Certificates & Diplomas

Our post-baccalaureate certificates and diplomas respond to the emergent needs of education specialists.

Note: The Teaching English and Additional Languages Certificate (TEAL) is temporarily suspended while curriculum is under review. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Interdisciplinary Studies in Contemporary Education Post-Baccalaureate Certificate and Diploma

The Education Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (15 credits) and Post-Baccalaureate Diploma (30 credits) provide professional development opportunities for educators and respond to the needs of schools and districts for education specialists. These are post-degree professional programs designed to complement post-secondary education that has already been achieved.

The program is designed to prepare teachers and education specialists to work with children and adolescents in a variety of areas, including early learning, inclusive education, and language and literacy.

The program is designed to be flexible so it can be tailored to meet the students’ needs and interests. Students can focus on one, two, or all three of these program areas, while still meeting the educational needs and requirements for specialization (learning assistance or resource teachers).

The purpose is to expand current knowledge and understanding with practical implications within school environments to support teacher development and so that all students have equitable access to learning and achievement.

This certificate and diploma program does not lead to teacher certification. However, if you are a teacher, they can lead to a category upgrade with the Teacher Qualification Service (TQS).

  • An applicant in category five who takes the 30-credit diploma program will qualify for the five plus category
  • An applicant in category four who holds an undergraduate degree who then takes this 30-credit diploma program will qualify for category five
  • An applicant who does not hold a degree, or is in category three or lower, is recommended to have the 30-credit diploma program preapproved through the TQS website.

For more information visit the Okanagan Academic Calendar.

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate is awarded after the completion of 15 credits.

The Post-Baccalaureate Diploma is awarded after the completion of 30 credits. Students may complete the courses as available in sequence, or take the required number of courses within a six-year maximum period.

Students who begin and complete the certificate program may continue studies and enroll in the diploma program. Email postbac.education@ubc.ca once you’ve completed the certificate program requirements.

To respond to professional schedules, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate/Diploma courses are normally offered in multiple formats including Saturday sessions, online or blended (online and in-person).

Program Areas & Courses

Inclusive Education courses are designed to prepare individuals to work with children and adolescents with diverse needs. You will learn about establishing inclusive practices in settings such as classrooms and in schools so that all students have equitable access to learning and achievement. These courses may appeal to B.C. certified graduates who are currently employed as, or who wish to become, Learning Assistance Teachers or Resource Teachers.

Sample Courses:

  • EPSE 421 – Assessment of Learning Difficulties
  • EPSE 431 – Programming for Children with Specific Learning Disabilities
  • EPSE 433 – Assessment and Positive Behavioural Support in School and Community Settings

For the complete list of courses students can take, visit the Academic Calendar.

Language and Literacy Education courses are designed for educators and educational leaders who wish to deepen and extend their knowledge in areas of Literacy and Language Arts. This includes oral and written communication, reading, children’s and adolescents’ literature, English education, ESL, literacy in the content areas, new media literacy, assessment, and literacy for diverse learners.

Sample Courses:

    • LLED 465 – Literacy for Diverse Learners in Middle and Secondary Grades
    • LLED 468 – Language, Literacy and Numeracy
    • LLED 466 – ESL and Literacy Education

For the complete list of courses students can take, visit the Academic Calendar.

Early childhood is a critically important period for establishing strong foundations for life-long learning and wellbeing. These courses provide professionals with the philosophy, understanding and skills to create optimal learning environments, assess children appropriately and design learning experiences to support children’s development. These courses may appeal to those who work with young children or are new to teaching kindergarten, pre-kindergarten and primary grades. It will also be of interest to experienced teachers who wish to expand their theoretical understandings in order to enhance learning opportunities for young children.

Sample Courses:

  • ECED 445 – Foundations of Early Childhood Education
  • ECED 421 – Supporting Young Children through Home, School, and Community Relationships
  • ECED 440 – Play and Early Childhood Education

For the complete list of courses students can take, visit the Academic Calendar.

These courses take a multi-disciplinary approach and are designed for individuals who wish to explore and expand their knowledge in leadership, equity and social justice in education.

Sample courses

  • EDST 497 – Contemporary Educational Issues
    • Seminar that examines special topics and current issues within education
  • EDST 498 – Contemporary Educational Practice
    • Seminar that explores various approaches, projects, methodologies and teaching applications
  • EDST 499 – Studies in Educational Leadership
    • Seminar that investigates effective educational programs, leadership and practice

Course Offerings

For a complete description of all courses in the Interdisciplinary Studies in Contemporary Education Post-Baccalaureate Certificate and Diploma program, review the Academic Calendar. The following is meant as a general guide. All courses are subject to change.

EPSE 464 (3)/LLED 464 (3)
Literacy for Diverse Learners in the Elementary Grades / Early Language and Literacy Development
Instructor: Donna Kozak
Delivery method: Online (asynchronous/synchronous*)
Dates: May 8 – June 19
*Synchronous Sessions (Saturdays, 9am-12pm): May 8, 15 & 29 /June 5, 12 & 19

ECED 421 (3)
Supporting Young Children Through Home, School, and Community Relationships
Instructor: Stephen Berg
Delivery method: Online (asynchronous sessions)
Dates: May 10 – June 17

View our Summer Institute in Education (SIE) for a list of our July and August course offerings. All SIE courses are applicable to the certificate/diploma program.

ECED 480G (3)
Supporting Young Children’s Health/Wellbeing in Early Learning
Instructor: Stephen Berg
Delivery method: Online (asynchronous)

ECED 445 (3)
Poverty, Child Development, and Early Learning
Instructor: Stephen Berg
Delivery method: Online (asynchronous)

EPSE 406 (3)
Typical and Atypical Development in Infants and Children
Instructor: TBD
Delivery method: Online (asynchronous)

EPSE 431 (3)
Programming for Children with Specific Learning Disabilities (Pre-req: EPSE 421)
Instructor: TBD
Delivery method: On-campus (Saturdays)

EPSE 469 (3)
Education for Students with Sensory Loss & Motor Impairments
Instructor: TBD
Delivery method: On-campus (Saturdays)

 

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

In addition to meeting UBC’s general admission requirements, admission to the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate/Diploma programs requires a bachelor’s degree, teacher’s certification, or permission of the Dean of Education. If you wish to enrol in individual courses but are not in a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate or Diploma program, you will require a minimum third-year standing.

How to Apply

Please complete and submit the Student Information Form to begin the application process. Once we have reviewed your student information form, if you meet the Certificate/Diploma requirements, we will send you the appropriate next steps to completing your UBC application.

For more information please contact postbac.education@ubc.ca.

Registration

Once your eligibility to register has been established, you will receive an email from Access Studies. Students may then register for each course online via the Student Services Centre (SSC).

Transfer Credit means academic credit earned at a post-secondary institution other than The University of British Columbia (Okanagan or Vancouver campuses) or through a program other than one offered by The University of British Columbia (Okanagan or Vancouver campuses) for which credit applicable towards the completion of a Course of Study is granted.

Courses permitted for advanced standing or transfer credit must be senior-level university coursework. Transfer courses require approval from the Specialization Program Coordinator and the Dean of Education.

If the courses have been completed prior to entering the Post-Baccalaureate Program, students will need a Letter of Permission (LOP) from the Okanagan School of Education and an official transcript from the originating institution.

Transfer courses must not have been used for credit toward other certificates, diplomas, or degrees.

If the coursework completed was required for a degree, diploma or certificate at another institution, it cannot be used as transfer credit for UBC Okanagan’s Post-Baccalaureate Program.

Maximum Credits

A maximum of 6 credits of coursework may be transferred toward the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate.

A maximum of 12 credits of coursework may be transferred toward the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma.

 

Double-Counting Credits

a. Credits earned in Courses of Instruction applicable towards a Diploma Program may also be applied towards a degree program with the approval of Senate, the Faculty or Faculties offering the degree program, or in the case of graduate programs, the College of Graduate Studies, and the Faculty, Faculties or College offering the Diploma Program. Normally, credits must be earned within five years of commencement of the degree program. A request to apply credits completed more than five years prior to the start of a degree program will be reviewed on a case by case basis by the Faculty or Faculties offering the degree program or in the case of graduate programs, the College of Graduate Studies. b. Credits that have been applied towards a completed Diploma Program may not be counted towards another Diploma Program.

Meet Your Peers and Profs

Find out what students, faculty, and alumni have to say about their time at UBC Okanagan.

Our Stories

Tian LI, UBC Alumna (MA in Education 2017)

The Art of Teaching Critical Thinking

Tian LI, UBC Alumna (MA in Education 2017)

The Art of Teaching Critical Thinking
Asst. prof. Scott Douglas

Scott Douglas, Professor

Breaking Language Barriers
Asst. prof. Scott Douglas

Scott Douglas, Professor

Breaking Language Barriers

Tuition & Fees

Tuition

Students will be assessed tuition and student fees at the prevailing undergraduate rate. Details are available via the Academic Calendar.

Opt-out Information

Students who are enrolled in at least one on-campus credited course are automatically assessed the mandatory U-PASS fee. Students who meet specific eligibility criteria may apply to opt-out of the U-PASS program.

See U-PASS opt-out information for details, including how to request an opt-out form.

All students are automatically enrolled in the UBCSUO Extended Health and Dental Plan. However, if you are covered by a similar plan through work or family (MSP does not count!), you may choose to opt out.

To opt-out of the UBC Health and Dental plan, students must submit an online application.
Note: Select “UBC Okanagan” in the search field on the home page. When redirected you the UBCO plan, navigate on the menu to the right under the ‘Coverage’ section where you fill find details about the opt-out. Please ensure that you have proof of your other coverage.

For more information please contact:

Student Services Coordinator, UBCSUO
Office: University Centre, Room 133
Phone: 250.807.8842
Fax: 250.807.8079
Email: health-dental@ubcsuo.ca

Grading & Extensions

On July 1, 2009 the UBC Okanagan School of Education instituted a Pass/Fail assessment in all courses and seminars in the following programs:

  • Bachelor of Education
  • All other undergraduate Education courses including those in the Summer and Professional Institutes (400 level and lower)
  • All post-baccalaureate certificate/diploma courses (400 level and lower)

Pass/Fail assessment will NOT apply to any UBC Okanagan Education graduate courses (500 level or higher).

We believe that achieving a passing mark in our courses is contingent on a high standard of performance within all learning experiences. Our standard for a pass within our post-baccalaureate programs is equivalent to at least a B+ (76%) in UBC’s standard marking system and our students often exceed the B+ minimum by achieving work that is comparable to A-, A or A+.

Pass/Fail grading is common in professional programs. In addition to it being used in Education programs (including UBC Vancouver), many faculties of Law, Medicine and Dentistry have also implemented Pass/Fail assessment as an alternative to letter grading systems.

When a student requires an extension to their program to achieve certificate/diploma completion, the following documentation is required by the Okanagan School of Education:

  • The Extension Request form, fully completed along with required signatures
  • A memorandum addressed to the Director of Professional Programs providing the rationale for requesting the extension,
  • A detailed work plan signed by the student outlining the following:
    • The number of credits completed,
    • Future course registration plan,
    • The anticipated program completion date

Request Form