Master of Science in Addiction Counseling


The Master of Science in Addiction Counseling degree is for learners who wish to pursue careers as addiction counseling professionals, treating individuals with substance abuse\dependency disorders. With a master‛s in addiction counseling, graduates may be prepared to own and operate their own counseling clinic or work in a variety of settings including private practice, substance abuse clinics, group practices, and hospital settings. The demand for licensed addiction counselors is expected to grow in both the public and private sectors in the foreseeable future. A master's degree is a required step for individuals seeking the highest level of licensing and/or certification in many states.

The Master of Science in Addiction Counseling degree focuses on the following topics: theories of addiction, drug classification, assessment, and treatment; professional counseling orientation and ethics; counseling theories; group counseling theory and practice; social and cultural diversity issues in counseling; psychopharmacology theories of drug abuse, addiction, and treatment; psychiatric disorders in combination with an alcohol and/or drug abuse disorder; family issues and addictive disorders; diagnostics, assessment and treatment; and counseling chemically dependent adolescents.

A pre-practicum or supervised field work experience concludes the program, under the supervision of a faculty member. Following the pre-practicum, students take part in a supervised practicum/internship experience to develop their counseling skills and to perform all the activities that a regularly employed professional counselor would be expected to perform in a supervised setting.

Graduates from the Grand Canyon University Master of Science in Addiction Counseling program are prepared to meet the academic requirements for licensure in Arizona as a Licensed Associate Substance Abuse Counselor (LASAC) OR a Licensed Independent Substance Abuse Counselor (LISAC). Additionally, program graduates from most other states will be academically prepared to begin the process of seeking certification and/or licensure in their home state. Licensing and/or certification requirements may vary from state-to-state. It is the students‛ responsibility to check the licensing/certification requirements in their respective states.

Program Disclosure

Category Non-Traditional Traditional
Books & Supplies (Per Program) $935 N/A
Tuition & Fees (Per Program) $18,370 N/A
Room & Board (Per Semester, If Applicable) $3,434
On Time Graduation Rate 51% N/A
Median Private Loan Debt $0 N/A
Median TIV Loan Debt $42,674 N/A
Median Institutional Financing Plan Debt N/A N/A

Program SOC

Occupations
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
Mental Health Counselors
  1. It is the policy of the University to collect and remit sales, use, excise and/or gross receipts taxes in compliance with state and local taxing jurisdiction regulations which require the University to remit tax where applicable. These regulations vary by location. Please note: It is also the policy of the University to require payment of sales, use, excise, and/or gross receipts tax. Payment of tax is ultimately the student's financial responsibility to the University regardless of financing arrangements. Per Hawaii requirements: It is hereby stated that students residing in the State of Hawaii will be charged Hawaii General Excise Tax on all transactions. Students living in the District of Oahu will be charged 4.5%. Students residing in other Hawaii districts will be charged 4.0%.
  2. Book costs are based on an average. Costs may increase or decrease depending on electronic availability or publisher's book costs.
  3. Room and board costs may be higher or lower depending on housing and meal plan choice. This number is based on an average for students on campus.
  4. Some Non-Traditional programs may be offered on the ground campus or on-line.
  5. N/A identifies that a program is not offered in that modality or that fewer than 10 students graduated within the reported timeframe.
  6. Tuition and Fees for each program are based on current rates. Future Tuition and Fee Rates may vary. Tuition was calculated using the number of credit hours in the program times the current tuition rate and includes the Graduation Fee. Full time students enrolled at a program taken at the main campus include a Student Activity Fee, charged every semester. Online programs include a one time Learning Management Fee. Some programs may also include additional fees based on course materials.
  7. On-time graduation rates and median loan debt are based on students who graduated in the 2011-2012 award year.
  8. Not all GCU programs are available in all states and in all learning modalities.
  9. Program availability is contingent on student enrollment.

Disclosure Information

* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.

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