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Earn your counseling graduate degree online with a dual focus on substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders.
Online Graduate Degree for Addiction Counseling
Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School’s Master of Arts in Counseling (MA) is a CACREP-accredited online substance use counseling master’s program designed for:
- Students entering the addiction counseling/behavioral health field
- Practicing counselors and therapists seeking advanced credentials
- Career changers motivated by a passion for addiction recovery and mental health
Our 60-credit hour graduate degree program allows you to get your master’s online while balancing work, family and other commitments—while integrating hands-on clinical experience that prepares you for real-world practice.
Innovative Curriculum Focusing on Treatment of Co-occurring Addiction and Mental Health Disorders
Gain key competencies for success as a counseling professional.
Addiction counseling today demands expertise in both substance abuse (medically known as substance use disorder) and mental health treatment. Our online Master’s in Counseling, Specialty: Addiction Counseling graduate degree equips you with the latest evidence-based practices to address these complex and interrelated patient needs.
Develop skills that set you apart with our online master’s program.
Your master’s degree coursework will include evidence-based addiction treatment approaches and clinical training that you might expect to see in a mental health counseling graduate degree program, such as:
- Differential diagnosis for co-occurring disorders
- Trauma-informed treatment strategies
- Managing complicating medical issues
- Psychopharmacology for comprehensive care
Plan Your Online Master's Degree Path
Choose the enrollment option that fits your schedule.
- Full-Time: Take up to 4 classes per semester across 6 semesters; practicum begins in semester 3. (PDF)
- Part-Time: Take up to 2 classes per semester across 10 semesters; practicum begins in semester 6. (PDF)
Get the support and structure you need to excel.
- 60-credit hour CACREP-accredited graduate degree
- Flexible online format with three start dates: January, May, September
- Complete in 24 months full-time; part-time options available
- Online orientation prepares you for success
- Two on-campus residencies for hands-on learning
- Designed to meet a broad array of state standards for licensure; for example, the curriculum meets academic requirements for LADC, LPC and LPCC licensure in Minnesota
- Financial aid, scholarships and veterans’ benefits available
- Direct clinical interaction to develop real-world counseling skills
Our online Master of Arts in Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Graduating from a CACREP-accredited program does not guarantee licensure, but CACREP standards typically meet state requirements. Learn more about CACREP Accreditation.
Student Outcomes at a Glance
Master's in Counseling, Specialty: Addiction Counseling Online Program
Your degree is just the beginning. Our online program prepares you for licensure readiness and career entry/advancement in a field where qualified counseling professionals are in high demand. In 2025, 45 students earned their master's degree through our online program..
100%
Pass Rates
2020-2024 pass rates on credentialing examinations (6 month post-graduation): n=38/38 = 100%
94.9%
Combined Employment and Doctoral Admission Rates
2020-2024 combined employment and doctoral admissions rates of students/graduates: n=63/67 = 94.9%
Learn more about our online master’s degree graduation rates and career outlook.
Start your application today or contact us to speak with an admissions specialist.
Online Program Requirements and Licensure Information
What You’ll Need to Complete the Program
Our online master’s in addiction counseling includes specific academic and licensing requirements designed to prepare you for professional practice.
On-Campus Residencies: Connecting Beyond the Screen
As an online student, you'll participate in two on-campus residency experiences at our Center City, Minnesota location. Each visit lasts four days, for a total of eight days. These residencies offer classroom instruction, interactive learning activities, and the chance to meet peers, Graduate School professors, and leaders from Hazelden Betty Ford face-to-face.
Note: These residencies are not clinical experiences and do not fulfill internship requirements for licensure.
Clinical Internships: Building Real-World Skills
You will complete 700 hours of clinical or internship experience during your program. Internships provide hands-on training under the supervision of a practicing counselor, helping you apply classroom learning to real-life client situations. If you’re near a Hazelden Betty Ford facility, you may have the option to complete your internship there. Wherever you are, faculty advisors will help you find opportunities that support your goals.
Licensure: Your Path to Professional Practice
After completing the online master’s program, you may pursue licensure in Minnesota as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC). Our curriculum aligns with state and national criteria for licensure and certification as an alcohol and drug counselor and/or mental health professional. Requirements vary by state. It is your responsibility as a counseling program student to check the licensing and certification requirements for your respective state.
How to Succeed in Our Online Addiction Counseling Program
Earning your master’s degree online offers flexibility, but it also requires focus and commitment. Here are seven key strategies to help you thrive in our online graduate program and advance your career.
1. Master Time Management and Stay Organized
Online master's degree programs are just as rigorous as traditional, in-person graduate programs. Create a dedicated study space, plan your weekly schedule, and stay proactive in tracking assignments and deadlines.
2. Take Ownership of Your Learning
Graduate-level work often requires independent research as well as self-directed study to fill any learning gaps. Shifting from a grade-focused mindset to a learning-focused approach will help you succeed academically and professionally as a substance abuse counselor.
3. Be Proactive and Ask for Help
Each graduate-level course will have its own cadence and specifics related to how and when assignments and learning activities are submitted. Self-reliance is vital: carefully check your course materials and ask clarifying questions about assignments, activities or requirements.
4. Engage Fully and Stay Curious
The fields of substance abuse counseling and behavioral health treatment rely on strong interpersonal skills, and so does our online counseling program. Through intensive discussion and peer interaction, you will have opportunities to connect deeply with course content, process readings and lectures, and strengthen your ability to communicate effectively.
Successful online students actively participate in conversations, collaborate with peers, and embrace diverse perspectives. These interactions not only enrich your learning but also prepare you for the collaborative nature of professional counseling.
5. Communicate Effectively
Texts, discussions, and written assignments are important components of the coursework for our online addiction counseling program. Strong written and verbal communication is critical in graduate studies and counseling practice. Use every interaction—assignments, discussions and feedback—as an opportunity to refine your skills and position yourself for professional success in the addiction counseling field.
6. Leverage Technology with Confidence
Technology is your gateway to a seamless online learning experience. To make the most of your online master’s program, ensure you have reliable internet access and up-to-date tools. Comfort with basic tech skills such as creating documents, participating in online discussions, and finding credible information will help you stay confident and connected as an online graduate student. Think of technology as a tool that empowers your education, not a barrier. If challenges arise, problem-solving and resourcefulness will keep you moving forward.
7. Stay Motivated and Share Your Vision
Your commitment and sense of purpose will help carry you through the challenges that come with pursing an online master’s degree and engaging in graduate-level coursework. Sharing your vision about a career in addiction counseling with those who can support you in achieving your goals (family members, friends, co-workers) will help you stay focused and energized in your graduate studies.
About the Term "Substance Abuse"
The term "substance abuse" is considered outdated and can carry stigma. It was once used to describe harmful substance use but is no longer preferred. "Addiction" refers to a chronic brain disorder (referred to as substance use disorder or SUD) marked by an inability to stop using substances despite negative consequences. Using mindful, non-stigmatizing language is important because words like "substance abuse" can perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
