Dear Students,
I'm following up on my post from yesterday regarding the requirement for all current students to complete their programs by 2026. I want to explain the reasons behind this decision and provide additional information:
Completion Time
Many students take significantly longer than expected to finish their programs—sometimes up to two years or more. While we understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise, too often, other priorities delay progress to an extent that impacts our ability to offer open-ended extensions.
Financial Considerations
The PTIB refund policy poses a significant challenge for online schools. Offering unlimited extensions places the school in financial jeopardy, so we must set a firm completion deadline.
Diploma vs. Certificate
Starting January 2026, PTIB will no longer allow us to issue Diplomas for programs under 12 months in length; only Certificates can be issued. We hope PTIB will approve our new 1,200-hour program soon. Past and current Counselling Skills students will have the option—but will not be required—to upgrade if they wish.
Legislative Updates
We have not received any new information from the BC government regarding legislation, which isn't surprising given the current political climate.
A Long-Standing Commitment
I founded this school 39 years ago. While it has been incredibly rewarding, navigating the constant bureaucratic challenges can also be exhausting. Despite these hurdles, we remain dedicated to our mission and your success.
One of the best ways you can help yourselves—and the school—is to treat your program seriously and aim to finish on time. We are here to support you throughout your studies and will always consider emergency situations to see what, if anything, can be done to accommodate you.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Together, we can ensure the timely completion of your programs and continued growth for everyone involved.