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 partner through the application process, getting enrolled, and starting your program
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
The online Substance Abuse Counseling Program is 120 credit hours and offers course credit in recognition of competencies gained during qualifying chemical dependency counseling work experience within the 12 core functions (Screening, Intake, Orientation, Assessment, Treatment Planning, Counseling: Individual, Group, Family, Case Management, Crisis Intervention, Client Education, Referral, Consultation, Reports & Recordkeeping). Work experience credits may be earned for the following credentials/experiences:
- Three credits may be earned for proof of certification as an Ohio Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA) or the equivalent from other states.
- Students may earn one credit (maximum of three credits total) for each year of supervised work experience in the 12 core functions. Students interested in work experience credits should contact their advisor and collect documentation of their CDCA (or equivalent) and any supervised field experience in the 12 core functions they have accumulated. Documentation of supervised experience may include hours logs or summaries signed by a licensed supervisor.
Students with the CDCA (or equivalent), as well as three or more years of qualifying work experience, earn all available six credits.
Non-Internship Subplan for Substance Abuse Counseling Program
The Substance Abuse Counseling Program offers the sub-plan to students who already have enough substance use disorder-related work experience to satisfy the supervised experience requirements for licensure. Contact an Enrollment Services Advisor to learn more about Non-internship track.
| Course | Title/Description | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| SACN1000 | Introduction to Substance Abuse Counseling This course is designed to provide an overview of the field of substance abuse counseling and its graduate level academic trajectories (counseling, social work, psychology, etc.) Students will be oriented to the learning expectations of the program and the university consistent with UC's baccalaureate competencies. Students will develop a portfolio, including a career plan and personal learning contract, which will be supplemented throughout the course of the substance abuse counseling program. |
3 |
| SACN1005 | Introduction to Substance Abuse Prevention Students will learn about evidence-based best practices in substance abuse and related behavior prevention. The course content is designed to increase student knowledge and skills as they prepare to develop, implement, and evaluate prevention programs in clinical settings, schools and communities. |
3 |
| SACN1010 | Historical Perspectives in Substance Abuse Counseling This course is designed to provide an historical overview of substance abuse, including its impact on society, the law, foreign policy, and the economy in the United States. Students will explore the evolution of legal and social responses understood through the historical contexts in which they occurred. Furthermore, students will learn about the evolution of substance abuse counseling and its relationship toother helping professions. |
3 |
| SACN2000 | Basic Pharmacology This course provides students with concepts in pharmacology explored through the lens of substance use disorders. Students will gain an understanding of the human nervous system, learning how it reacts to addictive drugs and the physiological reasons one becomes dependent. In addition, students will learn about clinical trials and the research designs used to test the safety and efficacy of prescription medications. Finally, students will explore the role of drug therapies, including opioid replacement therapies, in substance abuse treatment settings. |
3 |
| SACN2009 | Alcoholism This course presents a multidimensional approach to the "disease" of alcoholism. It provides an understanding of the sociological, psychological, physiological, moral and behavioral models and effects associated with the disorder. In addition,students will receive and review diagnostic and therapeutic tools currently in use. |
3 |
| SACN2011 | Drugs and Behavior In this course, students will review the individual, family, and societal factors that are associated with individual substance use. In addition, this course will explore the biochemical and predisposition variables of chemical dependency, as well as the psychological and behavioral effects on the dependent person and the family system. Primary therapeutic and relapse interventions are presented as well as an overview on prevention models. |
3 |
| SACN2013 | Stress Management in Clinical and Community Settings This course will help students understand the basic principles of stress management and how theymay be applied to clinical and community settings.This is accomplished through the study of the mind-body relationship in stress management (psychophysiology of stress), coping skills, cognitive reappraisal of daily life stressors, andtechniques to deal with these stressors. In addition, students will learn about the relationship between sociological factors and stress and how these are addressed in treatment and prevention. |
3 |
| SACN2021 | Assessment and Diagnosis in Substance Abuse Counseling The purpose of this course is to introduce students to clinical assessment and diagnostic processes in substance abuse counseling. The students will learn the key elements of the multidimensional assessment process, which will include the use of various screening and assessment tools, proper interviewing techniques, and impediments to the assessment process. Students will be introduced to the Multiaxial System in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) with specific concentrations on substance use disorders. |
3 |
| SACN2041 | Foundations of Cultural Competence This course will provide students with the essential substance abuse cultural competency skills needed in the 21st Century. Through interactive discussions and assignments, this course will help students understand their own cultural values and biases so that they may engage others more effectively. Furthermore, students will learn about others' unique worldviews formed through individual and collective experiences, particularly as related to substance abuse. There will be multiple opportunities to learn and demonstrate culturally competent communication skills. |
3 |
| SACN2050 | Drug and Alcohol Use Impacting Children and Adolescents: A Developmental Concern This course will introduce you to the impact of substance use on children and adolescents through the lens of human development topics and theory. Additionally, information on the influence of substance use on child development and family and child functioning will be reviewed. Review and presentation of theory and research about child development and substance use and addiction will be presented. Writing and presenting information on child development and the impact of substance use on child development is a goal for students participating in this course. Understanding information about child and family coping, stress,and theory related to substance use is another goal of this course. |
3 |
| SACN3012 | Ethics in Substance Abuse Counseling The course is designed to provide students with a foundation for ethical decision making in substance abuse counseling. Students will be introduced to ethical codes, legal standards, and decision making models used to negotiate ethical dilemmas faced by substance abuse professionals. Through case scenarios, student will use these resources and explore their own values, increasingself-awareness and professional competencies. |
3 |
| SACN3016 | Abnormal Behavior The course focuses on the development of abnormal behavior patterns that are diagnosed by mental health professionals. Taught from a practical approach, students will learn commonly occurring diagnoses, their etiology, and how they may be treated in clinical settings. Symptomatology will be explored in relation to biological, sociocultural, psychological and social dimension.Multicultural and ethical issues in relation to diagnosing and referral practices will be addressed. |
3 |
| SACN3021 | Co-Occurring Disorders in Treatment The purpose of this course is to provide students with a basic knowledge about co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Students will learn specific information about individual mentalhealth disorders and evidence-based practices usedto treat them when they occur among individuals who use alcohol or other drugs. Differential diagnoses and referral practices will be explored.Ethical and professional considerations for substance abuse counselors will be emphasized. |
3 |
| SACN3030 | Advanced Cultural Competence in Substance Abuse Counseling This course will lead students to develop advanced cultural competencies—knowledge, awareness, and skills— and advocacy competencies essential to providing substance abuse counseling services to diverse clients. Students will gain knowledge of cultural and social factors (e.g., economic, social, political, linguistic, and ethical systems) that vary across societies. They will also gain greater awareness of their own cultural backgrounds, including ethical frameworks, and explore how they influence decision-making and might bias clinical judgement. These multicultural and advocacy competencies will better prepare students to engage diverse individuals and communities and support clients who face social inequalities. |
3 |
| SACN3031 | Theoretical Foundations of Substance Abuse Counseling This course will provide a comprehensive overview of various counseling theories, specifically those counseling models commonly used in the field of substance abuse counseling. Through readings, multimedia materials, assignments and investigative research the student will build the foundation for the development of a personal counseling approach that incorporates best practices. Fundamentals of the counseling process,basic issues faced by a beginning counselor, and ethics and requirements of a therapeutic relationship will be emphasized. |
3 |
| SACN3032 | Fundamental Substance Abuse Counseling Skills This advanced class focuses on the development of fundamental skills necessary for individual counseling of client with a substance use disorder. Drawing from a variety of approaches andtechniques, the student will develop a greater depth of therapeutic communication skills. Experiential exercises, skill demonstration, and self/peer assessment, guide the student to a broader ability to successfully influence a positive therapeutic outcome. |
3 |
| SACN4000 | Group Skills in Substance Abuse Counseling This course is an introduction to group process, leadership and practice for substance abuse counseling. Students will gain insight into theoretical and practical concepts of group counseling used within a substance abuse clinical setting. Ethical, legal, and professional concernsof group process will be addressed, along with parameters for best practices. Within the course, students will conceptualize and develop a group proposal that can be implemented for recovering clients or their families. |
3 |
| SACN4001 | Substance Abuse Counseling for Families and Other Relationships Using systems perspectives, this course provides students the core framework with which to provide substance abuse counseling to families and other intimate relationships. Students will learn the etiology of substance abuse from a relationship perspective, understanding how families and other relationships relate to substance addictions. Overthe term, students will learn how to apply systemstheories and relationship counseling skills to various clinical scenarios. |
3 |
| SACN4002 | Crisis Management Skills This course will provide students the most currentproven practices in crisis management, particularly those encountered by substance abuse professionals. Through a strengths-based lens, crisis will be understood as both dangerous and full of potential where personal and collective assets may be mobilized for growth and change. Subjects will include childhood trauma, disaster response, suicide, sexual assault, partner violence, grief and loss, institutional violence, and self-care strategies. |
3 |
| SACN4003 | Maintenance Strategies for Long-Term Substance Abuse Recovery In this course, students will learn how to help individuals with substance abuse with strategies to prevent relapses and promote recovery. The student will learn the relapse and recovery process, including: understanding the phases of recovery; recognizing a healthy recovery from addiction; understanding the causes, triggers, andmanifestations of relapse; understanding how to prevent relapse; and recognizing relapse and recovery issues uniquely associated with diverse populations. |
3 |
| SACN4004 | Case Management and Treatment Planning in Substance Abuse Counseling This course is designed to help student build their treatment planning and case management skills in substance abuse counseling. Students will apply best practices in treatment planning tovarious case scenarios including clients from populations including men, women, AIDS/HIV infected persons, dually diagnosed individuals, adolescents, older adults and some culturally-specific populations. In addition, students will learn skills to develop community relationships with other service providers and howto appropriately make referrals consistent with best practices and state and federal regulations. |
3 |
| SACN5000 | Senior Capstone Experience This capstone course provides an opportunity to integrate academic course work, best practices research, field (agency) functions and structures, and required licensure content. Through completion of course activities, students will demonstrate senior capstone competencies. |
3 |
| SACN5050 | Internship in Substance Abuse Counseling The purpose of this internship is to support independent functioning as a substance abuse counselor. The internship is a supervised field experience following comprehensive integrated coursework, aligned with national certification standards in substance abuse counseling. Successful completion of the internship will be determined through student and supervisor documentation. |
3 |
| SACN5051 | Internship in Substance Abuse Counseling II This internship is to support independent functioning as a substance abuse counselor. The second internship is a supervised field experience following comprehensive integrated coursework and Internship in Substance Abuse Counseling, aligned with national certification standards in substance abuse counseling. Successful completion of the internship will be determined through student and supervisor documentation. |
3 |
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:
- $50.00 for domestic applicants to most degree programs
- $100.00 for international applicants to most degree programs
- Application fees for UC Online programs are waived through Summer 2026 for all applicants
- Fee waivers are automatically applied for applicants who:
- are currently serving in the US armed forces
- are veterans of the US armed forces
Applications are accepted continuously throughout the year. Our staff will review your application based on the following:
After submitting your application form, all applicants are required to have official transcripts sent directly to University of Cincinnati in order to be eligible for admissions review.
- First-Year and Transfer Applicants with Fewer Than 24 Completed Semester Hours at a Prior College:
- Order official transcripts from your high school and all prior colleges (if applicable) for delivery directly to University of Cincinnati.
- Transfer Applicants with 24+ Completed Semester Hours at a Prior College:
- Order official transcripts from all prior colleges for delivery directly to University of Cincinnati.
- You are exempt from the High School transcript requirement, this item will be removed from your application checklist once your college documents are received.
Please review the section below for guidance on how to submit your transcripts.
Online transcript request systems are the preferred method to deliver official transcripts electronically. 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 to determine their ordering process.
If a physical copy must be sent, DO NOT request it be delivered to you. It must be sent directly from your prior school to the following address:
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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