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Professional Diplomas

Welcome to Professional Diplomas in Education

For teachers and non-classroom specific educators seeking meaningful professional growth, our graduate and post-baccalaureate diploma programs offer opportunities to upgrade, specialize and advance your educational practice. These programs are designed with the working professional educator in mind. Here, you’ll find diverse areas of study that align your unique interests and values, improve your practice through reflective inquiry and build professional connections in a welcoming and inclusive community.

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Grow as an educator or professional

Advance your education and your career with our graduate diplomas and post-baccalaureate diplomas. Choose the theme that interests you most and explore what’s possible.

Graduate DiplomaS in Education (GDE) 

Graduate Diploma 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. Students can apply to use credits from a completed GDE program towards a Master of Education in Educational Practice (additional one year program). The GDE can also be used for TQS Category Advancement. 

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Post Baccalaureate Diplomas (PBD)

If you are a teacher looking to upgrade your skills or specialize, our post baccalaureate diplomas (PBD) are a great option. Designed to accommodate busy schedules, you can begin your PBD coursework in any semester. It is not always possible to complete a PBD in two or three semesters (based on course availability), so you will be given five years to complete a PBD at SFU.

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Graduate Diplomas in Education

INCLUSION, INTERACTION, AND CONNECTION IN THE FRENCH CLASSROOM

Within a cohort of like-minded educators, this GDE allows for the exploration of inclusive and pluralistic pedagogies in the French classroom, identity, culture and community in the language learning setting, building interaction and connection into classroom practice, and weaving Indigenous and holistic pedagogies and perspectives into the French classroom.

Designed for

This Graduate Diploma in Advanced Professional Studies in Education (GDE) program is for K - 12 French educators who are interested in exploring inclusive strategies to help students interact and create positive connections in the context of a diverse language learning setting.

Program Structure

Two-year, 30 unit program with a cohort model with online learning, (Wednesday, 4:30-8:30) per semester. No classes in July, during the winter break or ministry-designated spring break.

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LIVING INQUIRIES: ENGAGING WITH REGGIO-INSPIRED AND LOCAL PEDAGOGIES

Within a cohort of like-minded educators, this GDE allows for the exploration of responsive, inquiry-based learning, reggio Emilia values and principles, making learning visible and communicating learning through pedagogical narration, co-construction of curriculum with children and families and fostering creativity, curiosity, experiential and participatory learning.

Designed for

Educators who take this Graduate Diploma in Education (GDE) will engage in a living inquiry directly related to enhancing their practice, deepening their understanding of inquiry-based learning, fostering learner’s curiosity and creativity, and developing their knowledge of Reggio-inspired and local pedagogies, holistic learning, Indigenous approaches to teaching and learning, and pedagogical narration.

Program Structure

Two-year, 30 unit program with cohort model, in-person learning, (Tuesday 4:30-8:30) per semester. No classes in July, during the winter break or ministry-designated spring break.

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SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING: RESILIENCY AND FLOURISHING THROUGH TRAUMA-SENSITIVE PRACTICES

Within a cohort of like-minded educators, this GDE allows for the exploration of contemplative practices, reflexive, and reflective inquiry, theories and practice of care of the self, self-regulation and social-emotional well-being, and care of the other, collaborative and caring learning communities, personal and social responsibility and trauma-sensitive pedagogical practices of resilience and flourishing.

Designed for

This Graduate Diploma in Education (GDE) is for educators interested in deepening their understanding of the contemplative, reflexive, and reflective basis to social-emotional well-being, resiliency, flourishing and trauma-sensitive pedagogy.

Program Structure

Two-year, 30 unit program with cohort model, blended learning, (Tuesday 4:30-8:30) per semester. No classes in July, during the winter break or ministry-designated spring break.

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FOSTERING BELONGING: SUPPORTING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN EDUCATION

Within a cohort of like-minded educators, this GDE allows for the exploration of theories, principles, and frameworks of inclusive education (including diversity, trauma sensitive, and culturally responsive pedagogies), engaging with Indigenous and holistic approaches to teaching and learning, designing responsive classroom practices, creating inclusive, safe and caring environments, which includes understanding socio-cultural perspectives on identity and learning, designing quality educational plans for all students with universally diverse individualized learning characteristics, and building and sustaining collaborative learning communities.

Designed for

This Graduate Diploma in Advanced Professional Studies in Education (GDE) is designed for educators interested in deepening their understanding of diversity, inclusion and belonging in educational settings.

Program Structure

Two-year, 30 unit program with cohort model, blended learning, (Tuesday 4:30-8:30) per semester. No classes in July, during the winter break or ministry-designated spring break.

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EXPLORING MONTESSORI-INSPIRED EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENTS

Within a cohort of like-minded educators, this GDE allows for the exploration of intentional design of instructional space and materials, nurturing the unique gifts of each learner, social-Emotional development and holistic well-being, cultivating an environment of joy and engagement, independent work and Individualization, cooperative learning and peer teaching and experiential learning and exploration of materials.

Designed for

This Graduate Diploma in Advanced Professional Studies in Education (GDE) is designed for educators interested in inquiring into Montessori-inspired early learning educational environments, which support and nurture the unfolding of learner’s gifts and potentials.

Program Structure

Two-year, 30 unit program, with blended online and in-person learning every Wednesday (4:30-8:30). No classes in July, during the winter break or ministry-designated spring break.

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Teaching for Equity and Social Justice (Maple Ridge, Blended)

Within a cohort of like-minded educators this GDE allows for the exploration of identity, belonging, diversity and inclusion, the systemic nature of oppression, and equity issues in education while engaging in a professional learning community focused on sustained reflective inquiry into school-based practice.

Designed for

Educators interested in deepening their pedagogical understanding of social justice, equity, identity and belonging.

Program Structure

Two-year, 30-unit program that combines online and in-person learning every Monday (late afternoon/early evening) with field studies. No classes in July, during the winter break or ministry-designated spring break.

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Indigenous Education: Wholistic Teachings and Transformative Pedagogies

Within a cohort of like-minded educators this GDE allows for the exploration of Indigenous worldviews and perspectives in education, Indigenous and wholisitic approaches to learning, teaching and well-being, and community-centred dialogue and leadership while engaging in a professional learning community focused on sustained reflective inquiry into school-based practice.

Designed For

Educators who are interested in developing their pedagogical practice while engaging in sustained reflective inquiry, all within the context of wholistic teachings and transformative pedagogies within Indigenous education. 

Program Structure

Two-year, 30-unit program that combines in-person learning once a week (late afternoon/early evening) with field studies. No classes in July, during the winter break or ministry-designated spring break.

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Post Baccalaureate Diplomas (PBD)

Counselling and human development

This program provides a focused introduction to the core knowledge bases involved in counseling for students employed or seeking employment in a human services or health care profession.  

Designed for

Individuals who are seeking or employed in a human services or health care profession

Program Structure

Students take a total of 30 units of upper division coursework – five core courses and a choice of electives from Education and other related fields.

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Early learning

Develop the skills and knowledge needed to inspire young learners.

Designed for

Those interested in working with children aged three through eight.  

Program Structure

Students take a total of 30 units of upper division coursework – four core courses and a choice of Education electives.

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Environmental education

Explore environmental issues using a multidisciplinary approach and historical and contemporary issues in human-environment interaction that are related to diverse curricula.  

Designed for

Practicing teachers who want to assist students to develop a greater awareness and understanding of the broadly defined environment

Program Structure

Students take 30 units of upper division coursework from Education and related fields.

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Education (general)

Design and pursue a program of individualized study within the broad field of education.

Designed for

Practicing teachers seeking to upgrade their Teacher Qualification Service (TQS) category

Note: Students wishing to use the post baccalaureate diploma to raise their teacher qualifications should speak with the Teacher Qualification Service or their school district regarding acceptable courses.

Program Structure

Students take 30 units of upper division coursework 15 of which must come from Education courses.

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French and Education

This program explores pedagogy of French as a second language and includes courses that enhance previous language competence, or knowledge of French literature or linguistics. The Department of French and the Faculty of Education jointly offer this program comprising a set of courses for practising or future French teachers.

Designed for

Practising or future French teachers

Program Structure

For students who hold a Bachelor's or advanced degree this program allows the opportunity to design and pursue a program of individualized study, which includes 30 upper division units (300-400 level coursework). A minimum of 15 units must be Education coursework. 

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Special Education

This program offers educators and healthcare professionals who work with children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to consolidate course work in the area of lifespan development and special education.

Designed for

Educators and health care professionals who work with children and adults with disabilities

Program Structure

For students who hold a Bachelor's or advanced degree this program allows the opportunity to design and pursue a program of individualized study, which includes 30 upper division units (300-400 level coursework). A minimum of 15 units must be Education coursework. 

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Where to start? and where to go?

Use our interactive guide to explore programs that fit your interests and goals.

Go to Program Explorer

Academic and Professional Pathways

For teachers with all levels of experience, professional diplomas at SFU offers an opportunity to grow personally and professionally as you advance your school-based teaching practice.

CONTACT US

Questions? We’re here to help guide your journey with the Faculty of Education.

For general inquiries, contact the Professional Diplomas office.

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