The University of North Carolina offers an online program specifically tailored to help students attain a license as a certified addictions specialist or certified substance abuse counselor in North Carolina. Students must possess at least a bachelor's degree in order to take the course. The class is structured around licensing requirements. Spaces in the class are limited and there is an admissions process.
The University of the Pacific, a Northern California private school, offers a Substance Abuse Counselors Certificate program online through a series of 22 units. It also involves 255 internship hours--far in excess of the state requirements for licensure. The program is designed to meet State of California, Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, and was developed by the Center for Professional and Continuing Education.
Students can expect to pay about $3,000 for all course costs including books, fees and applications.
Online college Capella University relies more on its specialty of online learning than its name. However, it offers online courses in addiction counseling designed primarily for those already involved in some kind of counseling role who want to move into the addiction field. The program involves 16 credit units, which can be applied toward a masters or Ph.D. program if a student wants to pursue an advanced degree.
Breyer State University is another online university which offers an addiction counseling certificate. The Los Angeles-based program is not structured around licensing requirements. Instead, it is hoped that the five-course program--which covers similar ground to that in other programs--will entice students to continue on to a masters or Ph.D.-level program. Whether or not extensive graduate school is your interest, Breyer offers online admissions and assistance in sourcing and obtaining financial aid.
Pre-requisites require an undergraduate degree in psychology, social work, nursing, human services, addictions counseling, or similar field of study.