Community Herbalist Certificate
Program Overview
The Community Herbalist Certificate Program is a unique 4-month program that introduces students to the incredible world of plants and their medicinal uses according to various cultures. This program explores the history of plant-based therapies and how to identify and cultivate herbs, use plant-based foods to maintain health, and make and apply herbal remedies to restore health.
Length: 15 weeks
Offered: Winter, Fall
Hours: 270 total
Program Enrolment: Maximum 18
I can’t stop thinking about all the amazing knowledge that I gained. I have already been able to use a lot of what I learned helping friends and even my family in Brazil! It also motivated me to pursue more knowledge and go deeper into some of the contents. Can’t wait for what is to come in the Phytotherapy program!
– Fernanda Kitahara, alumnus
Why Pacific Rim College?
What You’ll Learn:
Key Learning Outcome #1
How to make your own custom herbal medicine: salves, tinctures, teas, creams and more.
Key Learning Outcome #2
To design and grow your own permaculture-inspired herb garden.
Key Learning Outcome #3
The healing power of plants and how to use them to help restore and enhance health.
Key Learning Outcome #4
To identify wild medicinal plants and to sustainably harvest.
Key Learning Outcome #5
The rich history of herbal medicine from cultures throughout the world.
Over these forty years of herbal practice and teaching clinical skills across the States, Europe and Canada I consider Pacific Rim College to offer a fully rounded experiential program. Traditional foundational studies are enlivened by harvesting thoughts and practices delving into, and masterfully blending, the deep connection to plants through spirit, history, science, advanced clinical studies with weathered herbalists and hands on practice with patients.
– Margi Flint, Author of The Practicing Herbalist
Core Program Instructors
Lindsay is a Medical Herbalist and sits on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Council of Herbalist Associations.
Krista is a Medical Herbalist in private practice. She is a board member of the CHA of BC and actively involved in the People’s Apothecary, a community herbal medicine garden.
Tony is a PRC alumnus and Medical Herbalist practicing at Woodward Phytotherapy, in Brentwood Bay, BC.
Alexis is a Medical Herbalist in private practice in Victoria and the Dispensary Manager at PRC.
Amy is a Medical Herbalist and a professional member the Canadian Herbalist Association of British Columbia.
Anna is a graduate of the Pacific Rim College Permaculture Design and Resilient Ecosystems program, and also has an academic background in Sociocultural Anthropology.
Sky is an honours graduate of the Diploma of Phytotherapy at Pacific Rim College.
Amber is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner, a Registered Orthomolecular Health Practitioner, and Registered Nutritional Consulting Practitioner.
Curriculum
Below are the courses that comprise the Community Herbalist Certificate Program. Successful completion of all components is necessary for graduation with a Community Herbalist Certificate.
Community Herbalist Certificate
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees for the Community Herbalist Certificate total $3950 and are broken down as follows:
Please click here for a description of Academic Fees in PDF format.
Financial Aid
This program is approved for Canada Student Loans. British Columbia residents can apply for student loans online through StudentAid BC. For non-British Columbia residents, please visit hrsdc.gc.ca for information about Canada Student Loans.
For a list of all financial aid programs available to PRC students, please visit our Financial Aid page.
Post-Graduation
Graduates of the Community Herbalist Certificate can use knowledge and experience gained to establish a community-based herbal clinic to assist family and friends, work in the health and wellness retail sector, grow and maintain herbal gardens, create herbal preparations or matriculate into the Diploma of Phytotherapy program at PRC.
To facilitate an easy transition into the Diploma of Phytotherapy, the following credits of coursework within the Community Herbalist Program are directly transferable into the 3-year diploma program:
- BMS222 Natural Emergency Medicine – 1 cr
- WHS111 Practical Herbal Pharmacy – 3 cr
- WHS139 Materia Medica for Community Herbalists – 3 cr
- WHS151 Energetics of Herbal Medicine – 3 cr
- Select Workshops (amount varies) – 1-3 cr
