Co-Occurring Disorders

People with co-occurring disorders have both a mental disorder and substance-use disorder. Research confirms that almost 50 percent of people who have a major substance abuse problem also have a co-occurring mental disorder. Similarly, the frequency of addiction among people with major psychiatric disorders also approaches 50 percent.

The Advanced Citation in Co-Occurring Disorders program is designed to prepare counselling, social service, and health professionals to work with this challenging population. The program consists of five courses for a total of 18 credits. Four courses are classroom based (12 credits) and six credits are allocated as supervised practicum. All courses will be at the 5000 level and will be offered on application enrollment basis.  At this time all classroom courses are offered in the evening and (usually) the practicum can be completed at a current place of work or at a neutral site.

Department Website

For an overview of this program, including faculty listings and frequently asked questions plus other resources, visit the departmental website.

Career/Further Educational Opportunities

The Co-Occurring Disorders Advanced Citation program prepares graduates to provide professionally based services for clients suffering from a mental illness and substance use disorders. Course work and practicum experience will enhance current practice and career advancement.

Graduates from this program may receive transfer credit to the Douglas College Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care and selected university transfer to other universities including the University of Victoria, Trinity Western University and the University Of Calgary. Consult the British Columbia Council on Admissions and Transfers (BCCAT) for extensive BC transfer agreements with public post-secondary institutions (www.bctransferguide.ca).

Location

This part-time program is offered at the New Westminster Campus.
In September 2012, most CFCS programs are moving to the David Lam Campus in Coquitlam. Please check with your program for more details.

Intake Dates/Application Deadlines

There are intakes in January and September. Applications for the program must be submitted by November 1 for the January intake and by June 15 for the September intake each year. The program commences in January of each year.  Enrolment is limited and students are advised to complete the application process early.

For more details about dates, times and locations, please check Information Sessions.

EARLY ADMISSION
Although application and document deadlines may be identified for this program, we encourage all applicants to apply early and to submit all supporting documentation as early as possible. Those applicants who apply early and submit all documents early may be offered early admission.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the Douglas College General Admission Requirements, the Advanced Citation will require the following:

• Completion of a certificate, diploma or degree in social work, nursing, education, psychology, psychiatric nursing or related training in one of the helping professions. Students with two or more years of experience working in the social service field may be admitted without formal training.
• Completion of English 12 with a minimum of a "C" or have Douglas College acceptable exemptions.
• Completion an Informal Medical Suitability Declaration.
• Submit two letters of reference one of which must be social service work related.
• Successful completion of a personal interview with one or more of the program faculty. Preferential suitability will be determined on the basis of an assessment of the applicant's emotional stability, physical health, formal education, awareness of self and others and life/work experience.

Program Duration

This part-time program is a three semester, eighteen (18) credit Advanced Citation.

Credential

Advanced Citation in Co-Occurring Disorders

Program Content

The courses in the program are listed below and a brief description of each can be found in the calendar under Course Descriptions. Detailed course outlines are available for reading in the Student Services area on campus.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

New program development may result in some revision of curriculum and course sequence.