Peer Recovery Specialist Certificate
Find Your Dream Career with a Peer Recovery Specialist Certificate from NECC
Why pursue a certificate in Peer Recovery?
Have you overcome an addiction or a mental disorder, or been very close to someone who has? Would you like to help others navigate their recovery journeys? If so, NECC’s Peer Recovery Specialist Certificate can prepare you for a gratifying career, empowering you to use your experience to help peers with mental health, substance abuse, and related disorders.
NECC Certificates: Career Starters for Peer Recovery Specialists
A Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) provides direct, peer-to-peer support to people with mental illness, substance use disorders, or co-occurring disorders. PRS’s use their firsthand experience and advanced training to help others achieve and sustain their recovery goals.
Available in part-time or full-time learning formats, NECC’s 16-credit Peer Recovery Specialist Certificate program exposes students to key recovery concepts, including the addiction-recovery cycle, 12-step and other self-help recovery organizations, community resources, relapse prevention techniques, coping skills training, and how to engage with clients from diverse backgrounds.
Students benefit from a mix of classroom learning and practical field experience, including 150 hours with NECC’s local agency partners. Upon program completion, you can enter the workforce or apply all 16 credits toward an Alcohol and Drug Counseling Certificate or an Associate Degree in Human Services from NECC.
What you’ll get from our Peer Recovery Specialist program
Learn How to Help Others Navigate Their Recovery Journeys
Acquire knowledge across various human services topics, including cultural competence, mental illness, substance use disorders, stigma and discrimination, and ethical responsibilities and legal issues.
Through classroom instruction and supervised field work, learn practical strategies for building rapport, adapting communication styles, and developing problem-solving skills, allowing you to support peers from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Upon program completion, you can further your education and strengthen your credentials to pursue higher level positions.
Gear Up for a Great Career as a Recovery Support Worker
At NECC, we’re here to help you build a skill set that’s in demand. Whether you see yourself as the next great peer recovery coach, substance abuse counselor, recovery coordinator, or other recovery support worker, we’ve got you covered. While guiding you every step of the way, our experienced instructors will show you how to:
Provide direct emotional support to peers in recovery- Develop effective recovery plans
- Help peers navigate the healthcare system
- Understand the addiction-recovery cycle, 12-step and other self-help recovery organizations, community resources, and how to engage clients from diverse populations
- Help peers develop coping skills to aid in their recovery
Do Cool Stuff, Not Just Homework
Forget about endless lectures. We’re talking about interactive classes and workshops where you practice what you’ve learned in real-life scenarios, as well as projects that connect you with peer recovery professionals in the community.
Your Schedule, Your Rules
Juggling life, work, and study? No sweat. With a mix of online and on-campus options, NECC makes it easy for you to fit study into your life, not the other way around.
Where this journey can take you
Peer Recovery Specialists work in a variety of environments, providing direct support to people with mental illness, substance abuse disorders, or co-occurring disorders. Like a blank page, you can use your certificate as a foundation to build upon, empowering you to explore a wide variety of academic and career paths.
Imagine yourself serving in one of these peer recovery roles:
- Helping people achieve and sustain their recovery goals as a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist
- Directly supporting in-need clients as a Substance Abuse Counselor
- Helping people develop winning recovery game plans as a Peer Recovery Coach
- Orchestrating recovery team efforts as a Recovery Coordinator
- Connecting peers with essential resources as a Recovery Patient Navigator
- Encouraging and empowering entire families as a Family Peer Advocate
Why choose NECC for your Peer Recovery Specialist certificate?
We Get It
At NECC, inspiring our students to succeed is our top priority. Modern, relevant, and engaging, our Peer Recovery Specialist Certificate courses are designed with you in mind.
NECC’s dedicated faculty and staff help students develop the skills they need to advance in the workforce or transfer to a four-year college or university. Our small class sizes ensure personalized attention and support, empowering students to thrive academically. We also offer a variety of student support services, including tutoring, counseling, and academic advising.
With over 60 credit programs, two convenient campuses, robust student support services, and a vibrant student life, NECC is committed to providing an affordable, accessible, and high-quality education for all.
Learn from the Pros
Our instructors aren’t just teachers. They’re experienced professionals who live and breathe peer recovery support principles.
Experience Beyond the Classroom
At NECC, it’s not just about earning a degree. It’s about building a network, finding your tribe, and acquiring the tools necessary to chase your dreams. Our Haverhill and Lawrence campuses are home to a diverse range of clubs and organizations and activities that help students connect with peers who share similar interests.
Whether you choose to gain leadership experience, stay healthy and fit, join a club, or participate in varsity sports, and student activities, we’ll guarantee you’ll have fond memories of your time at NECC.
We Got Your Back
From the day you start until the day you land your first big gig, our team is here to support, guide, and cheer you on. At NECC, our goal is to empower our students by equipping them with the skills and tools necessary to thrive, wherever they choose to work.
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What Can I Do With This Major?
Got Prior Learning or Work Experience?
With NECC’s Credit for Prior Learning, you can move through the program at a faster pace, and graduate sooner! The best part is these credits are covered free-of-charge for eligible Massachusetts learners.
Support for Every Student
NECC offers a variety of student support services, including tutoring, counseling, and academic advising, to help students thrive academically. Want to transfer to NECC? Our advisors are happy to assist you.
Career Outlook for Peer Recovery Specialists North of Boston
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), overall employment for substance abuse, behavioral health, and mental disorder counselors, including PRS’s, is projected to increase by 19% over the next eight or nine years, faster than the average for all occupations.
At NECC, our Peer Recovery Specialist Certificate program graduates have an exceptional rate of employment while working as peer recovery coaches, certified peer recovery specialists, substance abuse counselors, and more. Some have gone on to start their own successful businesses!
How Much Can I Expect to Make as a Peer Recovery Specialist?
The earning potential for PRS’s varies based on several factors, including education, experience, role, setting, and additional skills. For example, according to Salary.com, the average annual salary for a Peer Recovery Coach in Massachusetts was $104,192 as of December 2024.
With a Peer Recovery Specialist Certificate from NECC, you’ll be qualified to start or advance your career in these roles:
Certified Peer Recovery Specialist
Using their personal experience and training, provides direct, peer-to-peer support to people with mental illness, substance use disorders, or co-occurring disorders. The median annual wage in Boston, MA, for this role was $92,409 as of December 2024. The wage range typically falls between $82,627 and $102,612.¹
Substance Abuse Counselor
Helps individuals manage substance use disorders (SUDs) while also supporting and educating families, employers, and communities. The median annual wage in Massachusetts for this role was $63,650 as of December 2024. The wage range typically falls between $56,070 and $72,400.¹
Peer Recovery Coach
Discusses recovery issues from a peer perspective and supports peers in reaching and maintaining their personal recovery goals. The median annual wage in Massachusetts for this role was $104,192 as of December 2024. The wage range typically falls between $92,317 and $116,327.¹
Recovery Coordinator
Collaborates closely with peers, families, and fellow recovery team members to develop Comprehensive Recovery Plans (CRPs). The median annual wage in Massachusetts for this role was $89,064 as of December 2024. The wage range typically falls between $81,309 and $98,040.¹
Recovery Patient Navigator
Assists individuals with mental illness or addiction by providing personalized support, guiding them through the healthcare system, connecting them with community resources, educating them about their condition, and advocating for their needs throughout the recovery process. The median annual wage in Massachusetts for this role was $63,190 as of December 2024. The wage range typically falls between $54,891 and $75,978.¹
Family Peer Advocate
Promotes family-driven practices that focus on strengths, ensuring families and youth struggling with addiction and/or mental illness jointly participate in all recovery care aspects. The median annual wage in the United States for this role was $43,883 as of December 2024. The wage range typically falls between $37,573 and $49,734.¹
How to Get Started Earning a Peer Recovery Specialist Certificate in the Merrimack Valley Region
Feeling pumped? We thought so! Learn more about how to apply for the Human Services: Peer Recovery Specialist Certificate program Still unsure that it’s the right fit for you? Contact us to chat more about why this could be the best decision you’ll ever make!
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Sources and Citations: ¹Salary information provided on this page is sourced from Salary.com. The data reflects estimates based on employer surveys and job listings. Actual salaries may vary based on location, experience, and other factors.
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