Addiction Counselling Skills Advanced Certificate

Purpose

The Addiction Counselling Skills Advanced Certificate program deepens learners’ applied practice and theoretical knowledge in counselling skills to engage effectively with individuals, groups, and families struggling with substance use.

Duration

The program can be taken part-time or full-time and can be completed in one year. Maximum time for completion is 3 years.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

1. Model empathetic approaches in working with people struggling with problematic substance use

2. Develop self-awareness by acknowledging and challenging assumptions

3. Acknowledge the impacts of historic and systemic oppression on individuals

4. Model the values of inclusion and social justice in a helping role

5. Engage in a support role with clients in individual, family, and group settings

6. Model concepts essential to a helping relationship including respect, self-awareness, and ethics

7. Demonstrate trauma-informed practice

8. Communicate effectively in a client-centred manner and recognize language as an agent of social change

9. Apply evidence-based models, tools, and interventions in helping roles specific to substance use

10. Deepen knowledge of Indigenous health models and cultural safety, particularly as these apply to addictions

Admission Requirements

Successful completion of VCC's Counselling Skills Foundational Certificate program or equivalent
English language proficiency at a minimum Grade 12 'C+' level

Upon Acceptance:

Students in this program are required to complete a CRC. The CRC must be completed according to VCC's Criminal Record Check instructions. Students whose CRC results indicate they pose a risk to vulnerable populations will not be able to complete the requirements of the program (e.g. practicums) or graduate.

Program Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
CNSK 2502	Foundation of Addiction Skills	2.0
CNSK 2503	Intro Trauma Informed Practice	1.5
CNSK 2504	Intro Concurrent Disorders	1.5
CNSK 2506	Addiction and Human Behaviour	3.0
CNSK 2507	Addiction and Public Policy	1.5
CNSK 2508	Addiction Assessment Skills	2.0
CNSK 2509	Group Facilitation Skills	2.5
CNSK 2510	Indig Perspectives Addiction	1.5
CNSK 2511	Practicum	5
Total Credits		20.5

Evaluation of Student Learning

Student learning is evaluated in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, presentations, individual and group projects, exams, research, assignments, lab work and portfolios. Students will also engage in peer- and self-assessment and reflective practice.

Students must achieve a minimum grade of C to successfully complete each course.

Many of the courses have a mandatory Saturday class. 80% attendance is mandatory to successfully complete each course.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

PLAR is available for some courses and will be assessed by the Department according to standardized practice and using one or more of the following components: challenge exam, demonstration, interview, or external evaluation.

Transcript of Achievement

The evaluation of learning outcomes for each student is prepared by the instructor and reported to Continuing Studies at the completion of semesters.

The transcript typically shows a letter grade for each course. The grade point equivalent for a course is obtained from letter grades as follows:

Grading Standard

Transcript of Achievement
Grade	Percentage	Description	Grade Point Equivalency
A+	90-100		4.33
A	85-89		4.00
A-	80-84		3.67
B+	76-79		3.33
B	72-75		3.00
B-	68-71		2.67
C+	64-67		2.33
C	60-63	Minimum Progression Grade	2.00
C-	55-59		1.67
D	50-54		1.00
F	0-49		0.00
S	70 or greater	Satisfactory – student has met and mastered a clearly defined body of skills and performances to required standards	N/A
U		Unsatisfactory – student has not met and mastered a clearly defined body of skills and performances to required standards	N/A
I		Incomplete	N/A
IP		Course in Progress	N/A
W		Withdrawal	N/A
Course Standings
R		Audit. No Credit	N/A
EX		Exempt. Credit Granted	N/A
TC		Transfer Credit	N/A

Grade Point Average (GPA)

The course grade points shall be calculated as the product of the course credit value and the grade value.
The GPA shall be calculated by dividing the total number of achieved course grade points by the total number of assigned course credit values. This cumulative GPA shall be determined and stated on the Transcript at the end of each Program level or semester.
Grades shall be assigned to repeated courses in the same manner as courses taken only once. For the purpose of GPA calculation of grades for repeated courses, they will be included in the calculation of the cumulative GPA.

Academic Calendar