Diploma in Professional Addiction Studies
Description
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
CACCF-approved online courses
Offered for over 30 years and taught by industry experts
Earn a Certficate or Diploma
- Content is based on areas of knowledge and skills as identified by the Canadian Addiction Counsellor Certification Federation (CACCF) core competencies
- Convenient online learning format, which could include readings, discussion boards, individual exercises and more
- Learn from instructors with industry expertise
- Network with professionals from various disciplines
Who should take this program?
- Addiction and mental health workers
- Counsellors and social workers
- Law enforcement professionals
- Health and social services professionals
- Recent college or university graduates in related fields of study
This program has specific admission and application requirements outlined below.
Admission Requirements
- There is a $59 fee to apply to the Professional Addiction Studies program. Students who wish to enter the Diploma or Certificate in Professional Addiction Studies are required to meet the following admission criteria based on their education and/or work experience:
- Undergraduate degree in a related field, or college diploma in a related field. Relevant fields of study include psychology, social work, health, social sciences, public health, community and social services, child and youth studies.
OR
- A minimum of 2 years full-time (4,000 hours) supervised experience in fields such as addiction, mental health, social and community services, nursing, law enforcement/criminal justice, or first responders.
To ensure you are successful in your online courses, you are required to have knowledge and skills with general computer applications, such as keyboarding, file management, video conferencing and word processing.
Language Requirements
If your first language is not English, you must meet the University’s English language proficiency requirements. Completion of TOEFL exam with a minimum acceptable score of 20 on each of the four components (reading, writing, speaking and listening), valid for 2 years.
Earn the Diploma in Professional Addiction Studies by completing 10 three-unit courses listed (8 required courses and 2 elective courses)
Note: Students must be accepted into the program before enrolling into courses.
Core Courses
- ADD 201 Introduction to Addiction (3 Units)
- ADD 202 Pharmacology (3 Units)
- ADD 203 Counselling Skills for Addiction Professionals (3 Units)
- ADD 204 Addiction Treatment: Theories, Models and Applications for Professional Practice (3 Units)
- ADD 205 Group Work and Mutual Aid (3 Units)
- ADD 206 Assessment and Treatment Planning (3 Units)
- ADD 207 Human Development in Context: Understanding the Person with Addiction Issues (3 Units)
- ADD 208 Families and Addiction (3 Units)
Elective Courses
- ADD 209 Trauma Informed Care in Addiction (3 Units)
- ADD 210 Contemporary Treatment Approaches (3 Units)
- ADD 211 Concurrent Disorders (3 Units)
- ADD 212 Working with Behavioural Addictions (3 Units)
- ADD 213 Diversity and Inclusive Practice (3 Units)
- ADD 215 Field Experience (3 Units)
Note: Check with the institution regarding start/end dates, prices, and delivery method. These may vary according to program, section, and/or semester.
Related Courses
- Addiction Treatment: Theories, Models and Applications for Professional Practice
- Assessment and Treatment Planning
- Contemporary Treatment Approaches
- Counselling Skills for Addiction Professionals
- Families and Addiction
- Group Work and Mutual Aid
- Human Development in Context: Understanding the Person with Addiction Issues
- Introduction to Addiction
- Pharmacology
- Trauma Informed Care in Addiction
- Working with Behavioural Addictions
Overview

- Institution: McMaster University
- Program type: Diploma
- Language: English
- Program Code: ADSTDIPL
- Delivery Method: Fully Online/Distance
Disclaimer:
Check with the institution regarding start/end dates, prices, and delivery method. These may vary according to program, section, and/or semester.
Check with the institution regarding start/end dates, prices, and delivery method. These may vary according to program, section, and/or semester.