Addiction Counselling & Community Agency Diploma Program

Question: What qualifies you to offer this on-line program?

Answer: I (Doug Pamenter) have worked in the addictions field for over 20 years and for the past five years have been teaching an addiction counselling program at a private college. I have many student testimonials regarding the efficacy of the materials, and the success they have achieved after having taken the program. Educationally I have over eight years of university and college, and have maintained ongoing training and upgrading throughout my career. Plus I am a member "in good standing" of both addiction specific and professional counselling associations.

Question: How long is the course and its entirety?

Answer: Each course credit corresponds with about a week of class time. Thus, 41 instructional credits, plus 8 practicum credits (200 hours), which makes the program about a year-long. Depending on how quickly you are able to work through the assignments and do the reading, and how busy the rest of your life is, you may possibly complete the program in less time, or on the other hand take as long as you need (up to 3 years).

Question: Can you send me a copy of the program outline?

Answer: Please see below. However, you may download and print the program outline by clicking...

Addiction Counselling & Community Agency Worker Diploma Program Outline - pdf.

Program Objectives:

The Addictions Counselling & Community Agency Worker program has been designed with a broad but intensive scope. The “broad” focus is to prepare the graduate student as a diverse and competent community helper. The “intensive” focus is the development specific skills in the area of addictions and counselling. This educational program strives to fulfill the mission statement of “transforming knowledge and experience into wisdom” by providing industry relevant training combined with a practical understanding that will facilitate the students being successful in any of the thousands of community services agencies.

Career Opportunities (Career Path - pdf)

Addictions counselors and community agency workers hold professional and paraprofessional jobs in a vast range of settings such as: youth and family social service agencies, programs concerned specifically with detoxification, addiction treatment and recovery, dual diagnosis and mental health agencies, family support services and working with seniors. Employers may range from government health authorities, contracted agencies, non-profit organizations, faith-based organizations and privately owned public service agencies.

Program Courses:

(each credit approximates 25 instructional hours)

0 - SUST – Success Strategies & Writing Skills (one credit)

E – Community Practicum Placement

(eight credits – 200 hours)

A - Fundamentals Module

(ten credits – 250 hours)

1 - PHTH – Pharmacology ~ Theory (two credits)

2 - PHDM – Pharmacology ~ Drugs & Medicines (two credits)

3 - ADMO – Addiction Models & Public Policy (two credits)

4 - ADD1 – Addictive Disorders 1 (two credits)

5 - ADD2 – Addictive Disorders 2 (two credits)

B - Client Services Module

(ten credits – 250 hours)

6 - EVTR – Evaluation & Treatment Planning (two credits)

7 - REPR – Relapse Prevention (three credits)

8 - CAMA – Case Management (two credits)

9 - SEPO – Selected Populations (two credits)

10 - CORE – Community Resources & Networking (one credit)

C - Relationships Module

(ten credits – 250 hours)

11 - ETCO – Ethical Counseling Relationships (two credits)

12 - CLIN – Clinical Interviewing (two credits)

13 - GRFA – Group Facilitation (two credits)

14 - FASY – Family Systems (two credits)

15 - YOIN – Youth Intervention Strategies (two credits)

D - Life Management Module

(ten credits – 250 hours)

16 - PSYC – Psychology (three credits)

17 - COMM – Communication (two credits)

18 - HEPR – Health Promotion (two credits)

19 - SETR – Secondary Traumatic Stress (two credits)

20 - SUAI – Suicide Assessment & Intervention (one credit)

Question: What is the cost of the on-line program?

Answer: The college I work for charges the students about $375 per credit of in-class instruction. Each credit is the equivalent of a one-week course – 25 hours of in-class instruction. Thus a two-credit/two week course (50 hours) is $750 and a three credit / three week course (75 hours) is $1125. I think the overall program cost (at the college) is around $15,000.

For the on-line program, I hope to be able to offer at least as much value, but for a considerably reduced price - $5125 for the whole program. This translates to $125 per credit, $250 for two-credits (a two week course) and $375 for a three-credit week course.

One benefit of our on-line training program is a pay-as-you-go fee structure, which can be sent using Pay-Pal. Provided as part of the training package are: textbook notes, handouts, and video clips, to aid in your learning.

Question: What is the cost of textbooks and where do I get them?

Answer: Once you have completed your first two assignments and been accepted as a student, you will be sent a complete list of the textbooks used in the program. The cost of the textbooks (new) is approximately $1,000.00 however, many students have been able to obtain the books for much less by shopping around or purchasing second hand. While it may be possible to pass without purchasing the textbooks (the notes are that good), it is strongly suggested that students do purchase the various course textbooks.

Question: Will I receive a certificate of completion or anything for completing this course?

Answer: Once you have completed the whole program, you will receive a Diploma stating that you have taken an: Addiction Counseling & Community Agency Worker program. Additionally, you will receive individual Certificates of Completion for each course.

Question: Do I need to wait to begin with materials until I purchase/ receive my textbooks?

Answer: You do not need to wait until you receive your textbooks to begin. I will begin sending out notes and other materials once each course is paid for. However, I would suggest that if you can afford it, you do purchase the textbooks and make a concerted effort to read the relevant chapters. As good as the notes are, they do not include everything. For example, the pharmacology book is a tough read (equivalent to a second year university book), which is why I use two chapters from other textbooks as an introduction first, kind of like a pre-pharmacology.

Question: Why is there a practicum component included?

Answer: In order to work as a counsellor or professional in almost every field, all students are required to have a combination of education, supervised training and “membership in a professional organization.” While we can provide the education via this online program, you will still need to seek out supervised training opportunities in your local community, and then apply for membership with a relevant professional organization. Thus, a practicum is both an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and learn the practical application of that knowledge in real-life situations. As the saying goes: It is not what you know, but what you can apply that counts.

Question: How do I get started?

Answer: You will need to do two things...

1. Send in your answers to the first two assignments. (click the link)

2. Make a payment of $375 to cover the administrative fees, the Student Success Strategies Course and your first regular course. From this point on, you may pay for each course as you take it.

Question: Where do I go now?

Answer: Click here.

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