Online Bachelor of Science in Substance Abuse Counseling
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.
BS Substance Abuse Counseling Program Highlights
High Quality Education
- 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.
Flexibility
- 100% online
- Option to transfer credits
- Courses offered in spring, summer and fall semesters
- Financial aid available
Support from Application through Graduation
At UC, you’ll have a full support team behind you:
Enrollment Services Advisor: Your go-to resource during the application process
Student Success Coordinator: Helping you prepare for classes and stay on track
Access to Resources: Access to university resources that will support you through your program including online learning expectations and resources, health and wellness resources, and academic support
Prerequisites
- Official high school transcripts with GPA of at least 2.7
Transfer:
Transfer students need their official high school transcripts with GPA of least 2.7 if the student has not completed at least 24 semester (36 quarter) credit hours of higher education OR official transcripts from all institution of higher education with a minimum cumulative GPA 2.0 (all prior institutions combined):
1. Accreditation of the former institution; transfer from schools that are not regionally accredited will not be allowed;
2. Comparability of the course including evaluation of practical assignments;
3. Year the course was taken;
4. Documented proof that the grade received was a ‘C’ or above;
Please note, the maximum credits allowed for transfer for this program is 90 credits.
Complete the online application and submit the application fee.
Standard Application Fees:
- $65.00 for domestic applicants to most degree programs
- $70.00 for international applicants to most degree programs
- $20.00 for domestic applicants to Graduate Certificates
- $25.00 for international applicants to Graduate Certificates
- Application fees for UC Online programs are waived through Fall 2026 for all applicants who apply by July 1, 2026
- Fee waivers are automatically applied for applicants who: are currently serving in the US armed forces, or are veterans of the US armed forces.
Applications are accepted continuously throughout the year. Please review and submit the following materials:
All applicants are required to upload unofficial transcripts during the application process, showing all undergraduate and graduate course work completed, including degrees granted and dates of conferral.
Official transcripts are not required until the student has received and accepted an offer of admission from the university. Once the offer has been confirmed, the student must submit official transcripts.
Students who have received degrees from the University of Cincinnati do not need to submit official paper copies of their UC transcripts.
For questions regarding international students, contact an Enrollment Services Advisor.
Transcripts can be submitted electronically or by mail. To see if your transcript(s) can be ordered electronically, visit the links below and search for your previous school(s).
- Parchment
- Please select “University of Cincinnati – Main Campus” as the recipient of your transcript.
- National Student Clearinghouse
- Please have your transcript sent directly to admissions@uc.edu.
If you do not see your past school(s) listed on either site, please contact the school(s) directly. Then, mail your sealed, unopened, official transcripts to:
Please mail sealed, unopened, official transcripts to:
University of Cincinnati
Office of Admissions
PO Box 210091
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0091
In order to apply to University of Cincinnati as a transfer student, learners must submit a transfer application form and have official transcripts sent directly to UC from all prior institutions they’ve attended.
To request these transcripts, please contact your previous institution’s registrar and ask them to send the official transcript to the University of Cincinnati via an approved electronic method such as Parchment, eScrip-Safe, National Student Clearinghouse, or similar services. This is the preferred method. If electronic submission isn’t available, transcripts may be mailed to the Office of Admissions at:
University of Cincinnati
Office of Admissions
PO Box 210091
Cincinnati, OH 45221
| Term | Application Deadline | Classes Start |
|---|---|---|
Summer 2026 Fall 2026 |
March 15, 2026 July 15, 2026 |
May 11, 2026 August 24, 2026 |
The University of Cincinnati's online course fees differ depending on the program. On average, students will accrue fewer fees than students attending on-campus classes.
The one fee applied across all UC Online programs is the distance learning fee. Students living outside the state of Ohio must also pay an additional “non-resident” fee to enroll in courses at UC Online. This fee is lower than the out-of-state fee for traditional on-campus programs.
To view tuition information and program costs, visit the Online Program Fees page.
LCDC III Licensure Requirements in Ohio
- Degree – Behavioral Science Bachelor’s Degree
- Education – Completion of 180 hours of Specific Education for Substance Use Disorder Professionals
- Core Function – 220 Hours Practical Work Experience
- Work Experience – Chemical dependency counseling SUD related compensated field work experience or supervised internship/practicum totaling 2,000 hours (approximately one year)
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.
Federal regulations require the University of Cincinnati to publicly disclose whether completion of certain programs that lead or may lead to professional licensure or certification would meet a given state’s educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification required for employment in an occupation (regardless of whether the program is on-ground, online, or hybrid). To learn whether a University program meets a given state’s educational requirements, please visit the University of Cincinnati State Authorization webpage.
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