The Addictions Counselor program offers those students or professionals who have a background/ diploma in human services, social or health sciences, an opportunity to gain specialized knowledge and skills in the area of Addictions Counseling. This program provides the learner with innovative and rigorous addiction specific content. Opportunities for hands-on practical experience will be made available during the Addiction Treatment Approaches Practice Lab and the Fieldwork Placement component of the program.

Employment Opportunities

Upon graduation, students may work in a wide range of human service agencies, health care facilities, residential programs or penal institutions where addiction counseling, education and prevention programs are offered.

Admission Requirements

This program is an Ontario graduate certificate program which necessitates that students must have completed a prior post-secondary program in Social Sciences, Health Sciences or Human Services.

Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office (word processing, spreadsheets), web search engines and e-mail systems. Students may assess whether or not they meet the computer proficiency expectations for this program by taking the free online assessment at www.northernc.on.ca/admissions/tool.html.

Mature student status (an applicant who does not have a secondary school diploma or equivalent and will have reached the age of 19 years on or before the start of the program). Mature students must undergo English language comprehension and grammar testing prior to admission into a program and demonstrate through a prior learning assessment process (PLA) equivalency with the admission requirements. Call the Admissions Office at 705-235-7222 for more details.

Other Requirements for Admission to Field Work Placement

• Physician’s medical report as per guide supplied by the College
• Proof of current immunization*, including Hepatitis B; 2-step Mantoux (with follow-up chest x-ray if the Mantoux test is positive)
• Current Basic Cardiac Life Support Certificate (C.P.R. –Level C)
• Standard First Aid Certificate (or equivalent)
• WHMIS Certificate (may be obtained at a minimal cost through the College)
• A recent criminal reference check – Ontario Education Services Corporation (OESC) - (within 3 months) is required prior to the start of classes in September***

* Note: Students who do not comply with the immunization requirements may not be allowed into the field work settings and as such may not be able to complete the placements required for graduation from the program.

**Note: CPR re-certification, criminal reference checks and immunization updates are required annually. Students will not be allowed on placement if documentation is not completed.

***Note: To be eligible for participation in field work practice, students must not have been convicted of any criminal offence for which that person has not been pardoned. An unpardoned criminal record will result in an inability to participate in fieldwork practice courses and will prevent the student from graduating.

Note: Any costs for these tests/certifications will be the responsibility of the student.

It is important to note that this program requires a field work component. While the intent is for placements to be arranged in the student’s own community, when this is not possible, placement sites will be determined by the coordinator. Students are responsible for the costs of travel to and from field work placement sites. A dress code is in effect during all lab practice sessions and during the field work component of the programs. All theory and lab course work must be successfully completed prior to field work placements.

A passing grade of 60% is required for all Human Services core courses and electives. To succeed in this program, students must be highly motivated, highly committed and physically and mentally fit.

Post acceptance into the program, a questionnaire outlining previous experience, volunteer activities and interests must be completed and returned to the College prior to admission

Program of Studies

Semester I
CM1703 Essay and Report Writing
DA1023 Concurrent Disorders
DA1033 Introduction to Basic Concepts in Addiction Studies
DA1043 Theoretical Perspectives on Addiction Treatment
DA1053 Issues and Tools in Substance Use, Screening, Assessment and Case Management
SW3003 Group Processes

Semester II
AA1033 Introduction to Pharmacology
DA2001 Fieldwork Placement
DA2033 Treatment Approaches in Addiction
DA2043 Addiction Treatment with Diverse Populations
DA2053 Research Issues in Addiction
DA2063 Addiction Treatment Approaches Practice lab

For program information:
Joanne Hagger-Perritt
Program Coordinator
705-235-3211 ext. 2284
perrittj@northern.on.ca