Bachelor of Science in Substance Abuse Counseling

Bachelor of Science in Substance Abuse Counseling
03.15.2025
60-120
05.12.2025
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

SUMMER 2025 APPLICATION FEE WAIVED

Apply now and save the $50 application fee. Start your Journey today.

Active Military & Veteran Scholarship

You could be eligible for up to $2500 per semester. Learn more today.

The University of Cincinnati’s online Bachelor’s degree in Substance Abuse Counseling prepares graduates for rewarding careers helping those who are struggling with drug and alcohol addictions. Put your passion for helping others to work and learn how to treat America’s most harmful disorders. With summer, fall, and spring start dates available, it’s easy to begin earning your degree right away.

What Is Substance Abuse Counseling?

There is an epidemic of substance abuse addiction and overdose deaths in the United States. Substance abuse counseling is a high-demand profession that can make a real difference in your community. Counselors are needed to help people who struggle with drug and alcohol addictions learn to modify their behavior to lead them on the road to eventual recovery.

The University of Cincinnati’s Bachelor of Substance Abuse Counseling Program

The Bachelor of Science in Substance Abuse Counseling (Program) is a cutting-edge, research-oriented program that provides students with essential knowledge, competencies, and skills to kickstart careers in substance use disorder (SUD) counseling.

The Program meets the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board requirements for becoming a Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA), as well as the requirements for corresponding certifications in many other states.

The Program also meets three of the four (the degree, education hour, and Core Function experience (220 hours)) requirements for becoming a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor III (LCDC III) in Ohio, as well as some of the requirements for corresponding certifications and licenses in many other states.

In Ohio, students pursuing the LCDC III must also meet a fourth requirement— document 2,000 hours (approximately one year) of supervised SUD related field work experience before sitting for the Alcohol and Drug Counselor Exam.  This additional field work experience is not provided as part of, nor a requirement of, the Program.

Because the number of required work field experience hours necessary for obtaining bachelor’s degree level licensure varies by state, students are advised early in the Program to determine how many are required for licensure goals in the state(s) where they will practice.

LCDC III Licensure Requirements in Ohio

  1. Degree – Behavioral Science Bachelor’s Degree
  2. Education – Completion of 180 hours of Specific Education for Substance Use Disorder Professionals
  3. Core Function – 220 Hours Practical Work Experience
  4. Work Experience – Chemical dependency counseling SUD related compensated field work experience or supervised internship/practicum totaling 2,000 hours (approximately one year)

The chart below shows how the online Substance Abuse Counseling program at UC meets three of the four above requirements.


University of Cincinnati Business Partnerships logo

University to Business Scholarship Program

If you are an employee or member of one of our partner organizations, you may be eligible for a tuition scholarship.

Learn More

Is University of Cincinnati right for me?

open hand with dollar sign icon
Tuition and Financial Aid
University of Cincinnati's online BS in Substance Abuse Counseling is conveniently affordable for all students.
Learn More
open laptop icon
The University of Cincinnati Difference
See what makes University of Cincinnati Unique
UC Experience

All courses are designed to give you the tools needed to meet the demands of today’s workforce.
Careers