Program at a glance
Credential
Advanced Certificate
Work experience
None
Study options
Part-time
Online
Open to International
No
Area of study
Length
8 months
Building community, enhancing lives
Start in September
Apply an interprofessional approach to the provision of services and support for individuals with mental health and substance use challenges in contact with the mental health, social services, and the criminal justice system.
Information Sessions
Find out more about upcoming networking and information sessions occurring at Camosun.

Are you passionate about social justice?
Operating from a social justice perspective, the Mental Health, Addictions, and Criminal Justice program emphasizes the values related to and importance of social responsibility, advocacy, community-capacity building, and interprofessional practice. The program provides a basis to build an environment where students in health, social services, and the criminal justice fields can develop collaborative, cooperative, and coordinated practice for providing client-centred care.
What to expect
The Advanced Certificate in Mental Health, Addictions, and Criminal Justice has been designed with working professionals in mind. The program is an interprofessional fully online eight-month program consisting of a series of four 7-week courses
Academic Term 1
In your first term, you’ll critically examine the intersection between the criminal justice and mental health systems and addictions, and apply an interprofessional approach to reviewing existing systems and organizations that service these populations.
Academic Term 2
In your second term, you’ll develop evidence-based approaches to support people facing mental health, substance use, and criminal justice challenges; develop approaches to address service barriers and challenges and explore contemporary social issues and perspectives through a social justice, human rights, advocacy and practice lens.
We’ll help you succeed
Upon completion of the program, you'll have an enhanced understanding of and ability to provide integrated services and supports, as well as to advocate for change in the systems and structures that individuals with mental health or substance use challenges and the justice system experience. You'll also have an increased understanding of the impact of systems, colonization, decolonization, including information related to the systemic racism of Indigenous peoples and communities.
Employment opportunities
As a graduate, you will have systemic level awareness and skills to navigate and support individuals with mental health and/or addiction challenges in residential and community. You will enhance your existing skills to support you in the workplace to better advocate, support, and serve clients. Our graduates may be currently working or wanting to pursue a career with a variety of mental health, addictions, community, and criminal justice agencies.
What you'll learn
Current students wanting information about your program, go to student planning in myCamosun.
Program outline
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar.
Building community through advocacy and social responsibility
The program will include a focus on advocacy, preventative, and proactive practices as well as supporting those crossing service areas.
Term 1
In your first term, you’ll critically examine the intersection between the criminal justice and mental health systems and addictions, and apply an interprofessional approach to reviewing existing systems and organizations that service these populations.
Term 2
In your second term, you’ll develop evidence-based approaches to support people facing mental health, substance use, and criminal justice challenges; develop approaches to address service barriers and challenges and explore contemporary social issues and perspectives through a social justice, human rights, advocacy and practice lens.
Tuition and fees
Effective from September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2023
Estimated tuition
Tuition estimates are for the entire program.
Mental Health, Addictions, and Criminal Justice, Advanced Certificate
$2,143 (domestic)
Domestic tuition fees vary depending on the individual course fees for the classes you select.
Student fees
In addition to tuition estimates, student fees are calculated based on your enrolment. Refer to: Student Fees.
Financial assistance
You may need to find more than one source of funding to help pay for your education and living costs while attending college. Check out sources of money you don't need to pay back as well as those that need to be repaid.
Curriculum & courses
Admission requirements
Ready to get started? Get your application in for the September intake.
When you apply you will need to submit proof that you meet the following admission requirements.
Tip: Where a letter grade is specified, you must have proof of that grade or higher.
One of:
- Post-Secondary Credential: A minimum of a one-year credential in Criminal Justice or Mental Health from a recognized post-secondary institution (other credentials in these fields may be considered and approved by the Program Chair).
- Proof of a diploma or bachelor’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution and 600 hours of work or volunteer experience in the mental health or criminal justice field.
And all of:
- English Proficiency: Completed self-declaration confirming your level of English proficiency. Applicants to the program are expected to have English language proficiency with a strong recommendation of English 12 or higher.
- Statement of Intention: Submission of a 400-500 word statement outlining career goals and motivation for entering the program.
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar.
Missing admission requirements?
Take an assessment or upgrade with us.
Contact us
If you have admissions questions contact us today!
If you have questions about what you can expect to learn in your classes contact artsci@camosun.ca or the program chair.
Faculty/staff profile

Faculty/staff profile

Jeanne Puritch
Chair of Community, Family and Child Studies Department
Faculty/staff profile

Kelli Moorhouse
Instructor, Criminal Justice
Faculty/staff profile

Blair Fisher
Instructor, Criminal Justice
Faculty/staff profile

Kristin Ross
Instructor
Faculty/staff profile

Eva Silden
Instructor, Criminal Justice

Learn more
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar.
Contact information
School of Arts & Science