Are addiction counselors in need?

The BLS estimates job growth for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors to be 17% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average, for an estimated increase of 81,000 jobs in the field.3

Online Master’s in Addiction Counseling Degree

Q: How much can an addiction counselor make?

The median annual national wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors was $59,190 in May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.4 During this same timeframe, government and hospitals were the top-paying employers for substance abuse counselors.4

Overview

Study Skills and Techniques Needed for Substance Use Counseling

Substance use and addictive disorders are diseases that negatively impact individuals, families and communities. As an aspiring addiction counselor, you have the opportunity to effect meaningful change in the lives of those in your community. The Master of Science in Addiction Counseling program at Grand Canyon University offers a curriculum that teaches evidence-based assessments and treatments for substance use disorders.

Offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, this master’s degree in addiction counseling online¹ blends classroom instruction with practical learning experiences. You will be introduced to matters of professional ethics, counseling theories and principles, psychopharmacology and chemical dependency in adolescents and adults. Graduates with a master’s in addiction counseling can position themselves to pursue licensure and work opportunities in various settings.

Master of Science in Addiction Counseling

Offered By

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Class Settings

Online

Tuition Rate

Online: $600 per credit [More Info]

Cost of Attendance

Course Information

Credits: 36

Online: 8 weeks

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Transfer Credits

Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)

Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements (Master's)

Undergraduate Degree*
2.8+ GPA

OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and

GMAT: 500
GRE: 300 combined**

Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).

Why GCU

Build Your Career With an MS in Addiction Counseling

If you are interested in pursuing a career as a licensed substance use counselor, obtaining a master’s in addiction counseling can help prepare you to meet the licensure requirements in most states. You can gain valuable academic skills and knowledge to enhance your qualifications for a career in addiction counseling. Below, you can explore some of the benefits of choosing GCU for your degree program.

Online Learning

An Online Addiction Counseling Degree Designed for Your Schedule

Our online¹ master’s in addiction counseling can help you balance your studies with personal and professional commitments. The user-friendly online learning platform encourages collaboration between students and instructors, providing a supportive educational experience.

Coursework

Master’s Degree in Addiction Counseling Online Coursework

The master’s in addiction counseling program features experienced instructors and focuses on skills in communication, ethical decision-making and servant leadership. Students complete a Pre-Practicum and a Practicum/Internship, which involve structured, in-person supervised fieldwork that includes counseling-related and direct-contact practicum hours. These hands-on experiences help apply classroom knowledge, refine clinical skills and build confidence in mental health settings.

The program covers key topics essential to the practice of addiction counseling, including:

Multicultural counseling theories and competencies, and strategies for diverse populations, including immigrants and refugees
Stages and effects of substance use, as well as the professional’s role in prevention, intervention and aftercare
Major counseling theories, including motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral, contingency management, solution focused and reality/choice therapy.
Screening, assessing and treating individuals with co-occurring disorders and risk management strategies

Careers

Career Opportunities for Graduates With a Master’s in Addiction Counseling

Qualified counselors are necessary to address the growing need for substance use and addictive disorder treatment.² Graduating with an MS in Addiction Counseling from GCU can position you to pursue licensure in Arizona as a licensed associate substance abuse counselor (LASAC). Depending on the specific requirements of other states, you may also be eligible to seek licensure or additional certification.

Professionals may find opportunities in the following settings:

Inpatient addiction treatment facilities

Outpatient treatment programs

Jails, prisons and juvenile detention centers

Community mental health agencies

Human services organizations

81,000

Estimated number of new substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselor jobs from 2024 to 2034³

$59,190

Median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors in May 2024⁴

Accreditation

NASAC Accreditation

The Master of Science in Addiction Counseling is programmatically accredited by the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC). NASAC aims to provide legitimacy to the study of addiction science by offering structured curriculum standards and expectations for faculty. Additionally, NASAC accreditation provides purpose in the classroom, creating a connection between learned objectives and actual applications. This accreditation may benefit master’s in addiction counseling online¹ graduates who are seeking state licensure as an addiction counselor.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Before applying to the Master of Science in Addiction Counseling program, you may have questions. Explore these frequently asked for answers and reach out to one of our university counselors for more information.

A master's degree in addiction counseling online, along with necessary licensure, can help you position yourself for potential career opportunities in substance use counseling, postsecondary education and leadership roles in addiction recovery and mental health services.

Addiction counselors may work in a variety of settings, depending on their areas of interest and expertise. These may include specialized treatment programs, mental health centers, prisons and halfway houses, detox centers, hospitals, colleges and schools. Some addiction counselors work in residential care centers.

The median annual national wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors was $59,190 in May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.⁴ During this same timeframe, government and hospitals were the top-paying employers for substance abuse counselors.⁴

Educational requirements for substance use counselors vary by state, so you should research licensing criteria for your intended practice location before applying to a degree program. Generally, a master’s degree in counseling is required, and programs focused on substance use and addictive disorders can prepare you for a career in addiction counseling. Additionally, opportunities for furthering your education include GCU's Post-Master of Science in Addiction Counseling Certificate.

In addition to pursuing an education as an aspiring substance use and addiction counselor, you can benefit from developing communication skills, interpersonal skills and active listening skills. Equally important are qualities like compassion, empathy and patience, which can help build trust and support clients through their recovery. Alongside formal education, cultivating these skills can enhance your effectiveness in counseling settings.

The BLS estimates job growth for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors to be 19% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than average, for an estimated increase of 84,500 jobs in the field.³

Courses

Program Curriculum

Credit Summary

Major36 credits

Degree Requirements36 credits

Core Courses

UNV-502

2 Total Credits

PCN-505

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides a broad understanding of counseling ethics, legal standards, and responsibilities, including professional identity, report writing, record keeping, and service reimbursement for addiction counselors. Also covered are the history of and current trends in counseling. Important goals of this course are to help students develop a strong personal and professional ethic, as well as an appreciation for the value of professional collaboration and identity.

PCN-500

3 Total Credits

PCN-501

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides a broad understanding of the stages, processes, and effects of substance use disorders, social and psychological dynamics of substance use disorders, and the professional's role in prevention, intervention, and aftercare, including recovery and relapse prevention. This course explores theories and models of treatment of substance use disorders, drug classification, and assessment. It also continues building foundational knowledge, utilization of professional resources, and exploration of standards to help students prepare for licensure/certification within the counseling industry.

PCN-509

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides a broad understanding of issues and trends in a multicultural and diverse society. Studies in this area include the following: attitudes and behaviors based on such factors as age, race, religious preference, physical disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity and culture, family patterns, gender, socioeconomic status and intellectual ability; individual, family, group, and community strategies for working with diverse populations; theories of multicultural counseling and identity development; and multicultural competencies. Students examine a variety of cultural populations in multiple regions of the United States, exploring issues and trends that are associated with each population. Cultural considerations for immigrants, refugees, and undocumented immigrants are also addressed.

PCN-520

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides a broad understanding of group development, group dynamics, group counseling theories, and ethical standards with reference to professional and substance use disorders counseling. The course also addresses group process components, appropriate selection criteria, developmental stage theories, group members' roles and behaviors, and group leadership styles and approaches. The course includes didactic and experiential group learning. Required synchronous group experience: 12 hours.

PCN-527

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course introduces students to the basic principles of psychopharmacology and the effects of psychoactive substances. Students examine the behavioral, psychological, physiological and social effects of psychoactive substance use, and learn to recognize symptoms of intoxication, withdrawal, and toxicity. The class covers various screening options, limitations, legal implications, and the utilization of pharmacotherapy as part of substance addiction treatment.

PCN-529

3 Total Credits

PCN-531

3 Total Credits

PCN-610

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides a conceptual framework for the use of assessment and diagnostic tools for the development of appropriate treatment interventions for a variety of behavioral health and substance use disorders. Included is an introduction to the use of the diagnostic tools, including the DSM, and the integration of diagnostic and assessment information, in the development of treatment plans.

PCN-535

3 Total Credits

PCN-622A

2 Total Credits

Course Description

This is a supervised fieldwork experience under the supervision of a faculty member and an on-site clinical supervisor approved by the college or university. Documentation of a minimum requirement of 150 hours of counseling-related activities, which include 50 direct contact hours, is submitted electronically for verification and tracking. Students may not progress to PCN-662A without the required amount of hours submitted and proper approval. State licensure requirements may mandate additional hours. Students must review and adhere to their state board's additional requirements. Practicum/field experience hours: 150. Prerequisites: Completion of all didactic coursework in the program; a GPA of 3.0 or better; and maintenance of student professional liability insurance in the amount of $1 million, $3 million.

PCN-662A

2 Total Credits

Course Description

Students use this supervised practicum/internship experience to develop their counseling skills and to perform all the activities that a regularly employed addiction counselor would be expected to perform in a supervised setting. The practicum/internship is performed under the supervision of an on-site clinical supervisor approved by the Office of Field Experience (OFE). Documentation of 150 hours of counseling-related activities, which include 50 direct contact hours, is submitted electronically for verification and tracking. Addiction Counseling students will need to complete 300 hours total, 150 total hours per course. State licensure requirements may mandate additional hours. Students must review and adhere to their state board's additional requirements. Practicum/field experience hours: 150. Prerequisites: PCN-622A; a GPA of 3.0 or better; maintenance of student professional liability insurance in the amount of $1 million, $3 million; and college approval.

GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change

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Make a Difference in the Lives of Others

Begin working toward your master’s degree in addiction counseling to pursue a career in substance use and addiction recovery. Apply to GCU today!

Apply Now

Visit the "State Disclosures" section on the page of the program you’re interested in at gcu.edu for details on state restrictions.

Excludes programs with residencies and practicums.
Zippia. (n.d.). Private Investigator Demographics and Statistics in the US. Zippia. Retrieved Sept. 12, 2025.
COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective August 2025, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, retrieved Sept. 18, 2025.
The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors as of May 2024, retrieved Aug. 14, 2025. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.