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Kaitlin
Student
Provo, Utah
1
Question
Updated
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What does the job field look like for someone with a bachelors degree in Marriage and Family Studies? #Fall25
What does the job field look like for someone getting a BS in Marriage and Family Studies? I'm thinking about applying for a Substance Abuse Counselor license after I graduate with my BS. Does anyone know what that process looks like? I'm currently working at the state mental hospital in my area as a psychiatric technician and love what I do. Any advice would be appreciated! #Fall25
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2 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Kaitlin !
You will be happy to know that in your state of Utah, Marriage and Family Counselors are used and quite popular due to awareness of mental health issues, reduced stigma around therapy, and Utah's family focused culture, which naturally increases the need for relationship and family therapy services. You've got this !
For the career, you will need in your state a Masters or Doctoral Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. I would advise that you take your Bachelor Degree Major in Psychology. This is advised because you will need a strong foundation in Psychology to understand how to provide therapy. The Psychology undergrad path will prepare you for your Masters Degree. The clinicals are 600 hours or more. Decide if you'd want to go beyond the Bachelors for this because after your Masters or Doctorate, you then can become licensed in Utah. Once licensed, you will do 4,000 hours of supervised post graduate clinical experience, which must be completed within a minimum of two years. This is a wonderful career and I say go for it !
The Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor is also a very good career. You have a foundational and good background for this in your current job as a Psychiatric Technician. This path may be quicker, easier (?) than the Marraige and Family Counseling, but you can realistically do both. In Utah, this position is known as a Substance Use Disorder Counselor. You would obtain either an Associates or Bachelors Degree in Substance Abuse Counseling, Marraige and Family Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or Mental Health Counseling. You will need to complete 200 hours of substance use disorder education, which includes coursework in general psychology, human development, and a two hour suicide prevention course. Additionally, you must complete a 200-hour practicum that aligns with the 12 Core Functions of counseling, such as screening, assessment, treatment planning, and crisis intervention. There are various levels for this, Associates, Bachelors, Masters so consult with an academic counselor at the college you plan to attend and get information and guidance from the academic counselor. Read some employment notices on Indeed and Linked in for your town to see what employers are requiring.
The plans you've spelled out here for your academic path seem to be in alignment with the required study and degrees. I encourage you to follow through with your plan.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
You will be happy to know that in your state of Utah, Marriage and Family Counselors are used and quite popular due to awareness of mental health issues, reduced stigma around therapy, and Utah's family focused culture, which naturally increases the need for relationship and family therapy services. You've got this !
For the career, you will need in your state a Masters or Doctoral Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. I would advise that you take your Bachelor Degree Major in Psychology. This is advised because you will need a strong foundation in Psychology to understand how to provide therapy. The Psychology undergrad path will prepare you for your Masters Degree. The clinicals are 600 hours or more. Decide if you'd want to go beyond the Bachelors for this because after your Masters or Doctorate, you then can become licensed in Utah. Once licensed, you will do 4,000 hours of supervised post graduate clinical experience, which must be completed within a minimum of two years. This is a wonderful career and I say go for it !
The Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor is also a very good career. You have a foundational and good background for this in your current job as a Psychiatric Technician. This path may be quicker, easier (?) than the Marraige and Family Counseling, but you can realistically do both. In Utah, this position is known as a Substance Use Disorder Counselor. You would obtain either an Associates or Bachelors Degree in Substance Abuse Counseling, Marraige and Family Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or Mental Health Counseling. You will need to complete 200 hours of substance use disorder education, which includes coursework in general psychology, human development, and a two hour suicide prevention course. Additionally, you must complete a 200-hour practicum that aligns with the 12 Core Functions of counseling, such as screening, assessment, treatment planning, and crisis intervention. There are various levels for this, Associates, Bachelors, Masters so consult with an academic counselor at the college you plan to attend and get information and guidance from the academic counselor. Read some employment notices on Indeed and Linked in for your town to see what employers are requiring.
The plans you've spelled out here for your academic path seem to be in alignment with the required study and degrees. I encourage you to follow through with your plan.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Thanks for going in depth with me, Michelle! It helps a lot and is encouraging to know that I'm heading in the right direction. I appreciate your faith in me!
Kaitlin
Sure thing ! You are very welcome for the advice !
Michelle M.
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1207
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Kaitlin,
You’re already in a great place; working as a psychiatric technician gives you real-world exposure that many people don’t get until later. When combined with your existing experience, a bachelor's degree in marriage and family studies opens up a number of entry-level career options in human services and mental health.
Depending on your state's licensure requirements, you could use this degree to work as a case manager, family support specialist, rehab technician, substance abuse counselor, or even in crisis intervention or community outreach positions. Your background in communication, conflict resolution, and family systems is highly valued by employers.
You're on the right track because you're interested in substance abuse counseling. Although it varies by state, the steps to become a qualified or licensed substance abuse counselor usually include:
- A set number of supervised clinical hours (sometimes your current job can count toward this)
- Specific coursework in addiction studies or counseling techniques
- Passing a state or national certification exam (like the NAADAC or IC&RC credential)
In order to get experience and earn money at the same time, many counselors begin working under supervision while pursuing further training or certifications.
A Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), Clinical Mental Health Counseling, or Social Work (MSW) may help you become licensed as a therapist if you later desire to expand your practice.
For the time being, keep studying as much as you can in your current position and research the certification requirements for addiction experts in your state; your degree and experience already provide you with a solid base from which to grow.
Best wishes!
You’re already in a great place; working as a psychiatric technician gives you real-world exposure that many people don’t get until later. When combined with your existing experience, a bachelor's degree in marriage and family studies opens up a number of entry-level career options in human services and mental health.
Depending on your state's licensure requirements, you could use this degree to work as a case manager, family support specialist, rehab technician, substance abuse counselor, or even in crisis intervention or community outreach positions. Your background in communication, conflict resolution, and family systems is highly valued by employers.
You're on the right track because you're interested in substance abuse counseling. Although it varies by state, the steps to become a qualified or licensed substance abuse counselor usually include:
- A set number of supervised clinical hours (sometimes your current job can count toward this)
- Specific coursework in addiction studies or counseling techniques
- Passing a state or national certification exam (like the NAADAC or IC&RC credential)
In order to get experience and earn money at the same time, many counselors begin working under supervision while pursuing further training or certifications.
A Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), Clinical Mental Health Counseling, or Social Work (MSW) may help you become licensed as a therapist if you later desire to expand your practice.
For the time being, keep studying as much as you can in your current position and research the certification requirements for addiction experts in your state; your degree and experience already provide you with a solid base from which to grow.
Best wishes!