Ohio offers a couple of different online degrees in substance abuse counseling. Both of these bachelor's programs provide a thorough curriculum that includes psychological theories, counseling techniques, and ethics. Accredited by relevant institutions, these degrees ensure you meet state requirements for licensure.
Key Takeaways:
- The University of Cincinnati's online substance abuse counseling degree is a popular choice. Overall, the school hosts over 8,600 students exclusively online.
- Ohio Christian University stands out with a student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1.
Our methodology ranks colleges with a primary campus in Ohio offering fully online degrees. We reviewed all degree levels to identify substance abuse programs, highlighting one per school, though additional options may be available. Data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), including online enrollment, guides our evaluations.
List Of Accredited Online Substance Abuse Counseling Schools
| School | Online Enrollment | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| University of Cincinnati | $26,674 | |
| Ohio Christian University | 1,287 | $11,828 |
2025 Best Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees in Ohio
- Online Enrollment: 8,635 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $26,674
- Locations: Cincinnati (and 1 other)
Online degree:
Why we like them: UC stands at the top of our list due to its incredible online enrollment of 8,635 students participating in online learning, placing it in the top 7% nationally for popularity. The online BS in Substance Abuse Counseling from UC meets the rigorous requirements set by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board. This program is designed to prepare students for roles in addiction services such as chemical dependency counselor assistant and helps fulfill the education requirements for becoming a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor III in Ohio. We also want to mention UC's stellar recommendation rate of 86% based on 184 student reviews we've collected.
- Online Enrollment: 1,287 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $11,828
- Location: Circleville
Online degree:
Why we like them: OCU takes 2nd place because of its online enrollment of 1,287 students. The online bachelor's in substance abuse counseling provides a working, profession-building model for students in the addiction recovery field. It also facilitates supervision in treatment facilities post-major, culminating in taking the state licensure exam. Core courses include those that focus on ethical and legal issues, family dynamics, trauma, and addiction. Moreover, students have the chance to apply for initial Certified Chemical Dependency Assistant status after completing 40 hours of training.
Overview of Substance Abuse Counseling in Ohio
The most for Ohio show that the state is on track to have an equally high number of drug overdose deaths in 2023 as its record-breaking number of deaths in 2022. Lawmakers, public policy analysts, and other stakeholders agree that Ohio must do more to address this addiction crisis. One of the most pressing needs is greater access to treatment and services, which will include hiring more substance abuse counselors to staff inpatient and outpatient treatment centers.
Discover your educational path to a substance abuse counseling career by reviewing our list of the most affordable online substance abuse counseling degrees.
FAQs About Substance Use Counseling Degrees in Ohio
What Can You Do With a Substance Use Counselor Degree in Ohio?
A great place to begin your career journey is to earn an in-person or online substance abuse counseling degree. The skills and knowledge you've acquired in this type of program have prepared you for several different options.
If you want to work directly with people suffering from substance use disorder (SUD), you'll need to first obtain one of the four levels of substance abuse counseling certification. Each successive level requires additional education but also allows you to provide more services. With an associate or bachelor's degree, you can become a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor II (LCDC II) or a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor III (LCDC III), but in both cases, you'll have a limited scope of practice. Only a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (LICDC) who holds a master's degree or doctorate can practice independently.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that the 13,760 substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors currently working in Ohio earn a . This job is growing in demand at a , according to the most recent data from the BLS.
Offering substance abuse counseling in Ohio is not your only option, however. You may be more interested in serving your community by working in a government agency or nonprofit organization. For example, you may be employed as a community service worker or a health education specialist.
How Do I Become a Substance Use Counselor in Ohio?
If your career goal is to become a substance use counselor in Ohio, you'll want to review the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals () website. This state licensing agency's site provides clear and concise information on the four levels of substance abuse counseling certification available in Ohio, along with application and verification forms.
The degree requirements and scope of practice for the four levels are:
- Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA), which requires a high school diploma or the equivalent. They can offer SUD counseling under the supervision of a licensed independent practitioner.
- Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor II (LCDC II), which requires an associate degree in behavioral science or nursing. They can also offer SUD counseling while supervised by a licensed independent practitioner.
- Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor III (LCDC III), which can offer SUD counseling and diagnosis under the supervision of a licensed independent practitioner. This level requires a bachelor's degree in behavioral science or nursing.
- Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (LICDC), which has the authority to diagnose, treat, and counsel those who suffer from SUD without any supervision. They are required to hold a master's degree or doctorate in behavioral science or nursing.
Additional requirements for all four levels include 180 hours of SUD education (often included in a degree program), 2,000 hours of paid work experience in counseling, a reference from your supervisor, and a passing score on the ADC Exam sponsored by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium ().
Under Ohio's certification requirements, you can obtain your education traditionally or online as long as you attend an institutionally accredited school. Your college coursework may be part of any clinical behavioral science degree program, such as substance abuse counseling or clinical counseling, or a nursing degree program. However, your college transcripts must show that you've completed 180 hours, or about 12 courses, of SUD counseling education.
Once you earn your credential, you'll need to complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years in order to renew your license.
Does Ohio Have Reciprocity for Substance Use Counselors?
Yes, Ohio offers reciprocity for substance use counselors who've earned their credentials through the IC&RC and who plan to live or work in Ohio at least 51% of the time. If you're a licensed counselor in good standing who wants to offer in-person, telephone, or online substance abuse counseling in the state, you can initiate the reciprocity process by contacting your current state's credentialing board.
Substance abuse counselors who have been credentialed in Ohio and want to transfer to another IC&RC member state may need to complete additional education and training to obtain a comparable level of certification. Ohio requires fewer college courses and work experience hours than most other states.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor in Ohio?
Because Ohio's education and work experience requirements are somewhat less stringent than other states, you may be able to earn licensure as a substance abuse counselor in this state in as little as three years. You'll need to complete at least 12 college courses, which may take about two years, and 2,000 hours of paid work experience in counseling, which will take an additional year. Of course, you may want to invest additional years in earning an associate, bachelor's, or master's degree, as these may qualify you for more advanced, higher-paying positions in the future.
All the online master's programs featured on our site are institutionally accredited, including our curated lists of the best online counseling degrees overall.