program detail
Application icon

CAD 29591

Annual Tuition Fee

!
*Subject to change and other fees
Application icon

CAD 150

Application Fee

Duration icon

24 months

Duration

Duration icon

6.5

IELTS

Duration icon

88

TOEFL

Duration icon

60%

Min GPA

Program Overview

The Mental Health Care Assistant Diploma Program trains international students to practice in hospital, long term care, community, and mental health settings. Students learn to help clients with daily living activities. They also gain the skills to enhance client quality of life and mental well-being.

The four-semester program bridges the Health Care Assistant Certificate program and Community Mental Health Worker Certificate program learning outcomes through an integrated experiential capstone project.

Graduates will be able meet clients’ basic needs. This includes providing support for mental health challenges. They can find work in:

  • Hospitals
  • Long-term care settings
  • Community settings

Why choose the Mental Health Care Assistant program at Vancouver Island University?

  • VIU is the only public university in BC offering this specialized program to international students
  • Faculty with industry-based expertise and international experience 
  • One-on-one interactions with faculty and peers through small class sizes 
  • Graduates can continue on to Practical Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs
  • Combines two certificates:
    • Health Care Assistant (HCA) Certificate - Year One 
    • Community Mental Health Care (CMHC) Certificate - Year Two 
  • Special capstone project integrates skills learned in both programs
Read more

Additional Information

Program Level UG Certificate / Diploma

College/University Processing Time 30 Days

Program Format Full-Time

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) work permit

Program Intake

Open

Sep 2025

Closed

Feb 2024, Sep 2024

General Admission Requirement

  • IELTS
    • Minimum Overall Score - 6.5 - With No Band Less Than - 6
  • TOEFL
    • Minimum Overall Score - 88 - With no score less than - 20
  • PTE
    • Minimum Overall Score - 60.0  Minimum Listening - 60.0  Minimum Reading - 60.0  Minimum Writing - 60.0  Minimum Speaking - 60.0  

Academic Requirement

  • Minimum Level of Education Required: To be accepted into this program, applicants must have a Grade 12 / High School Diploma or equivalent including the following required course(s):
    • English 12 or equivalent

6.5 IELTS Score
88 TOEFL Score Minimum Overall Score
60 PTE Score Minimum Overall Score
60% CGPA Minimum Overall Score

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Tuition Fee

The values given below are estimated figures, excluding extra charges like material fee, student activity fees, athletic fees, health care, etc., for courses. To know more, please visit the Programs page.

Average Tuition Fee Per Year

29591

Tuition Fee
(CAD)

CAD 150

Application Fee
(CAD)

11400 Per year

Average Cost of Living
(CAD)

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The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Check program website for more information about funding options.

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