Hi. So I am majoring in addictions studies. I have two paths to do this.
The first is at my local community college. They offer an AAS in Addictions Counseling. I am a recovering alcoholic and it would be nice to stay where my recovery community is. It would also be nice to pay less for college. I have all the general ed requirements so it would be quick. The downside is lower certification and possibly less pay and job opportunities.
The second is at a university that offers a BA in Addictions Studies. The course list is virtually identical. This would give me higher level certification and qualify me for more jobs. The downside is more expenses and having to find a new recovery community away from home.
I will have enough credits to transfer by winter. Thoughts?
Most mental health counselors (which would include addictions specialists) need at least a master’s degree to practice, so if you’re in the U.S., an AAS wouldn’t be enough to qualify you for the majority of good paying, full-time jobs in this field. A BA would be the absolute minimum necessary for entry-level jobs here.
However, of course your health is the primary concern.
Is it an option to complete the AAS first, stay in your recovery community while you begin to explore recovery communities in the city in which the other university is in, then transfer to the university with the BA after 2-3 years?
@Sm412 Hello, I thought I would check to see if anyone was posting about this and saw your post right away. So I am also a recovering alcoholic and went back to school as well, it’s a great experience as I’m sure you know. What your options are depend on where you live, like which state. I’m in California, in my case I got an AS in alcohol and drug studies after getting an AA in psychology and transferring to a 4 year from my CC. So out here, I have not seen many 4 year addiction degrees, though they are at a few CSUs. I transfered to a near by UC to complete my psych degree and I’m applying to masters programs now. This all went better than I thought, I do think that those of us in recovery tend to find luck and an open door when we need it, so if you want to do more than an AS or BA consider it on the table. I’m curious how old you are, how long you have been sober, and what kind of support you have if any from family. Feel free to PM me if you want. I’m very very glad I got the additional AS in addiction, it was an extra 43 units and was all very interesting and focused on counseling, case management, addiction science, theories related to therapy, family systems, group counseling, ethics, and larger cultural issues as well. Many masters level clinicians I meet tell me they had 1 class on addiction during their grad school, yes one! I had to complete 2 internships at addiction treatment facilities for a total of 250 supervised hours. All that was required to apply for certification. In California, you can become an addiction counselor after obtaining a certificate of achievement or an AS degree from an accredited CC, and after passing a certification test. You are then what is called a CATC i till you complete 2000 hours of field experience, then you are fully certified, and if you have an AA or AS degree you are a CATC II if you have a BA in a behavioral health related major you are a CATC III and with a masters you are a CATC IV. This certification is done through an organization called CAADE. There is a second certifying organization in California for addiction counseling called CCAPP as well, it’s similar. Now, I of course like how I did things and I will tell you why… for one I have a more well rounded education. I have a background in psychology, addiction counseling, and soon a masters in social work, which will allow me to work as a therapist. I learned things studying psychology I never learned in my addiction program, and vice versa. As for pay, you might want to consider aiming for a masters degree as a long term goal. Counselors with AS degrees make about as much as counselors with BAs which tends to be about 45 thousand a year after certification. The other reason to continue your education is just to give yourself more career options. The addiction treatment industry is full of some great people and some great agencies, but just as full of very predatory agencies doing shadey stuff and a high rate of burnout. I for one love the work so far, but I can see how that could change if the treatment team where I am was different.So anyways read what I put respond to my few questions if you want, and don’t sell yourself short, you want to be a doctor do it, you want a masters do it, you want a BA do it. I’m 3 years sober and started school when I was in early recovery, however I’ve been able to do it all in the area I go to meetings. Now at 3 years sober I think I would be ok dong school out of the area as I am very stable and happy now, but earlier in my recovery even at 2 years I think it would have been too soon for ME to leave my home group and recovery area.