Graduate Certificate – Mental Health and Substance Use (1401)

The Mental Health and Substance Use one-year (two-term) Ontario College Graduate Certificate program prepares human and health service providers to plan, deliver, and evaluate community-based services for individuals affected by mental health and substance use challenges. The curriculum focuses on quality improvement across practice, program, and system levels to address complex, intersecting client needs.

Emphasis is placed on community collaboration, public participation, social inclusion, and client advocacy. Core framework themes include self-determination, capacity building, resilience, recovery, and empowerment evaluated from person-centered and population-oriented perspectives.

Academic Qualification: Undergraduate Diploma or Degree (preferably in a community-focused, liberal arts, or health-related field).

Minimum GPA: 70.0%

Minimum Language Test Scores:

• IELTS: 6.5

• TOEFL: 88.0

• PTE: 58.0

• Duolingo: 120

Conditional Admission: Available for applicants who do not meet language test requirements by completing designated English pathway courses prior to academic study.

Value: $1,500 – $2,500 CAD (automatically applied after Day 10 of the term).

Award Breakdown:

70% – 79% average: $1,500 CAD

80% – 89% average: $2,000 CAD

90% – 100% average: $2,500 CAD

Eligibility Criteria:

Open to all nationalities.

Must be enrolled in Year 1 of an eligible degree program across any Conestoga campus (Fall, Winter, or Spring terms).

Minimum 70% admission average required.

Exclusion: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) students are ineligible.

Maintenance Requirement: Continuing students must maintain a minimum 70% Program Weighted Average to retain funding.