Substance Abuse Assistant is a Certificate program (100% Online) offered by U.S. Career Institute in Fort Collins, CO. The program takes 255 clock hours to complete, with a total tuition of $1,279.
Program Overview
U.S. Career Institute’s self-paced, online Substance Abuse Assistant program will prepare you for an entry-level role as a substance abuse assistant in as little as 3 months.
U.S. Career Institute’s Substance Abuse Assistant course will teach you everything you need to know to start this exciting new career. Students get a solid foundation toward modern human services and substance abuse concepts, along with added insight to the importance of teamwork. Your online training will prepare you with psychology concepts and workplace psychology, models of addiction, treatment models and the legal and ethical issues regarding substance abuse counseling. Upon completion of the course, students will be trained to explain basic psychology concepts and how they apply to the workplace, discuss the models of addiction, identify common personality traits and psychological disorders and describe the effects of addiction on the family.
What sets this Program apart
- 5-day money-back commitment
- DEAC Accredited
- 100% online, self-paced classes, on your phone or computer
- Complete in 3-5 months, part-time
- One-on-one career coaching and instructor support
- Start learning today - no waiting period!
- A+ BBB Rating, 45 years in distance education, and 97% of students would recommend U.S. Career Institute to a friend.
- The DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency.
Lead instructor/course expert. Kenshara Cravens-Knoxson, LMSW, CCM, LCDC(CI)
Admission Requirements and Process
To qualify for enrollment in the Substance Abuse Assistant Program, an applicant must:
- Certify that she/he is a high school graduate, holds a state-approved Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED) or its equivalent, or has completed college-level coursework; or otherwise demonstrate ability to perform postsecondary-level coursework (including test evidence).
- Submit a completed enrollment application with the required payment.
- Be at least 16 years of age.
U.S. Career Institute is an open enrollment school: as long as the applicant meets the admissions requirements for minimum education and age, they will be accepted into the school. Students must be able to read, write and speak English fluently. Students aged 16 and 17 may be admitted provided their parent or guardian signs the enrollment agreement; students under the age of 16 cannot be admitted. Applicants who do not meet the high school diploma or equivalent requirement are allowed to use test evidence to show they can benefit from the program: the first five grades the student receives serve as the basis for test evidence, and a “C” GPA meets the minimum education requirement. Most professional certification agencies have minimum age requirements (typically 18) to sit for a certification exam.
General Requirements
- Minimum ageYou must be at least 16 years old; students aged 16 and 17 need a parent or guardian to sign the enrollment agreement.
- High school diploma or GEDYou need a high school diploma or GED, or college-level coursework; otherwise you may use test evidence to show you can benefit from the program.
- EnglishYou must be able to read, write and speak English fluently.
- Basic informationThe enrollment form asks for your name, email, phone, date of birth and education level.
- Enrollment agreementYou must submit a completed enrollment application or agreement with the required payment.
Application Process
- 1Ask your questionsRequest information online or call U.S. Career Institute toll-free at 866-250-6851 to learn more.
- 2Provide basic informationThe form asks for your name, email, phone, date of birth and education level.
- 3Pay for your tuitionYou can pay in full or choose the monthly payment plan.
- 4Sign the enrollment agreement and disclosuresEnrollment takes about 5 minutes; the school accepts enrollments 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- 5Start your first lessonUpon enrollment, students have immediate access to their program online, with 12 months to complete it.
Program Schedule
The Substance Abuse Assistant program is 255 clock hours, delivered in 21 lessons with 21 quizzes. Students can complete it in 3-5 months, studying part-time. Classes are 100% online and self-paced, on your phone or computer, with no due dates or deadlines.
The program is designed for guided independent study through distance learning, and is self-paced. Each program is designed to be completed in 12 months or less; the student has 12 months after enrollment to complete the program, and a student who needs more time should follow the leave of absence procedure. The school accepts enrollments 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and upon enrollment students have immediate access to their program online. All quizzes are open book.
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
U.S. Career Institute is committed to making your Substance Abuse education affordable. Start a new career that you’ll love and find fulfilling without a mountain of debt!
- Option 1, pay in full: $979 (save $300); the application charge is waived.
- Option 2, monthly auto payments: $1,279 in total at $69 a month, with a first payment of $69, plus a one-time $29 application charge.
First payment includes $40 down payment and $29 application charge. Application charge is non-refundable.
5-day money-back commitment. After you receive your first lesson, you have 5 full days to decide if our program is the best route for you.
Funding. U.S. Career Institute participates in military education benefit programs and the MyCAA spouse support tuition program; specific questions regarding eligibility should be directed to the Veterans Administration by calling 1-888-GIBILL1. U.S. Career Institute also participates in various employer-paid and Vocational Rehabilitation programs. U.S. Career Institute does not participate in other financial aid programs.
All enrollments are assessed a one-time $29 application charge (2026 catalog price list). Students who wish to purchase textbooks or manuals may do so for an additional charge.
Required Courses
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Career Outcomes
Upon graduation from our program, you will receive your U.S. Career Institute Certificate of Completion attesting to your accomplishment. U.S. Career Institute's Substance Abuse Assistant certificate program prepares you to assist substance abuse counselors with day-to-day tasks, including scheduling appointments, managing patient data and more.
A career as a Substance Abuse Assistant is a proven path to professional and personal growth. This career not only brings high growth opportunities—substance abuse is on the rise—but you will also have a rewarding role in helping others. With the online Substance Abuse Assistant certificate course from U.S. Career Institute, you can acquire the skills needed for a career that offers the flexibility to work in many different settings, including outpatient and inpatient treatment centers, family services and hospitals. A career in substance abuse counsel assisting offers a wide range of opportunities to work in outpatient and inpatient treatment centers, family services, hospitals and correctional facilities. You’ll learn tools and strategies for success that include a solid foundation of research, theory and history. Substance Abuse Assistants have many job duties including managing and scheduling appointments, updating patient data, interviewing new patients, helping to develop support group activities and more.
What to expect as a U.S. Career Institute student
Beginner-Friendly Lessons. Classes are designed for anyone to easily learn, and are broken up into digestible sections that build as you progress through our program. No due dates or deadlines.
Engaging Curriculum. Reading lessons, supplemental videos, interactive games, flashcards, note taking, read-aloud and disability features, and open note multiple choice quizzes with no time limit.
Student support and coaching. Your tuition includes access to instructors via phone and email, student services, tutoring, resume and job interview support, and one-on-one career coaching (a $400 value).
Learning materials included. Your tuition includes e-books, study guides, supplemental videos, and interactive exercises. Hard copy books are also available for under $50. Everything is included - no hidden fees after enrollment.
Grading and graduation. To graduate, students must submit all quizzes, attain a final average of 70% or higher, have a signed enrollment agreement on file and have paid tuition in full; U.S. Career Institute then releases the Certificate of Completion. Students with a grade point average of 93 or higher are awarded a seat on the Dean’s List.
Graduate support. U.S. Career Institute provides continuing employment instruction and advice, including training in job-search techniques, résumé and letter writing, interviewing and presentation skills, available to all graduates whenever they request it. The school cannot promise or guarantee employment and does not provide job placement services.
Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
U.S. Career Institute is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. It is approved and regulated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Private Occupational School Board.
Curriculum
The Substance Abuse Assistant program totals 255 clock hours, taught in 2 instruction packs, listed below as the course outline.
U.S. Career Institute’s curriculum is developed specifically for the distance education learner by instructional designers who specialize in how to develop content for adults and well-qualified subject matter experts to ensure quality content. In addition, USCI works with a program advisory council of non-USCI employees who work in the field to review content annually to ensure students receive content that is up-to-date, relevant, and accurate.
As the healthcare field continues to grow, so does the need for substance abuse assistants who provide assistance with the day-to-day activities related to counseling. You’ll learn tools and strategies for success that include a solid foundation of research, theory and history. The coursework trains students to:
- Explain the history and development of psychology.
- Explain basic psychological concepts and how they apply to addiction treatment.
- Identify common personality traits and psychological disorders.
- Discuss the models of addiction, and the history of substance abuse prevention.
- Assess commonly abused substances, and the effects of substance tolerance and withdrawal.
- Describe various theoretical approaches, treatment models and prevention programs, and apply them to real-world scenarios.
- Assess the risk factors that contribute to relapse, and differentiate between lapse and relapse.
- Describe the effects of addiction and substance abuse on children, adolescents and the family.
- Assess the biological, psychological and physiological differences between men and women, and how these impact addictions.
Required Courses
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Frequently Asked Questions
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