Addictions Counselling

Students complete two internships over their program to gain valuable experience in local, national or international placements. Many of our graduates have found immediate success in the job market because of the practical experience they have gained in our program.

Learn more about the internship here

Applicants to the Addictions Counselling major who have previously completed an approved undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 2.00 will have the opportunity to complete an individualized program in just three years.

Applicants to the Post-Diploma program must have a minimum diploma GPA of 3.00 on the University of Lethbridge 4.00 scale. If you are considering applying to the program with a diploma GPA below 3.00 (but not less than 2.00), you may be considered for admission if you have extensive practical experience in a relevant field.

The Faculty of Health Sciences will consider diplomas in other areas of study on a case-by-case basis.

Learn more about the Post-Diploma pathway here.

Your course sequencing will depend on how long you plan to take to finish your program.

The sequencing plan in the BHSc Addictions Counselling Program Planning Guide lays out a program in which students take 5 courses per term. Students may take 3 or 4 classes per term to complete their programs in five or six years.

2024/2025 Program Planning Guides

View alternative sequencing plans here

See ulethbridge.ca/ross/ppgs for all other calendar year PPGs. Your calendar year will be the year of your most recent admission to uLethbridge.

Graduates work in a variety of agencies and settings that serve individuals, families and communities, including the health and social services, justice, education, and private sectors. Addictions counsellors are employed in agencies doing one-on-one, group and family counselling, and agencies doing community development, harm reduction and health promotion activities, such as smoking reduction, and mental and emotional health promotion. Some counsellors may prefer to practice in private settings seeing patients one-on-one or conducting group meetings.

To learn more about what you can do with a major in Addictions Counselling visit Career Bridge

The Faculty of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Arts & Science offer a five-year combined Bachelor of Health Sciences / Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Addictions Counselling/Psychology. Prepare for graduate studies and/or careers in mental health, from prevention and health promotion to intervention and treatment by gaining specialized practical skills and theoretical knowledge.

Visit our Future Student website for admission information for this program.

See here to review the program planning guide for this program.

Graduates of the Addictions Counselling major will be able to:

• Understand the physiology and process of addictions, including substance use, concurrent disorders, and mental health.
• Recognize diversity in identities and experiences while maintaining cultural humility and responsiveness.
• Seek out and critically analyze relevant research to ensure evidence-based practice and continuing competency.
• Engage in ethical practice in the field of addictions and mental health with adherence to relevant standards of practice.
• Demonstrate skill in program development, implementation, and evaluation, with critical analysis of how systems work together to benefit and/or harm people experiencing addiction and mental health issues.
• Engage effectively in outreach, community development and health promotion at the mezzo and macro levels, including an understanding of the policy environment surrounding addiction and mental health.
• Effectively engage in counselling interventions with individuals, groups, and families with the aim of treating addiction and mental health issues.
• Demonstrate skills in clinical assessment, case conceptualization, referrals, and treatment of addiction and mental health issues.
• Understand the impacts of traumas and trauma responses in people’s lives and work in trauma- informed capacities to create interpersonal safety and change.
• Understand the broad etiological contributions to addictions and mental health.
• Identify and critically examine the relevant theories and approaches that inform the continuum of interventions in addictions and mental health care.
• Honour Indigenous ways of knowing and being, recognize the impacts of intergenerational trauma, and decolonize counselling practices.
• Communicate clearly and professionally, in both verbal and written capacities.
• Work cooperatively with others using strong interpersonal rapport and accountability for shared responsibility in team endeavors.
• Consistently practice self-reflection and self-care to ensure appropriate professional conduct and sustained wellbeing.