BS in Behavioral Health Science: Substance Use Disorders Emphasis
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Grand Canyon University's Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health Science with an Emphasis in Substance Use Disorders introduces you to behavioral health, substance abuse and addiction. In the U.S., half of all people ages 12 and older have used illicit substances at least once in their lifetime, and over 25% of them have a substance use disorder.1 Substance abuse counseling services are intended to help these individuals recover from substance use.
This program’s curriculum can offer a strong foundation for those who want to go on to pursue a master’s degree in counseling, mental health, criminal justice, clinical psychology, forensic psychology or social work.
This bachelor’s program teaches you about the foundations of substance abuse and its effects on individuals and communities. You will have the opportunity to practice rapport-building and interviewing skills, identify various assessment tools and implement documentation strategies for treatment plans. You will also examine ethical codes and organizational policies.
With online courses at GCU, you will have the opportunity to further your education from virtually anywhere. You can access your coursework materials via our interactive digital learning platform, which allows for virtual interactions with your fellow learners and instructors. As an online student, you can benefit from the same quality of education as GCU’s on-campus students, but with the convenience and flexibility of completing courses without geographical restrictions.
Although online education is an option available to you at GCU, you may prefer to take substance abuse courses in person. As a behavioral health science major on campus, you can enjoy face-to-face class discussions and interactions with your peers. Furthermore, you’ll be immersed within our faith-based learning environment, which encourages students to actively participate in worship activities and community service initiatives.
As a BS in Behavioral Health Science student specializing in substance use disorders, you will be exposed to a broad range of content areas, including:
This program also includes a capstone project that is a culmination of the program’s curricular focus, in which you will prepare a written proposal community-based behavioral health organization.
Core Competencies and Domains
The substance abuse courses are designed to emphasize GCU’s five critical competencies: effective communication, innovative thinking, Christian worldview, transformative leadership and global contribution.
Additionally, this emphasis in substance use disorders covers these core domains:
All Behavioral Health Science Emphases
Discover additional behavioral health science emphasis options that can help you find the right path for your academic and career aspirations.
Throughout the substance abuse courses in this program, you will be taught the skills that can help make a positive impact on the lives of others in the community you serve.
With a firm foundation of behavioral health science and substance use disorder competencies, graduates may pursue a career as a:
Behavioral health technician, specialist or paraprofessional
Psychiatric or mental health technician
Social or community service manager
Case manager
Substance Use Disorders Specializations
A professional who understands how to address substance use may find work across a variety of settings and specializations.
These may include:
In addition, you may decide to further your education and expand your career opportunities by pursuing a graduate-level degree that leads to licensure as a mental health or substance abuse counselor, or as a clinical psychologist. Licensure requirements vary by state and occupation.
Working with individuals who are struggling with substance use disorders is a significant responsibility. It’s important to ensure that the school and program you choose for your substance abuse courses offer quality education that can allow you to prepare to enter the field ready to make a positive difference. GCU is pleased to have institutional accreditation. Our accreditation is a reflection of the priority we place on the quality of education.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before making any decisions regarding your future career path and higher education, it’s recommended that you take some time to research your options. The following FAQs and answers can help you get started.
Although many people may lawfully use substances like alcohol in moderation, not all of them will necessarily develop a substance use problem. Similarly, trying an illicit substance once does not necessarily give rise to a disorder in every instance. Rather, a substance use disorder is typically defined as the continued and uncontrollable use of a substance despite suffering adverse problems because of it. A person with this type of disorder will continue to use alcohol, tobacco or illicit substances even as they have difficulty functioning in their day-to-day life, and even as they begin to suffer consequences.2
The Bachelor of Science in Counseling with an Emphasis in Addiction, Chemical Dependency and Substance Abuse may qualify you to become eligible for licensure and includes fieldwork to help you put theories into practice. You will have the opportunity to directly work with those affected by substance abuse.
Similarly, a BS in Behavioral Health Science that emphasizes substance abuse disorders examines counseling theories and the foundations of substance abuse. However, this degree does not lead to licensure. In this degree program, you will have the opportunity to gain competencies for a career as a behavioral health technician or other non-licensed behavioral health professions.
The counseling degree is specific to counseling and addiction, while a student receiving this behavioral health science degree may have added flexibility to pursue different pathways. Those taking a behavioral health science degree might also choose to pursue a graduate degree in counseling that can lead to licensure.
A behavioral health scientist is a professional who generally focuses more on research and theory, rather than hands-on application. For example, a behavioral scientist may seek to understand why people begin using and become addicted to substances, but they might not necessarily work one-on-one with individuals in an attempt to treat substance use. This is a different profession than hands-on roles like a behavioral health technician or case manager. Generally, an aspiring behavioral scientist will need a graduate degree, such as a doctorate or at least a master’s. They may also need a certification or license, depending on their state and employer requirements.3
Prepare to make a positive impact in the lives of those struggling with substance abuse disorders. Fill out the form on this page to learn more about GCU’s behavioral health science learning community online or on campus.
Visit the "State Disclosures" section on the page of the program you’re interested in at gcu.edu for details on state restrictions.
- National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics. (n.d.). Drug Abuse Statistics. National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics. Retrieved Oct. 3, 2023.
- American Psychiatric Association. (2020, December). What Is A Substance Use Disorder? American Psychiatric Association. Retrieved Oct. 3, 2023.
- Indeed. (2022, June 2024). What Does A Behavioral Scientist Do? Role and Job Duties. Indeed. Retrieved Oct. 3, 2023.