Social work:
Helping people through counseling, advocacy and community practice.

Substance Abuse and Addictions Counseling

Social work gave me the opportunity to be the voice of reassurance and help those in a manner that I wish I could have been heard and helped when I was struggling. It gives me more than just a hope for a better tomorrow, it lets me be a part of making tomorrow better.

–BCSW Graduate

Why would I want to be a licensed addictions counselor?

  • This career path offers a compassionate and supportive role in helping individuals recover from substance use or other addiction issues.
  • Currently, there is a high demand for addiction counselors, creating many job opportunities in the field. This profession not only fosters growth and development in those you support but also encourages personal growth.
  • The field of recovery provides numerous opportunities for professional advancement.
  • Students who earn a Social Work degree from Bethel College and complete the required elective courses are eligible to sit for the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board’s Licensed Addiction Counseling Exam.

What jobs can I get?

  • Community Health Worker
  • Care Coordinator
  • Recovery Coach
  • Case Manager
  • Substance Abuse Counselor
  • Recovery Specialist
  • Addictions Counselor

What courses do I need to become a licensed addictions counselor?

You will need:

  • SWK 260 — Introduction to Addictions
  • SWK 305 — Addictions Pharmacology
  • A practicum placement in an addictions treatment facility

This opportunity is only open to Social Work majors, because the rest of the course requirements are embedded in the major.

Are you interested in becoming a licensed addiction counselor?

If you have a Social Work degree from Bethel and complete the required courses with a practicum in substance use treatment, you qualify to sit for the licensing exam in the State of Kansas.

Contact Jennifer Chappel-Deckert or Sierra Williams for more information.