Substance Abuse Counselling diploma/certificate

Alcohol and drug abuse is a growing problem in our society and an increasing number of individuals are seeking help in treating their addiction problems. Similarly there is an increasing number of people working in the social services and related fields who are seeking additional training in order to become more effective with their client groups.
    The Substance Abuse Counselling programs are designed to produce beginning professionals who recognize their own limitations and strengths and are prepared to undertake professional development on an ongoing basis. Intervention skills will be developed on individual, group, and family levels. Emphasis in the programs will be on providing knowledge of alcohol and drug dependencies, techniques of working with clients with dependencies, and knowledge and skills relating to specific client groups. Substance abuse counsellors may or may not be recovering people, but undertaking this training is not part of the recovery process. Prospective students are expected to lead a life free from substance abuse or risk being removed from the program.
    The certificate program is offered as a post-graduate certificate to those holding diplomas, certificates, or degrees in allied fields (such as education, health care, criminal justice, social services, etc.) and is geared towards a post-basic level of educational achievement
    The diploma program is available for those with little or no post-secondary education.

Entrance requirements

Substance Abuse Counselling diploma program
See Entrance Requirements for the Social Services diploma.

How to apply

Diploma program
See How to Apply in the Social Services diploma section. See the Admissions Guide for a complete list of application dates and general information.

Entrance requirements

Substance Abuse Counselling certificate program
As this program is structured as a post-secondary program for those already holding professional or para-professional credentials, all applications will be assessed on an individual basis by the program head. The admissions requirements are as follows:

1. Interview with the Substance Abuse program head, during which time your personal suitability for working with people with addiction problems will be assessed.

2. Sustained work history (approximately five years) evidencing stability.

3. Evidence of professional or para-professional credentials.

4. Formal training in counselling skills. Individuals lacking such training may be provisionally accepted but required to complete HSER 120 and 200 (or acceptable equivalents) prior to registering in HSER 400, 401, and 402. Students may substitute a videotape demonstrating counselling skills in lieu of formal training.

5. Two recent letters of reference.

6. Minimum of four years sobriety for recovering individuals.

7. Willingness to undergo a criminal records check.

How to apply

Certificate program
1. Submit the UCFV application for admission form to the Admissions and Records (A&R) office. Application forms are available from any A&R or Student Services office. You are advised to mail in your application as it will receive priority over hand-delivered applications, based on the postmarked date. See Application Dates for a complete list of application dates and general information.

Additional documents required for a complete application:
• Official sealed transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions.
• An additional application information form detailing all your past work and volunteer experience and education (include social service related and other).
• A letter stating why you want to enter the program and what has brought you to make this career choice. Please refer to the kinds of experiences you have had in this field, either paid or volunteer.
• At least one recent letter of reference from a past employer, teacher, or volunteer supervisor who can comment on your suitability to work in the field.

2. You must attend an interview. Out-of-province applicants may be able to make special arrangements with the program head.

3. Applicants for the certificate program will be accepted until the program is full.

Academic and practicum regulations
A GPA of 2.0 (C average) is required for graduation and practicum placement. Students who do not complete a prerequisite course may be allowed to register for a subsequent course at the discretion of the program head. UCFV reserves the right to cancel any course for which there is insufficient registration. Continuation of the program will be dependent upon adequate enrolment.
    Acceptance into the program does not guarantee practicum placement. Students will be individually assessed as to their readiness, in terms of skills, attitudes and knowledge, for the practicum. Practica are primarily in the Fraser Valley and students are not guaranteed the placement of their choice. Students will generally begin their practica after the completion of the first semester, although the practicum can be started later. Students working in the field may be allowed to do some, but not all, of their practicum hours in their workplace.

Location
While the certificate program is offered only in Abbotsford, students may complete the first year of the diploma program in either Abbotsford or Chilliwack. They should indicate the preferred campus on their application.

Fees and additional costs
Fees stated are in effect for 2004/05 and are subject to change for 2005/06.
    Tuition fees for most full-time students are about $1,900 per semester (based on enrolment in five courses or 15 credits). See the Fees and Other Costs section for more information. However, HSER 400, 401, 402, 410, 411, 412, and 430 are offered on a cost-recovery basis with higher tuition fees.
    The certificate program is offered part-time only, and does not qualify for financial aid. Some bursaries are available. Contact the Financial Aid office for more information.
    Some employers may be willing to sponsor their employees; prospective students are urged to approach their employers about this possibility.

Workload and classroom expectations
In addition to the classroom modules, you will be required to read, study, and prepare assignments outside of class and you can expect to spend an additional three to six hours per week outside of class. In addition you will be required to make videotapes in our lab.

Program outline
For complete details on courses see Course descriptions.

Substance Abuse Counselling diploma
Semester I

Semester II

Semester III

Semester IV

Substance Abuse Counselling certificate

Semester I (Sept–Dec)

Semester II (Jan–April)

Semester III (May–June or later)

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