Natural Health Certificate

Program Overview

With both on campus and live online learning opportunities, the Natural Health Certificate is a 2-year (4-semester) program that provides students with an overview of many natural health disciplines. The program can be taken as an independent certificate or can be an entry program into another school or program at PRC.

Length: 4 semesters
Intakes: Winter, Summer, Fall semesters
Format: Blended online and on campus

Electives: 570 hours
Total Training: 1395 hours

Curriculum

Study Options

Admissions

Tuition & Fees

Financial Aid

Post Grad

FAQ

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I have been thoroughly impressed by Pacific Rim College. Pacific Rim holds high professional standards while maintaining an atmosphere of wellbeing and community. The environment supports students and challenges them to grow into skillful practitioners. I would recommend PRC to anyone who is seeking a place that has deep knowledge and embodied understanding in the field of health and healing.

– Jennifer Raye, RTCMP, RYT, Alumnus

Why Pacific Rim College?

The Natural Health Certificate is a unique program that provides students with a thorough introduction to many health practices and philosophies including holistic nutrition, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbal medicine, and biomedicine.

The Natural Health Certificate allows students to choose nearly 600 hours of course electives so they can focus studies on the areas they more strongly resonate with.

This program is approved by the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training (Private Training Institutions Branch) and Canada Student Loans.

Pacific Rim College is actively engaged in many forms of environmental stewardship including 100% green energy offsets for our campus, the highest eco-certification, and planting of 10 trees in British Columbia for every program graduate.

What You’ll Learn:

Key Learning Outcome #1

A well-rounded base in the practice of herbal medicine, including the ability to make herbal products such as salves, tinctures, creams, and more.

Key Learning Outcome #2

A background in the biomedical understanding of the human body and in the biochemical structure of flora in the environment.

Key Learning Outcome #3

An introduction into the principles of holistic nutrition, from ancient Ayurvedic philosophies to contemporary practices.

Key Learning Outcome #4

A working understanding of the key foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine and physical movement practices to stimulate the flow of energy.

Key Learning Outcome #5

Professional skills including writing and public speaking to help career development.

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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

Core Program Instructors

Study Options

The Natural Health Certificate program is available entirely on-campus or live-online. Students are currently welcome to study in a combination of both live-online and on-campus courses if they are in Victoria, or if they are interested in relocating to Victoria for a semester or more in the future.

Our academic calendar offers three semesters per year, and new students may enrol every January, May and September. Students may choose to pursue year-round studies to complete their programs in a shorter time frame, or they may take a semester or more off at their discretion. Students also choose their course load each semester, and students may complete any semester on a part-time or a full-time basis.

On-Campus Learning

In-person classes are offered at our Market Square campus located in a beautiful and historic nineteenth-century building in the heart of downtown Victoria, British Columbia.

Live-Online Learning

Online classes are delivered live-online, Pacific Time, at regularly scheduled weekly class times. Our live-online courses provide the same quality of education, community building experience, and other live-instruction benefits as our on-campus programs, from the convenience of home without the need to relocate. Our online classes are not self-directed or recorded, and online students must attend courses live in compliance with Pacific Rim College’s attendance policy.

In order to help students succeed in the online environment, PRC has put together an Online Course Policies document to help you be more prepared. This document outlines the technology requirements, online clinic requirements, location requirements and information about supply fees for online courses and clinics. This document can be viewed here – Online Course Policies.

Program Course Schedule »

Curriculum

Below is a list of all courses that must be completed for a student to be eligible for graduation with a Natural Health Certificate. Elective requirements may be satisfied by successful completion of any curriculum course offered in the School of Western Herbal Medicine, School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and School of Holistic Nutrition. Certain Continuing Education courses may also count as elective credits. 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.

Ayurveda

AYU101/102

Foundations of Ayurveda

6 credits 6

90 hours 90

Total

6 credits 6 crds

90 hours 90 hrs

Biomedical/Biological Sciences

BMS101/102

Anatomy and Physiology

6 credits 6

90 hours 90

BMS112

Botany/Horticulture

3 credits 3

45 hours 45

BMS113

Intro to Biochemistry

3 credits 3

45 hours 45

BMS122

Natural Emergency Medicine (formerly BMS222)

1 credit 1

15 hours 15

BMS201/202

Pathophysiology

6 credits 6

90 hours 90

Total

19 credits 19 crds

285 hours 285 hrs

Chinese Medicine

OM103/104

Chinese Medicine for Natural Health Practitioners

6 credits 6

90 hours 90

Total

6 credits 6 crds

90 hours 90 hrs

Elective

41 credits 41

615 hours 615

Total

41 credits 41 crds

615 hours 615 hrs

Nutrition

NU101

Foundations of Holistic Nutrition

3 credits 3

45 hours 45

NU202

Science of Nutrition

3 credits 3

45 hours 45

Total

6 credits 6 crds

90 hours 90 hrs

Professional Development

PD101

Professional Writing Development

3 credits 3

45 hours 45

PD201

Fundamentals of Public Speaking

3 credits 3

45 hours 45

Total

6 credits 6 crds

90 hours 90 hrs

Western Herbal Sciences

WHS101

Introduction to Herbal Medicine

3 credits 3

45 hours 45

WHS111

Practical Herbal Pharmacy

3 credits 3

45 hours 45

WHS151

Energetics of Herbal Medicine

3 credits 3

45 hours 45

Total

9 credits 9 crds

135 hours 135 hrs

Total Requirements

Ayurveda

6 credits 6

90 hours 90

Biomedical/Biological Sciences

19 credits 19

285 hours 285

Chinese Medicine

6 credits 6

90 hours 90

Elective

41 credits 41

615 hours 615

Nutrition

6 credits 6

90 hours 90

Professional Development

6 credits 6

90 hours 90

Western Herbal Sciences

9 credits 9

135 hours 135

Grand Total

93 credits 93 crds

1395 hours 1395 hrs

Admissions

Pacific Rim College is committed to educating the highest quality industry professionals, and we offer priority acceptance to applicants who demonstrate the highest potential for success. Admission into the Natural Health Certificate program at Pacific Rim College is on a competitive basis, and applicants will be evaluated based on academic achievement, humanitarian activities, community involvement, program-related experience, communication skills, professionalism, emotional maturity, independence, ambition, and passion.

Admissions Criteria and Application Requirements

Admission requires successfully meeting the following minimum criteria:

Applicants must be 19 years of age or older, or have completed high school or an equivalent, such as the GED or CAEC. Applicants who are 19 or older without a high school diploma or equivalent may be considered for mature student status and will be required to complete an essay provided by the college.
A minimum grade of 70% in previous coursework. All grades will be taken into consideration with emphasis on related language and science-based courses, such as but not limited to general English, general science, creative and professional writing, biology, and chemistry.

English Language Proficiency Requirements:

Prior to acceptance applicants must meet at least one of the following language proficiency requirements:

Completion of grades 9-11, including English 11 with a grade of ‘60%’ or higher from a country where English is one of the principal languages, or
Completion of 2 years of full-time post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction, or
Provide verified results for one of the English language proficiency tests listed below. Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) – An applicant must earn a score of no less than 16 out of 30 on any of the 4 test sections and a total score of no less than 75 out of 120.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic – An applicant must earn an overall score of 5.5 or higher.
- Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Test – An applicant must earn an overall score of 40 or higher.
- Duolingo English Test – An applicant must earn an overall score of 95 or higher.

International Students
As Pacific Rim College is a government Designated Learning Institution (#O19304067532), international students are able and welcome to attend, and we accept many international students each semester from all over the world. Once a student has been accepted and paid their $200 enrolment deposit (deposit not applicable for 4-month certificate programs or the Permaculture Design and Resilient Ecosystems diploma program) they will be provided with their official, signed acceptance letter and international student document, which will be required for a study permit application.
As per Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regulations, international students planning to study in a program longer than 6 months in length in Canada require a Study Permit. Students in programs shorter than 6 months do not require a study permit, but IRCC recommends applying for one in case you desire to extend your studies or work part-time while in school.
According to IRCC, to be eligible for a study permit, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must have been accepted by a school, college, university, or other educational institution in Canada.
- International students require a minimum of $10, 000 CAD per year ($833 per month) in addition to the tuition amount to prove financial self-sufficiency and immigration officers may request a variety of financial information to establish that the applicant can support themselves while studying in Canada.
- You must be a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record and not be a risk to the security of Canada. You may have to provide a police certificate.
- You must be in good health and willing to supply a completed medical examination by a Canadian Immigrations designated physician.
- You must satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay.
You may apply for a study permit online or with a paper application. Processing times vary and can depend in part on your country of citizenship. Please visit the Canadian Immigrations website here and see our International Student Study Guide here for more information.

Non-Matriculating Students

Anyone who wishes to take courses at PRC without enrolling in a program is welcome to do so as a non-matriculating student. Provided that course prerequisite requirements are met, an individual is eligible to enrol in nearly any diploma program course. Enrolment priority is given to program students, and full course tuition is due at the time of registration. Any student who has previously been denied admission into any program at PRC or has had an enrolment position revoked must receive written permission from PRC before enrolling as a non-matriculating student. PRC reserves the right to academically dismiss any non-matriculating student who knowingly or blatantly interferes with the learning of program students. Visit Continuing Education for more information.

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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.

Program Student

Auditing (General Public)

Auditing (PRC Students and Alumni)

Auditing: $180/credit
Discount Auditing: $120*/credit
*Discount Audit tuition is available to current program students and PRC diploma alumni. Current program students must maintain the equivalent registration of 9 semester credits to be eligible and pay the regular rate should registration drop below that threshold. Discounted audit rate is not available for courses for which there is a waitlist, weekend workshops, or CPR and First Aid. Diploma alumni no longer enrolled in a program are required to pay all applicable tuition at the time of course registration.

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 Natural Health Certificate are versed in a variety of indigenous and holistic modalities and philosophies. They can seek employment in the health and wellness retail sectors, offer community-based wellness consultations, produce natural health products and matriculate into a diploma program at PRC. Credits will transfer directly into a diploma program within the School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, the Diploma of Phytotherapy and the Diploma of Holistic Nutrition.

Ready to start your journey?

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