BS in Substance Abuse Psychology

Learn more about the Bachelors degree in substance abuse psychology and what it can do for your career...

Most individuals who enter the field of substance abuse psychology by becoming a counselor, social worker, or psychologist have had their lives personally affected by someone struggling with substance abuse.

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Substance abuse can turn healthy and happy parents, siblings and children into depressed, downtrodden people who see very few options for themselves. Advanced stages of drug abuse can lead to irreversible health problems and even death. Individuals who have bravely decided to help people struggling with substance abuse problems can be the last or only hope for many.

What you will learn...

Specifically, a Bachelors degree in Substance Abuse Psychology will provide you with knowledge in the following areas:

Bachelors in Substance Abuse Psychology Concepts

  • Examine the prevention, development, and treatment of substance abuse
  • Classifications of illicit, prescription, and over-the-counter drugs
  • Physiological and psychological effects of various drugs
  • Relation of brain and addiction
  • Diagnostic criteria for determining substance abuse
  • Psychosocial issues associated with substance abuse
  • Educational models
  • Demographics associated with levels of abuse
  • Counseling psychology aspects
  • Case management issues
  • Foundations of psychology

Bachelors in Substance Abuse Psychology Programs ...

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The representatives at the above universities will provide you with more information about their Bachelor's degree program in Substance Abuse Psychology and about possible future career prospects associated with this degree.

** Note: Most professional careers in the substance abuse field will require an advance degree such as becoming a counselor (Master's degree) or psychologist (PhD in Psychology). Therefore, in many situations, you do not need to specialize in your undergraduate education. Below is a list of schools offering bachelor degree programs in psychology that can set you up to continue toward an advanced degree in Substance Abuse Psychology.

Salary Benefits...

As stated in a Bureau of Labor and Statistics Current Population Survey from March of 20091:

  • The average salaries of those who hold a Bachelor's degree in 2008 was $978/week, while those only holding a high school diploma was $591/week.
  • In May of 2008, the BLS survey indicated the median salary for Substance Abuse Counselors was $39,670. The top 10% of earners brought home $59,460.

Advancement...

A bachelor's degree in substance abuse psychology, or a general psychology, is the foundation you need to be able to apply for graduate level programs. Since most professional positions in the substance abuse field require a master's degree, a bachelor's degree in psychology is a necessary step toward a professional career in this industry.

Career possibilities for those with a Bachelor's degree in Substance Abuse Psychology...

Resources:
1 BLS Statistics from 2008