Mental Health, Addictions, and Criminal Justice, Advanced Certificate

No intake for Fall 2023

Rope in a knot

Program at a glance

Credential

Advanced Certificate

Work experience

None

Study options

Part-time

Online

Open to International

No

Area of study

Health Sciences

Length

8 months

Building community through advocacy and social responsibility

Apply an interprofessional approach to the provision of services and support for individuals with mental health and substance use challenges in contact with mental health, social services, and the criminal justice system.

Eight months at Camosun can prepare you for a rewarding career in the expanding field of mental health and addictions and criminal justice and set you up for entry into an in-demand human services field.

group discussion

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.

Program outline

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.

Curriculum & courses

Admission requirements

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 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.

When you apply you will need to submit proof that you meet the program admission requirements listed above. Where a letter grade is specified, you must have proof of that grade or higher.

For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar: Loading...

 

This program will not have an intake for Fall 2023. 

Please contact us for more information at artsci@camosun.ca or 250–370–3298.

 

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

Jeanne Puritch

Jeanne Puritch

Chair of Community, Family and Child Studies Department

puritchj@camosun.ca
250-370-4673
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness (CHW)
Full bio

Faculty/staff profile

Kristin Ross

Kristin Ross

Instructor

ross@camosun.ca
250-370-4292
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness
Full bio

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Learn more

For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar. 

Contact information

School of Arts & Science

Campus location

Fisher 104

Location link

Lansdowne Campus

250–370–3298

artsci@camosun.ca