The University of Cincinnati’s curriculum has earned plaudits both from students and from education insiders
This sponsored content was produced for the University of Cincinnati Substance Abuse Counseling Program by the Treatment Magazine Content Studio.
By Erin Gilday, Treatment Magazine Content Studio
Shopping for the right educational program to help launch your career as a substance abuse counselor?
When comparing online programs, would-be addiction treatment clinicians are smart to soak in the opinions of industry professionals and university professors, but truly savvy prospective students go out of their way to seek the opinions, thoughts and experiences of program alumni.
“Learning online can be intimidating because of the lack of in-person interactions, but there are so many opportunities to engage in meaningful discussions with peers and faculty, and I encourage anyone pursuing an online degree to do just that.”
—Madison Hollar, alumnus, UC Substance Abuse Counseling online program
For Madison Hollar, a 2019 graduate of the University of Cincinnati Online, the decision to study at UC was an easy one. “The Substance Abuse Counseling bachelor’s program at UC was exactly what I was searching for, and I knew it was going to give me a great foundation to transition into the field,” says Hollar.
But most importantly: “It felt like home,” she says, smiling.
Now a licensed professional counselor working with justice-involved individuals, Hollar cites the flexibility of online learning, the unconditional support of faculty, and an opportunity-rich internship program as three key features that first got her excited about UC online.
“I had classmates that were solely online who worked full-time, had families of their own and other responsibilities, and it was a great fit for so many different lifestyles,” Hollar says.
Hollar is quick to link the online format of UC’s Substance Abuse Counseling program with the diversity of the program’s student body.
“Learning online can be intimidating because of the lack of in-person interactions, but there are so many opportunities to engage in meaningful discussions with peers and faculty, and I encourage anyone pursuing an online degree to do just that,” she says. “Connect with other classmates, because one day you will be colleagues in the field together, and those connections are so valuable to have.”
While connecting with fellow students was important to Hollar’s educational journey, building relationships with faculty also proved to be invaluable to her career trajectory. “Throughout the entire program, I always felt supported by Dr. [George] Richardson and Dr. [Michael] Brubaker. I don’t know where I’d be without their guidance and support,” she says.
In fact, Hollar says that the support she received from her professors in the University of Cincinnati’s Substance Abuse Counseling program was one of the key deciding factors in her decision to continue her counseling education at UC.
“[Dr. Richardson and Dr. Brubaker] are a huge reason why I pursued graduate school,” says Hollar. “I graduated from the master’s program in 2021 and am now a doctoral student in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at UC. I still get to work with Dr. Brubaker and Dr. Richardson. I don’t know where I’d be without their guidance and support. It’s been an incredible journey and one I didn’t expect or plan myself.”
While Hollar is clearly at home in an academic environment, it’s the hands-on learning and experience that she treasured most of all at UC online.
If you’ve been comparing top programs around the nation that offer fully online options, you’ve likely already encountered the buzz around University of Cincinnati’s Bachelor of Science in Substance Abuse Counseling program.
“My favorite course during the program was the internship toward the end of the program, because I was able to apply the knowledge and skills I had gained throughout my courses in the real world and gain experience working with clients for the first time,” she says.
If you’ve been comparing top programs around the nation that offer fully online options, you’ve likely already encountered the buzz around University of Cincinnati’s Bachelor of Science in Substance Abuse Counseling program. Named one of the top online programs for substance abuse counseling by both BestColleges.com and U.S. News & World Report, and led by some of the nation’s leading scholars on mental health and substance abuse counseling, UC’s BS in Substance Abuse Counseling program can be completed in as little as two years from anywhere in the United States.
Well-educated substance abuse counselors are in high demand. In response to the urgent need for more addiction treatment professionals in the United States, the University of Cincinnati Online is working to get more Substance Abuse Counseling students into the classroom by maintaining transfer-friendly policies and a robust financial aid program. Full-time and part-time options, as well as online and in-person options, are available.
Learn more about how University of Cincinnati’s Substance Abuse Counseling Program prepares students like you for a promising career in substance abuse counseling.
Photo: Chris Montgomery
