Overview

Students of the Substance Abuse Counseling online program offered by the University of Cincinnati are prepared through a program grounded in current research and proven practice in the field of substance abuse to be qualified clinicians. Substance abuse counseling instructors represent a broad range of experience, skills and knowledge in the field including faculty with research and training expertise as well as experienced practitioners in drug and alcohol treatment across many demographic groups.

Students in the online substance abuse counseling program have the option of completing the bachelor of science degree on campus or as an online, distance learning student. The on-campus student will attend classes in the traditional face-to-face delivery method, but also will take classes delivered online via Blackboard - UC's advanced course development and delivery software. Distance learning students will complete their coursework entirely via the Blackboard computer-based format, with no obligation to travel to UC's campus.

Success

Students who have an interest in working in the community to provide assistance to others are great candidates for the degree in substance abuse counseling. Students in the substance abuse counseling program may enhance their education by choosing an area of study within the degree requirements that can include child abuse recognition or another human service-related area.

Students who excel in the substance abuse counseling program often have very strong interpersonal skills and work well with others. Excellent written and verbal communications skills are also a plus.

Career

The online substance abuse counseling program is designed to help full-time students and career professionals gain the knowledge, competencies and skills needed to work in the field or to begin a career working with addicted persons.

Aspects of the program are also suited to those who may come in contact with and may need to assist addicted persons, including probation, parole and corrections officers, social workers, mental health professionals, nurses and other medical staff, guidance counselors, psychologists and certified or licensed professionals who want to enhance their career potential or clinical privileging.

Upon program completion, students will have met all academic requirements for licensure under Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board guidelines. (Additional field practice hours are required for eligibility to take the state OCDPB license examination as well as other application requirements).