2025 Best Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees in Colorado
With a growing need for skilled addiction professionals, earning an online substance abuse counseling degree in Colorado offers a fulfilling opportunity to launch or advance your career in this vital area of mental health care.
Key Takeaway:
- Colorado Christian University is the only school in the state where you can earn a degree online in this field, and it's at the master's level. With over 5,000 online students enrolled here, it's a popular choice.
Our methodology for identifying the best online degrees by state takes into account several critical criteria, most notably online enrollment figures. Schools are evaluated based on data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Scorecard. While we highlight only one degree in our descriptions, it may be that the institution offers additional programs in this field.
List Of Accredited Online Substance Abuse Counseling Schools
| School | Online Enrollment | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Christian University | $16,733 |
2025 Best Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees in Colorado
- Online Enrollment: 5,248 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $16,733
- Location: Lakewood
Online degree:
Why we like them: CCU is a popular online school, with over 5,000 currently enrolled remotely. The online MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a focus on Substance Use Disorders is a 69-credit program. The curriculum emphasizes coursework in substance use but also includes Bible and theology courses as well as practical internships aimed at integrating theory, faith, and clinical practice. Designed for adult online learners, you can complete the program online or in a hybrid format.
Overview of Substance Use Counseling Degrees in Colorado
Colorado has had one of the in the nation within the past five years. Just over 10.4% of residents were diagnosed with a drug use disorder, which was the seventh-highest rate in the U.S. The state's nearly doubled, rising from 16.1 per 100,000 in 2011 to 31.4 per 100,000 in 2021.
To address these disturbing trends, the Colorado Department of Law established a to set priorities and determine appropriate action. The task force, along with other lawmakers and stakeholders, has since taken many steps to both prevent and treat drug misuse. These include ordering a comprehensive study of opioid use in the state, taking legal action against drug-related product manufacturers that target youth or misrepresent their products, and launching a survey to monitor the efficacy of various drug-oriented laws and proposed bills.
The 2021 annual report from the Colorado Office of the Attorney General stated: "Our response to the opioid epidemic will be most successful when communities, treatment providers, stakeholders, and the State collaborate, respond to new data and actions, and engage in strategic planning." This will undoubtedly include the important work of certified counselors who provide counseling for substance abuse and other addictions.
You can launch your career in substance abuse counseling in Colorado with one of the most affordable online substance abuse counseling programs.
FAQs About Substance Use Counseling Degrees in Colorado
What Can You Do With a Substance Use Counselor Degree in Colorado?
No matter where you live in the U.S., you can earn a traditional or online substance abuse counseling degree. Once you graduate with your bachelor's degree, you'll be ready to start building one of many possible careers in substance abuse counseling.
If your career goal is to provide , you could start working on earning certification as either a Certified Addiction Technician (ACA) or a Certified Addiction Specialist (ACC). A substance abuse counseling bachelor's degree will qualify you for either of these two levels of certification. However, you'll need a master's or doctoral degree in substance abuse counseling or behavioral science to qualify for the highest level of licensure 鈥� the Licensed Addiction Counselor (ACD).
If you're interested in helping others but don't want to pursue a clinical counseling role, you have several other options available. You might go to work as a community health worker, running a program to assist people who are suffering from addiction. You could also find employment as a health education specialist who develops educational campaigns on the dangers of drug misuse.
Later, after you've acquired several years of work experience, it might be possible to move into a managerial position in a public health government agency or nonprofit organization.
How Do I Become a Substance Use Counselor in Colorado?
Professionals who provide substance abuse counseling in Colorado are divided into three main tiers: Certified Addiction Technician (ACA), Certified Addiction Specialist (ACC), and Licensed Addiction Counselor (ACD). Becoming a substance abuse counselor at any level in the state will involve completing college coursework, accruing supervised training hours, and passing two exams.
One of the main distinctions between the three substance abuse counseling certifications is educational level. To become an ACA, you need a high school diploma or the equivalent, as well as some college coursework. To become an ACC, you need a bachelor's degree in substance abuse counseling or a similar behavioral science subject. Finally, to become an ACD, you need a master's degree or doctorate in counseling or behavioral science.
When you apply for certification or licensure, you'll need to show that your college coursework covered specific topics. The exact requirements vary by level, but in general, you'll need to show you've studied treatment models, counseling skills, case management, pharmacology, co-occurring disorders, professional practice and ethics, and more.
If you haven't yet completed your degree, be sure to choose an institutionally accredited school. To help meet certification requirements, you may also want to select a program that has been accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs ().
There are many substance use counseling master's degrees as well as affordable substance use counseling master's degrees available online.
In addition to this formal education, you'll also need to complete a certain number of hours of supervised clinical practice, again based on your certification level. You and your supervisor must follow specific guidelines for documenting your hours.
Finally, you'll need to pass two exams. All applicants must take the Mental Health Jurisprudence Exam. The other test varies depending on which level of certification you're seeking, but all three exams are administered by the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC). ACA candidates must pass the National Certified Addiction Counselor (NCAC) exam level I, ACC candidates must pass the NCAC level II, and ACD candidates must pass the Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) exam.
The Colorado State Board of Addiction Counselor Examiners requires several other documents before approving an application for certification or licensure. Once you've been approved, your certification or license needs to be renewed every other year.
Does Colorado Have Reciprocity for Substance Use Counselors?
If you're a chemical dependency counselor from another state, you may be eligible to provide in-person or online substance abuse counseling in Colorado. You'll need to submit an application to the (CCE) to have your current credentials reviewed.
How Much Does a Substance Use Counselor Make in Colorado?
In Colorado, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health therapists earn a . The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also estimates that there were 13,290 professionals working in the state based on the most recent data. However, that number is expected to increase by a whopping through 2033, creating many new opportunities for credentialed counselors.
If you're seeking a counseling career that offers the opportunity to work with diverse clients and address varying needs, consider pursuing a counseling bachelor's degree online.