A social work bachelor's degree program prepares its participants for a career of service to families, individuals and children in a variety of ways, according to the University of Texas Social Work website. Social workers who work with children spend much of their time handling instances of substance abuse in homes with parents and siblings. You simply need a bachelor's degree in social work to earn a job as a school counselor, probation officer or program director, but a master's degree is certainly helpful. Social work students must take an array of related classes, including topics like criminal justice, saving children from at-risk families, adoption and foster care, human behavior, family counseling and social welfare policies. Of course, class titles and concentrations vary from college to college, but the concepts learned are relatively similar. A bachelor of social work is for people who want to focus their attention on victims of substance abuse and at-risk children in drug homes.
A degree in substance abuse counseling prepares students for careers in addiction recovery and relevant issues. Upon graduation from an accredited university with a degree in substance abuse counseling, you will be equipped to take a state exam for licensure in the field in whatever state you decide to practice, according to the Ohio Christian University website. The degree focuses on how to help people through addiction; counseling families, individuals and groups; conflict-resolution; and post-addiction help. Substance abuse counselors can work in the social work field, at rehabilitation centers and in a private counseling practice. The coursework and internship requirements vary from college to college, but the general concept is the same in the higher-quality programs.
Seen as more of an interdisciplinary degree to be mixed with another concentration, a certificate in drug and alcohol studies prepares students to recognize symptoms of substance abuse, prevention and how to handle it when it does happen. One college that offers a drug and alcohol studies program, West Los Angeles College, provides courses pertaining to prevention, education, chemical dependency, interventions and counseling techniques. Social work and substance abuse counseling majors often incorporate additional coursework pertaining to drug and alcohol studies to add that extra bit of knowledge into their program. Many universities offer certificates for completion in drug and alcohol studies, and some offer full bachelor's degrees. The University of Delaware's Center for Drug and Alcohol Studies was established in 1991 to conduct research and publishing in the realm of substance abuse, and many of the university's sociology and law enforcement students participate in research. A drug and alcohol studies certificate degree adds clarity and depth to a bachelor's degree in a related field.