Program Length
- 1 Year
Credential
- Graduate Certificate
Location Offered
- Online
Train to deliver this emerging therapy in Canada
Are you a healthcare or mental health professional ready to do more for your clients? With VIU’s Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Graduate Certificate (PaTGC) program you will develop personal resiliency and new ways of addressing mental health challenges.
In this program you take online classes, so you can attend from anywhere. And you can arrange to do the practicum portion in your home community.
VIU is a leader psychedelic-assisted therapy
The VIU Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Graduate Certificate was the first of its kind in Canada. And it remains the only program with a strong focus on the practice. It is also the only program in Canada that blends Western approaches with traditional ways of knowing.
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Who is the PaT Graduate Certificate for?
A certificate in PaT can provide new career opportunities for professionals in healthcare, counselling or traditional healing who want to lead change in their fields. This includes:
- traditional healers
- therapists
- spiritual care providers
- physicians
- nurses
- somatic energy practitioners
Graduate with in-demand skills
With this program you gain the skills to meet the growing demand for well-trained PaT health care teams.
Support psychedelic-assisted therapies
Contribute to clinical guidelines
Use your own therapeutic presence in meaningful ways
About the Psychedelic-assisted Therapy program
This program is ideal for working professionals and is offered in a flexible format. You cover a combination of theory and practice that gives you the knowledge and skills to
- improve outcomes for clients
- mitigate risks for clients
- contribute the field of PaT in a meaningful way.
The program is multidisciplinary and multicultural, offering multiple perspectives on healing and mental wellness.
In the first three courses, you take part in an interdisciplinary community of practice environment. This community helps you develop a peer-feedback process. You will learn to enhance therapeutic outcomes and manage the inherent risks associated with psychedelic-assisted therapy. And you explore the integration of Indigenous and traditional knowledge alongside Western clinical approaches.
Practical learning
You will put what you learned to work in the practicum course. This supervised practice helps you build the skills to support safe and inclusive psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Courses and Concentrations
| Year 1 | Credits |
|---|---|
| PAT 501 - (Introduction to Psychedelic Medicine) | 3 |
| PAT 502 - (Psychedelic Medicine: Trauma-Informed and Inclusive Care) | 3 |
| PAT 503 - (Psychedelic-assisted Therapy: Professional Practice) | 3 |
| PAT 504* - (Psychedelic-assisted Therapy in Practice (Practicum)) | 6 |
| Total Program Credits | 15 |
* PAT 504 may be completed at various times throughout the year via directed study, dependent on student readiness, practicum site and field guide availability.
Admission Information
- An undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in health, human services, or related fields.
- Resume with cover letter and professional references.
- Two years related experience in a related field will be prioritized, which should be reflected in one’s cover letter and resume and verifiable by references provided.
- An interview will take place.
- Applicants whose previous degree was obtained in a country where English is not the primary/official language and from a university where English was not the language of instruction must meet one of VIU’s English Language requirements for Graduate Programs.
Notes on Admission
- Preference will be given to candidates with a clinician and/or therapy license and for those with experience in the related field.
- Applicants admitted without a license to practice will be supervised by a licensed practitioner.
- Fieldwork and/or practica will require a satisfactory criminal record check prior to placement. The Registration Centre at VIU will contact prospective students regarding the Criminal Record Check. Criminal Record Checks are processed through the Ministry according to the Criminal Records Review Act. A check completed through the RCMP is not sufficient to meet the requirements of the Act.
- Applicants who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.
- Applicants without a bachelor’s degree but who have a minimum 5 years’ of recent and relevant training and therapy/clinical experience at a credible training or treatment institute/centre may request consideration for admission. Applicants will be considered by the program coordinator on an individual basis.
Domestic Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Fees | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (15 credits x $546.53 per credit) | 8,197.95 |
| Lab Fee | 530.60 |
| Student Activity fee (12 months x $20.37 per month) | 244.44 |
| Student Services fee (12 months x $22.49 per month) | 269.88 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (12 months x $28.87 per month) | 346.44 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Total | 9,874.31 |
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
International Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Fees | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (15 credits x $781.09 per credit) | 11,716.35 |
| Lab Fee | 530.60 |
| Student Activity fee (12 months x $20.37 per month) | 244.44 |
| Student Services fee (12 months x $22.49 per month) | 269.88 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (12 months x $28.87 per month) | 346.44 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Total | 13,392.71 |
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
Domestic (Canadian)
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| to | Online | ||
|
Next Intake(s):
The Psychedelic-assisted Therapy Graduate Certificate program has one intake each Fall.
Application Fee:
$119.47
Admissions Officer:
Name: Jenna Milne Phone: 250.740.6400 Email: Jenna.Milne@viu.ca
Chair Contact:
Name: Shannon Dames Email: Shannon.Dames@viu.ca
Area Contact:
Name: Susan James Email: PAT@viu.ca
Document Deadline:
The document deadline is May 15, 2025. Please see the comments below for early acceptance details.
Original official sealed transcripts should be mailed to: Vancouver Island University Registration
Official transcripts can also be emailed from the sending institution to Registration@viu.ca.
Comments:
Applicants are encouraged to complete their application by February 15, 2025, for early consideration. The department will consider accepting students for Fall 2025 in late February, provided all required documents have been submitted and an interview has been completed. A maximum of 28 applicants will be considered for early acceptance.
Applications submitted/completed after February 15, 2025 (and those that did not receive early acceptance) will be reviewed in May 2025 after applications close. Applications are open until April 30, 2025, or until the program is filled. There is a possibility that qualified applicants may be waitlisted.
If you have questions regarding the program, you can contact the department at PAT@viu.ca. |
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International
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| to | Online | ||
|
Next Intake(s):
The Psychedelic-assisted Therapy Graduate Certificate program has one intake each Fall.
Application Fee:
$153.00
Chair Contact:
Name: Shannon Dames Email: Shannon.Dames@viu.ca
Area Contact:
Name: Susan James Email: PAT@viu.ca
International Admissions Officer Contact:
Name: Jenna Milne Phone: 250.740.6400 Email: Jenna.Milne@viu.ca
Document Deadline:
Documents are due by May 15, 2025. Please see the comments below for early acceptance details.
Original official sealed transcripts should be mailed to: Vancouver Island University Registration
Official transcripts can also be emailed from the sending institution to Study@viu.ca.
Comments:
*International students of this program do not qualify for a study permit. International students outside Canada need to find an approved practicum site near their place of residence.*
Applicants are encouraged to complete their application by February 15, 2025, for early consideration. The department will consider accepting students for Fall 2025 in late February, provided all required documents have been submitted and an interview has been completed. A maximum of 28 applicants will be considered for early acceptance.
Applications submitted/completed after February 15, 2025 (and those that did not receive early acceptance) will be reviewed in May 2025 after applications close. Applications are open until April 30, 2025, or until the program is filled. There is a possibility that qualified applicants may be waitlisted.
For prospective international applicants, please send your inquiries to WorldVIU@viu.ca |
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