Mental Health and Substance Use - Certificate

Program Details

Length: 6 months

Total Credits: 23

Intake Terms: Spring

Delivery Method: Online

Campus: Online

Credential: Certificate

Cost:

Approximate Program Cost

Student Loans:

Currently under review

Credential Received

Certificate in Mental Health and Substance Use

Overview

Program Summary

The Mental Health and Substance Use certificate program is a comprehensive program designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and ethical foundations necessary for working in the multidisciplinary field of mental health and substance use support. The program integrates theoretical knowledge with practical applications to prepare students for diverse roles within the healthcare and social services sectors with a focus on the specific needs of clients experiencing mental health and substance use challenges.

Program Outcomes

1. Demonstrate professionalism in practice consistent with the code of ethics and standards of practice of
their respective disciplines
2. Use effective interpersonal skills including active listening, collaboration, self-awareness and conflict
resolution within multi-faceted roles and contexts
3. Understand and respect cultural differences and multiple ways of knowing
4. Practice with an ethic of inclusivity
5. Establish and maintain wellness strategies to assure work/life balance both personally and professionally
6. Engage in critical thinking, problem solving and reflective practice

Program Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements

BC High school graduate or equivalent; or
Academic mature student category: 19 years or older at the start of the student’s first academic term

1. ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:
English Studies 12 or equivalent*, with a minimum of 60% or higher

2. SPECIFIC ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THOSE WHO ARE SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNERS
As English is the language of study in BC, those students who are Second Language Learners must
meet one of the English language proficiency assessments outlined in Policy 8611 at an appropriate
level to be accepted into this program.

3. PRE-PRACTICUM REQUIREMENTS
a) Applicants must be able to demonstrate compliance with Public Health Officer's orders with respect
to applicable vaccine requirements (must have completed before practicum if the practice area
requires it).
b) Ministry of Justice Criminal Record Check (must be completed before starting practicum)

Additional Requirements

A current criminal record check from the Ministry of Justice must be completed within 90 days of practicum start date. Some types of criminal records may limit or prohibit acceptance in field placement; acceptance into field placement is a requirement for program promotion.

APPLICATION PROCESS

General Application Process

Before an applicant's file is completed, the following must be received:

a) Selkirk College application form

b) Official copy of secondary and post-secondary transcripts

Graduation and Promotion

1. In order to progress to the next module, the following requirements must be met.

a) Completion of all courses in the module with a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 2.00 and a grade of a “C” or better in all module courses.

2. Promotion to practicum will be determined by the following criteria:

a) A grade of "C" or better in all required courses as defined in Part II, C, Graduation Requirements.

b) Some types of criminal records may limit or prohibit a student's acceptance in field placement agencies. Ability to be accepted into field placement is a requirement for admission and promotion.

3. A student’s performance will be reviewed by program faculty when:

a) Grades in one or more courses fall below a “C”.

b) Unacceptable behaviour, inappropriate interpersonal skills, and/or patterns of absence are displayed.

c) On probation.

4. Considerations for practicum placement:

a) To avoid a conflict of interest, students are expected to inform instructors of agencies where family and/or personal connections exist.

b) Practicum placements will be arranged by a program placement coordinator.

c) Agency staff will be informed if a student has refused to sign a waiver authorizing the College to share personal information about the student with agency staff.

5. Students will not be placed in practicum based on the following:

a) The student has not demonstrated readiness for practicum placement.

b) Two agencies refuse to accept the student in practicum placement.

c) The student lacks means of transportation.

4. Practicum evaluation will be based on:

a) A review of the student's performance in relation to stated course competencies.

b) A joint review comprised of college instructor, agency supervisor and student.

c) Completed practicum assignments.

In order to graduate with Honors students must meet all program requirements with no grades less than a B- and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Program Courses

Module 1

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
ADD384	Addictions Theory and Practice	3.00	45
HSER257	Mental Health Issues: Practical Responses	3.00	45
HSER258	Fundamentals of Change I	3.00	45

Module 2

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
SSW157	Group Skills	3.00	45
HSER255	Professional Foundations for Human Services	3.00	45
HSER259	Fundamentals of Change II	3.00	45

Module 3 Practicum

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
SSW168	Field Work II	5.00	175

Additional Program Policies

Effective Term: Spring

Effective Year: 20240501

Advanced Standing:

ADVANCE OR TRANSFER CREDIT AND PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT

A student who has successfully completed any of the required college/university courses (or equivalent) may be given advance credit:

a) Application for advance or transfer credit must be made prior to entry into the program as per Policy 8614: Advanced Standing – Course Challenge, PLA, Transfer Credit, and approval obtained from the Registrar.

b) A student who applies for advanced standing from another program will be considered on an individual basis.

c) A student who wishes to prove proficiency in part or all a course’s content must apply for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). The School Chair, in consultation with program instructors will determine whether PLA credit is granted.

Re-Entry Instructions:

1. An application is required for enrolment in program courses in subsequent years.

2. Normally, students who must interrupt their program may apply for re-admission, within one year of departure, on the basis of the following priorities:

a) Students in good standing who interrupted their program for illness or other personal reasons.

b) Students who failed to meet program requirements for promotion.

c) Students transferring from another program within BC.

3. Students who fail to complete a semester successfully may apply to re-enter and repeat the incomplete semester when it is next offered.

4. Normally, a student returning in one year or less will retain full credit for all courses previously completed. After more than one year's absence, students may be required to update or repeat courses previously completed. A grade of "C" or credit granted in each repeated course is required for re-entry.

5. Students who withdraw for medical or psychological reasons will provide evidence to the School Chair from a licensed practitioner regarding the suitability of his/her return to the program.

6. Students must complete the program in its entirety within 60 calendar months from the time of initial entry into the program.

7. Students who have successfully completed their Selkirk College Human Services certificate within the previous year are considered to be a re-entry student.

8. Re-entry full-time students who have successfully completed their previous year are given priority over part time students.

Assessment:

Grading

Grading for theory courses will be as per the Standard Academic and Career Grading Table as defined in Selkirk College Policy 8612 Grading. Grading for practicum courses will be as per the Competency Based Grades as defined in Selkirk College Policy 8612 Grading.

Grading Table: Other

Grading Table: Both the Standard Academic and Career and the Competency Based grading tables will be used.

Types of Assessments:

a) Assignments

(i) Students are evaluated and graded in each subject or course topic as indicated in the respective course outline.

(ii) Assignments are due on the date stated on course or assignment outlines. A student may request one extension per course. The request must be made to the instructor no less than 24 hours before the due date. If the instructor grants permission for the extension the revised due date will be determined by the instructor in consultation with the student.

(iii) Under extenuating circumstances further requests for extensions may be granted after consultation with the instructor and the appropriate student success support staff. Students will be expected to articulate a plan outlining how they intend to complete their work in a timely manner.

(iv) A penalty of 10% per day may be assessed against late assignments. All assignments should be handed in by the last day of classes in order to achieve a passing grade and advance to the practicum.

(v) Students may, at the discretion of the instructor, rewrite a maximum of one assignment per course. Rewrites must be submitted for marking within 14 calendar days of the return of the original assignment to the student. Rewritten assignments will receive a maximum grade of 75%.

(vi) Students are expected to write tests on the designated dates. If, for legitimate absences, the student misses a test, they must write the test as soon as possible with the permission of the instructor.

b) Examinations

(i) Exams, labs, projects, assignments, and other evaluative activities are weighted and averaged as indicated in the respective course outline.

(ii) No single evaluative event shall be worth more than 50% of the final grade.

(iii) For courses involving practicum placements (SSW 168) evaluation occurs on a continuous basis and graded CRG or NCG as per the Competency Based Selkirk Grading Table in Selkirk College Policy 8612 Grading. All practicum activities may be considered evaluative events. Informal verbal and/or written feedback is regularly provided by the instructor and practicum supervisors. Depending on the length of the course there may be one or more performance appraisals or evaluations.

Attendance:

1. Student attendance in class supports their progression toward meeting the course learning outcomes and contributes to the learning community as a whole. They will gain valuable insights and opportunities that would not be possible without the conversations and activities they will participate in. If a student finds themselves in a situation where they aren’t able to complete class requirements or engage in online activities, they will need to contact the relevant instructor so that they can collaborate on a plan for continued student success. When students miss class activities, the chances of successfully meeting the learning outcomes may be reduced and/or prevent the student from passing the class.

2. If 2 or more classes are missed, the instructor will check in with the student to ensure they are set up with appropriate resources and to collaborate on a plan for success. Plans will be documented on record of advisement or learning plan forms.

3. Students missing any course activities are responsible for the work they have missed and must make up activities/assignments as required.

4. Students are responsible to inform the instructor in advance of any absences.

5. Students participating in on-line classes are expected to access and read all materials posted on their course site. If any aspect of the course has not been opened and/or participated in the student may be considered absent for that class.

6. A student who must be absent from a practice or simulated learning experience is responsible for notifying the instructor at least one hour prior to the scheduled time of the experience. Missed hours may be rescheduled if learning outcomes are not being met.

Professional Requirements:

1. Codes of Ethics and Competencies

Students are expected to know, understand and abide by any applicable Codes of Ethics.

2. Guidelines for Professional Conduct

Students are expected to consistently demonstrate professional conduct based on the following guidelines:

a) exercise personal discipline, accountability, and judgement,

b) accept personal responsibility for continued competency and learning,

c) assist and serve the public, client or patient and place them before oneself,

d) recognize the dignity and worth of all persons in any level of society,

e) assist others in learning,

f) recognize one’s own limitations and areas for development, and

g) maintain confidentiality of information appropriate to the purpose and trust given when that information is acquired.

Professional Conduct will be measured by one’s professional abilities, personal integrity, and the attitude one demonstrates in relationship with others.

3. Students who violate these professional standards may be required to withdraw from their program.

4. Students may be required to withdraw when ethical, medical, or other reasons interfere with the satisfactory completion of their program.

Other regulations:

RESPONSIBILITIES IN FIELD PRACTICUM PLACEMENTS

1. The selection of practicum placements is the responsibility of the program faculty. Students will not actively seek practicum sites.

2. Students will not provide transportation for clients while on practicum.

3. Students will not administer medications to clients while on practicum.

4. Students without supervision of agency staff will not be responsible for clients when off agency premises unless college instructor approval is given prior to the event.