2025 Best Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees in Louisiana
An online substance abuse counseling degree in Louisiana provides an education in critical areas of the field, such as addiction psychology, counseling ethics, and intervention strategies, equipping you with the necessary skills to support individuals dealing with substance abuse issues.
Key Takeaways:
- Northwestern State University of Louisiana has a massive virtual student body, with over 5,000 distance learners studying exclusively online.
- The University of Holy Cross stands out with the best student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1. This is a great choice for a bachelor's in the field if you prioritize personalized learning.
Based on our methodology for finding fully online degrees, our list features two online substance abuse degrees in Louisiana at the bachelor's level. We rely on data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). (While we highlight only one program per school, institutions may offer other programs in this field.)
List Of Accredited Online Substance Abuse Counseling Schools
| School | Online Enrollment | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana | $20,546 | |
| University of Holy Cross | 468 | $15,350 |
2025 Best Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees in Louisiana
- Online Enrollment: 5,349 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $20,546
- Location: Natchitoches
Online degree:
Why we like them: NSUL earns its recognition on our list for its significant online enrollment. With a online student population exceeding 5,300, it stands among the top 13% of schools with large online engagement nationwide. The bachelor's in addiction studies program at NSUL provides a comprehensive understanding of the human mind and addictive behaviors, complemented by advances in addiction counseling to create a well-rounded professional. It emphasizes vital skills such as communication, data organization, and analysis, preparing students for careers in human resources or communications.
- Online Enrollment: 468 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $15,350
- Location: New Orleans
Online degree:
Why we like them: UHC is notable with hundreds enrolled exclusively online, making it a popular choice among distance learners. UHC offers a bachelor's degree in addictions counseling, which comprises 120 credit hours. It includes courses such as Addictive Behavior, Addiction Counseling, and Recovery Counseling. It prepares you with foundational skills in counseling, research, and assessment, as well as a strong emphasis on understanding human behavior through various psychological theories, enabling you to venture into the field successfully.
Overview of Substance Use Counseling Degrees in Louisiana
An updated uncovered some alarming statistics for the state of Louisiana. Out of 50 states and Washington, D.C., Louisiana ranked seventh in for highest drug use. This is actually an improvement from years past, where they were ranked fourth in drug overdose deaths per capita, fourth in opioid pain reliever prescription use per 100 people, and fifth in drug arrests per capita.
To address this ongoing public health crisis, the state government created the Louisiana Advisory Council on Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE Council) five years ago. In the years since, the in expanding treatment services. The HOPE Council's goals for the next three years include enhancing the statewide treatment network, which increases job opportunities for graduates of substance abuse counseling programs.
If you're looking for more online bachelor's degree options, you'll find them on our ranked listings of the most affordable online substance abuse counseling degrees as well as the best online counseling degrees overall.
FAQs About Substance Use Counseling Degrees in Louisiana
What Can You Do With a Substance Use Counselor Degree in Louisiana?
If you've earned a traditional or online substance abuse counseling degree, you can choose to follow one of two main career paths.
One option is to pursue clinical roles that allow you to provide substance use counseling in Louisiana, either to individuals or in group settings. A bachelor's degree qualifies you for either of the two lower levels of certification 鈥� the Registered Addiction Counselor (RAC) or the Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC). You'll need a master's degree in substance use counseling to obtain the highest Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) level of certification.
The other option is to pursue one of many nonclinical roles in, for example, local or state government agencies or nonprofit organizations. Becoming a community health worker or health education specialist allows you to assist people suffering from substance use disorder and other addictions. You may find yourself running or monitoring a prevention, education, or treatment program.
How Do I Become a Substance Use Counselor in Louisiana?
If you want to become a substance use counselor in Louisiana, you'll need to work with the licensing and regulatory board for substance abuse professionals, which is the . Before you apply for one of the three levels of substance abuse certification, you should complete the requirements for higher education and experience.
To become a Registered Addiction Counselor (RAC), you need only a high school diploma or the equivalent 鈥� not a college degree 鈥� but you will need to provide transcripts showing that you've completed 270 hours (18 credits) of college coursework in addiction counseling and ethics. You will also need to provide verified documentation of 6,000 hours of supervised work experience in substance abuse counseling. This on-the-job training needs to cover the core functions of a counselor, such as screening, assessment, treatment planning, and counseling.
For the Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) level, you'll need a bachelor's degree in addiction counseling or a similar degree in human services or behavioral science. You'll also need 4,000 hours of supervised practice.
For the highest level of certification, which is the Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), you'll need a master's degree or doctorate in a clinical counseling discipline, such as addiction counseling. You'll also need 2,000 hours of supervised clinical experience.
After you have met these preparatory requirements, you can submit your application for certification. If approved, you'll be scheduled to take the ADC exam sponsored by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium ().
Once you've earned certification, you'll need to renew your license every two years. As part of the renewal process, you'll be required to provide documentation that you've completed 48 hours of continuing education.
Louisiana state counseling requirements also indicate that all college degrees must be from institutionally accredited schools. To explore accredited online master's degree options, review our list of the best online substance abuse counseling master's degrees.
Does Louisiana Have Reciprocity for Substance Use Counselors?
Professionals from other states who have passed qualifying exams through the IC&RC may be able to transfer their counseling credentials to Louisiana. Licensed counselors in good standing who want to offer in-person or online substance abuse counseling in the state can submit an application to the Louisiana Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority. Depending on your previous certification, you may be exempt from repeating the necessary exams.
How Much Does a Substance Use Counselor Make in Louisiana?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in the state earn a . (This is slightly lower than the national median for this role: $53,710.) There are currently about 5,190 professionals working here, but this number is increasing across the nation. The BLS predicts a through 2033 for this role in particular.