This program has been approved by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the British Columbia Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
Our diploma in professional counselling training provides you with the high-level skills to work as a successful, Professional Counsellor. As a professional counsellor, you are qualified to provide individual and group counselling regarding a variety of issues. Our counselling training courses prepare you to counsel others in trauma and abuse, addictions, family and relationship problems and more. Our Diploma in Professional Counselling program fully trains you to operate your own practice or work within an organization in various counselling, coaching or group leadership positions.
You will discover an enriching career when providing valuable life-changing advice and helping others through difficult times.
Our Comprehensive Counselling Training Courses Provide More Than Counsellor Training
Your credentials include professional counsellor, qualified life coach and holistic wellness counsellor. You will be able to carefully listen to clients, assess their situations and help them find successful solutions. You can differentiate yourself from other professional counsellors by offering extensive physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness services.
The comprehensive Professional Counselling Diploma is a leadership counselling training program that includes business classes. It prepares you to assume senior positions within human services organizations or run your own counselling, coaching or consulting business.
Students also engage in professional and practical community and workplace-based projects. During this time, you build up your practical experience and establish your career networks. You receive free professional accreditation preparation and supervision as you prepare for membership in the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association.
Learn how to become a counsellor with Rhodes Wellness College with our counselling training program. Help others while mastering your own personal and professional success. Your career as a Professional Counsellor is ready to begin!
Graduate Outcomes
After successfully finishing the program, our alumni consistently demonstrate a track record of success, transitioning into roles as counsellors. Many move on to further study or set up their own coaching or counselling businesses. Our graduates are eligible for memberships with both the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association and the International Coach Federation. Please visit the success stories page to learn more.
Graduates of the Professional Counsellor Diploma program can access up to 12 months of postgraduate supervision sponsorship.
Ready to Apply?
Are you interested in becoming a student at Rhodes Wellness College? Click on the Apply Online link below to get started! Here you’ll find all the admission requirements and all the important links for starting your application.
| Total Program Length | 80 weeks (1,725 hrs) |
| Number of Semesters | 6 |
| Tuition per Semester | $4,400.00 |
| Total Tuition | $26,400.00 |
| Application Fee (Domestic) | $100 (non-refundable) |
| Application Fee (International) | $500 (non-refundable) |
| Digital Textbooks & Course Material Fee* | $715 |
| Student Activity Fee* | $300 |
| Archive Fee* | $100 |
| Other Fees* | $235 |
| Delivery Method | In-person, online, blended |
| Language | English |
| Next Intake | Sep 28, 2026 – May 5, 2028 |
| Schedule | Monday – Friday 9am – 1:30pm PST |
*For a complete breakdown of each cost category, please see the dropdown menu below.
Course Material Fee ($204) This program includes a $50 per semester student activity fee which includes career planning events, tutoring, all student drop-in sessions, student services info sessions, all student assembles, coaching & counselling labs, virtual cafes, speaker series and all workshops. In compliance with PTIRU bylaws, each student’s enrolment contract, transcript and diploma or certificate will be stored with Datawitness for a period of no less than 25 years, retrievable only by Rhodes administrative staff. Other Fees ($235) This program includes a Technology fee of $90 which provides access to all zoom classrooms, CampusLogin access and unlimited Moodle access up to one year after graduation. There is also a Graduation and Transcript fee of $55 which includes one official copy of the student's transcripts and one official copy of the diploma or certificate earned. Additionally, each student receives a graduation gown, cap, and tassel to a graduation ceremony. It also includes a Supervision Administration fee of $90 that covers extensive post graduation support from Student Services and postgraduate supervision for graduates who wish to obtain membership with a counselling association. When becoming a member of a counselling association, such as the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association or the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada, graduates initially apply for candidacy membership. To support graduates successfully completing candidacy and obtaining other levels of membership sooner, Rhodes Wellness College provides them 12 sponsored postgraduate supervision sessions for 12 months upon completion of their Professional Counsellor Diploma program.
Digital Textbooks & Course Material Fee*
Digital Textbooks Fee ($511)
Student Activity Fee*
Archive Fee*
Other Fees*
Admissions Requirements for the Professional Counsellor Diploma
- Grade 12 graduate or equivalent or mature student status – 19 years or older with an established work history or relevant experience.
- Submit a Personal Statement on why you would like to pursue an education with Rhodes Wellness College and what you hope you to achieve upon graduation.
- Submit two references.
- Successfully complete an Admissions Interview.
- Demonstrate spoken and written proficiency in the English language consistent with the proficiency of a high school graduate, as evidenced by a written personal statement and a one-on-one screening interview (see also the Language Proficiency Assessment Policy listed below).
- Provide an International study permit/student visa, if applicable.
- A minimum of 12 months prior sobriety** is required to be verified during the interview. The College’s representative may require the applicant to provide a letter to the College confirming the applicant’s sobriety from a counselor.
**Please see our Sobriety Policy for more details.
Rhodes Wellness College reserves the right to deny any candidate admission into this program if Admissions does not believe the applicant will be a potential fit or adequately benefit from taking the program.
Language Proficiency Requirement
All students, whether they be Canadian or International students, must prove sufficient English proficiency through one of the following methods:
- Evidence that 3 years of full-time secondary education (Grades 8-12), or 2 years if the Grades are 10, 11, or 12, have been successfully completed in the program’s language of instruction in a country where the language of instruction is one of the principal languages. This may be demonstrated by providing a high school transcript, completion of a BC Adult Graduation program or providing international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES, or IQAS.
- Two years of full-time post-secondary education* have been completed in the program’s language of instruction in a country where the language of instruction is one of the principal languages (includes international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES, and IQAS).*Language development courses (i.e., ELL courses) cannot be included in this
- Successful completion of one of the following English proficiency exams, achieving the minimum required score indicated below:
a. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: Minimum overall score of 5.5
b. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) IBT: Minimum overall score of 46
c. Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): Minimum overall score of 40
d. Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5, and Writing 5
e. Duolingo English Test (DET): Minimum overall score of 95
f. Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: Minimum overall score of 43
g. Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First exam (FCE): Minimum overall score of 160 or “C” (Institutions may include other Cambridge Qualifications at a higher level, e.g., C2 Proficiency (CPE))
h. Cambridge Linguaskill: Minimum overall B2 level
i. LANGUAGECERT Academic: Minimum overall B2 level
j. The Michigan English Test (MET): Minimum overall B2 level
k. iTEP Academic: Minimum overall score of 5
l. EIKEN: Minimum placement of Grade Pre-1
- Where the applicant is 19 years of age or older at the start of the program and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and the applicant cannot access their educational records or cannot provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education through one of the other stipulated methods in the College’s Language Proficiency Policy, they may satisfy language proficiency requirements through the Accuplacer English Assessment process as follows:
- Applicant provides attestation that they have completed at least three years of full-time instruction in English in a country where the English is one of the principal languages*, and
- Applicant completes an Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation: Reading, Writing and WritePlacer) and achieves the following minimum scores:
i. Reading: 230, and
ii. Writing: 230, and
iii. WritePlacer: 4
*Language development courses (i.e., ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation. Accuplacer may not be used to demonstrate that a student meets an admission requirement other than Language Proficiency.
*English-speaking countries include the following:
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For a comprehensive and detailed explanation of our policies, please visit the following pages:
*The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the world’s largest coaching certifying organization and is dedicated to advancing the coaching profession by setting high standards, providing independent certification and building a worldwide network of trained coaching professionals. Rhodes Wellness College is a Level 1 approved education partner of ICF and both our Part-Time Life Coaching Certificate or Full-Time Life Skills Certificate meet the educational requirements for both Associate Certified Coach (ACC) and Professional Certified Coach (PCC) designations with ICF.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Professional Counselling Diploma
In most provinces across Canada, a Master’s degree is not legally required to work as a counsellor in private practice. Rhodes graduates are able to practice as registered counsellors under designations like RPC-C or RTC-C. However, some positions in government or hospital settings may require a Master’s degree, and in regulated provinces such as Ontario or Nova Scotia, a Master’s-level education may be needed for registration with certain colleges.
A counsellor is a trained professional who helps individuals explore, understand, and manage personal, emotional, or psychological challenges. Through active listening, supportive dialogue, and evidence-based techniques, counsellors assist clients in navigating issues such as anxiety, trauma, relationship difficulties, grief, and life transitions. Unlike psychiatrists or psychologists, counsellors typically focus on talk-based therapy and do not prescribe medication.
Graduates of Rhodes Wellness College are prepared to work in a wide range of professional settings, including private practice, wellness centres, non-profit organizations, schools, and community agencies. Depending on your program and area of focus, you may provide individual or group counselling, coaching, or wellness services. Some graduates go on to specialize further, join professional associations, or pursue additional certifications. Our programs are designed to equip you with both practical and interpersonal skills to begin working immediately in the field or to build your own practice.
Yes! Many graduates from Rhodes Wellness College choose to open their own private practice. Our diploma programs provide the skills, practicum experience, and ethical foundation necessary to begin working with clients in a professional setting. While additional licensing or membership in a professional association may be required depending on your province or specialization, our programs are designed to prepare you to work independently or as part of an organization. We also include business and practice-building components to support graduates who wish to be self-employed
Yes! Our Practicum Department works closely with students to help them find appropriate practicum placements by providing guidance, resources, and support throughout the process. While students are encouraged to take initiative, Rhodes Wellness College shares the responsibility of securing practicum placements. All diploma programs include a practicum component, allowing students to apply their skills in real-world settings, receive professional feedback, build networks, and explore potential career paths. Many students have been hired by their Practicum Hosts or have made valuable connections that helped launch their careers.
Rhodes Wellness College is a designated institution under the StudentAid BC program, meaning eligible students can apply for government student loans and grants. In addition to provincial and federal aid, students may also explore scholarships, bursaries, and payment plans offered through the College. Our Academic Advisors are available to help students understand their options and complete the necessary applications.
At Rhodes Wellness College, we’re committed to supporting our students throughout their entire counselling training journey academically, personally, and professionally. Our dedicated Student Services team is here to assist with a wide range of concerns, including academic challenges, time management, financial stress, and personal well-being. Whether you’re navigating a difficult course load, experiencing life transitions, or simply need guidance, we’re here to help. In addition, students have access to the Rhodes Counselling Centre, where they can receive affordable, confidential support from advanced student counsellors under supervision. We also provide access to faculty office hours, career guidance, and wellness resources to ensure you feel empowered and supported every step of the way.
