Degree Highlights
- Integrate Christian faith with best practices in mental health, addiction recovery, psychological science, and counseling ethics.
- Understand the root causes of addiction and develop strategies to help clients overcome unresolved issues.
- Build critical thinking skills essential for a successful career in substance abuse and addiction counseling.
- Benefit from the flexibility of online learning, allowing you to study on your schedule with the support of dedicated, caring professors.
- Gain the clinical skills and professional preparation needed for certification as a Substance Abuse and Addiction Counselor.
For over 30 years, Montreat College’s School of Adult and Graduate Studies has empowered students to acquire essential skills, complete their degrees, and advance their careers. Montreat offers undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs both in the classroom and online.
How soon can I start?
With six start dates a year for most programs you have the flexibility to start when makes the most sense for you. Chances are we have classes starting in the near future, providing you the opportunity to move forward with your academic goals. Please see the admissions page for specific enrollment and start dates.
What are the admissions requirements?
Applicants must submit the following for admissions consideration:
- Montreat College Application for Admission
- Official, final transcripts of all college courses taken (All final transcripts must include graduation information)
- Minimum 2.75 GPA over last 60 credit hours of undergraduate work
Apply for admission today!
What are the program requirements?
The program requirements can be found in the academic catalog.
Start your success story at Montreat.
Why Earn a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology with Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling?
Montreat College’s Master of Science in Counseling Psychology with Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling prepares students to become knowledgeable and skilled professionals in the field of addiction recovery. Through this program, students develop expertise in assessment techniques and gain a deep understanding of the addiction and substance abuse recovery process. They also examine the root causes of addiction and learn how to help clients resolve underlying issues that may have contributed to their struggles.
In addition to practical skills, students study the latest counseling theories and learn how to apply them effectively in real-world recovery settings. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in substance abuse counseling and addiction counseling for children, adolescents, and adults, as well as recovery and rehabilitation counseling for individuals and families.
Growth Potential
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U.S. Bureau for Labor Statistics (BLS) Estimates
Career Opportunities
Cost-conscious
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Financing college can be intimidating, which is why we’ve developed programs and opportunities to help you.
Why Montreat?
At Montreat College, we understand the unique challenges adult learners face. That's why we've created a program that empowers you to balance work, family, and education without compromising your career ambitions.
Flexible scheduling
Our classes are conveniently scheduled, so you can earn your degree while still meeting your daily commitments.
Supportive community
Join a close-knit community of experienced faculty who are dedicated to your success. As an AGS student, you're part of the Montreat family.
Affordable tuition
We are committed to making a Christ-centered education as affordable as possible, so you can achieve your educational goals. That’s why Montreat College tuition is nearly 25% lower than the national average for private colleges and universities.
Relevant programs
Montreat College offers a wide range of degree programs and certificates in fields such as Business Administration, Education, Counseling, and more. Our programs are designed to align with industry trends and provide you with the skills employers are seeking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to complete the MSCP: SAAC program?
If students take 1 or 2 courses each session/2 or 4 courses per semester, they should complete this program within 6 to 8 semesters.
How much does the MSCP: SAAC degree program cost?
Montreat College programs are competitively priced, and we offer multiple forms of financial aid to help you achieve your educational goals. Please see the current AGS Tuition and Fees page here. Also, please keep in mind that there are multiple college and government financial aid programs available to help mitigate the cost of your education. You can learn more about your financial aid options.
What are the length of online courses?
The courses for this graduate program are eight-week sessions. There are 2 sessions in a semester. To be considered a full-time graduate student, a student must take 6 credit hours per semester. The student must take 1 course (3 credit hours) the first eight-week session and 1 course (3 credit hours) the second eight-week session. Semesters in this program are Spring, Summer, and Fall.
What jobs can you pursue with a MSCP: SAAC degree?
This degree prepares students to become Licensed Substance Abuse and Addiction Counselors. Substance Abuse and Addiction Counselors work in a variety of fields such as:
- Community Health Worker
- Mental Health/Behavioral Counselor
- Residential Assistant/Advisor
- Social/Human Services Assistant
- Substance Abuse Counselor
- Youth Counselor/Worker
What is the job market like for people with a MSCP: SAAC degree?
The regional outlook is strong with 14.47% job growth expected over the next 10 years and national outlook is strong with 14.88% job growth expected over the next 10 years.
How much money do MSCP: SAAC professionals typically make?
The average regional and national salary of graduates from this type of program is $36,000, with top salaries for master’s graduates ranging over $73,000.
What courses will I study?
COUN5212: Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling
This course will examine ethical standards and ethical decision making for the practice of counseling. Applicable Codes of Ethics will be examined and case studies will be used to challenge students to think critically about ethics and ethical decision making. Ethical issues in individual, group, family, and couples counseling will be covered as well as multicultural consideration. The course will also address confidentiality, informed consent, boundaries, multiple relationships, supervision, and consultation within an ethical framework.
COUN5213: Theories in Counseling
This course provides an overview of counseling theories and related techniques including psychoanalytic, gestalt, behavioral, cognitive, reality, existential, Adlerian, family systems, feminist, and postmodern therapies. Students will demonstrate beginning skills for counseling through videotaped role play session with classmates.
COUN5222: Mental Health Diagnosis and Treatment
This course will provide students an overview of clinical diagnoses according to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual-5 (DSM-5). Diagnosis criteria will be reviewed and current best practice treatment options will be reviewed. Case studies will be utilized to provide students opportunities to practice diagnostic skills. Treatment planning in counseling will also be discussed.
COUN5216: Assessment in Counseling
This course will provide an overview of assessment methods and tools used in counseling, including intakes as well as standardized assessments. Ethical standards for the use of assessments in counseling will be reviewed. Students will experience taking an assessment, writing an assessment report, and providing a critical review of assessment.
COUN5261: Substance Abuse Counseling
This course will provide an overview of the nature of substance use, abuse, and dependency. Education, prevention, treatment, and recovery will be addressed.
MSCP5214: Techniques in Addiction Counseling
This course provides students an understanding of effective addiction counseling interventions from individual, relational, and systems perspectives with unique emphasis on motivational interviewing. Students also examine personal characteristics and their effect on individual, couple and family counseling using case discussion and analysis.
MSCP5280: Client, Family, and Community Education in Addiction Counseling
This course provides an overview of the process of providing clients, families, significant others, and community groups with information on risks related to psychoactive substance use, as well as available prevention, treatment and recovery resources. Cultural diversity is appreciated and highlighted. Factors that increase the likelihood for an individual, community, or group to be at-risk for, or resilient to, psychoactive substance use disorders are described, as well as health and behavior problems related to addiction including infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, TB, and STDs.
MSCP5252: Case Management and Relapse Prevention in Addiction Counseling
This course emphasizes the coordinated approach to the delivery of substance abuse and addiction services. Effective case management focuses on the whole person, addresses other client psychosocial problems, and is associated with treatment retention which leads to better outcomes. The role of effective documentation, referral, and relapse prevention are highlighted.
COUN5217: Research Methods in Counseling
This course will provide an overview of qualitative and quantitative research methodology and techniques and discuss the role of research in counseling. Ethical standards for conducting research will be discussed. Students will develop the ability to read and critically evaluate counseling literature as well as develop a research prospectus.
MSCP6150: Methods in MFT
The purpose of this course is to develop students’ knowledge and skills in therapeutic approaches to individuals, marital, and family therapy within a systemic perspective. Students will examine theoretical foundations, research findings, basic principles, assessment techniques, and the intervention strategies of relational and systemic/interactional therapy. These examinations are applied to a wide variety of problems in marriage, family, and social relationships and are framed within a Christian theological context.
MSCP5232: Diagnosis and Treatment Planning of Addictive Disorders
A course designed to introduce the student to current counseling and treatment techniques for substance abuse. Emphasis is placed on etiological factors, physiological and psychological effects, and related behaviors.
COUN5223: Group Counseling
This course will provide an overview of theory and principles of effective group work, provide students an opportunity to develop skills in using group techniques, and plan activities for groups. Students will participate in a group experience during this course. Ethical standards for group counseling will be reviewed.
COUN5231: Spirituality and Religion in Counseling
This course will examine the role of spirituality and religious beliefs in the counseling relationship and process. Students will explore how different religious traditions that clients may participate in could influence the counseling process, as well as examine their own religious and spiritual foundations for their counseling theory and practice. Students will explore the concept of toxic faith and how toxic beliefs can manifest and present within the therapeutic setting. Ethical standards will be discussed.
COUN5215: Multicultural Counseling
This course will provide students an opportunity to begin to develop skills for multicultural competency when providing counseling services to clients of diverse backgrounds. Multicultural competencies will be reviewed, and students will explore their own identity as a cultural being.
COUN5251: Crisis Intervention and Crisis Counseling
This course will provide students with an overview of counseling skills for working in crisis and trauma situations as well as crisis intervention theory. Students will review case studies and create a crisis resource for a client population or counseling setting of interest.
MSCP6224: Addiction Counseling Internship
This course involves an intensely supervised experience in the student’s designated program area at an approved site. Students are required to complete a total of 300 clock hours of addiction counseling and related services, 150 of which are direct client contact hours. While gaining direct service experience with clients, students regularly meet with an approved supervisor. Student counseling performance is evaluated throughout the internship. The student’s professional development along with the dynamics of the counseling relationship, diagnosis, treatment, and legal/ethical issues are primary areas of focus.