Program Announcement
Now offering live-online learning for our Holistic Nutrition Certificate Program! With two intakes occurring every calendar year course registration is ongoing. With live-online instruction and a schedule set in advance, you can experience the benefits of live-classroom instruction from anywhere in the world.
Holistic Nutrition Certificate
Program Overview
The Holistic Nutrition Certificate Program (HNCP) is a unique 4-month live virtual program that introduces students to whole foods nutrition and the medicinal uses of food according to various cultures.
This program is entirely online with live teaching. Earn our Holistic Nutrition Certificate from anywhere in the world.
Length: 15 weeks
Offered: Winter, Fall semesters
Hours: 270 total
Format: Live Online
Pacific Rim College, including the people who help run it as well as attend it, has been incredibly special to me, and frankly, has been the most positive and significant impact on my life to date. I really treasure PRC. Attending the school is incredibly significant to me, and I hold the College in high reverence.
– Latasha McMullen, Alumnus
Why Pacific Rim College?




What You’ll Learn:
Key Learning Outcome #1
Traditional nutritional practices from cultures around the world.
Key Learning Outcome #2
How to use food to support health and wellness.
Key Learning Outcome #3
How do grow nutritious food in your own backyard.
Key Learning Outcome #4
The most common and nutrient dense foods consumed in North America.
Key Learning Outcome #5
Common syndromes through the lens of holistic nutrition, Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
I don’t think I could say enough good things about PRC. After spending three years at a large university, the smaller class sizes and compassionate teachers were an inspiring change. The school itself is a beautiful and nurturing space, and the staff and students make it that much more amazing. I learned so much about myself, gained a new outlook on the world and was trained in an amazing form of healing that has given me a job I am so proud of. I would recommend PRC to anyone, the staff and faculty are educated, kind and helpful individuals who want to see their students grow and succeed in the world of health. I will forever be grateful for my experiences and education from PRC as well as the continued support as I start my own career path. Thank you so much for those three life changing years.
– Sasha Ormiston, Alumnus
Core Program Instructors

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.
Carlie is a naturopathic doctor with pharmacy prescriptive authority in BC and advanced training in Women’s Health and hormone therapy.
Elham is a teacher and practitioner of Ayurveda and is board certified in Holistic Nutrition.
Dr. Chitale, ND, is a Queen’s University Graduate in Molecular Biology and Genetics.
Amy is a Medical Herbalist and a professional member the Canadian Herbalist Association of British Columbia.
Curriculum
Below are the courses that comprise the Holistic Nutrition Certificate Program. Successful completion of all components is necessary for graduation with a Holistic Nutrition Certificate.
Holistic Nutrition Certificate
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 this program can use knowledge and experience gained to advocate for healthier and more sustainable food choices. They can work in the health and wellness retail sector, grow and maintain urban and rural gardens, assist family and friends in making healthier food choices, or matriculate into the Diploma of Holistic Nutrition program at PRC.
To facilitate an easy transition into the Diploma of Holistic Nutrition, the following credits of coursework within the HNCP are directly transferable into the 3-year diploma program:
- NU101 Holistic Nutrition – 3 cr
- NU203 Evolution of Cultural Diets – 3 cr
- NU221 Materia Medica of Food – 3 cr
- NU/WHS116 Herbal Nutrition – 3 cr (transfers as either a WHS or NU elective)
- HNCP101 Politics of Food – 1cr (transfers as a various elective)
- HNCP104 Food Therapeutics – 2 cr (transfers as various electives)