the door for you to take on more advanced counseling roles with higher salaries.
Additionally, with a bachelor’s degree, the coursework will be broader in scope, including many general education courses as well as classes covering addiction science, ethics and mental health.
Option 2: Complete A CADC Program
A CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) is a common type of licensed addiction counselor. You can become a CADC with or without a bachelor’s degree, and whether you possess a degree or not, the daily work tasks you will handle are about the same.
CADCs are a type of counselor recognized in most states, although sometimes the names vary. One state might use the term CADC while another uses License Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) or might use Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (AOD), etc.
CADCs typically must complete 315 hours of addiction studies education from an approved provider.
These hours can be completed at a traditional university or from an approved provider such as Sober College of Addiction Studies. Our educational program takes just six months to complete. This is a huge advantage over similar programs at universities, which can take several years to complete.
Our program also costs significantly less than university programs and we offer rolling admissions, so you can get started at any time. Additionally, Sober College is 100% online, which is convenient for working adults. The program is IC&RC-approved, CCAPP-approved and NAADAC-approved, and can be used in most states, except Alaska, Montana and North Dakota.
Beyond Education: Additional Steps You Must Take
Whether you earn a bachelor’s or choose our program, there are additional steps that you must take to become a certified drug and alcohol counselor. All candidates must complete 255 hours of practicum experience, which is like an internship. During this practicum, you must spend at least 21 hours handling each of the 12 Core Functions of Addiction Counselor.
Typically, you will complete your practicum concurrently along with your addiction studies curriculum. Students at Sober College can begin their practicum upon completion of their first class and most universities also will include the practicum as part of their program. You also will need to pass the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) exam.
Additionally, all candidates must complete a specific number of supervised work experience hours. For those without a college degree, you can become a CADC-I after completing 3,000 hours of supervised work. Then you can work toward becoming a CADC-II which requires 6,000 hours of supervised work.
If you do earn a bachelor’s degree, you will need to complete 4,000 hours of supervised work experience, and this will allow you to become a CADC-III. Only people with a bachelor’s degree can become a CADC-III.
Your practicum hours will be included in your supervised work experience hour total, and beyond the practicum, this will be paid work. You will be handling all of the typical day-to-day tasks that certified counselors conduct, you simply will be working under a supervisor.
So, should you earn your addiction counseling degree or opt for a program like Sober College? Both options will lead you to a career where you help others and you will end up handling the same tasks, regardless of your degree. The main advantage of earning a bachelor’s degree is that you tend to earn a higher salary, but that will need to be contrasted with the cost of paying for university tuition.
If you are looking to jumpstart into a new career, opting for our counseling program can be the best option. Our tuition is just $4,250 with no hidden fees or additional costs aside from books, which range from $300 to $500 total.
At Sober College, you don’t have to sacrifice academic excellence in order to achieve your career goals. Our program is taught by experienced professional counselors, with extensive clinical experience, many of whom are still in the workforce, ensuring that you can trust that their knowledge is up-to-date and relevant.
Enroll Now At Sober College!
While earning a bachelor’s addiction counseling degree can be a good option for some, if you want to quickly complete the requirements of substance abuse counselor certification, Sober College can be the best option. Head to the Get Started tab on our homepage to download our application or to make additional inquiries about our program.
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