Coming Soon! This program is in the final stages of approval. Be
one of the first participants in this new program!
The BS in Substance Use and Abuse Studies is a flexible,
fully online program designed to prepare students for a
career in addiction studies and counseling. With an urgent
national and statewide need for a competent workforce in
professional addictions counseling, this
new and in-demand profession is expected to grow by
17% from 2024 through 2034, much faster than the
average for all occupations (U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024).
The degree is on track for accreditation with the
California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators
(CAADE), making graduates eligible to become
Certified Addiction Treatment Counselors with the Addiction
Counselor Certification Board of California (ACCBC),
increasing employment opportunities in licensed and certified
inpatient and outpatient facilities. The proposed degree also
provides a direct pathway to Sacramento State’s Master of
Science in Counseling graduate degree with four
concentrations for expanded professional employment opportunities
across the counseling field, including private clinical practice.
Complete the Bachelor of
Science in Substance Use and Abuse Studies departmental
application.
Benefits
- Fully online asynchronous and synchronous learning
- Accelerated 8-week course sessions
- Flexible year-round programming
- Finish in as little as 2 years
- High-quality, expert-led instruction by University
faculty
- Financial aid is eligible based on student need
Audience
This program is designed for students who:
- Need a fully online modality to complete their BS in
Substance Use and Abuse Studies to accommodate work schedules,
family obligations, or geographic barriers to traditional
on-campus study
- Have already completed lower-division coursework at a
community college or university
- Are interested in pursuing a career in addiction counseling
- May already be working in the field of addictions or
counseling and are seeking career advancement
Admission Requirements
- Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
- Minimum 45 CSU-transferable units
- Completion of two or more of the following General Education
Subject Areas:
- Subject Area 1A: English Composition
- Subject Area 1B: Critical Thinking
- Subject Area 1C: Oral Communication
- Subject Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative
Reasoning
Structure
Students take 8-week asynchronous and synchronous online courses.
There are two sessions per semester, allowing students
flexibility while they finish their degree in a timely manner.
This format is designed to accommodate the needs of working
adults with multiple responsibilities, providing the opportunity
for students to advance their education while maintaining
employment and personal commitments.
