The Best Online Bachelor’s in Addiction and Recovery Counseling for 2025

Addiction and recovery counselors are in high demand, and a bachelor’s degree can help you launch your career in this growing field. But what can you expect from an online addiction counseling bachelor’s degree? And what are the best online programs for this major? Our guide walks you through what you need to know.

When choosing an online bachelor’s degree program, cost is often at the top of the list. Other important factors include accreditation, potential careers, and the program format. Researching these areas can help you find the best fit.

Online students should always choose an accredited college or university to earn their bachelor’s degrees. Accredited institutions follow the best practices in higher education. They also undergo rigorous reviews to earn and maintain their accreditation.

Choosing an accredited school can also impact your financial aid and job opportunities. Some graduate programs require an accredited bachelor’s degree for admissions.

When it comes to accreditation for psychology programs, undergraduates should look at the institution’s accreditation status. Psychology accrediting agencies only evaluate graduate-level programs.

A bachelor’s in addiction and recovery counseling can prepare you for a career as a substance use or addiction counselor. If you’re interested in pursuing drug and alcohol counselor certification following graduation, make sure the program you choose offers courses, electives, and practical experiences that meet your state’s requirements.

If you plan to earn a master’s in addition and recovery counseling, you’ll also want to look for undergraduate programs with a strong graduate placement rate. You can contact programs to learn more about their graduate placement statistics.

Do you want to earn your degree fully online or take some classes in person? Online bachelor’s programs in addiction and recovery counseling offer both fully remote and hybrid delivery formats.

Which format works best for you? It depends on your learning style and preferences. Some students prefer in-person discussions with faculty and classmates. Others want the flexibility of a fully online format.

However, if you want the flexibility of an online format with face-to-face components, you can also look for synchronous online programs with live class sessions held via videoconferencing.

The cost of an online bachelor’s in addiction and recovery counseling varies widely. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, undergraduates across the U.S. paid, on average, between $9,750 and $35,248 in tuition and fees in 2022-2023. In general, in-state public institutions charge the lowest tuition rates, but you’ll need to consider the total cost of the degree, including fees and textbooks.

You can apply for financial aid, including federal student aid programs such as the Pell Grant and merit-based scholarships, to help pay for your degree.

Hands-on experience deepens your understanding of counseling and addiction recovery and is a common requirement for becoming a certified drug and alcohol counselor. Many online programs incorporate practical experience opportunities, including practicums and internships.

When researching programs, look at the experiential learning requirements to find a good fit. Do programs help arrange internships or expect students to organize these opportunities? Is experiential learning optional or required? And does the school offer opportunities in your preferred specialization? Considering these questions can help you narrow down your options.

Ready to take the next step toward earning a bachelor’s in addiction and recovery counseling? You’ll need to meet the admission requirements.

Common requirements include:

You’ll also need official college transcripts if you’re a transfer student. Because the requirements depend on the program, you must review each program to ensure you qualify. For more, check out our undergraduate application and transfer guide.