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Bachelor of Health Science (Psychiatric Nursing)

Offered in collaboration with Douglas College (BC), this program is available only to applicants residing in Canada.

The Bachelor of Health Science (Psychiatric Nursing) degree program is designed to give registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs) and registered nurses (RNs) working in a psychiatric/mental health field, the opportunity to obtain a bachelor's degree, following completion of the Advanced Diploma program in Psychiatric Nursing at Douglas College.

Note: Health professionals who are not working toward a degree may register in health-related or health-issues courses, provided they meet other prerequisites and admission requirements.

The Bachelor of Health Science degree programs offered through TRU-OL have been designed to:

  • Provide academic recognition for advanced-level training in selected health disciplines and specialties.
  • Allow working health professionals to broaden their education and enhance their skills, knowledge, career options and academic credentials without having to leave the workforce for an extended period.
  • Make advanced studies available to professionals in selected health occupations at a convenient time and place.

Information provided here about the degree programs is a general guide. Each student's degree program plan reflects her/his previous education as it applies to the degree.

Note: Some of the courses required for program completion include participation in mandatory teleconferences at the student's expense. Differences in time zones between BC and the student's location may make participation in teleconferences inconvenient.

Admission Requirements

Open to students who are enrolled in or have completed the Advanced Diploma program in Psychiatric Nursing at Douglas College, who are (1) psychiatric nursing graduates registered in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba; or (2) registered nurses working in psychiatric nursing.

Students applying for admission to the degree program are required to provide documentation of admission to or completion of the Advanced Diploma program at Douglas College.

Entry to the Advanced Diploma program requires that the student possess current active practising registration as an RPN or RN and recent appropriate psychiatric nursing experience. Graduates of general nursing programs are required to demonstrate knowledge and skills comparable to current psychiatric nursing diploma programs.

Students who plan to complete a credential through TRU-OL must complete and submit a Program Admission/Transfer Credit form.

Residency Requirements

15 credits of TRU university coursework, specifically completion of two health issues (HEAL) courses delivered by TRU-OL. The schedule of HEAL courses is provided on this website.

Degree Requirements

120 credits (minimum of 45 upper-level credits), with a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher, are required.

Diploma in psychiatric nursing or nursing from a recognized institution and completion of the Douglas College Advanced Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing are required.

For information on the Douglas College Advanced Diploma program in Psychiatric Nursing, contact Douglas College at 604-527-5025.

Additional Academic University Requirements (30 credits)

(15 credits at the upper-level; 6 credits to be taken through TRU-OL)

6 credits in first-year English (university-level composition and literature, e.g., TRU-OL's ENGL 100 or 102, and ENGL 101 or 103)

3 credits in Mathematics or Computing Science (Introductory Statistics course recommended)

3 credits in Research Methods (upper-level)

6 credits in Social Science

3 credits in Humanities (other than English)

6 credits in Health Issues (upper-level, taken through TRU-OL)

3 credits in Administrative Studies

Students are responsible for consulting with their TRU-OL program advisor to ensure that courses selected are appropriate for the program of study or to meet future educational goals. Students require a Letter of Permission before registering in a course (not listed on this website) at any other post-secondary institution to complete the credential. Students who proceed without approval may find that a particular course does not meet requirements and may be subject to transfer credit assessment fees.

For information on the Douglas College Advanced Diploma program in Psychiatric Nursing, contact Douglas College.

Email Student Services for more information.