Diploma in Addiction and Community Service Worker

Scholarship Opportunities for Eligible Students

Eligible students may qualify for a $1,500 Entrance Scholarship, with enhanced support for the first 25 eligible students.

Terms and conditions apply.

Request Information

35+ Years of Experience

VCCT has been delivering counselling training for over three decades, helping students build practical skills for meaningful work in the community.

Financial Aid Options

Financial aid options may be available for those who qualify. Speak with our finance team to learn more about your options.

Designated by PTIRU

This program has been approved by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training.

In-Person, Online & Combined Learning

Choose the learning format that works best for you. Many VCCT programs are available in-person, online, or through combined study options.

This program equips students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience required to support individuals and communities affected by addiction and social challenges. Students will explore the psychological, social, and cultural factors contributing to addiction, as well as evidence-based strategies for intervention, prevention, and recovery. Key topics include case management, counseling techniques, harm reduction approaches, and community resource coordination. With a strong emphasis on cultural competence, ethics, and trauma-informed care, this program prepares graduates to work effectively in diverse settings, including rehabilitation centers, community organizations, and social service agencies. Through a blend of classroom learning and field placements, students will develop the tools to make a meaningful impact in their communities.

Diploma in Addiction and Community Service Worker was reviewed and approved by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.

Note: This program is not eligible for the Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP).

Addiction Support Worker
Community Outreach Worker
Case Manager
Residential Support Worker
Crisis Intervention Worker
Mental Health and Addiction Counselor Assistant
Youth Support Worker
Program Coordinator in Social Services
Advocacy Specialist

High school graduation verified by transcript and/or Proof of higher academic credentials verified by transcript;
a minimum 2-year sobriety declaration

English Language Proficiency Policy

In addition to the admission requirements listed above, must also meet one or more of the following English language proficiency requirements:

Completion of grades 9-11, including English 11 with a grade of ‘C’ or higher from a country where English is one of the principal languages, OR
Completion of 2 years of full-time post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction. See Appendix A for the list of approved countries. OR
Provide verified results for one of the English language proficiency tests listed below. Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: overall score of 5.5 or higher.
- Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Test: overall score of 40 or higher
- Duolingo English Test (DET): overall score of 95 or higher
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) IBT: Minimum overall score of 46
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): Minimum overall score: Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5, and Writing 5.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: Minimum overall score of 43
- Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First exam (FCE): Minimum overall score of 160 or “C”
- Cambridge Linguaskill: Minimum overall B2 level
- LANGUAGECERT Academic: Minimum overall B2 level
- The Michigan English Test (MET): Minimum overall B2 level
- iTEP Academic: Minimum overall score of 3.5
- EIKEN: Minimum placement of Grade Pre-1

Appendix A:

The list of approved countries:

American Samoa	Dominica	Lesotho	St. Kitts & Nevis
Anguilla	Falkland Islands	Liberia	St. Lucia
Antigua and Barbuda	Fiji	Malta	St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Australia	Gambia	Mauritius	Tanzania
Bahamas	Ghana	Montserrat	Trinidad & Tobago
Barbados	Gibraltar	New Zealand	Turks & Caicos Islands
Belize	Grenada	Nigeria	Uganda
Bermuda	Guam	Seychelles	United Kingdom
Botswana	Guyana	Sierra Leone	US Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands	Ireland	Singapore	USA
Canada	Jamaica	South Africa	Zambia
Cayman Islands	Kenya	St. Helena	Zimbabwe

Upon completion of this program, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

Understand the psychological, social, and cultural factors contributing to addiction and their impact on individuals, families, and communities.
Develop skills to assess client needs, create care plans, and implement evidence-based intervention and recovery strategies.
Apply harm reduction principles and trauma-informed care practices to support individuals in diverse settings.
Demonstrate cultural competence and ethical decision-making in addressing addiction and community service challenges
Collaborate with community organizations and multidisciplinary teams to enhance access to resources and promote resilience and recovery.

Course Title/Work Experience Component* (in order of delivery)	# of Hours of Instruction*	Delivery Method (In-class, Distance, or Combined)	Distance/Combined Delivery Description (Synchronous or Asynchronous)	Breakdown for Combined Delivery Courses Summary of in-class vs. online attendance
CRMH 100 Introduction to Communication	80	In-class, Distance, and Combined	Synchronous	50% in-class and 50% Synchronous
ACS 101 Introduction to Human Services	80	In-class, Distance, and Combined	Synchronous	50% in-class and 50% Synchronous
ACS 102 Foundations of Substance Abuse Counseling	80	In-class, Distance, and Combined	Synchronous	50% in-class and 50% Synchronous
ACS 103 Case Management in Addiction Services	80	In-class, Distance, and Combined	Synchronous	50% in-class and 50% Synchronous
ACS 104 Counseling Techniques for Addiction Recovery	80	In-class, Distance, and Combined	Synchronous	50% in-class and 50% Synchronous
ACS 105 – Ethics and Professional Practice in Addiction Services	80	In-class, Distance, and Combined	Synchronous	50% in-class and 50% Synchronous
ACS 106 Cultural Competence in Addiction and Community Work	80	In-class, Distance, and Combined	Synchronous	50% in-class and 50% Synchronous
ACS 107 Understanding Trauma and Addiction	80	In-class, Distance, and Combined	Synchronous	50% in-class and 50% Synchronous
ACS 108 Harm Reduction Approaches	80	In-class, Distance, and Combined	Synchronous	50% in-class and 50% Synchronous
ACS 109 Community Resource Coordination	80	In-class, Distance, and Combined	Synchronous	50% in-class and 50% Synchronous
SSWC 110 Social Psychology	80	In-class, Distance, and Combined	Synchronous	50% in-class and 50% Synchronous
Practicum	80	Practicum	Practicum	Practicum
TOTAL PROGRAM HOURS	960 Hours

Program Fees

Fee Type	Fee
Tuition	$18,008.00
Application Fee	$250.00
Administrative Fee	$100.00
Total	$18,358.00

Method(s) of Evaluation

Students will be evaluated in each course required to complete the Program (see course outline)

Completion Requirements

Course Completion: Successful completion of all 11 required courses, with a minimum passing grade of 60% in each course.
Attendance Requirement: Students must maintain a minimum attendance of 80% of the total scheduled instructional hours. Attendance is tracked for both in-class and synchronous distance components. Failure to meet the minimum attendance requirement may result in ineligibility for program completion.
Practicum Completion: Successful completion of the practicum component consisting of 80 hours. The practicum is evaluated on a pass/fail basis and requires satisfactory performance as assessed through written evaluations completed by the host supervisor and reviewed by the institution.

Program Duration

960 hours (880 Instructional Hours + 80 practicum)
48 weeks Full-time

Homework Hours

4 – 6 Hours per course

Delivery Method(s)

In-class instruction:100% hours of instruction delivered in a classroom or other setting, where instructors share the same physical space as students
Distance education: 100% hours of instruction, if applicable, delivered remotely from a BC location
Combined delivery (both in-class and distance): Instruction provided through a combination of in-class and distance delivery
- 50% of the combined program will be provided by distance (online) delivery
If distance or combined delivery is indicated, the online components are:
Synchronous, meaning students attend classes virtually in ‘real time ‘with instructors and classmates.

Description	On-Campus
Application Fee	$100.00
Archiving Fee	$6.00
Course Change Fee	$60.00
Comprehensive Exam Re-writes	$100.00
Program Change Administrative Fee	$150.00
Individual Course Certificates	$10.00
Transcript	$20.00
Diploma Reprint	$20.00
Certificate Reprint	$20.00

Discounts

Diploma of Professional Counselling ONLY

Contact admissions department

Promotions only if approved by Executive Director

Refund Policy

Refund Policy is in compliance with the Private Training Institutions Branch requirements. Click here to view policy.

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Diploma in Addiction and Community Service Worker

Scholarship Opportunities for Eligible Students

Request Information

35+ Years of Experience

Financial Aid Options

Designated by PTIRU

In-Person, Online & Combined Learning

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