Name: Addiction Studies
Brand: Addiction Studies

all about

Addiction Studies

The two-year Addiction Studies Diploma gives you the knowledge and hands-on preparation to build a meaningful career in the addiction field. You’ll learn how to combine theory with practical skills to support individuals, families, groups, and communities.

This program emphasizes ethical, trauma-informed, strengths-based, and culturally-responsive practices. It prepares you to assess, plan, and implement evidence-based interventions across diverse populations. You will reflect on your own values and beliefs and develop professional skills essential for working with people from all walks of life.

As a graduate, you’ll be ready for support roles in both non-profit and private settings. Career opportunities span community organizations, schools, addiction services, residential programs, senior care facilities, and government agencies.

The Addiction Studies Diploma program is approved by the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation.

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Available intakes

Starts in

Registration opens in

Domestic

International

September 2026

Transcripts due:

Domestic

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Open

Applications closes:

Application Opens:

Transcripts due within two weeks of application submission.

Transcripts due:

International

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Open

January 2027

Transcripts due:

Domestic

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Open

Applications closes:

Application Opens:

Transcripts due within two weeks of application submission.

Transcripts due:

International

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Open

Starts in

Registration opens in

March 9, 2026 for May 2026 course start dates

July 6, 2026 for September 2026 course start dates

To register in an Open Studies course, find the course in the list below and click on the course code. Select the offering of the course that you would like to take, add it to the cart, proceed to checkout, and pay with a credit card.
‍Registration for all courses opens at 9:00 A.M. Calgary time.

March 9, 2026 for May 2026 course start dates

July 6, 2026 for September 2026 course start dates

Program availability and start dates are subject to change. Admission is based on first applied, first qualified.

Admission requirements

Credit in English 30-1 or 65% in English 30-2 or equivalent

Successful completion of the General Educational Development (GED) test with a standard score of 520 in Language Arts: Reading and Writing

Satisfactory results on the Bow Valley College Admission and Placement Test

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English proficiency

If English is not your first language, please review the English language proficiency requirements.

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Academic upgrading

Missing a required admission criteria? Complete academic upgrading before applying.

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Transfer credit

Transfer opportunities are available to a variety of institutions. See where this program can transfer to.

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Provincial equivalencies

If you studied outside of Alberta, you can see which of your courses is equivalent to an admission requirement.

International Students:
‍Check whether your previous studies completed outside Canada meet the admission requirements using our country-specific document list found in step 2.

Additional Information

Pre-practicum Requirement

The Addiction Studies Diploma program includes practicum placements in agencies where employers require a Police Information Check (PIC) with a Vulnerable Sector Search (VSS). Results of this check may restrict opportunities for placement in a practicum. The PIC must be obtained before the start of the practicum and may need to be renewed more than once while enrolled in a program.

Students do not need the PIC in order to be accepted into the program. They will be directed as to when to complete the PIC directly prior to their first practicum by the Practicum Coordinator and their instructors.

Tuition and fees

Term

Tuition fees

Additional fees

Total fees*

Term 1

$2,328

$605

$2,933

Term 2

$2,936

$564

$3,500

Term 3

$2,698

$564

$3,262

Term 4

$2,696

$605

$3,301

Estimated total tuition:

total cost

Term

Tuition fees

Additional fees

Total fees*

Term 1

$5,211

$605

$5,816

Term 2

$7,248

$564

$7,812

Term 3

$6,437

$564

$7,001

Term 4

$6,273

$605

$6,878

Estimated total tuition:

total cost

*All tuition and fees are subject to change. Program tuitions are estimates only. Your actual tuition and fees are calculated on actual course registrations and can be viewed under "Statement of Account" in MyBVC or by requesting a Statement of Account from Registrar Services.

Courses

Legend:

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Zero Textbook Cost

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Course is eligible for PLAR

Not all delivery modes are available for all courses or programs, and not all courses are available each term. Students should follow up on their individual program areas or their MyBVC for information for courses delivery types and availability.

‍Delivery modes, descriptions, and availability of courses each term are subject to change.

Term 1

Complete the following courses:

Code	Course	Credits	PDF
ADDC1100	Foundations of Addiction: A Multidimensional Approach	3
ADDC1102	Introduction to Pharmacology for Human Services	3
INDG1101	Introduction to Indigenous Studies	3	picture_as_pdf
COMM1101	Interpersonal Relationships And Communication Skills	3	picture_as_pdf
ENGL1201	English Composition	3	picture_as_pdf

Term 2

Complete the following courses:

Code	Course	Credits	PDF
ADDC1300	Intersections of Trauma, Addiction, and Healing	3
ADDC1500	Assessment, Documentation, and Case Management in Addictions	3
PSYC1101	Introduction to Psychology	3	picture_as_pdf
HMSV1501	Introduction to Counselling	3	picture_as_pdf
HMSV2501	Social Policy	3	picture_as_pdf
INDG2201	Indigenous Approaches to Healing and Wellness	3	picture_as_pdf

Term 3

Complete the following courses:

Code	Course	Credits
ADDC2200	Approaches to Addiction Prevention and Early Intervention	3
ADDC2201	Recovery and Relapse Prevention Planning	3
ADDC2304	Advanced Counselling Skills for the Addiction Professional	3
ADDC2400	Youth Substance Use: A Family and Community Approach	3
ADDC2500	Practicum Preparation and Career Development	3
ADDC2503	Comprehensive Program Planning	3

Term 4

Complete the following courses:

Code	Course	Credits
ADDC2504	Leadership and Ethics: Professional Practice	3
ADDC2996	Practicum I: Foundations of Addiction Counselling Practice	6
ADDC2997	Practicum II: Advanced Addiction Counselling Practice	6

Frequently asked questions

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Addiction Studies

Do you want to become an addiction practitioner? You will enjoy both classroom and practicum learning opportunities in this program. Let us help you reach your goal.