Undergraduate Certificate in Education Studies
The Undergraduate Certificate in Education Studies introduces students to the field of education and to how people learn in different settings. It is a good fit for students who are thinking about teaching as a future career, as well as those who enjoy helping others learn and understand new ideas.
Through this certificate, students learn how to explain ideas clearly, support learning, and communicate knowledge in ways that are inclusive and accessible.
Please note that this certificate does not lead to teacher certification to teach in public K-12 schools in British Columbia. In B.C., a Bachelor of Education is required to teach in public K-12 schools.
How can Education courses be used?
Prepare for a range of education-related careers
These courses give students a strong introduction to education and learning. They can be helpful for students who are considering the teaching profession.
The courses are also useful beyond classroom teaching. Students may be interested in careers in areas such as curriculum or resource development, educational technology, research, community programs, or working with children and youth in different settings.
Designing and facilitating learning experiences
Students learn how to create, develop, and facilitate effective learning experiences using evidence-based approaches. These skills support the design of training sessions, educational resources, workshops, and learning materials in many professional contexts
Working with diverse learners and communities
Courses can help students understand how people learn differently. Students gain insight into supporting learners of different ages, abilities, languages, and backgrounds. These are important skills for those interested in careers in education, health or social services.
Building strong communication and leadership skills
Education courses strengthen skills in clear communication, observation, assessment, problem solving, and reflection. These skills support leadership roles and people-focused careers, including team leadership, program coordination, outreach, and educational leadership.
Career Development and Opportunities
These examples show how the knowledge and skills developed through education courses can be applied in different learning, workplace, and community settings.
Workplace training and staff development
Examples: Training coordinator, onboarding specialist, safety trainer
Students learn how to explain information clearly, plan learning activities, and support adult learners. This is useful for creating training sessions, leading workshops, or helping new employees learn workplace procedures.
Health education, patient education, and workplace training
Examples: Health educator, patient education coordinator, research assistant, clinical or laboratory support roles
Students learn how to translate complex information into clear, accessible language, develop training or patient-education materials, and support learning in clinical, laboratory, or workplace settings. These skills are particularly valuable in roles that involve educating patients and families, training new staff, supporting professional development, or promoting safe and effective practices, such as in health-care teams, research environments, or community health programs.
Community and youth programs
Examples: Youth program coordinator, community educator, recreation leader, coaching, camp counselor
Students learn how to work with diverse groups, support learning outside of a classroom, and create programs that are engaging and inclusive. These skills are useful in community centres, non-profit organizations, and after-school programs.
Communication, outreach, and public engagement
Examples: Outreach coordinator, public education officer, museum or science centre educator
Students learn how to share information in ways that are easy to understand. This is helpful for roles that involve teaching the public, running workshops, or creating educational materials.
Business, leadership, and people-focused roles
Examples: Team lead, human resources assistant, project coordinator
Understanding how people learn helps students support teams, lead training, mentor others, and communicate expectations clearly in professional settings.
Certificate Courses
The Undergraduate Certificate consists of four three-credit courses (12 credits) and is awarded after successful completion of EDUC 100, EDUC 300, EDUC 400, and one elective from the list below.
Students will examine basic and fundamental questions about educational policy and practice by critically examining a variety of controversial issues including, but not limited to, issues of equality, community, and individual rights and freedoms.
An introduction to the distinctive manner in which core concepts and methods of scholarly inquiry are applied to education as a field of inquiry. Through a variety of hands-on learning activities, readings, seminars, discussions, and personal reflection students will explore the processes and products of inquiry.
Leverage evidence based principles, approaches, methods, and strategies to design and facilitate effective learning experiences.
Not all courses are offered every year. Students should login to Workday to find course schedule information, and look for upcoming course offerings by searching for ECED_O, LLED_O, EPSE_O or EDST_O.
Students can also review upcoming courses on the Certificates and Diplomas Student Resource page.
- ECED 405 Foundations of Early Childhood Education
- ECED 416 Kindergarten Curriculum
- ECED 420 History of Early Childhood Education
- ECED 421 Supporting Young Children through Home, School, and Community Relationships
- ECED 438 Observation and Recording
- ECED 440 Play and Early Childhood Education
- ECED 441 Language Nests in Early Learning
- ECED 443 Theories of Early Learning
- ECED 444 Early Numeracy
- ECED 445 Poverty, Child Development, and Early Learning
- ECED 463 Early Language and Literacy Development
- ECED 480 Special Topics in Early Childhood Education
- EPSE 406 Typical and Atypical Development in Infants and Children
- EPSE 407 Developmental Disabilities
- 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
- EPSE 437 Interventions for Children and Adolescents with Behaviour Disorders
- EPSE 464 Literacy for Diverse Learners in the Elementary Grades
- EPSE 465 Literacy for Diverse Learners in Middle and Secondary Grades
- EPSE 466 Numeracy for Diverse Learners
- EPSE 467 Social and Emotional Development of Diverse Learners
- EPSE 468 Creating Positive Learning Environments for Inclusive Education
- EPSE 469 Education for Students with Sensory Loss or Motor Impairments
- EPSE 470 Selected Topics in Inclusive Education
- EPSE 471 Applied Project in Inclusive Education
- EPSE 472 Issues in Inclusive Education
- LLED 441 Introduction to Teaching Children’s Literature
- LLED 449 Teaching Adolescents’ Literature
- LLED 450 Teaching and Learning Language and Literacy: Kindergarten and Primary Grades
- LLED 451 Teaching and Learning Language and Literacy: Intermediate and Middle Grades
- LLED 452 Literacy in the Content Areas: Intermediate and Secondary
- LLED 460 Theoretical Foundations and Research in English Language Arts Education
- LLED 461 Assessment of Literacy and Learning
- LLED 463 Early Language and Literacy Development
- LLED 464 Literacy for Diverse Learners in the Elementary Grades
- LLED 465 Literacy for Diverse Learners in Middle and Secondary Grades
- LLED 466 ESL and Literacy Education
- LLED 467 Drama in English Language Arts Education
- LLED 468 Language, Literacy, and Numeracy
- LLED 481 Digital Media in English Language Arts Education
- LLED 490 Special Topics in Language and Literacy Education
- LLED 494 Introduction to Additional Language Teaching and Learning
- LLED 495 Curriculum and Materials Design in Additional Language Teaching and Learning
- LLED 496 Theory and Practice in Additional Language Teaching and Learning
- LLED 497 Practicum in Additional Language Teaching and Learning
- EDST 497 Contemporary Educational Issues
- EDST 498 Contemporary Educational Practice
- EDST 499 Studies in Educational Leadership
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Certificate program requires enrollment in an undergraduate degree program at UBC Okanagan in one of the following faculties:
- Arts and Social Sciences
- Creative and Critical Studies
- Health and Social Development
- Management
- Science
Students should consult with their home Faculty and/or Department prior to completing the certificate requirements to confirm their eligibility for the certificate program and the impact of completing the certificate on their degree progression.
Students enrolled in UBC degree programs other than those offered by the Faculties listed are not eligible to complete this Undergraduate Certificate, but may complete the required courses as electives if permitted by their degree program.
Enrol in the Certificate
Students can enrol any time and start their studies in the term following their acceptance into the program. Winter Term 1 and Winter Term 2 generally start in September and January, respectively. Summer Term 1 and Summer Term 2 generally start in May and July, respectively.
Registration & Course Selection
Students can view upcoming courses and register through Workday Student.
Note: Some courses may require prequisites and a minimum of third-year standing.
Certificate of completion
Upon successful completion of all required courses, please apply for your Certificate by filling out the Certificate of Completion Request Form.
Contact Us
For more information please contact education.ubco@ubc.ca
MORE INFORMATION
Visit the UBC Okanagan Academic Calendar* for full admission and program requirements; the calendar is a comprehensive guide to all programs, courses, services and academic policies at the University of British Columbia.
* In case of a discrepancy between this webpage and the UBC Calendar, the UBC Calendar entry will be held to be correct.