Credential
- Certificate
Location Offered
- Nanaimo
The Addiction Studies Certificate Program
This certificate allows students to take a collection of courses (by their own design) that specialize in the area of addictions. Students must satisfy the Degree English Requirement, complete two courses in psychology and one second year methods course. A senior course in theories of addiction is also required but offered across several departments. These courses were selected to give students an appreciation for research and a strong pharmacology and addiction theory background. The remaining courses can be chosen from a variety of disciplines that deal either directly or indirectly with addictions.
This credential is considered embedded as it is designed primarily for students enrolled, or intending to enroll, in a bachelor's degree or diploma. Students will select from a variety of eligible courses to fit with their interests. Credits applied toward the Certificate may also be applied toward major program or minor program requirements, or toward a bachelor’s degree under the normal regulations governing those programs. For example, students interested in criminology could benefit from a working understanding of addictions if they were going into policing, probation, or juvenile services.
Courses have been selected from a number of different departments; however, there are no guaranteed seats for students registered for this credential. Each department has its own rules for reserved seating and cross-department enrolment policies. As there are no guaranteed seats, students attempting to register in classes across these departments and areas are encouraged to contact individual instructors or program advisors and inquire about enrolment possibilities. Please note that many of the courses required for this credential have prerequisites. Students are encouraged to talk to the individual professors if they do not have the required prerequisites as those requirements may sometimes be waived. Also, note that not all courses are offered every year.
Success in this program is in the hands of each student; the more you focus on addictions in each of the courses the more knowledge you will accumulate on this complex and difficult topic. Students graduating with a degree and this credential should be better prepared to understand the interaction between their area of interest and addictions.
It is not necessary to be officially admitted to this certificate program; however, please let your advisor or Registration know you intend to complete this certificate so that they will indicate this on your student record.
Completion of 30 credits as follows:
Required Courses
University Degree English Requirement*
2nd Year Methods Course* (3 credits)
PSYC 205 – Introduction to Biopsychology (3 credits)
PSYC 345 – Drugs and Behaviour (3 credits)
One of PSYC 441 – Theories of Addiction, or HSD 369 - Perspectives on Substance Use, or CYC 361 – Understanding Substance Abuse in Child and Youth Care Practice (3 credits)
Optional Courses - twelve to fifteen credits from the following options:
Psychology
PSYC 303 – Forensic Psychology
PSYC 326 – Learning Theory and Behaviour Change***
PSYC 327 – Health Psychology
PSYC 332 – Community Psychology
PSYC 430 – Psychological Disorders***
PSYC 432 – Fundamentals of Clinical Psychology***
PSYC 436 - Psychopathology of Childhood and Adolescence
PSYC 440 – Skills and Techniques in Counseling and Psychotherapy***
PSYC 445 - Clinical Neuropharmacology
PSYC 499 or 499B - Field Placement in Psychology****
Sociology
SOCI 209 - Social Inequality
SOCI 240 - Social Control and Resistance
SOCI 291 - Field Study in Sociology****
SOCI 340 - Sociology of Health and Illness
Criminology
CRIM 131 - Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
CRIM 200 - Aboriginal Issues in the Canadian Criminal Justice System
CRIM 204 - Deviance, Crime and Social Control
CRIM 210 - Youth in Conflict with the Law
CRIM 241 - Corrections
CRIM 251 - Intro to Policing
CRIM 290 - Alternative Conflict Resolution
CRIM 440 - Alternate Conflict Resolution and Negotiation Skills
CRIM 460 – Drugs, Crime, and Criminal Justice
CRIM 475 - Applied Research/Field Placement****
Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies
INDG 103 - Introduction to Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies I
INDG 404 - Internship****
Health Sciences/Human Services
CMHW 135 – Mental Health and Addictions
CYC 321 - Contact and Colonization: Implications for CYC Practice
CYC 363 – Child and Youth Mental Health
CYC 210/310/410 - Practicum****
HHS 276 – Trauma and Resiliency Across the Lifespan
SOCW 270 - Social Work Practice in Mental Health and Addictions
SOCW 322 - Trauma and Resiliency Across the Lifespan
SOCW 421 - Social Work Practice with Indigenous Communities
SOCW 440 - Social Work and Mental Health
SOCW 281/282/380/480 – Practicum****
Anthropology
ANTH 312 - Medical Anthropology
ANTH 316 - The Anthropology of Homelessness
ANTH 493 - Internship****
Philosophy
PHIL 211 - Philosophy in Literature: Existentialism I
PHIL 232 - Bio-Medical Ethics
PHIL 441 - Advanced Topics in Moral Theory: Consequentialism
Political Studies/Global Studies
POLI 151 - Law and Politics in Canada
POLI 221 - Canadian Politics and Government
POLI 328 – First Nations, Municipal, Regional Government and Politics
POLI 330 - Comparative Public Policy
* Students who achieve a minimum “B+” in ENGL 115 or ENGL 117 are not required to complete any further credit towards the English requirement, but will need to take a further 3 credits of optional courses.
** Acceptable second year methods courses include PSYC 204, CRIM 220, SOCI 250, ANTH 215, SOCW 280, SSID 250 and others evaluated on a case by case basis.
*** Required or recommended for entry into MA in Counselling Psychology.
**** Only one Field Placement/practicum can count towards this certificate and there has to be a substantive component related to addictions, confirmed by the Addiction Studies Coordinator.
Note: Many of the above listed courses have prerequisites. Students are encouraged to talk to the Chair of the department offering the course if they do not have the required prerequisites as those requirements may be waived.
The coordinator may accept additional courses towards this certificate on a case by case basis.
General admission requirements apply.
Notes on Admission
Students completing this certificate concurrent with and embedded within a VIU degree or diploma do not need to apply to this program. They should let their degree or diploma advisor, program coordinator, or the Registration Centre know of their intention.
As this credential is designed to supplement a student’s primary degree or diploma, employment opportunities will be based on their primary degree.
Domestic Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Fees for One Year | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (30 credits x $166.40 per credit) | 4,992.00 |
| Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) | 159.76 |
| Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) | 176.40 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) | 220.80 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Total | 5,833.96 |
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
International Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Fees for One Year | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (30 credits x $799.77 per credit) | 23,993.10 |
| Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) | 159.76 |
| Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) | 176.40 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) | 220.80 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Total | 24,835.06 |
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
Domestic (Canadian)
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Nanaimo | ||
|
Application Fee:
$45.16
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Jenny Carpen-Rouget Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2283 Email: Jenny.Carpen-Rouget@viu.ca
Chair Contact:
Name: Elliott Marchant Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2136 Email: Elliott.Marchant@viu.ca
Comments:
Note: This credential is considered embedded as it has been designed to be to be taken as part of a degree or diploma in an area of the student’s primary interest. |
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Previous versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.