Policies

*This page contains the main policies in TCICTCM.
*For all currently enrolled students in TCICTCM: Please log in and refer to the Student Booklet for an exhaustive list and contents of all policies.

Shortcuts:
Student Statement of Rights
Admissions Policy and Application Guide
Admission (International) – Language Proficiency Policy
Transfer Credits Policy & Frequently Asked Questions
Scholarship
Sexual Misconduct Policy
Refund Policy
Dispute Resolution Policy

Student Statement of Rights

Tzu Chi International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine is certified with the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training.

Before you enrol at TCICTCM, you should be aware of your rights and responsibilities.

You have the right to be treated fairly and respectfully by the institution.

You have the right to a student enrolment contract that includes the following information:

  • amount of tuition and any additional fee for your program
  • refund policy
  • if your program includes a work experience, the requirements to participate in the work experience and the geographic area where it will be provided, at TCICTCM, there is no work experience program.
  • whether the program was approved by PTIB or does not require approval.

Make sure you read the contract before signing.  The institution must provide you with a signed copy.

You have the right to access the institution’s dispute resolution process and to be protected against retaliation for making a complaint.

You have the right to make a claim to PTIB for a tuition refund if:

  • your institution ceased to hold a certificate before you completed an approved program
  • you were misled about a significant aspect of your approved program.

You must file the claim within one year of completing, being dismissed or withdrawing from your program.

For more information about PTIB and how to be an informed student, go to: http://www.privatetraininginstitutions.gov.bc.ca/students/be-an-informed-student.

Admissions Policy and Application Guide

Admission – General Requirements

  • Applicants must have completed high school or over the age of 19. Photo ID is required.
  • Applicants who are under the age of 19 must provide high school diploma.
  • Language Proficiency certification (if applicable) is required. Effective from January 2016.
  • Degree and/or related official transcript(s) or other relevant documents may be required upon submitting the application

Admission – Application Procedure

Choosing a career and a college can be exciting; beginning the application process is also an important experience for a student. At TCICTCM, we want to make this step as smooth as possible.

  • Applications for admission are reviewed by the admission officer and a personal interview may be required.
  • The whole process of admission may take about two weeks, starting from the applicant submitting the application, the college preparing the student contract, to the applicant signing back the contract.
  • The student loan takes about 6-8 weeks to process. It may take longer if it is in peak season. Therefore, you are advised to leave enough time in between the initial application process and the program starting date.
  • The programs start in Fall (end of August), Winter (January) and Summer (end of April).
  • The same Application Form applies for both Local and International Students.

Admission (International) – Language Proficiency Policy

(effective: January 2016)

In addition to the general admission requirements, the international applicants have to meet our language proficiency standards.

1. Official certification are required if applicable.
2. Students, who are attending diploma programs which are conducted in English, must meet the language requirement set by TCICTCM as below:

If your first language is not English, or if your previous education has been conducted in another language, you are required to demonstrate proficiency in English by undertaking and submitting the results of ONE of the following.

  1. Successful completion of British Columbia high school Grade 12 level of English or equivalent.
  2. Successful completion of VCC (Vancouver Career College; http://www.vccollege.ca) English 099.
  3. For any diploma or degree program with  a minimum of three years of full-time study at the secondary school level in an English language school system in a country where English is considered the primary language (i.e. the primary language of instruction and evaluation is in English), with acceptable grades in all English courses.
  4. For any post-graduate program with  a minimum of  two full years of successful study in an accredited university degree program or two full years of successful study in an accredited college diploma program in a country and in a postsecondary institution where English is the primary language of instruction.
  5. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Academic Level with scores at or above the following levels: minimum TOEFL Scores: 550 for paper-based test OR 80 (20L, W, S, R) for internet-based test.
  6. Minimum IELTS Scores: Overall 6.0 AND No band below 5.5
  7. Pass TCICTCM Language Test.

Transfer Credits Policy & FAQs

Transfer Credits Policy

  1. The College accepts a maximum of 600 hours (equivalent to one academic year in TCICTCM) of transferred credits for the Diploma Programs. However, there are exceptions to this general rule under special circumstances.
  2. The approval of Transfer Credits application does not entitle the applicant to attend the courses for which the credits have been transferred.
  3. For applicants who would like to review a course for which the credits have been transferred, auditing (without having to write examinations) is available at 50% of the tuition for the course.
  4. The filled application will be sent to the Education Administration Committee for review, which will complete within 15 business days upon receipt of the application fee and all required materials.
  5. Coursework taken at another institution while/after attending TCICTCM is not transferrable.
  6. Check the posted cases and frequently asked questions on the Transfer Credits webpage before you submit your application.
  7. The administration fee for each course is $150.00 and is at maximum $1200.00 if you apply for over 8 courses IN THE SAME APPLICATION. This fee is non-refundable regardless of approval or rejection.
  8. The transcript, indicating your course name, total hours/credits of training completed and passing grades, can be directly mailed from your institution or submitted in person (if it is original and officially sealed) to the school at 200-1215 West Broadway, Vancouver BC V6H 1G7.
  9. To apply for Transfer Credits, a Comprehensive Evaluation Report from ICES (International Credential Evaluation Service) is required if the education you intend to use for Transfer Credits is acquired outside Canada. Visit http://www.bcit.ca/ices/ for more information.
  10. Course outlines or contents may be required if further verification is needed, in situations where the course name or coverage is not the same as the courses for which you want to transfer. Providing such supporting documents along with your submission will speed up the reviewing process.
  11. The fee can be paid in multiple ways. Please visit Methods of Payment for instructions.
  12. Provide your supporting documents as completely as possible when you submit the application. It is understandable to send supplemental documents shortly after the application is submitted as some applicants would realize they forget to enclose some documents. Please note new application and fees will apply if you provide additional documents after the decision is made on the case.
  13. Questions regarding the Transfer Credits result must be raised within 2 weeks after result notification.
  14. Re-assessment request must be submitted with supporting documentation within two weeks after first assessment result notification. After two weeks, new application is required.
  15. All transfer credit application much be completed before the Program starts. Please allow 10-15 working days for evaluation. A late application will not be reviewed.
  16. Please note that fees for a new application will apply if you provide additional documents after the decision is made on the case.

Education Administration Committee of TCICTCM
eac@tcmcollege.com
October 2019
May, September 2023

Transfer Credits – Frequently Asked Questions

1. I graduated from a business school and hold a degree in business. Can I transfer my course credits of business communication and ethics for these required courses: Communication Skills and The Medical Interview, Medical Ethics & Legal Issues, and TCM Business Practices?

Answer: As suggested by the titles of these courses, the communication skills, interview skills, ethics and legal issues, and business practice are in a “medical” setting. Therefore, it is unlikely that such a case would be approved because such approval would risk the applicant of not only lacking adequate training in a medical setting but also of being refused by CCHPBC (previously CTCMA) to accept his/her application to take a licensing exam.

On the other hand, transferring credits from the courses of communication, interview, ethics, legal issues, and business practice taught at a medical college or in medically relevant settings are much more likely to be approved.

2. Why does the processing of Transfer Credits application take a period of time and charge a fee?

Answer: To ensure the credits are transferred on a beneficial (for the applicant), fair (for the applicant’s fellow students) and legitimate (for CCHPBC, the licensing body of TCM professionals in BC) basis, the processing of such applications requires very detailed examination of documents, document sources, and cross-referencing between education programs.

All applicants are advised to enclose as sufficient supporting information as possible along with submission of their application.

3. I want to transfer my credits for a course that has multiple topics, such as 108B Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, but I do not have all of the topics covered in my previous studies. How likely is it that my Transfer Credits application gets approved?

Answer: The short answer is no, unfortunately. If such Transfer Credits applications were to be approved, as mentioned in a previous question, it would deprive the applicant of receiving sufficient training, make it unfair for other students, and risk the applicant being refused in a licensing exam application if his or her education history, including Transfer Credits, does not pass the review by CCHPBC (previously CTCMA). The application fee for a licensing exam by CCHPBC is not refundable.

In this case, one solution is to find a school, finish a course of the topic of the lacking component, and then apply for the Transfer Credit at TCICTCM. But please note Transfer Credit has to be processed before your Program starts.

4. It turned out I easily passed the course I was refused in my Transfer Credits application. Doesn’t it mean my application should have been approved?

Answer: Congratulations on your good performance. Well done! However, Transfer Credits applications are evaluated by solely looking at the education history, not according to the abilities or the person of the applicant. This situation may happen more often for students who studied biology, a subject that is not medicine but closely related to medicine. So please check carefully the contents between the course at TCICTCM and your past courses before you submit your application.

5. I am afraid the school may just want me to pay for the courses so my Transfer Credits application would not get approved. Can you explain?

Answer: Before the beginning of each school term, the College receives from several to more than a dozen Transfer Credits applications, most of which, if not all, were granted an approval. This FAQ section is just created to further increase the approval rate.

It is actually very profitable for the school if the student’s application gets approved, saving the student’s time and energy for other purposes, which would ultimately lead to better performance in school and writing the licensing exams before serving the public. On the other hand, the school hardly benefits from the tuition of only a few courses at the expense of the success and feelings of a student.

Tzu Chi Foundation Canada – Scholarship Program Policy, Criteria and Procedures

The Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation Canada (TCFC) is establishing a pilot scholarship program to assist students seriously pursuing education in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that would eventually lead to a career as a qualified TCM Practitioner and Doctor of TCM.

In this pilot program, scholarship would be awarded only to students of the Tzu Chi International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCICTCM).

Eligibility Criteria:
• Applicant must be a student of TCICTCM who has (a) Successfully completed the Three-Year Diploma Program for Acupuncturist (R.Ac) and enrolled as a full-time student into Four-Year Diploma Program for Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (R.TCM.P.). (b) Successfully completed the Four-Year Diploma Program for Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (R.TCM.P.) and enrolled as a full-time student into Five-Year Diploma Program for Doctor of Tradition Chinese Medicine (Dr.TCM.)
• There would be two awards for category (a) and three awards for category (b) described above.
• Applicant must be either a permanent resident or citizen of Canada.

Application Procedure:
• The applicant must possess an active account at the school website and log into the account to complete the application.

Approval process:
• Application is to be reviewed and assessed by a committee established by TCFC, whose decision is final.
• Candidates will be evaluated according to their academic performance. In case of multiple candidates with equal results of evaluation, class attendance / participation and community volunteer participation will be also considered.
• TCFC will only notify the Applicant whose application is successful.

 

Sexual Misconduct Policy

  1. TCICTCM is committed to the prevention of and appropriate response to sexual misconduct.
  2. Sexual misconduct refers to a spectrum of non-consensual sexual contact and behavior including the following:
    • sexual assault;
    • sexual exploitation;
    • sexual harassment;
    • stalking;
    • indecent exposure;
    • voyeurism;
    • the distribution of a sexually explicit photograph or video of a person to one or more persons other than the person in the photograph or video without the consent of the person in the photograph or video and with the intent to distress the person in the photograph or video;
    • the attempt to commit an act of sexual misconduct; and
    • the threat to commit an act of sexual misconduct.
  3. A Complaint of sexual misconduct is different than a Report of sexual misconduct. A person may choose to disclose or complain of sexual misconduct without making a formal report. A Report is a formal notification of an incident of sexual misconduct to someone at the institution accompanied by a request for action.
  4. A student making a Complaint will be provided with resolution options and, if appropriate, accommodation, and will not be required or pressured to make a Report.
  5. The process for making a Complaint about sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:
    • The complaint may contact Dr.John Situ, the director of the college Clinic at info@tcmcollege.com, or in his absence, contact Dr. Laina Ho the president of the college at info@tcmcollege.com
  6. The process for responding to a Complaint of sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:
    • TCICTCM will acknowledge the receipt of the complaint with no longer than 7 days, and the process of how to resolving the issuer will be provided to the complaint.
  1. The process for making a Report of sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:
    • The complaint may contact Dr. John Situ, the director of the college Clinic at info@tcmcollege.com, or in his absence, contact Dr. Laina Ho the president of the college at info@tcmcollege.com
  1. The process for responding to a Report of sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:
    • TCICTCM will acknowledge the receipt of the complaint with no longer than 7 days, and the process of the resolving the issue will be provided to the complaint.
  1. It is contrary to this policy for an institution to retaliate, engage in reprisals or threaten to retaliate in relation to a Complaint or a Report.
  2. Any processes undertaken pursuant to this policy will be based on the principles of administrative fairness. All parties involved will be treated with dignity and respect.
  3. All information related to a Complaint or Report is confidential and will not be shared without the written consent of the parties, subject to the following exceptions:
    • If an individual is at imminent risk of severe or life-threatening self-harm.
    • If an individual is at imminent risk of harming another.
    • There are reasonable grounds to believe that others in the institutional community may be at significant risk of harm based on the information provided.
    • Where reporting is required by law.
    • Where it is necessary to ensure procedural fairness in an investigation or other response to a Complaint or Report.

Refund Policy

1. If TCICTCM receives tuition from the student, or a person on behalf of the student, the institution will refund the student, or the person who paid on behalf of the student, the tuition that was paid in relation to the Acupuncture or TCM program in which the student is enrolled if:

a. the institution receives a notice of withdrawal from the student no later than seven days after the effective contract date and before the contract start date;

b. the student, or the student’s parent or legal guardian, signs the student enrolment contract seven days or less before the contract start date and the institution receives a notice of withdrawal from the student between the date the student, or the student’s parent or legal guardian, signed the student enrolment contract and the contract start date; or

c. the student does not attend a work experience component and the institution does not provide all of the hours of instruction of the work experience component within 30 days of the contract end date.

2. TCICTCM will refund the tuition for the Acupuncture or TCM program and all related fees paid by the student or a person on behalf of the student enrolled in the program if the student is enrolled in the program without having met the admission requirements and did not misrepresent his or her knowledge or skills when applying for admission.

3. If a student does not attend any of the first 30% of the hours of instruction to be provided during the contract term, TCICTCM may retain up to 50% of the tuition paid under the student enrolment contract unless the program is provided solely through distance education.

4. Unless the TCICTCM is provided solely through distance education, if TCICTCM receives a notice of withdrawal from a student:

a. more than seven days after the effective contract date and

i. at least 30 days before the contract start date, the institution may retain up to 10% of the tuition due under the student enrolment contract, to a maximum of $1,000.

ii. less than 30 days before the contract start date, the institution may retain up to 20% of the tuition due under the student enrolment contract, to a maximum of $1,300.

b. after the contract start date

i. and up to and including 10% of the hours of instruction to be provided during the contract term have been provided, the institution may retain up to 30% of the tuition due under the student enrolment contract.

ii. and after 10% but before 30% of the hours of instruction to be provided during the contract term have been provided, the institution may retain up to 50% of the tuition due under the student enrolment contract.

5. Unless the TCICTCM is provided solely through distance education, if TCICTCM provides a notice of dismissal to a student and the date the institution delivers the notice to the student is:

a. equal to or before 10% of the hours of instruction to be provided during the contract term have been provided, the institution may retain up to 30% of the tuition due under the student enrolment contract.

b. after 10% but before 30% of the hours of instruction to be provided during the contract term have been provided, the institution may retain up to 50% of the tuition due under the student enrolment contract.

6. If TCICTCM provides the Acupuncture or TCM program solely through distance education and the institution receives a student’s notice of withdrawal or the institution delivers a notice of dismissal to the student and:

a. the student has completed and received an evaluation of his or her performance for up to 30% of the hours of instruction to be provided during the contract term, the institution may retain up to 30% of the tuition due under the student enrolment contract, or
the student has completed and received an evaluation of his or her performance for more than 30% but less than 50% of the program, the

b. institution may retain up to 50% of the tuition due under the student enrolment contract.

7. TCICTCM will refund fees charged for course materials paid for but not received if the student provides a notice of withdrawal to the institution or the institution provides a notice of dismissal to the student.

8. Refunds required under this policy will be paid to the student, or a person who paid the tuition or fees on behalf of the student, within 30 days:

a. of the date TCICTCM receives a student’s notice of withdrawal,

b. of the date TCICTCM provides a notice of dismissal to the student,

c. of the date that the registrar provides notice to TCICTCM that the institution is not complying with section 1(c) or 2 of this policy, or

d. after the first 30% of the hours of instruction if section 3 of this policy applies.

9. If an international student delivers a copy of a refusal of a study permit to TCICTCM, sections 1(a), 1(b), 4, 7, and 8 of this policy apply as if the copy of the refusal were a notice of withdrawal, unless:

a. the international student requests an additional letter of acceptance for the same program that was the subject of the refusal of a study permit,

b. or the TCICTCM is provided solely through distance education.

Dispute Resolution Policy

1. This policy governs complaints from students respecting Tzu Chi International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and any aspect of its operations.

2. A student who makes or is otherwise involved in a complaint will not be subject to any form of retaliation by the institution at any time.

3. The process by which the student complaint will be handled is as follows:

Contacts for dispute resolution:
Dr. Laina Ho (info@tcmcollege.com), President and Senior Educational Administrator
Dr. John Situ (info@tcmcollege.com), Vice President and Director of TCICTCM Clinic

All disputes between students and the College must be communicated and discussed thoroughly to find resolution.

Unresolved disputes may be referred to a special three-member committee with one student representative chosen by the student body and one faculty member with no personal association with the College and one representing the College, in order to insure a fair and impartial resolution.

The Chair of the Education Administration Committee will be responsible for making a determination in respect of a student complaint; if the Chair is absent or named in the complaint, another Member of the Education Administration Committee will be responsible for making a determination in respect of the student complaint.

The student who makes a complaint may choose to be represented by an agent or a lawyer in the process of dispute resolution.

Step One: Put your complaint in writing to the individuals designated by the institution. They will request submissions from all involved parties, including witnesses; they will conduct an investigation and set up a meeting of the written complaint. The designated persons will provide a written decision to all parties of the written complaint. If this doesn’t work…

Step Two: Repeat step one with a higher authority (the principal and chief executive) within the institution. If no forthcoming resolution…

Step Three: the student may contact an outside source (i.e., B.B.B) and file a complaint within 48 hours after step two. The complaint will be investigated; the results of the investigation will be reported to the school and the student. The outside source will assist both parties to settle the matter. If this process is not successful in resolving the dispute, then the parties will appoint an outside mediator/arbitrator after Step Three.

A final written decision will be issued within 30 days after the complaint was made.

If the student includes an outside source without following the Resolution of Dispute guidelines, misuses, or abuses this privilege, or does not attempt a resolution by discussion and promote communication first, then the Resolution of Dispute does not apply and the College will use its discretion as to the scope of resolution needed.

4. The written reasons will advise a student, that if the student is dissatisfied with the determination, and has been misled by the institution regarding any significant aspect of that program, the student may file a complaint with the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB)
(www.privatetraininginstitutions.gov.bc.ca). Complaints must be filed with PTIB within one year of the date a student completes, is dismissed from, or withdraws from the program.