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Graduate Diploma in Advanced Professional Studies in Education (GDE)

The Graduate Diploma in Advanced Professional Studies in Education (GDE) programs are designed in collaboration with BC school districts for educators whose primary focus is school-based practice. The GDE provides educators with the opportunity to engage in focused, sustained, reflective inquiry into their practice within a 2-year cohort model.

Classes run in all terms of the academic year (Fall, Spring, Summer) during the 2-year program. There is a one-week Summer Institute in August and no classes in July.

Due to current Health and Safety protocols, the Spring 2021 term will be conducted online, through both synchronous and asynchronous methods. Courses will embody the program's core foundations of relationship building, inquiry and collaborative learning.

The Graduate Diploma in Education can also be used for TQS Category Advancement.

Students can apply to use credits from a completed GDE program towards a Master of Education in Educational Practice (additional one year program).

At a Glance



Benefits:		 Opportunity for TQS Upgrade
Classes held in hosting School District
Use units (credits) from GDE to apply for 1 year MEd EP
Format/Length: 2 years (6 terms)
Evening or weekend classes (mid-Sept through early-June) and 2 weeks in July or August
Units: 30
Admission Requirements: Undergraduate degree CGPA of 2.5, British Columbia Teaching Certificate
Tuition 2020/21*: $320.28/unit
(Students register for 5 units per term)

*Subject to estimated 2% fee increase each September.

Our Programs Offer

  • Extended professional development focusing on inquiry and professional questions of interest
  • Themed exploration of current theories and principles within content-specific and interdisciplinary learning
  • Combination of coursework and field studies throughout the program
  • A collaborative learning community (cohort) of 20-30 teacher learners
  • Ongoing support of a mentor and mentor group of 6-9 teacher learners
  • Optional opportunity to apply diploma credits to a Master of Education in Educational Practice (Note: acceptance into the MEd EP is not guaranteed)

TQS Upgrade Opportunity

Completion of the 2-yr (6-term) 30-credit diploma allows teachers to:

  • upgrade from TQS category 4 to TQS category 5 or
  • from TQS 5 to TQS 5+ or
  • from TQS 6 to TQS 6+ (in districts with that category)

Applicants should possess both an undergraduate degree and a valid British Columbia teaching certificate.  Those without an undergraduate degree should review the requirements for professional upgrading before considering this program. (Credits from other programs or institutions are not transferrable into this program.)

Tuition Fee Credits for School Associates

Teachers who are supervising SFU student teachers may use their Tuition Fee Credits (TFCs) to offset the cost of a Graduate Diploma in Education program.  For more information, please see the Tuition Fee Credits webpage.

For inquiries, please contact:

For admissions/course registration, contact Siân Owen (aps_gde_admin@sfu.ca; 778-782-4892).

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