Program Overview

Clinical Practice with Adult Mental Health & Addictions

This certificate is offered mostly online, with two on-campus residencies at the Calgary campus. The program consists of a mix of real-time classes at set times and learning that can be done on one's own schedule.

Program Details

• The program begins in the fall semester (September) and has a total completion time of eight months.
• Students will follow the UCalgary academic calendar and be given specific assignment deadlines.
• A high-speed internet connection is recommended, but not required.
• Students will require regular access to an internet connection, a camera, and a microphone.

Master the Skills for Advanced Clinical Social Work

The program aims to provide students with the expertise to support transitional age youth and adults facing mental health and addiction challenges. Students will learn from industry leaders, explore cutting-edge care approaches, and develop hands-on skills in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning.

Courses

• Clinical Social Work Practice with Mental Health & Addictions: This course provides the base knowledge and skill for advanced clinical social work practice with transitional age youth and adults affected by significant mental disorders and/or addiction.
• Mental Health & Addiction Practice with Transitional Age Populations (18-25 yrs): This course provides comprehensive training related to clinical social work practice with transitional age youth affected by, or at risk for, significant mental disorders and/or addictions.
• Mental Health & Addiction Practice with Diverse Populations and Complex Contexts: This course will provide an in-depth exploration of clinical social work practice with people living in diverse and complex contexts.
• Mental Health & Addiction Practice with Adult Populations (26-64 years): This course will provide a comprehensive training related to clinical social work practice with adults affected by or at risk for significant mental disorders and/or addictions.

Admission Requirements

1. A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from an accredited/recognized institution.
2. A minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.
3. The equivalent of two years of full-time paid work or a minimum of 3,000 hours of paid and/or volunteer work in the human services field by the application deadline.
4. English Language Proficiency

Residencies

• Two on-campus Calgary residencies are an important part of the graduate certificate experience, where students apply the knowledge and theory they've learned.
• Residency dates are tentative and subject to change.

Degree Award

• The degree must be awarded prior to the start of the program.
• The final transcript noting the degree must be received by June 30.

Application Process

• Applications open on January 15, 2026.
• Deadline: April 15, 2026.
• Required documents:
  • Resume
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • Test scores, if applicable
  • Self-Calculated GPA

Laddering to an MSW

• Learn more about laddering to an MSW program.

Earned your BSW abroad?

• If you completed an undergraduate degree in Social Work or equivalent in another country (outside Canada/USA), you must have your degree assessed by the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) as equivalent to a Canadian BSW, prior to applying to the MSW program.
• Learn more about the assessment process.