Certificate & Diploma Student Resources

LLED_O 495 (3): curriculum and materials design in additional language teaching and learing

Instructor: Scott Douglas
Course Description: Grounded in English and additional language teaching and learning across age and proficiency levels, sociocultural considerations are taken into account while exploring curriculum, lessons, materials, technology, interaction, and classrooms. Professional development and social justice are examined, with an emphasis on language teachers as scholar-practitioners.
Delivery method: online (asynchronous)

Eced_O 421 (3): supporting young children through home, school, and community relationships

Instructor: Stephen Berg
Course Description: Examine the issues and opportunities around supporting young children through the development of effective cooperation between home, school, and community.
Delivery method: online (asynchronous)

EPSE_O 431 (3): programming for children with specific learning disabilities

Instructor: TBA
Course Description: Current research and best practices in program development and planning interventions for children with learning disabilities.
Delivery method: online (asynchronous)

Please check out our July course offerings via our Summer Institute in Education website.

LLED_O 497 (3): Practicum in Additional Language Teaching and Learning

Instructor: Amber Lavoie
Course Description: Professional development as an additional language educator through a supervised 20- hour practicum including guided lesson observations (10 hours) and focused teaching practice (10 hours). Concurrent seminars develop skills in lesson planning, instructional strategies, reflective practice, classroom leadership, interculturality, and community building.
Delivery method: in-person
Dates (Thursdays): Sept. 10 & 24, Oct. 8 & 22, Nov. 5 & 19
Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm

EDUC_O 462-D (3): Sustainability & Gardening

Instructor: Sumer Seiki
Course Description: Explore the foundations of sustainable land care in this hands-on course. Through gardening, ecological restoration activities, and engaging readings and videos, students will develop practical skills and connect environmental theory to real-world action.
Delivery method: in-person
Dates (Fridays): Sept. 11 to Dec. 4, 2026
Time: 12:00pm to 3:00pm
Location: EME 1123

EPSE_O 406 (3): typical and Atypical development in infants and children

Instructor: TBA
Course Description: A review of typical development, and primary focus on issues of atypical development in infants and young children, including fetal alcohol syndrome, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, and vision or hearing impairments.
Delivery method: online (asynchronous)
Dates: Sept. 8 to Dec. 12, 2026

Eced_O 440 (3): Play and Early childhood education

Instructor: Stephen Berg
Course Description: Examines the key issues, practices, philosophies, and research findings that explore childhood play as it is integrated into formal learning.
Delivery method: online (asynchronous)
Dates: Sept. 8 to Dec. 12, 2026

LLED_O 494 (3): introduction to additional language teaching and Learning

Instructor: Amber Lavoie
Course Description: Language teaching methods, instructional skills in English, and motivational design are examined. Sociocultural factors and language acquisition are explored with a focus on teaching and assessing listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary.
Delivery method: online (asynchronous)
Dates: Jan. 5 to Apr. 12, 2027

Eced_O 401 (3): supporting young children’s health and well-being in early learning

Instructor: Stephen Berg
Course Description: This course explores innovative practices and theories in early childhood education, emphasizing children’s health, nutrition, and safety. Students examine wellness as a foundation for learning, effective teaching strategies, and the importance of family and community partnerships.
Delivery method: online (asynchronous)
Dates: Jan. 5 to Apr. 12, 2027

EPSE_O 470-A (3): Augmentative and alternative communication for learning environments

Instructor: TBA
Course Description:  This course examines Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) as a critical element of inclusive practice across education, disability support, health, and community contexts. Students will explore contemporary AAC theory, evidence-based practice, and ethical considerations, with attention to disability justice, accessibility, and the social model of disability. The course emphasizes critical evaluation of AAC research, systemic barriers to communication access, and applied design of individualized, culturally responsive AAC supports.
Delivery method: online (asynchronous/synchronous)
Dates: Jan. 5 to Apr. 12, 2027
Synchronous Sessions (Saturdays): January 9, February 6, and March 6
Time: 9am-12pm 

UBC Okanagan uses Canvas to provide course content to students. Please see the Canvas Student Guide for additional information.

You login into Canvas with your Campus Wide Login (CWL): https://canvas.ubc.ca/

Your instructor may have you use Canvas to do any of the following:

• Read course content
• Attend online lectures
• Submit assignments
• Participate in discussion boards
• Collaborate in groups
• Take assessments
• View your grades

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.

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

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

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.

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