Program Announcement
Now offering live-online learning for our Diploma of Western Herbal Medicine program! With flexible course registration and live-online instruction, students can create their own schedules and experience the benefits of live-classroom instruction from anywhere in the world! View this document for further details.
Diploma of Phytotherapy
Program Overview
The Diploma of Phytotherapy is a 3-year (6-semester) program that explores the medicinal uses of North American and European herbs. Students study both traditional knowledge of herbal medicine – that which is passed down through various world traditions over the ages – and modern day, scientific-based knowledge. This, the most comprehensive program of western herbal medicine available in either Canada or the United States, is comprised of both theoretical and practical courses, implementing advantages of hands-on study of plants.
Length: 6 semesters
Intakes: Winter, Summer, Fall semesters
Format: Blended online and on campus
Clinical Training: 510 hours
Total Training: 2130 hours
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. Graduates are empowered and fully qualified to serve we humans in clinical practice in their own village or city. Then practice, practice, practice.
– Margi Flint, Author of The Practicing Herbalist
Why Pacific Rim College?
What You’ll Learn:
Key Learning Outcome #1
Extensive knowledge of traditional herbal medicine practices from various cultures alongside contemporary applications of herbal therapies.
Key Learning Outcome #2
Thorough background of biomedical understanding of the human body, its structure, physiology, common pathologies, and also western diagnostic skills and pharmacotherapy.
Key Learning Outcome #3
A deep understanding of the comprehensive materia medica of western herbal medicine and the therapeutic applications of those herbs.
Key Learning Outcome #4
How to make tinctures, salves, compresses, teas, lotions and other products and applications of herbal medicine.
Key Learning Outcome #5
Wide-ranging professional skills from writing and communication to business development experience needed to establish a private herbal medicine practice or to join an integrative health centre.
My proudest achievement is having studied at Pacific Rim College and completing the Diploma of Phytotherapy program. Pacific Rim College attracts the most passionate teachers, students, and healers, and that strong, positive energy is apparent on the PRC campus. I feel honoured to have learned from amazing teachers about the human body, ancient traditions and herbal folklore, modern scientific research, and in depth information on herbs and working with people from all backgrounds and health concerns. Years after graduation, I still find myself on campus often, visiting the herbal dispensary and utilizing the amazing student clinics. I am forever grateful for the knowledge I’ve gained and the amazing community of people I am a part of because of Pacific Rim College.
– Lauren Truscott, Alumnus, Herbalist, Practitioner at Body Blueprint Fitness, Wellness, & Education
Core Program Instructors
James is the founder and Dean of the School of Western Herbal Medicine at PRC. He is also president of the Canadian Herbalists Association of BC (CHA of BC).
Peter is a leading herbalist (Phytotherapist) and author with a core interest in contrasting and integrating approaches to healing from both traditional and contemporary sources.
Lindsay is a Medical Herbalist and sits on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Council of Herbalist Associations.
Tony is a PRC alumnus and Medical Herbalist practicing at Woodward Phytotherapy, in Brentwood Bay, BC.
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.
David completed his studies in Herbal Medicine at the College of Phytotherapy in South East England. He has a lifelong passion for wildlife, the outdoors and the world’s indigenous medicine systems.
Alexis is a Medical Herbalist in private practice in Victoria and the Dispensary Manager at PRC.
Curriculum
Below is a list of all courses that must be completed for a student to be eligible for graduation with a Diploma of Phytotherapy. Some course prerequisites do exist, and it is the responsibility of students to ensure that they are eligible to enrol in any particular course. The Course Descriptions page indicates course prerequisites. Please see Study Options below for more information on course selection.
Biomedical/Biological Sciences
Elective
Nutrition
Phytotherapy Clinical Practice
Professional Development
Western Herbal Sciences
Total Requirements
Clinical Training
Students in the Diploma of Phytotherapy program can complete all clinical training in PRC’s on-campus Student Clinic, or can participate in our Clinical Externship Program. Full-time students generally begin clinical training via observation during the very first week of studies.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition is based on a per credit system. Although the college provides guidance for the order of course completion within each program, ultimately each student determines personal course load and schedule and thus per semester tuition. Audited credits do not apply towards graduation requirements. All prices listed are in Canadian dollars. For each semester, full tuition payment is due on the first day of the semester.
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 Diploma of Phytotherapy can use knowledge and experience gained to establish a professional herbal clinic to assist clients with health issues, work in the health and wellness retail sector, grow and maintain herbal gardens, create herbal preparations, provide consultancy services to the herbal industry and work with natural health regulatory bodies.
Graduates are eligible for membership into the Canadian Herbalists Association of British Columbia (CHA of BC), the American Herbalists Guild (AHG), and the Ontario Herbalists Association (OHA).
Licensing Requirements
Practitioner licensing requirements vary based on region of governance. Currently there are no government restrictions to the practice of Western Herbal Medicine in Canada. It is students’ responsibility to ensure they meet eligibility criteria in their chosen region.
