The Faculty of Education offers a diploma program with several fields of specialization within educational theory and practice. The program provides structured sequences of academic and professional studies for teachers and other educators working in educational or instructional settings including the numerous locations where, children, youth, or adults learn. Elementary teachers holding four-year degrees may take the program as a fifth year either to enhance their existing area of professional specialty or to develop a further specialization. For teachers who have already completed five years of recognized academic and professional studies, the program provides an opportunity to develop an additional area of professional competence. Most programs, if desired, can be planned to incorporate prerequisites for admission to a master's program. The Diploma in Education indicating the field of specialization will be awarded on successful completion of an approved program of study.
For more information, please see the UBC Diploma in Education.
Admission
Except for designated specializations, admission to the Diploma in Education normally requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Certain fields of specialization are open only to qualified and experienced teachers, and some have specific course prerequisites. Detailed information is available at the Teacher Education Office and from the relevant departmental office.
Academic Regulations
See B.Ed. Academic Regulations.
Diploma Requirements
Except for designated specializations, the diploma normally requires the completion of 30 credits of courses numbered 300 or above, with an average of 65% or higher. In most specializations, 12-18 credits of coursework are designated as core requirements, while 12-18 credits may be selected from approved supporting or related courses. A maximum of 18 credits of appropriate courses completed at UBC previously and not credited toward the requirements of any other degree, diploma, or teacher certification program may be applied to a diploma program.
Except for designated specializations, in order to qualify for the Diploma in Education, a student must normally complete all requirements for the selected specialization within five years. International applicants should be aware of Citizenship and Immigration Canada study permit requirements. Completion of a diploma program does not satisfy any of the requirements for a BC teaching certificate.
Residence Requirements and Transfer of Credit
In general there are no residence requirements for the Diploma in Education. In most specialization fields a diploma program may be completed on either a full-time basis over one academic year or on a part-time basis, either on or off campus. However, in certain designated fields the program may be completed only by full-time study during a regular Winter Session. A maximum of 12 credits of approved credit may be transferred from other institutions toward the requirements of the Diploma in Education.
Fields of Specialization
Fields of specialization include adult education, art education, business education, computing studies education, curriculum and pedagogy, early years education, teaching English as a second language, guidance studies, health education, health and wellness, home economics education, infant development and supported child development, language and literacy education, mathematics education, mathematics and science education, outdoor environmental education, physical education, secondary education, science education, social studies, special education, teacher librarianship, technology studies education, and visual and performing arts in education.
Professional Development for Dadaab Secondary School Educators
A two-year Secondary Teacher Education Diploma program is being offered by Moi University. The Faculty of Education at UBC is contributing professional courses to this program in Dadaab, Kenya. Successful participants will receive a diploma conferred by Moi University. While students will be enrolled through Moi University, they will be visiting students to UBC. Moi University and UBC faculty members will participate in shared program delivery and assessment, while Moi University will provide local academic and cultural knowledge.