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Humber's Bachelor of Social Science - Addictions and Mental Health program equips students with university-level education and practical skills for careers in this sector. Taking a biopsychosocial approach, the curriculum explores how social, historical, economic, and political factors influence addiction and mental health while investigating prevention strategies, harm reduction approaches, and recovery pathways. The program fosters critical analysis of systemic challenges while building competencies in counselling techniques, case management, community engagement, and funding proposal development.
First-year coursework shares foundational elements with other social science degrees at Humber. During the second year, students specialize in addiction and mental health studies through classes covering academic writing, pharmaceutical science, Indigenous worldviews, diversity principles, clinical evaluation methods, and therapeutic interventions. This comprehensive theoretical and practical base leads to two final years of specialized study in professional ethics, advanced counselling techniques, current sector challenges, interdisciplinary teamwork, and research methodologies. Throughout the program, emphasis remains on developing critical analysis capabilities, leadership competencies, and professional standards.
Program alumni qualify for diverse social service roles including addiction counsellors, mental health support specialists, crisis intervention workers, care coordinators, and community outreach positions. The degree also provides strong preparation for graduate studies, potentially leading to careers as psychotherapists, academic instructors, policy researchers, or social service administrators. Please note this program does not qualify graduates for regulated professions like social work or clinical psychotherapy practice.