Post-Degree Diploma in Physical Education

The Post-Degree Diploma in Physical Education is designed to give teachers who currently do not have a specialty in physical education the knowledge, skills, and practice necessary to become confident physical education leaders in their classroom and their wider school community. The program delivers a progressive blend of cutting-edge theory and practical skills, giving teachers the tools they need to make a huge impact in the lives and health of students.

Working closely with an Advisory Board composed of top physical education experts, Douglas College has designed this diploma program to fit the needs and schedules of working teachers. The two-year part-time program builds on teachers' skill sets, with a broad range of courses that maximize practical applications of current PE theory and pedagogy. It comprises 30 credits of fifth- and sixth-year courses that are compatible with the Ministry of Education PE curriculum. Classes will be conducted one evening a week during the school year with some online work.

Educational themes that will guide the teaching and learning throughout the Diploma courses are:

• Risk management and safety
• Authentic inclusion:
  • Developmental
  • Gender
  • Cultural
  • Special needs
• Authentic assessment
• Critical thinking and problem solving
• Personal and social responsibility
• Fun with a purpose

Department Website

For an overview of this program, including faculty listings and frequently asked questions plus other resources, visit the departmental website.

Career/Further Educational Opportunities

If you are a Category 4 teacher, British Columbia Teacher's Qualification Service (TQS) accepts the Post-degree Diploma in Physical Education as an "integrated" program which makes graduates of the Diploma eligible for a pay scale upgrade from category 4 to 5. If you are a category 5 teacher, British Columbia Teacher's Qualification Service (TQS) accepts the Post-degree Diploma in Physical Education as an "integrated" program which makes graduates of the Diploma eligible for a pay scale upgrade from category 5 to 5+.

NOTE: Some districts require pre-approval of a Post-Degree Diploma Plan before starting your program. Check with your Human Resource department as to whether or not this applies in your district.

Intake Dates

Fall 2010 – Secondary/Middle priority cohort

Fall 2011 – Elementary/Middle priority cohort

Application Deadline

Applications are accepted one year prior to the start date of the program.

EARLY ADMISSION
Although application and document deadlines may be identified for this program, we encourage all applicants to apply early and to submit all supporting documentation as early as possible. Up to 50% of total seats may be allocated prior to the application deadline.

Admission Requirements

To enroll in the Post-Degree Diploma in Physical Education, candidates must meet one or more of the following prerequisite conditions:

1. Hold a Professional Teaching Certificate in British Columbia (see note 1), or
2. Have completed an undergraduate degree in an education-related field with practicum experience (see notes 2 and 4), or
3. Have completed an undergraduate degree and have documented experience working with children in educational or recreational settings (see notes 3 and 4).

 

and,

2. Submit a letter of intent that outlines (1) long and short-term career goals, (2) years of teaching experience, (3) your education background and why you’d like to upgrade your physical education curriculum and pedagogy and (4) a description of current and short-term future teaching contexts that demonstrates your access to teaching students in a physical education or activity settings.

Preferential Admissions Procedure

Upon meeting condition 1, candidates' letters of intent will be scored and used for ranking purposes. Candidates who score highly on their letters of intent may be offered seats in the program prior to the admissions deadline.

Candidate's rankings are based on the following:

1. Alignment of educational background teaching experience and program goals.
2. Alignment of career goals and program goals.
   1. 2010 intake – the cohort is focused on secondary & middle school teachers.
   2. 2011 intake – the cohort is focused on elementary & middle school teacher.
3. Access to physical education teaching contexts for the duration of the program.
4. Years of teaching experience (candidates must have 3 years full time to achieve full points).
5. When there is a tie in applicant rankings, the initial application date will break the tie. Where there is also a tie in application date, the registrar's decision will be binding.

Note: When offered a seat in the program, applicants must pay a $175 non-refundable, non-transferable tuition deposit to secure their seat.

Notes

1. Copy of teaching certificate and/or transcript should be submitted at time of application.
2. Examples of educational or recreational settings include, but are not limited to; daycares, community centres, summer camps, teen centres, group tutoring, teaching music or art lessons, etc.
3. Two letters of reference are required for option C. Letters should be submitted at the time of application and should speak to the candidate's (1) experience planning lessons or activities for children or teens, (2) experience implementing lessons and activities for children or teens, and (3) leadership traits demonstrated while working in an educational or recreational setting.
4. Individuals who DO NOT hold a current teaching certificate must undergo a Criminal Record Search (CRS) - This program requires students to train in an environment that demands individuals provide proof of a satisfactorily completed, current CRS for the protection of students. To meet this requirement, prospective students must submit to a current CRS as a condition of entry to the program. Any CRS forms returned with a notation of a record will be reviewed by the Registrar to determine if there is any relevance to the program. In these cases, final determination of admission rests with the Registrar. All costs related to the completion of this search are the responsibility of the individual student.

Program Duration

The program is completed in under two calendar years by taking one evening course a semester, one on-line course a year, and completing one two-week summer institute in the first two weeks of July each year. Students who complete all courses in sequence will graduate after the summer institute of their second year.

Credential offered

Students successfully completing the 30 credit program are eligible for a Post-Degree Diploma in Physical Education.

Program Content

Fall Year 1	SPSC 5398 (3 credits)	Learning Movement through Dance
Fall/Winter Year 1 Online	SPSC 5491 (3 credits)	Nutrition for School-Aged Children
Winter Year 1	SPSC 5494 (3 credits)	Planning, Assessing, and Evaluating Physical Education
Spring Year 1	SPSC 5391 (3 credits)	Teaching Health-Related Fitness to Children
Summer Institute Year 1	SPSC 5396 (3 credits)	Alternative Environment Physical Education
Fall Year 2	SPSC 5493 (3 credits)	Motor Development During Childhood and Adolescence
Fall/Winter Year 2 Online	SPSC 5495 (3 credits)	Applied Studies in Physical Education
Winter Year 2	SPSC 5395 (3 credits)	Learning Movement through Games
Spring Year 2	SPSC 5492 (3 credits)	School-Based Leadership
Summer Institute Year 2	SPSC 5397 (3 credits)	Teaching Developmental Gymnastics