Online
Addictions and Mental Health Treatment (Online)
With 40 years of history, Alvernia’s Addictions and Mental Health Treatment degree is one of the oldest and best of its kind to be found at the college or university level. Now, you can experience this same level of excellence in a flexible, online degree program.
Alvernia’s online degree develops broad-based skills necessary to address the challenges presented by today’s complex addictions and mental health treatment problems. The program provides students with a solid core of knowledge and skills to prepare them for professional positions in a wide range of areas. Through this program, you’ll earn academic credentials required to take you one step closer for the certified alcohol and drug counselor (CADC) certification.
- Program Length:
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2.00 or 4.00 Years
- Course Length:
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7 Weeks
- Tuition:
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$675 Per Credit
- Study Format:
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Online
- Credit Hours:
- 123
Career Outlook
Fast-Growing Profession
Addictions and Mental Health Treatment is a dynamic and growing field with an increasing need for qualified, professional employees. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of addictions and mental health counselors is projected to grow 17 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Compensation
The median annual wage for addictions and mental health counselors in 2024 was $59,190, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Job Options
Pursue a variety of careers, including:
- Client advocate
- Mental Health facility
- Criminal Justice
- Children and Youth
- Inpatient and Outpatient Rehabilitation
- Hospitals
- Prevention specialist
- Intervention
- Advocacy
- Social Services
Program Overview
- Application Instructions
For admission into Alvernia’s online Bachelor of Arts in Addictions and Mental Health Treatment degree, you must have a 2.0 GPA or higher. To apply:
- Speak to an enrollment counselor
- Complete an application
- Provide evidence of high school completion/graduation. Documentation may include high school transcript, diploma, GED scores, or equivalent.*
- Submit official transcripts of all previous college work (if applicable)
- Submit a copy of from military (if applicable)
*This requirement may be waived if an official college transcript is provided to validate completion of 15 credits or more from an accredited school.
- Financing Your Education
There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.
- Topics of Study
- Issues surrounding prevention and treatment of substance abuse disorders
- Fundamentals of mental illness and psychiatric disorders
- Various theories and therapeutic approaches, including Freudian theory, Gestalt principles, and how they apply to treatment
- Tools for assessing and evaluating behavioral disorders
- Various counseling techniques and how to communicate with patients in 1-on-1 and group settings
- Crisis theory and how to identify, intervene and de-escalate potentially dangerous situations
- Ethical, legal and professional issues in behavioral health counseling practice, such as client rights and professional boundaries
- Program Accreditation
- Alvernia’s courses are approved by the (PCB), the foremost drug and alcohol credentialing organization in the state. Certification by the PCB is reciprocal among other U.S. states and internationally. A Bachelor of Arts in Addictions and Mental Health Treatment fulfills the requirement for certification and re-certification of addiction counselors by the PCB. Students who do not reside in Pennsylvania should contact the chemical abuse certification board in their state for information about requirements and certification.
- Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the (MSCHE). MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
She lost everything — perseverance helped her recover
“All my life, Alvernia is the only thing I started and finished," said Shannon Qualters, who graduated with a degree in Addictions and Mental Health Treatment in 2023. "They believed in me when no one else did.”