2025 Best Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees in Maine
An online substance abuse counseling degree in Maine offers a flexible and accessible pathway for you to enter or advance in this burgeoning field. In Maine, there are only two options for online degrees, including a bachelor's and a certificate. These programs include coursework in addiction theory, counseling techniques, and ethics.
Key Takeaways:
- The University of Maine at Augusta stands out with a significant online enrollment of over 2,700 distance learners. This makes it a popular choice to pursue an online Certificate in Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Technician.
- Meanwhile, Beal University is a popular choice for a bachelor's degree, with hundreds enrolled online.
Our methodology focuses on institutions with a primary campus in the highlighted state, offering fully online degrees and professional certificates. We've scoped all degree levels, but we only highlight one program per school, so institutions may offer other degree levels in this field.
List Of Accredited Online Substance Abuse Counseling Schools
| School | Online Enrollment | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| University of Maine at Augusta | $11,200 | |
| Beal University | 222 | N/A |
2025 Best Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees in Maine
- Online Enrollment: 2,755 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $11,200
- Location: Augusta
Online degree:
Why we like them: UMA's top-ranked status is attributed to its online enrollment numbers, with 2,755 students choosing to partake exclusively in distance learning. UMA offers online certificate programs designed to enhance career prospects and skillsets in competitive job markets, without having to sacrifice personal commitments. Notably, the Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Technician Certificate is particularly relevant for licensure as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) in Maine and fulfills educational requirements for those pursuing careers in substance use rehabilitation.
- Online Enrollment: 222 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: N/A
- Locations: Bangor (and 1 other)
Online degree:
Why we like them: Beal offers a bachelor's program in addiction counseling online that's tailored to various educational and career goals. This 42-month program provides advanced coursework in counseling techniques, treatment planning, and addiction dynamics, with an emphasis on ethics, diversity, and recovery strategies. Taught by experienced faculty and practitioners, the curriculum equips students with the skills to provide compassionate, client-centered care in a growing field. Beal also offers other degree levels, like a diploma (14 months) and an associate degree (20 months) in the field.
Overview of Substance Use Counseling Degrees in Maine
While the number of fatal overdoses thus far in 2023 shows from 2022, the residents of Maine are still facing a serious public health threat. Fentanyl-laced street drugs, the opioid epidemic, and other forms of addiction continue to endanger lives, harm families, and negatively impact the state's workforce and economy.
However, healthcare providers, recovery advocates, government officials, and volunteers across Maine are working together to address the issue. Some of their recent achievements include tougher law enforcement related to drug trafficking, prevention-oriented educational programs for adolescents and teens, and improvements in Medicaid insurance coverage for substance use disorder treatment.
Perhaps most importantly, the state has dramatically increased the number of inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities and recovery centers in both urban and rural communities. The governor's office recently released a for the next three years that seeks to expand Maine's treatment capacity even further through 2025, creating more employment opportunities for students who become qualified substance use counselors.
To help you find the right online bachelor's degree in this field, we've compiled ranked listings of the most affordable online substance abuse counseling degrees and the best online counseling degrees.
FAQs About Substance Use Counseling Degrees in Maine
What Can You Do With a Substance Use Counselor Degree in Maine?
Offering substance use counseling in Maine as a licensed practitioner is just one of several career paths open to you after you've graduated with an accredited traditional or online substance abuse counseling degree. You're not required to hold a degree to become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) or Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) in this state, but it will help you meet the educational requirements for certification. A college degree also reduces the work experience requirements you'll need to meet.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors earn a . There are currently about 960 professionals practicing in Maine, but this number is growing across the U.S. at a staggering rate of (more than four times as much as the U.S. average).
If you're not interested in providing one-on-one counseling, you may be better suited to a nonclinical role, such as a health education specialist or a community health worker. Working in a state or local government agency or nonprofit organization will allow you to assist people in your community.
How Do I Become a Substance Use Counselor in Maine?
In the state of Maine, the is the governing body for licensure for professionals who provide face-to-face, telephone, and online substance abuse counseling. In this state, there are two paths to becoming a substance use counselor.
The first of two levels of substance abuse counseling certification is the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC). Although CADCs can provide individual or group alcohol and drug counseling unaided, they are not allowed to engage in independent or private practice. To qualify for this level of certification, you need to have completed at least 30 credits of college coursework in substance use or clinical counseling. You'll also need up to 4,000 hours of work experience and a passing score on the ADC exam sponsored by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium ().
The second level of Maine state counseling certification is the Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC). Professionals with this credential may work independently or in private practice. LADC certification also requires at least 30 credits of college coursework in substance use or clinical counseling, up to 6,000 hours of work experience, a passing score on the IC&RC ADC exam, and a passing score on either the IC&RC AADC or CPM exam.
Both levels of certification need to be renewed annually. CADCs also need to complete 18 hours of continuing education every two years, and LADCs need to complete 25 hours of continuing education every two years.
If you decide to pursue a degree, you'll be required to enroll in a school that has earned institutional accreditation. As long as your program focuses on clinical counseling, the degree may be in addiction counseling, behavioral science, social work, or something similar.
For accredited master's degrees, you may want to explore our lists:
Does Maine Have Reciprocity for Substance Use Counselors?
Yes, Maine has reciprocity for substance use counselors from other states who have passed the IC&RC ADC and AADC exams. As long as you're in good standing, you may transfer your counseling credential to a LADC credential in Maine. You can initiate the reciprocity process through the IC&RC. Maine-based substance abuse counselors may also be able to transfer their credentials to other IC&RC member states.
What's the Difference Between LADC and CADC in Maine?
Maine's two levels of substance abuse counseling certification are the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) and the Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC). The main difference between the two is the scope of practice. CADCs can offer substance abuse counseling in Maine without assistance, but they are not allowed to engage in independent or private practice the way LADCs can. The certification requirements are also fairly similar, except that LADC applicants must have more previous work experience and passing scores on two IC&RC tests instead of just one.
If you'd like more information about this, check out our guide on substance use counseling careers.