Earn Your Online Bachelor’s Degree in Addiction Studies with Simmons University

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Prepare to make a difference for individuals and families affected by substance abuse and addiction. As a student in our online bachelor’s degree in addiction studies program, you will learn how to turn your passion for helping people overcome addiction into a meaningful career in substance abuse counseling.

In live, online classes designed by expert Simmons faculty, you will examine historical context and social stigmas of substance use and abuse issues. Learn how to work within our healthcare system to conduct clinical assessments, manage cases, and treat the root cause of addiction.

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Apply to the Bachelor’s in Addiction Studies Online Program

Complete your bachelor’s degree in addiction studies online at Simmons and prepare to become an empathetic certified substance abuse counselor. Apply to join our next class for a transformative learning experience.

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Application Requirements

Our application process is intentionally personal and holistic. We want to get to know you as an individual, as well as your past academic endeavors and your future potential.

Learn about our application requirements.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Our online bachelor’s degree programs are designed to break down barriers and make a high-quality undergraduate education accessible for the next generation of women leaders.

Learn more about tuition and explore financial aid options.

Online Addiction Studies Curriculum

128 credits needed to graduate

Up to 96 transfer credits accepted

The online addiction studies degree curriculum was designed by expert Simmons faculty with a focus on interdisciplinary topics across public health, social work, and psychology. Through live, online class sessions and interactive coursework, you will explore the social determinants of health that influence whether or not a person will be exposed to substance use. Gain a deep understanding of best practices, standards, and competencies of substance abuse counseling — plus, develop vital skills such as cultural competency, humility, and flexible critical thinking.

Simmons is a women-centered institution. As such, our program provides a unique lens into general as well as women’s issues often overlooked in addiction studies programs and weaves diversity, equity, and inclusion principles throughout the curriculum. Get to know some of our featured classes:

  • Drugs and Behavior (PSYC 244) — Explore the psychological, biological, and societal factors that influence drug use, including the neurochemical bases of drug action.
  • Drugs and Society (SOCI 285) — Examine legal and illicit drugs with a critical lens to better understand the social factors and policies that shape their consumption.
  • Motivational Interviewing Strategies with Addictions (SW2x2) — Gain practice in an evidence-based intervention shown to be effective for changing substance-use behaviors.

Explore the online addiction studies program curriculum.

The Simmons Online Experience

Our immersive digital campus was developed based on years of research into effective online teaching and learning. As an online addiction studies student, you’ll collaborate closely with faculty mentors and motivated peers, and prepare to make a positive impact for people and families dealing with issues of addiction. Within our welcoming community, you will build lasting connections with like-minded peers who are similarly driven to create lasting change in their communities.

As a Simmons online student, you will have access to many of the same types of opportunities as our on-campus students: online community groups, group learning experiences, and real-time discussion sessions with faculty and peers. You can also benefit from our virtual career center, where dedicated staff will help you develop career goals, search for jobs, finetune your resume and cover letter, prep for interviews, and be ready to confidently negotiate salary.

Discover the Simmons online experience.

Where Can an Online Degree in Addiction Studies Take You?

As you complete your online bachelor’s degree in addiction studies with Simmons, you will prepare to work at the forefront of one of the country’s most pressing social issues. Our program will help you gain the extensive knowledge of social determinants of health, keen grasp of substance abuse issues, and deep understanding of social stigmas you need to practice with the utmost empathy, cultural humility, and care.

Your degree can help open doors to addiction studies careers within the fields of social services, nonprofits, community organizations, and more. Program graduates are prepared to work in a variety of settings, including:

  • hospitals
  • outpatient clinics
  • employee assistance programs
  • schools
  • the criminal justice system
  • governmental agencies
  • drug courts

The addiction studies job outlook will continue to grow over the next several years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for substance abuse counselors is projected to grow 23% between 2020 and 2030, much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.1

If you’re planning to go to graduate school, you will first need to complete a bachelor’s degree. Earning your bachelor’s degree in addiction studies can provide a strong foundation for continued success.

Ready to Complete Your Addiction Studies Degree Online with Simmons?

Complete the form below and prepare to make a difference in peoples’ lives as a certified substance abuse counselor.

1Occupational Outlook Handbook: Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. (2021). Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved August 8, 2022arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference