forest mushrooms

Program details


  • Program Length 
    1 Year
  • Credential 
    Graduate Certificate
  • Location Offered 
    Nanaimo, Online

Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Graduate Certificate Program

The Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Graduate Certificate program is geared toward professional therapists (or equivalent) and clinicians who aim to train in and support psychedelic-assisted therapies.

The program model centres on coming to know the opportunities and challenges inherent in this advanced practice area, followed by the practice of collectively navigating complexities within a community of practice environment.  The small group interdisciplinary learning environment is designed to augment one’s therapeutic capacity to provide safe and inclusive care.

Professionals who apply for the certificate program will join a cohort that begins in September and moves through the courses in sequence. The first three theory courses in the program are online theory courses. PAT 504 (6 credit) is a hybrid (online and in person) practicum course for professionals to engage in supervised practice in a program that delivers psychedelic-assisted therapies. The full program can be completed from a distance if an approved practicum site is available near the trainee's place of residence.

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

Note: PAT 504 may be completed at various times throughout the year via directed study, dependent on practicum site and field guide availability.

Updated 
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
  • An undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in health, human services, or related fields.
  • Resume with cover letter and professional references.
  • Two years related experience in the 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 Academic 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 | International Fees

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 $525.30 per credit)

7,879.50

Lab Fee

510.00

Student Activity fee (15 credits x $9.79 per credit)

146.85

VIU Students' Union fee (12 months x $26.59 per month)

319.08

Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year)

265.00

Total

9,120.43

Notes

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 $765.77 per credit)

11,486.55

Lab Fee

510.00

Ancillary Fee (15 credits x $39.68 per credit)

595.20

VIU Students' Union fee (12 months x $26.59 per month)

319.08

Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year)

265.00

Total

13,175.83

Notes

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.

Updated
Monday, April 3, 2023

Domestic (Canadian)

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Location
Next Intake(s)

The Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Graduate Certificate program has one intake each Fall.

Application Fee
$114.83
Admissions Assistant

Name: Jennifer Calder
Phone: 250.740.6400 ext. 2585
Email: Jennifer.Calder@viu.ca

Chair Contact

Name: Shannon Dames
Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 4193
Email: Shannon.Dames@viu.ca

Area Contact

Name: Susan James
Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 6249
Email: pat@viu.ca

Documentation Deadline

Document deadline is April 15, 2024.

Please see the comments below for early acceptance details.

Original official sealed transcripts should be mailed to:

VIU Registration

900 Fifth Street

Nanaimo, BC

V9R 5S5

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, 2024, for early consideration.  The department will consider accepting students for Fall 2024 in 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, 2024 (and those that did not receive early consideration), will be reviewed in April 2024 after applications close. Applications are open until March 31, 2024, or until the program is filled. There is a possibility qualified applicants may be waitlisted.

International

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Location
Next Intake(s)

This program has one intake each Fall.

Application Fee
$150.00
Chair Contact

Name: Shannon Dames
Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 4193
Email: Shannon.Dames@viu.ca

International Admissions Officer Contact

Name: Jamie Mollins
Email: Study@viu.ca

Documentation Deadline

The document deadline is April 15, 2024.

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.*

For prospective international applicants, please send your inquiries to World VIU at WorldVIU@viu.ca

For more information, please contact:

PaT@viu.ca