Holistic Doula Certificate
Program Overview
The Holistic Doula Certificate is the most comprehensive Doula program in North America. The education and training provided within the Holistic Doula Certificate is based on complementary and integrative approaches, bridging the standard Maternal Health model with holistic therapies. Upon completion, students are prepared to serve as prenatal, birth and postpartum Doulas providing comprehensive support to people across the perinatal period.
Length: 15 weeks
Offered: Winter, Fall semesters
Hours: 270 total
Program Enrolment: Maximum 18
I am so grateful to have made the decision to attend the Holistic Doula Certification at PRC. I left the program feeling excited, prepared and inspired to work as a Doula. Not only did I gain the practical knowledge and technical skills to work as a doula but I also learned the business skills to make this work obtainable and sustainable.
– Gabrielle Emmett, Alumnus
Why Pacific Rim College?
What You’ll Learn:
Key Learning Outcome #1
To gain the skills and knowledge to work as a Prenatal, Birth and Postpartum Doula.
Key Learning Outcome #2
The experience to establish a private inclusive doula services business or join or create an integrative health clinic or birthing centre.
Key Learning Outcome #3
An in-depth understanding of anatomy and physiology, especially in relation to the human reproductive system.
Key Learning Outcome #4
Working knowledge of complementary therapies to provide enhanced, safe client experiences.
Key Learning Outcome #5
Ethics of the Doula practitioner and a strong understanding of the role of the midwife and other medical practitioners.
The Holistic Doula program really exceeded all of my expectations. The teachers were all amazing professionals from their field, many of them still practicing while teaching. They created a safe space to explore ourselves as Doulas and as individuals. I left the program with a huge amount of confidence, a plethora of new skills and an authentic Doula practice. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a well rounded Doula training program and also to practicing Doulas looking to upgrade their training (like I was). For the ultimate Doula training program, look no further!
– Vanessa Brown, Alumnus
Core Program Instructors
Laura is a birth and postpartum doula who co-manages the innovative business Birdsong Brooklyn.
Since 2005 Michelle has been one of Vancouver’s busiest and most-skilled Doulas. She is a Childbirth Educator, perinatal loss doula, and has attended well over 700 births.
Jeannie is a Naturopathic Doctor and educator. She focuses on women’s reproductive health, and has a certificate of midwifery and natural childbirth
Angela is a Registered Midwife and the founder of It Starts With Birth.
Arwen Brenneman is an entrepreneur who loves the authentic storytelling that comes with good marketing. In 2011, Arwen became a doula and prenatal educator with Birthing From Within.
Amy is a Medical Herbalist , a professional member the Canadian Herbalist Association, and operates a private practice in Victoria.
Malcolm turns old art forms into very practical life skills and has built techniques to relieve physical, environmental and emotional stresses.
Carrie is a Naturopathic Doctor, yoga teacher and senior educator at PRC.
Aditi is a Naturopathic Doctor and owner and practitioner at Birdsong Naturopathic Clinic.
Celina is a Registered Acupuncturist and is certified in Tui Na, a traditional Chinese medical branch of bodywork.
Curriculum
The Holistic Doula Certificate provides a practical foundation with varying therapeutic approaches, enabling graduates to become competent and confident doulas. The depth and breadth of this program not only provides tools for the doula’s practice, but also takes students on their own journey, finding what doula work will mean for them from an intentional and educated perspective.
Below are the courses that comprise the Holistic Doula Certificate Program. Successful completion of all components is necessary for graduation.
Holistic Doula Certificate
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees for the Holistic Doula Certificate Program total $3950 and are broken down as follows:
– A $250 non-refundable registration fee and a signed student contract is required for acceptance into this program.
– A $3700 tuition payment is due on August 27 for the Fall 2019 program and December 30 for the Winter 2020 program.
– A $500 non-refundable registration fee and a signed student contract is required for acceptance into this program.
– A $3450 tuition payment is due on August 27 for the Fall 2019 program and December 30 for the Winter 2020 program.
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 Holistic Doula Certificate Program may work as Prenatal, Birth and Postpartum Doulas and may use knowledge and experience gained to establish a private inclusive doula services business or join or create an integrative health clinic or birthing centre.
Pacific Rim College certified Holistic Doulas (program alumni) have met the highest education standards available for doula training in North America. Having gained extensive education in a variety of disciplines, graduates are poised to change the current standards of what it means to be a doula in North America, working with an expanded scope that sets them apart.
All students are eligible to partake in the Doula Mentorship once they have completed all classroom requirements of the certificate program.
FAQs
A Doula is a person who assists labouring clients before, during and after labour by providing emotional and physical support and information to both labouring clients and their families. Emotional support may include encouragement, providing recommendations and assisting in decision-making. Physical support may include massage, nutritional guidance and postural recommendations.
Upon successful completion of the academic portion of the Holistic Doula Certificate, students must complete DLA120 Doula Practicum that requires each student to attend two births (under the supervision of a qualified Doula). Students have 12 months to complete this assignment starting from the day of completion of all classroom studies of the Holistic Doula Certificate. All required projects and papers in relation to this are also due within this 12-month period. Students who are unable to complete the Doula Practicum within the prescribed amount of time might be eligible for one or two 6-month extensions. During the Doula Practicum, students may partake in the Doula Mentorship.
This Holistic Doula Certificate was created to provide Doulas with exemplary knowledge and skills. Providing students with a strong education and practical foundation will translate into confident and competent Doulas when working with clients and building practices. No single component or discipline taught within the Holistic Doula Certificate is meant to be comprehensive or to lead to students becoming practitioners in that particular area. Instead, each component adds to the Doula’s competency and thus value to their clients. Program graduates will have a great breadth of foundational knowledge and skills to provide clients with better care and to refer them to additional resources and/or the appropriate health care provider.
All students are eligible to partake in the Doula Mentorship once they have completed all classroom requirements of the certificate program. In this complimentary program they meet regularly with Doula mentors and have phone support access. Examples of support provided throughout this program include looking at case studies of challenging births, Doula business support, and processing birth stories. The Doula Mentorship will help students establish a supportive Doula network as they embark on their new careers.
Students who successfully complete 90% of all required coursework and credits for this certificate program are eligible for graduation and will be awarded a certificate upon completion. Students who fail to successfully complete 90% of all required coursework and credits but have successfully completed at least 80% are eligible to retake components of the program in order to reach the 90% threshold and thus pass the program, provided that they do so within one calendar year. Students who choose to retake components must make arrangements with the Program Director and will be subject to tuition fees for the components. Students who do not successfully complete at least 80% of all required coursework and credits in their first program attempt are not eligible to retake components or graduate.
