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Post-graduate entry, for working professionals advancing into clinical counselling.
Did you know: Mental illness affects about 1 in every 5 Canadians at some point in their lifetime. Now you can fulfill your passion and make a genuine difference in the lives of others. Oxford College’s Addictions and Mental Health (AMH) diploma program prepares you with the knowledge and skills to advance your career in healthcare or social services.
As an Addictions and Mental Health Professional, you will:
- Acquire hands-on experience through field placement
- Learn how to deliver effective, culturally relevant and responsive support
- Gain in-depth knowledge of counselling based on the “Twelve Core Functions”
The only Post-Graduate Diploma
The only college in Ontario with CACCF- accreditation
$53,040
Median annual salary (according to the Government of Canada Job Bank)
400 hrs
Supervised field placement at MCU-approved sites
6
Ontario campuses (Barrie, Burlington, Mississauga, Peterborough, Scarborough, Toronto)
1 in 5 Canadians Suffer from Mental Illness
The people who show up for this work carry other people’s issues. They sit in the room when someone finally asks for help. They hold the line between crisis and recovery. Good intentions matter, but they are not enough. The credentials and the clinical training give you the capacity to make a difference.
Currently, Ontario mental health spending is projected to grow at 5.4% annually through 2027–28. After COVID, demand for trained counsellors has accelerated, exposing the gap between awareness and readiness.
Our Addictions and Mental Health program exists for professionals who understand that. People who have already built a foundation in social work, psychology, nursing, or a related field, and who are ready to advance.
Full CCAC Eligibility. Get The Credential That Advances Your Career
THE CANADIAN CERTIFIED ADDICTION COUNSELLOR (CCAC) DESIGNATION IS THE STANDARD FOR CLINICAL COUNSELLOR ROLES AT HOSPITALS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, MENTAL HEALTH CENTRES, AND CORRECTIONS FACILITIES.
Our graduates are fully eligible to pursue CCAC certification upon graduation. This is full eligibility, not the Associate level (AAC) offered by shorter, entry-level programs.
AAC holders are eligible for support roles. CCAC-eligible graduates are eligible for clinical counsellor positions, with higher salary bands and broader employer recognition across Ontario.
To be eligible for full CCAC, graduates must:
- Complete their CCAC board exam after two years of full-time work
- 4,000 hours over five years
And they must have graduated from a CACCF-accredited institution covering the 12 Core Functions (listed below).
We are the only Career College in Ontario offering this accreditation at the post-graduate level. The 92-week program is structured specifically for professionals advancing a career, not starting one.
The curriculum covers The 12 Core Functions of addiction counselling, the most comprehensive clinical framework in the Ontario AMH program set. This is why the 400-hour field placement is necessary.
MASTER YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE 12 CORE FUNCTIONS
- Screening
- Intake
- Orientation
- Assessment
- Treatment Planning
- Counselling
- Case Management
- Crisis Intervention
- Client Education
- Referral
- Report and Record Keeping
- Consultation with Other Professionals
You're comparing programs. You should be.
We offer you a credential tier, CCAC eligibility, placement depth, and the private vs. public distinction that will change your career trajectory after graduation.
| Oxford College |
Public Colleges |
Other Career Colleges |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Credential | Post-grad diploma | Grad cert (public) | Entry-level diploma |
| CACCF accredited | Yes | Standards aligned | No |
| CCAC eligible | Full CCAC | Aligned | Associate only |
| Duration | 92 weeks (~21 mo) | 104 weeks | 52 weeks |
| Placement hours | 400 hours | 490 hours | Varies |
| Campuses | 6 across Ontario | 1–4 | 1–4 |
| Online delivery | Theory online, placement in-person |
No | 100% online |
| Tuition (all-in) | $27,605 | $5,026 | ~$15,000 |
| Entry requirement | Post-grad (degree/diploma) |
Post-grad | Grade 12 |
Our program costs less than a master’s degree and gets you more than an entry-level diploma. You graduate fully eligible for CCAC certification, the credential that gets you direct access to the clinical roles.
The Proof Behind the Program
Our students complete their 400-hour placement with confirmed, esteemed partner organizations across Ontario.
Majestic Minds (Mental Health & Autism Services)
Alpha House
Shining Stars Support Services
Muskin Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration
SACHSS
Counselling and Rehabilitation Services Inc.
Hearts and Mind
Open Minds
National Overdose Response Service (NORS)
Testimonial
“Joining Oxford College was one of the greatest decisions I have made. I feel so fortunate to be one of your students. The style and method of teaching tells me that I am on the right track towards my career in addictions and mental health counselling.”
Oxford College Graduate
Accreditations and Affiliations
Accredited by the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF)
Graduate eligible for the Canadian Certified Addiction Counsellor (CCAC) designation
Registered under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005
Affiliated with GC Tactical
Member, Career Colleges Ontario (CCO)
Field placement sites approved by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU)
Curriculum designed by subject matter mental health experts across Canada
Accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Affiliated with Enriched Academy
Member, Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce
Our students train for CPR in this program
92 Weeks is All It Takes for You To Graduate
- OSAP: Ontario Student
Assistance Program
- Second Career: Up to
$28,000 for eligible
career changers
- Flexible Payment Plans:
Structured monthly
payments during and
after the program
Other programs give you Associate-level status. We get you to the clinical level.
PROGRAM SNAPSHOT:
- 92 weeks total (approximately 21 months)
- 4 hours of live online classes daily
- Morning, afternoon, and evening sessions available | Weekend sessions also available
- Covers all 12 Core Functions
- 400-hour field placement (12 weeks)
- 30 hrs on-site + 20 hrs online weekly
- One in-person day: CPR/First Aid (8 hours)
- 6 Ontario campuses for in-person components
- Monthly start dates
KEY LEARNING AREAS:
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention
- Basic Counselling Skills
- Substance and Behavioural Addictions
- Therapeutic Approaches I & II
- Group Counselling Practices
- Youth and Family Counselling
- Counselling Diverse Populations
- Psychopharmacology
- Brain Stimulation Therapies
- Motivational Interviewing and Relapse Prevention
- Ethics and Professional Issues
- Case Management Principles and Practices
| COURSE | FOCUS AREA |
|---|---|
| GEES 106 | Essential Skills I: Communication Skills |
| GEES 107 | Essential Skills II: Financial Skills |
| GEES 108 | Essential Skills III: Career Skills |
| BABC 101 | Effective Communication Strategies |
| GEFA 106 | First Aid & CPR |
| GENV 107 | Non-Violent Crisis Intervention |
| AMHD 101 | Human Development Across the Lifespan |
| AMHC 103 | Introduction to Mental Health and Addiction in Canada |
| AMHB 103 | Basic Counselling Skills |
| ADDS 107 | Substance Addictions |
| ADDB 107 | Behavioural Addictions |
| MHAD 206 | Assessment and Diagnosis |
| MHSA 206 | Substance-Related & Addictive Disorders |
| MHAT 206 | Anxiety and Trauma/Stressor-Related Disorders |
| MHMD 206 | Mood Disorders |
| MHPD 206 | Personality Disorders |
| MHDD 206 | Psychotic and Dissociative Disorders |
| COURSE | FOCUS AREA |
|---|---|
| MHND 206 | Neurodevelopmental & Neurocognitive Disorders |
| MHED 206 | Eating and Obsessive–Compulsive Disorders |
| FCTA 301 | Therapeutic Approaches I |
| FCTA 302 | Therapeutic Approaches II |
| FCGP 306 | Group Counselling Practices |
| FCYF 306 | Youth and Family Counselling |
| FCDP 306 | Counselling Diverse Populations |
| FCEP 306 | Ethics & Professional Issues |
| TPSY 406 | Psychopharmacology |
| TBST 406 | Brain Stimulation Therapies |
| TTSF 406 | 12-Step Facilitation |
| TMRP 406 | Motivational Interviewing and Relapse Prevention |
| TEIP 406 | Early Intervention & Prevention |
| TCMP 406 | Case Management Principles and Practices |
| THPO 406 | Health Promotion and Resources in Ontario |
| AMHP 500 | Addictions & Mental Health Field Placement |
Tuition & ROI
What does it cost to study at Oxford College?
How we compare to other colleges
| PROGRAM | WHAT YOU GET |
|---|---|
| OXFORD COLLEGE |
Post-grad diploma · Full CCAC eligibility · 400-hr placement · CACCF accredited |
| PUBLIC COLLEGES |
Public grad certificate · CCAC-aligned · Single campus (Oshawa) |
| OTHER CAREER COLLEGES |
52-week entry-level diploma · Associate CCAC only |
Program cost compared with typical annual earnings at different career stages.
Program Cost:
$27,605
Average Salary (Ontario):
$53,040/year
Senior / Private Practice:
$65,000+/year
Estimated Payback Period:
6 months of full-time work
Based on personal circumstances
graduates to recover their educational investment within the first year of employment.
OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program) for eligible students
Second Career: Eligible Career Changers
Flexible Payment Plans: Ask an Advisor
Why 92 weeks instead of 52?
Is it 100% online?
Almost everything is online. You attend 4 hours of live classes each day from wherever you are. The only times you need to be in person are for a one-day CPR course and your 12-week placement at the end of the program. Everything else (classes, assignments, coursework) is fully remote.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Get full program details from an Oxford College advisor
Once you submit your details, a Program Advisor will contact you within one business day. They will walk you through the program structure, your eligibility, available start dates, financial aid options, and answer any questions you have. There is no commitment required at this stage.
This is a post-graduate program. You must hold a degree or diploma in a relevant field to qualify. Available to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and protected persons only.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CCAC certification and why does it matter for my career? 
CCAC stands for Canadian Certified Addiction Counsellor. It is the top certification for addiction counsellors in Canada. Hospitals, government agencies, mental health centres, and corrections facilities look for it when hiring for clinical roles. Without it, most graduates end up in support positions with less responsibility and lower pay.
Our program is accredited by the CACCF (Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation), which means you graduate eligible to write the CCAC exam. You can apply for full certification after two years of full-time work, or 4,000 hours over five years.
What is the difference between CCAC and AAC?
AAC stands for Associate Addiction Counsellor. It is an entry-level credential that comes from shorter programs, like CDI’s 52-week course. AAC holders can apply for support roles.
CCAC holders can apply for clinical counsellor positions, access better roles and pay, and be recognized by more employers across Ontario. Our graduates are eligible for full CACC, not the Associate level.
Who is this program for?
This program is for people who already have a degree or diploma in a related field, such as social work, psychology, nursing, or community services.
If you are just finishing high school or do not yet have a post-secondary background, this program is not the right fit right now. It is built for working professionals who want to move into clinical addiction and mental health counselling.
How much does the program cost, and what financial aid is available?
Tuition is $25,495, and books and materials add $2,110, bringing the total program cost to $27,605. For this investment, you will earn an accredited Post-Graduate Diploma that is recognized by employers and designed to prepare you for professional practice in the field. Financial assistance may be available through OSAP for eligible students, Second Career funding for career changers, and flexible payment plans. Speak with a Financial Aid Advisor to learn which funding options you may qualify for.
How does the program work (what is online and what is in person)?
Almost everything is online. You attend 4 hours of live classes each day, with morning, afternoon, and evening options depending on your campus. The only in-person requirements are a one-day CPR course and the 12-week placement at the end of the program.
During placement, you work about 30 hours a week on-site at a partner location, plus 20 hours of online work each week.
Where do students do their placement, and where do graduates work?
Our students complete their placement with confirmed partners, including Majestic Minds, Alpha House, Shining Stars Support Services, Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration, SACHSS, Counselling and Rehabilitation Services Inc., Hearts and Mind, Open Minds, and the National Overdose Response Service (NORS).
After graduating, you are qualified to work in hospitals, mental health centres, corrections facilities, school boards, government agencies, shelters, long-term care homes, housing agencies, and community organizations.