Overview
Earn a Certificate or Diploma in Professional Addiction Studies online
The Professional Addiction Studies program provides knowledge and skills for individuals seeking to enter the field of addiction. It also serves as professional development for those already working in fields such as mental health, counselling, law enforcement, nursing, social work, child and family services.
- Courses approved by the Canadian Addiction Counsellor Certification Federation (CACCF) towards ICADC/CCAC certification
- Courses provide holistic information about addiction through a trauma-informed lens.
- Earn a certificate or a diploma
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Program highlights Learn More
- CACCF-approved online courses
- Offered for over 30 years and taught by industry experts
- Earn a certificate or diploma
Professional Addiction Studies program features:
- Content is based on areas of knowledge and skills as identified by the Canadian Addiction Counsellor Certification Federation (CACCF) core competencies
- Convenient online learning format, which could include readings, discussion boards, individual exercises and more
- Learn from instructors with industry expertise
- Network with professionals from various disciplines

Learning outcomes Learn More
- Awareness and understanding
- Communication skills
- Effective strategies
- Overview of addiction from a holistic standpoint
- Effective communication and counselling skills
- Assessment, treatment and professional ethics
Through our Professional Addiction Studies program, you’ll learn to:
- Assess variables that lead to, and influence addiction, in order to support those living with and those affected by it
- Recognize knowledge limitations and scope of professional practice and the role of multidisciplinary care in relation to addiction
- Differentiate distinct theoretical and applied approaches pertaining to screening, assessment and treatment
- Understand the relationship between addiction and mental health, the complexities of working with individuals experiencing concurrent disorders, and the need for holistic care in situations where trauma is involved
- Use evidence-informed practice across treatments in order to support diverse populations and provide culturally-safe care
- Communicate effectively and appropriately, both verbally and in writing, within recognized professional and industry standards
- Translate theory to practice in the support of individuals, groups, families, and communities
- Act in a professional and ethical manner that reflects sensitivity to the nature of addiction and is in compliance with relevant laws
- Apply counselling and therapy-based treatments to be used in client-care
Learn more about the Professional Addiction Studies program
- Addiction and mental health workers
- Counsellors and social workers
- Law enforcement professionals
- Health and social services professionals
- Recent college or university graduates in related fields of study
Earning a Certificate or Diploma in Professional Addiction Studies can open doors into the field of addiction for the following professions:
- Counsellor
- Nurse
- Mental Health Work
- Crisis Outreach
- Social Worker
- Guidance Counsellor
- Child and Youth Worker
- Law Enforcement Professionals
Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF)
The Diploma in Professional Addiction Studies is pre-approved by the CACCF as meeting the core educational requirements for the ICADC or CCAC certifications.
The Certificate in Professional Addiction Studies may be used on a course-by-course basis towards the specific skill and knowledge categories required for ICADC or CCAC certifications if you have previous related education that you are able to combine. Contact the CACCF for details.
Please be advised that the educational component is one of the requirements for certification. Visit the CACCF website for the full requirements.
NEW Associate Addiction Counsellor (AAC)
This entry-level certificate is intended for students, counsellors in training, or new graduates working towards completing their CCAC or ICADC certification.
To be an Associate Addiction Counsellor you must be attending, or have completed, education in a pre-approved program. The Professional Addiction Studies Certificate and Diploma are pre-approved programs.
For more information on the ICADC/CCAC certifications, visit:
Website: http://www.caccf.ca/certifications
Phone: (866) 624-1911
Email: info@caccf.ca
In all cases, students register with McMaster Continuing Education at the course level (i.e. when registering in a course offered by McMaster Continuing Education). In most cases, students must also register at the program level with the association or institute.
It is the responsibility of the students to comply with the program admission and course requirements of the professional association or institute. Each organization has its own requirements regarding application, admission, program and membership. Students should contact the organization for detailed information concerning their program.
Check out our latest Health Program Preview webinar to learn more about the Professional Addiction Studies program
What Our Recent Graduates Say
“The flexibility of the course helped me a lot to balance my work.”
The flexibility of the course helped me a lot to balance my work. Our field in data is continuously changing. I found that sweet balance in terms of the focus of the course. It’s a life cycle of how the data is coming in all the way to make it a service or a product. The course gives you that 360 spectrum.
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Big Data graduate

Krystal
Health and Social Service Skill Development graduate
“I wanted to reinvent myself and change my career path and I was able to do that.”
I wanted to be able to reinvent myself and change my career path and I was able to do that because of McMaster Continuing Education. Being a nurse, there are so many different avenues of nursing that I can try new things and continue to learn. The instructors were really understanding. When you’re working full-time, having someone that will promptly answer your questions and make time for you when you need it, they made it really easy.
Krystal
Health and Social Service Skill Development graduate

Tracy
Project Management graduate
“I am constantly reinventing myself. McMaster Continuing Education has been transformative.”
I am constantly reinventing myself. McMaster Continuing Education has been transformative. I was introduced to new ideas and new skills. Because of that, I’ve had new opportunities in my career. McMaster Continuing Education is the best place to take professional development courses. The programs fit into your life.
Tracy
Project Management graduate
“The flexibility of the course helped me a lot to balance my work.”
The flexibility of the course helped me a lot to balance my work. Our field in data is continuously changing. I found that sweet balance in terms of the focus of the course. It’s a life cycle of how the data is coming in all the way to make it a service or a product. The course gives you that 360 spectrum.
Zaki
Big Data graduate
“I wanted to reinvent myself and change my career path and I was able to do that.”
I wanted to be able to reinvent myself and change my career path and I was able to do that because of McMaster Continuing Education. Being a nurse, there are so many different avenues of nursing that I can try new things and continue to learn. The instructors were really understanding. When you’re working full-time, having someone that will promptly answer your questions and make time for you when you need it, they made it really easy.
Krystal
Health and Social Service Skill Development graduate
“I am constantly reinventing myself. McMaster Continuing Education has been transformative.”
I am constantly reinventing myself. McMaster Continuing Education has been transformative. I was introduced to new ideas and new skills. Because of that, I’ve had new opportunities in my career. McMaster Continuing Education is the best place to take professional development courses. The programs fit into your life.
Tracy
Project Management graduate
Other programs you may be interested in
Diploma in Professional Addiction Studies
Diploma IN Professional Addiction Studies
Pursue your Diploma in Professional Addiction Studies with McMaster Continuing Education
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Diploma in Professional Addiction Studies
Earn the Diploma in Professional Addiction Studies by completing 10 three-unit courses listed (8 required courses and 2 elective courses)
Note: Students must be accepted into the program before enrolling into courses. Please visit our Admission and Application Requirement page for complete details.
CORE COURSES (COMPLETE ALL 8)
3.0 UNITS
ADD 201
Introduction to Addiction
3.0 UNITS
ADD 202
Pharmacology
3.0 UNITS
ADD 205
Group Work and Mutual Aid
3.0 UNITS
ADD 206
Assessment and Treatment Planning
3.0 UNITS
ADD 208
Families and Addiction
ELECTIVE COURSES (COMPLETE ANY 2)
3.0 UNITS
ADD 209
Trauma Informed Care in Addiction
3.0 UNITS
ADD 210
Contemporary Treatment Approaches
3.0 UNITS
ADD 211
Concurrent Disorders
3.0 UNITS
ADD 213
Diversity and Inclusive Practice
3.0 UNITS
ADD 215
Field Experience
Certificate in Professional Addiction Studies
CERTIFICATE IN PROFESSIONAL ADDICTION STUDIES
Advance your skills with a Certificate in Professional Addiction Studies
Explore the requirements below and register today!
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Certificate in Professional Addiction Studies
Earn the Certificate in Professional Addiction Studies by completing five courses listed below.
Note: Students must be accepted into the program before enrolling into courses. Please visit our Admission and Application Requirement page for complete details.
Courses (Complete any 5)
3.0 UNITS
ADD 201
Introduction to Addiction
3.0 UNITS
ADD 202
Pharmacology
3.0 UNITS
ADD 205
Group Work and Mutual Aid
3.0 UNITS
ADD 206
Assessment and Treatment Planning
3.0 UNITS
ADD 208
Families and Addiction
3.0 UNITS
ADD 209
Trauma Informed Care in Addiction
3.0 UNITS
ADD 210
Contemporary Treatment Approaches
3.0 UNITS
ADD 211
Concurrent Disorders
3.0 UNITS
ADD 213
Diversity and Inclusive Practice
3.0 UNITS
ADD 215
Field Experience
Professional Addiction Studies Courses
Professional Addiction Studies Courses
Advance your career with online Professional Addiction Studies courses
Explore course options below and register today!
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3.0 UNITS
ADD 201
Introduction to Addiction
3.0 UNITS
ADD 202
Pharmacology
3.0 UNITS
ADD 205
Group Work and Mutual Aid
3.0 UNITS
ADD 206
Assessment and Treatment Planning
3.0 UNITS
ADD 208
Families and Addiction
3.0 UNITS
ADD 209
Trauma Informed Care in Addiction
3.0 UNITS
ADD 210
Contemporary Treatment Approaches
3.0 UNITS
ADD 211
Concurrent Disorders
3.0 UNITS
ADD 213
Diversity and Inclusive Practice
3.0 UNITS