This program has been approved by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
The Online End-of-Life Doula program is designed to train and qualify students as End-of-Life Doulas who have an ability to attend to the mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of those working with end-of-life circumstances, while supporting their logistical needs too. Throughout the training, students will develop and practice their guiding and facilitation skills ensuring they have the empathic attending skills that are vital to help those facing grief, loss, and death. Students who take this program will understand their scope of practice and learn how to work with other health professionals, while applying strong ethical guidelines and practicing a high level of professional and respectful behaviour. Students will learn how to create trusting and supportive relationships as they open and close doula-client relationships.
Demand for End-of-Life Doula Professionals
Many hospices throughout the province and the country have reported a significant increase in the demand for their support, outstripping their ability to provide both professional and volunteer services in a timely fashion. The same holds true for local community service agencies who also have been pressed to meet the demands for evolving community services regarding end-of-life given the increase in drug overdoses and suicides.
Statistically there are 9.2 million baby boomers living in Canada currently. Of them 1.1 million are living right here in British Columbia! In this province we have 301 hospice beds in the entire province and 28,000 long term care beds with waitlists of 18 months. It is clear that the demand for end of life services in the family home within their community will be the primary way we can support our ageing population.
Recognizing the significance of community-based initiatives, our End-of-Life Doula program is tailored to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to support their neighbors during life’s most challenging moments. Our goal is to cultivate a network of trained end-of-life doulas who can collaborate with community service agencies and hospice societies, ensuring that residents receive the vital care and assistance they deserve.
Our curriculum fosters individual reflection and self-care in navigating topics such as death, dying, grief, and loss, equipping students to provide vital support throughout life’s transitions. Upon completion, graduates emerge as certified End-of-Life Doulas, ready to offer coaching, facilitate support groups, conduct workshops, and guide clients in practical, emotional, and spiritual preparation for the end-of-life.
Meet the Faculty
Stephen Garrett, MA Leadership, Grief Counsellor, and End-of-Life Coach
When you meet Stephen, you are meeting a man who lives life fully. A genuine heart and commitment to life have produced in Stephen the qualities of a warrior: integrity, strength, leadership, kindness, and wisdom. Arising out of his personal experience of hundreds of deaths Stephen’s heart passion and life energy are focused on changing the conversation we have about death from one of fear and denial to one of embrace and inspiration. Stephen combines his life experience with his Masters in Leadership and Training as he trains and mentors people interested in dealing with dying, death, and grief in new and inspiring ways.
Graduate Outcomes
Upon completion of the End-of-Life Doula program, graduates will have multiple career opportunities including going into private practice and starting their own business as an End-of-Life Doula where the need is rapidly growing. Graduates can also find work with organizations such as working with community groups as a grief and loss educator, working with bereavement groups as a coordinator or bereavement facilitator, to working in hospices as an End-of-Life support worker and facilitator.
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 | 24 weeks (129 hrs) |
| Number of Semesters | 1 |
| Total Tuition | $4,450.00 |
| Application Fee (Domestic) | $100 (non-refundable) |
| Application Fee (International) | $500 (non-refundable) |
| Textbooks & Course Material Fee* | $34 |
| Student Activity Fee* | $50 |
| Archive Fee* | $100 |
| Other Fees* | $45 |
| Delivery Method | Online |
| Language | English |
| Next Intake – FULL | January 7th, 2025 – June 17th, 2025 |
| Schedule | Tuesday/Thursday 6pm – 9pm PST |
| Next Intake – AVAILABLE | April 7th, 2025 – September 24th, 2025 |
| Schedule | Monday/Wednesday 6pm – 9pm PST |
*For a complete breakdown of each cost category, please see the dropdown menu below.
Textbooks & Course Material Fee*
Student Activity Fee*
This program includes a $50 student activity fee which includes any career planning events, tutoring, all student drop-in sessions, student services info sessions, all student assembles, virtual cafes, speaker series and all workshops.
Archive Fee*
In compliance with PTIB 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 Wellness College administrative staff.
Other Fees*
Other Fees ($45)
This program includes a Technology fee of $15 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 $30 which includes one official copy of the student's transcripts and one official copy of the diploma or certificate earned.
Program Admissions Requirements
- Reach the age of majority (19 years old in British Columbia) or provide to the College the written consent from the applicant’s parent/guardian.
- Submit a Personal Statement on why the applicant desires to pursue an End-of-Life Doula Certificate at Rhodes Wellness College.
- Successfully complete an Admissions interview.
- If an applicant has had an addiction to drugs or alcohol, a minimum of 12 months prior sobriety is required to be verified during the interview. The College may require the applicant to provide a letter from a counsellor, confirming the applicant’s sobriety.
- Meet the program’s Language Proficiency requirement below:
In addition to the program admissions requirements, applicants must also meet the Rhodes Wellness College’s General Admissions Policy requirements detailed here.
Language Requirements
All students, whether they be Canadian or International students, must prove sufficient English proficiency through one of the following methods:
1. Grade 12 completion in an English-based school system (or the equivalent of Grade 12 education in an English-based school system that does not call high school completion “Grade 12”, e.g., O-Level or A-Level certification in the UK or other Commonwealth school system).
2. GED (General Education Development) completion in an English-speaking country.
3. Two completed full-time semesters at a post-secondary where the program of study is taught in English.
4. Successful completion of one of the following English proficiency exams, achieving the minimum required score indicated below:
a. International English Language Testing IELTS (academic or general version): minimum score of 6.0 overall, and no individual category score less than 5.5.
b. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): minimum score 78 (internet based).
c. Canadian Academic English Language Assessment Test (CAEL): minimum score of 50 in each category.
d. Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): minimum score of 7 in each category.
e. Cambridge English Scale: minimum score of 169.
f. Duolingo: minimum score of 105.
g. Pearson Test of English: minimum score of 46
For a comprehensive and detailed explanation of our policies, please visit the following pages:
This program is accredited by the End of Life Doula Association of Canada. This accreditation results from a comprehensive and thorough evaluation of the educational program, ensuring it meets the high standards set by the association. Click here to view the accreditation letter.
