Cert in Addictions Counsellor Program

The Addictions Counsellor Program is a certificate program at University nuhelot'ine thaiyots'i nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills that prepares students for work in addictions counselling. The curriculum combines Indigenous knowledge systems with Western counselling theory, covering addictions, counselling skills, group work, communication skills, family dynamics, and intergenerational trauma. Students complete in-class instruction followed by a supervised practicum placement providing hands-on counselling experience. Admission requires English 30 or an assessed equivalency, or completion of an ACCUPLACER assessment where the language requirement is not met, along with two letters of reference, a personal written statement, and a current resume. Applicants whose first language is not English may demonstrate proficiency by completing a Canadian practical nursing program in English, four years of full-time-equivalent post-secondary education in any subject at a Canadian institution, or the Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN) or IELTS Academic. Graduates are prepared to work as addictions counsellors, applying both Indigenous and Western frameworks in practice.