Masters in Addiction Counseling Online| Indiana Wesleyan University

Addiction Counselor Master's Degree

There is a great need for addiction professionals in America today. The Lewin Group, a Maryland-based consulting firm, reports that 5,000 new addiction counseling professionals are needed each year just to replace those who are leaving the field. The need for professionals with an addiction counselor degree is created by the rising number of addicting materials created and used each year. Individuals all over the world are fighting a battle with drug and alcohol abuse, substance abuse, or other addictive behaviors.

At Indiana Wesleyan University, we offer a 48-credit-hour master’s in addiction counseling that allows participants to gain hands-on experience while being clinically supervised by men and women of diverse cultural backgrounds with doctoral degrees in a variety of areas related to counseling. IWU’s goal is to provide the world with highly qualified Christian counseling professionals who are equipped to serve their communities in character, scholarship, and leadership.

Why Pursue My Master’s in Addiction Counseling Online at IWU?

Our master’s in addiction counseling program helps prepare students to meet credential requirements. The program adheres to current evidence-based practice, integrating a Christian worldview with a behavioral and social sciences orientation. Our Christian faculty teach from the same biblical worldview valued on our campus, so that students can implement these principles in a fulfilling career. Through our addiction counselor degree programs, IWU is an Approved Education Provider of NAADAC, the National Association for Addiction Professionals. Our graduate-level addiction counselor degree is also accredited through NASAC, The National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission. Participants in this program qualify for student membership and Addiction Professional in Training national certification through NAADAC and will be academically qualified to seek accreditation upon graduation.

What Will I Learn in a Master’s in Addiction Counseling Program?

Upon completion of the master’s in addiction counseling program, you’ll be prepared to articulate a clear understanding of CADC professional identity and deliver mental health services with multicultural competence. You’ll develop essential counseling skills that will prepare you to apply relevant research findings and evaluation models to inform treatment and intervention strategies in addiction counseling. Our addiction counselor degree program will help you demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental domains in addictions counseling and deliver addictions counseling services with multicultural competence and sensitivity while integrating faith into your addictions counseling practice in a clinically appropriate, sensitive, and ethical manner.

Learn more about the Master's in Addictions Counseling Online Program

Program FAQs

Dr. Amanda Davis brings more than 20 years of experience in public education as both a classroom teacher and school counselor. She serves as program director and full-time faculty at Indiana Wesleyan University and owns a private counseling practice, partnering with local schools. Her areas of expertise include school counselor leadership, principal and counselor collaboration, counselor wellness, and grief support. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, crafting, traveling with her family, and spending time with her two Labrador retrievers.

Dr. Judy Justice approaches counseling and teaching as a calling to serve others, modeling Christ-centered care in her work. She serves as a counselor with the American Red Cross Disaster Team, responding to local and national crises. With decades of experience in school counseling and higher education, she prepares graduate students to become compassionate, effective counselors. She has also served as a program director and contributed extensively to university and professional committees.

Dr. Erin Davis is a dedicated educator known for her strong relationships with students and commitment to service. She is passionate about supporting underserved communities and brings global perspective through experiences such as teaching at sea. With extensive experience in counseling and higher education, she equips students with both clinical skill and empathy.

Practicum and internship experiences provide hands-on training in real school settings. Students apply counseling skills, build professional confidence, and gain practical experience that prepares them for immediate employment as school counselors.

This CACREP-accredited school counseling program prepares graduates for careers as licensed school counselors in public, private, and charter schools serving Pre-K–12 students. Students in the dual School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling track are also prepared for careers in community mental health agencies, private practice, hospitals, and other behavioral health settings.

Key courses include Foundations of School Counseling, School Counseling Programming, and internship placement courses that provide supervised, real-world experience.

Graduates typically pursue licensure and begin working as school counselors. Dual-track graduates often pursue associate licensure in clinical mental health counseling while completing supervised hours toward full licensure.

School counseling is a comprehensive, school-based profession focused on academic, career, and social-emotional development. Students are trained to design and implement counseling programs, collaborate with educators and families, and use data to guide decision-making.

This program is primarily online with required in-person intensives and field experiences. Students complete coursework online, attend 2–3 day intensives for key courses, and complete practicum and internship hours in approved local school settings.

Courses are delivered primarily in an asynchronous online format, allowing flexibility for working adults. Students complete weekly modules, engage in discussions, and submit assignments within set deadlines.

Yes. Students complete a practicum and two internships in school counseling settings. The program provides guidance, approved site lists, and faculty support throughout the placement process.

Indiana Wesleyan University’s program is Christ-centered, CACREP-accredited, and designed for working adults. Students benefit from small class sizes, personalized mentorship, and the option to pursue a dual track in clinical mental health counseling.

Successful students are motivated, self-directed learners who are passionate about helping children and adolescents. They are collaborative, adaptable, and committed to personal and professional growth.

Students describe the program as supportive and relational. Faculty provide consistent guidance, and the flexible structure allows students to balance coursework, work, and family responsibilities.

Yes. This CACREP-aligned clinical addictions counseling program meets Indiana licensure requirements and reflects standards used by multiple states.

Students complete 100 practicum hours and 600 internship hours in approved clinical settings, with structured supervision and documentation aligned with licensure standards.

Students are trained in evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI), all widely used in addiction treatment.

Coursework includes psychopathology, ethics, and counseling law, with a focus on treating co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. These topics are reinforced through supervised clinical experiences.

Yes. Students receive guidance on licensure requirements across states during the application and advising process.

Program Requirements

Admission Requirements

A baccalaureate or graduate degree from a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) verified on original transcripts sent by the institution directly to Indiana Wesleyan University.
An undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from the baccalaureate degree-granting institution at which at least 30 hours was completed.
- The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required for those applicants with undergraduate cumulative GPAs of less than 3.0.
  - The test must have been taken within five years of application to the program.
  - Verbal (V) score of at least 146 is required.
  - Successful graduate coursework may be substituted for the GRE.
A typewritten admissions essay including your autobiography and philosophy of counseling
A criminal background check.
Three recommendations – at least one from a professional (professor, supervisor, etc.)

Applicants whose application documents demonstrate potential for success in the Graduate Program in Counseling will be invited to participate in a personal interview.
All students are required to complete the CNS 500 New Student Orientation course online when they are admitted into the program.

NOTE: The graduate admissions committee retains the right to waive an admission requirement for special circumstances. Successful graduate coursework may be substituted for the GRE.

Transfer of Credits in Graduate Counseling

Up to 35% of a program's required credit hours may be transferred from an accredited institution into a graduate-level counseling program at Indiana Wesleyan University.

Graduation Requirements

Successful completion of the required core curriculum, specialization courses, and electives with a minimum grade of "C" in each course and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
All degree requirements must be completed within six years of enrollment.
Payment of all tuition and fees.

SPECIAL NOTE:

State regulations may prohibit licensure for individuals who have ever been convicted of a crime of violence or of any crime that has a direct bearing on the ability to practice competently.
The applicant is responsible to check the licensing requirements with his or her state licensing agency prior to beginning the program.

Additional Requirements

Students are expected to attend two (2) intensives as part of the requirements of their program.
The CNS 500 Orientation course must be completed, as a Credit/No Credit (CR/NC), within the first term of the student’s program or the student will be unable to register for additional courses.
- Additionally, CNS 500 Orientation must be retaken if the student is inactive or withdrawn from the program and seeks readmission to the program.

Accreditation

Students are expected to attend two (2) intensives as part of the requirements of their program.
The CNS 500 Orientation course must be completed, as a Credit/No Credit (CR/NC), within the first term of the student’s program or the student will be unable to register for additional courses.
- Additionally, CNS 500 Orientation must be retaken if the student is inactive or withdrawn from the program and seeks readmission to the program.

Online Master's in Addiction Counseling

Addiction Counselor Master's Degree

Why Pursue My Master’s in Addiction Counseling Online at IWU?

What Will I Learn in a Master’s in Addiction Counseling Program?

Learn more about the Master's in Addictions Counseling Online Program

Graduate Counseling at IWU

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Program FAQs

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