Undergraduate Major
Addictions and Mental Health Treatment
With over 40 years of history, Alvernia’s Bachelor of Arts in Addictions and Mental Health Treatment program is one of the oldest and best of its kind at the college or university level. It was recently ranked #10 among the Top 25 Small Colleges for Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees by SR Education Group, now known as Optimal.
Class Delivery Note: All AMHT classes are fully online. Undergraduate residential students in the program take their general education courses in person. Commuter students should talk to their admissions counselor to identify the best delivery options for their circumstances.
Career Outlook
Fast-Growing Profession
Addictions and Mental Health Treatment is a dynamic and growing field with an increasing need for qualified, professional employees. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of addictions and mental health counselors is projected to grow 17 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Compensation
The median annual wage for addictions and mental health counselors in 2024 was $59,190, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Job Options
Pursue a variety of careers, including:
- Client advocate
- Mental Health facility
- Criminal Justice
- Children and Youth
- Inpatient and Outpatient Rehabilitation
- Hospitals
- Prevention specialist
- Intervention
- Advocacy
- Social Services
Program Overview
- General Notes
- A minimum of 123 credits are required for graduation.
- Credits earned for COM 100 and MAT 100 do not count toward the 123 credits required for graduation; however, COM 100 students may petition for elective credit.
- Where appropriate, courses required for the major can be used to satisfy General Education requirements. However, the credits earned for these courses are applied to either Gen Ed requirements or the major, not both.
- Paths of Knowledge coursework may count towards major or minor requirements, but may not fulfill a second Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration requirement.
- Students are expected to follow the catalog requirements for General Education, the major, and additional requirements.
- A minor or second major within the areas listed under Paths of Knowledge automatically fulfills that area of the Gen Ed requirements.
- Application Instructions
Through a rolling admission process, prospective undergraduate students — including first-year, transfer, and international students — may apply via the Alvernia web portal or The Common Application. To learn more about how to complete your application, please visit our application page.
- Financing Your Education
There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.
- Major Notes
Addictions and Mental Health Treatment majors, as part of the requirements for Practicum Field Experience will be required to obtain a Child Abuse clearance, a PA Criminal Record Check, and an FBI clearance including fingerprinting. Any arrest and/or conviction may or may not prohibit students from participating in Practicums Field Experience.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All Addictions and Mental Health Treatment program courses are approved by the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB), which provides credentialing to substance abuse and other behavioral health professionals. Program coursework can be used to fulfill PCB education requirements for certification and recertification. PCB certified professionals in Pennsylvania have reciprocity with many certifying bodies throughout the United States and internationally. Students who plan to practice outside of Pennsylvania should contact the PCB for more information.
- Experiential Learning Opportunities
All Addictions and Mental Health Treatment faculty members are experts in the classroom and in their professional areas. Faculty members are actively engaged in research, have written articles that have appeared in prestigious publications and have presented nationally and internationally at conferences.
- 400 hours (12 credits) of practicum field experience required.
- Service opportunities are encouraged through local addictions and mental health agencies.
- Class sessions involve active role plays facilitated by past and present clinical practitioners.
- Students participate in several related student clubs.
- Accreditation Statements
- Alvernia’s courses are approved by the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB), the foremost drug and alcohol credentialing organization in the state. Certification by the PCB is reciprocal among other U.S. states and internationally. A Bachelor of Arts in Addictions and Mental Health Treatment fulfills the requirement for certification and re-certification of addiction counselors by the PCB.
- Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
She lost everything — perseverance helped her recover
“All my life, Alvernia is the only thing I started and finished," said Shannon Qualters, who graduated with a degree in Addictions and Mental Health Treatment in 2023. "They believed in me when no one else did.”