Mental Health and Addiction Worker – Social Service Worker Dual Diploma

Start in the Mental Health and Addiction Worker diploma program and earn a Social Service Worker diploma in six consecutive semesters, creating greater career opportunities and adding complimentary skills and knowledge.

This dual-diploma pathway is only available to students who start their program in the fall or the winter. After a common first semester, students in the Mental Health and Addiction Worker program and Social Service Worker program can declare their intention to complete both programs.

By choosing this Dual Diploma pathway as a Mental Health and Addiction Worker student, you will gain complementary competencies in the field of Social Service to work in a broader context with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities to respond to social issues, injustices and inequalities through counselling, community services and social support programs. This program is infused with practical learning experiences and prepares graduates to work in a range of residential and community settings with other professionals such as child and youth workers, teachers, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, and doctors. The curriculum will also build knowledge and skills in traditional healing practices and understanding of intergenerational trauma impact of colonization and assimilation policies.

As Social Service Worker is a regulated profession in Ontario, graduates of this dual diploma pathway will have the necessary skills for employment as a Social Service Worker in Ontario and will be eligible for membership through the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services. Please see the OCSWSSW website for more information about the profession and eligibility for membership.

Career Opportunities

When you choose the Dual Diploma pathway, you are creating opportunities to advance your profession and expand your prospects.

There is a high demand for mental health and addiction professionals. Roles include case manager, mental health clinician, addiction counsellor, or relief staff in residential facilities or community withdrawal management services, health promotion and outreach services.  In addition, as a practicing Social Service Worker in Ontario, you will support people to recognize, develop and sustain their strengths to achieve good quality of life while they manage and challenge a broad range of personal and environmental barriers at the personal, cultural, and system levels.