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Ministry-approved title: Honours Bachelor of Community Mental Health
Entrance Award Available
Developed in response to the growing need for mental health services, this Community Mental Health Bachelor’s Degree program provides future professionals with the skills and knowledge required to support and lead within the evolving landscape of community mental health. This degree is uniquely designed to address the complexities of mental health and addictions, providing students with a specialized understanding of the challenges faced by individuals and communities.
Graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and concrete skills to successfully enter community mental health roles in areas such as case management, crisis counselling, mental health promotion, addictions counselling, housing and advocacy roles, peer support and residential youth work.
Through a comprehensive mix of theoretical, research and applied courses, students apply their knowledge in a mandatory 14-week, 420-hour experiential work placement, bridging the transition from the classroom to real-world experience.
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Students may qualify for advanced standing through the following transfer pathway:
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Durham College has been granted consent by the Minister of Colleges and Universities to offer this applied degree for a term of seven years starting June 15, 2022. DC will ensure that all students admitted to this program will have the opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable time frame. In conformity with the Minister’s criteria and requirements, DC will submit an application for the renewal of the consent for this program 12 months prior to the expiration of the consent.
Graduates of the mental health and addictions program will be prepared to pursue diverse career opportunities in the field of community mental health, providing essential support to individuals and groups. With a strong foundation in mental health programs and hands-on experience, they'll be equipped to make a meaningful impact in various roles across private, public, and non-profit sectors.
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This degree has been developed in collaboration with subject matter experts and representatives from the private, non-profit and government sectors ranging in services and agencies from community mental health, adult and youth court diversion counselling, developmental disabilities and concurrent disorders, gender-based counselling services, health care, addiction services and academics in the field. Students study evidence-based interventions and strategies to support diverse populations.
Built on the foundations of psychology, social science, health promotion, counselling, social justice and equity, this degree provides students with a strong cultural humility lens and thorough understanding of social factors to support the mental health of diverse populations, including immigrants, refugees, Indigenous peoples, women and 2SLGBTQ+ clients. The program also emphasizes the importance of addressing concurrent disorders and preparing students for roles in both prevention and treatment within community settings.
With this degree in mental health, graduates will be ready to make a meaningful impact in mental health and addiction programs across various sectors.
Students in this program may have the opportunity to get involved in research projects at DC's Social Impact Hub.
Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or Math. Domestic applicants who are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s), i.e. Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 Math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.
Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.
Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
In person
Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
Earning a bachelor’s degree in community mental health opens the door to a wide range of career opportunities in this growing field. Graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and practical skills to address complex challenges in mental health programs and provide support to individuals and communities dealing with issues such as concurrent disorders, addictions, and crisis situations. From case management and crisis counseling to mental health promotion and advocacy consultancy, the mental health and addictions program prepares students for impactful roles that emphasize equity, cultural humility, and evidence-based practices. Whether working in addiction care, housing support, or residential youth work, graduates will be ready to help meet the increasing demand for skilled professionals in the mental health sector.
School is an investment in your future, and financial support is available to help you succeed.
DC's Financial Aid and Awards is here to help you access funding and opportunities that make pursuing your education easier and more achievable:
Visit Financial Aid and Awards to explore all the options to help finance your education.
Students will have the opportunity to gain work-integrated learning experience in a supervised setting through a 14-week, 420-hour mandatory field placement between the sixth and seventh semesters. Field placement is an integral part of this bachelor’s degree program that allows the integration of field work with academic studies to enable students to better understand the practical application of methods and techniques for organizing activities and working collaboratively in the field.
Please note: There are costs associated with Electronic Student Permit Checking (ESPC), immunizations, lab tests and certifications. Students should keep all of their receipts for income tax purposes. These costs include:
It is required that students have completed the ESPC with Verified to be eligible for the field placement component of this mental health program. They must (at their expense) provide:
Graduates will be well-prepared to pursue further graduate study in community mental health, counselling psychology or related fields, including the Master of Counselling Psychology degree program at the University of Western Ontario and graduate education programs at Carleton University and Sir Wilfrid Laurier University.
Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.
To help students have the best learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for this program. While not required, students may want to consider these suggestions if they are purchasing a computer or laptop for the upcoming academic year.
Processor: i7 RAM: 16GB Storage: 256GB SSD Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1 Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version) Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter Camera: Webcam/built-in camera Internet connection
Questions regarding technology recommendations can be directed to the IT Service Desk.
All eligible applicants to the Honours Bachelor of Community Mental Health degree program for the upcoming academic year, with a combined minimum non-weighted average of 75 percent and higher, will be considered to receive a first-year entrance award:
For more information, please contact Admission Services.
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