What are the Education Requirements for an Addiction Therapist in Missouri?

Aspiring addiction therapists in the state of Missouri and throughout the rest of the world tend to have a lot of questions about the field and about the work that they will be expected to do. The most commonly asked question, however, is what are the educational requirements for those who hope to work as addiction therapists. Unfortunately, there is no single answer to this loaded question. The education you will need to possess will depend heavily upon the exact job title and description that you aspire to have.

The bottom line, however, is that almost all jobs in the field will require at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Most colleges, however, do not have programs specifically designed to help you find a career as an addiction therapist. Instead, you will likely need to major in a related field, such as sociology, psychology, or even physiology. However, many schools do offer concentrations or special programs that focus on the specific topics of substance abuse and addiction. You should opt for such programs whenever possible, as they give you an edge over other prospective workers in the field.

Many jobs in addiction therapy will require you to possess education even beyond that of a bachelor's degree. To be a clinical psychologist, for example, you will need both a master's degree and then a doctorate degree. Even if your job of choice does not require education higher than a bachelor's degree, it is definitely something to consider, as the higher your education level, the higher your salary is likely to be. Also, you will be able to move up rapidly in the field and to apply for better positions that come with more responsibility, more authority, and more prestige.

It is also important to note that many addiction therapist jobs in Missouri will require you to obtain statewide licensure and/or certification. These jobs will typically require you to achieve a degree first and then to complete a certain number of supervised training and/or experiential learning. Afterwards, you will then have to pass a statewide examination to officially receive your licensure and/or certification. This can take anywhere from a year or less to several years, depending on how many tries you need to pass the examination and how long you will need to fulfill all of the other requirements.

No matter what your particular educational and career path consists of, you will definitely want to consider taking on and completing an internship. Internships, which may be paid or unpaid, are almost like jobs. They require the participant to complete work at a related company or organization, with the purpose of that work being to gain real world experience in the field. Internships, which can be completed either after graduating from college or during coursework (college credit can often be received), are an excellent way to build up a resume. They give you experience in the field even if you've never before held a related job. Furthermore, they are excellent ways to make important professional connections that can lead to jobs later on down the road. Many people who do well at their internships even end up being hired by the company or organization where they interned after their internships are complete. So, if you are seeking work in the field and have not completed an internship, this may be exactly what you need to finally land your dream job. You can find internships by searching online, asking companies or organizations you are interested in about internship opportunities, or by visiting the career center or its equivalent at your college or university.