PGCert in Professional Development Program

Admission Requirements: The Professional Development Program is a post-degree teacher education program leading to B.C. teacher certification, offered at Elementary (K-7) and Secondary (8-12) level; you pick a grade-level preference when you apply and may name a second preference if you meet both sets of requirements. All applicants need a completed bachelor's degree — you may apply with it in progress provided 90 units are finished when you apply, at least 30 of them non-EDUC and transferable to SFU, and the degree is complete by 31 August. You also need a GPA of at least 2.50 on the 4.33 scale over your most recent 60 units of undergraduate coursework, and two completed English courses worth at least 6 units including 3 units of literature. French Module applicants may substitute two French courses on the same terms (no mixing of French and English courses) and must submit proof of French competency; entering the French Module with French rather than English courses can rule out the BEd as a second degree. You must be admissible to SFU at undergraduate level and meet SFU's English language and Quantitative and Analytical Skills requirements — if you do not already, pass an acceptable college or university English or quantitative course at C- or better. Elementary applicants add four prerequisite courses: Canadian History, Canadian Geography, a laboratory Science, and Principles of Mathematics (SFU's MATH 190 or equivalent). Transcripts must show them complete or in progress by 8 February, and in-progress courses must be finished by 31 May. Secondary applicants must have completed one or two teachable subjects inside the bachelor's degree — 30 units in a single subject with 24 upper-division, or 30 units in each of two subjects with 15 upper-division in each. SFU accepts Art, English Literature, French Literature and Language, Mathematics, Music, Physical and Health Education, Science and Social Studies; Computer Science, Dance and Drama count only when paired with another teachable. All secondary coursework must be complete by 31 August. There is no minimum number of experience hours, but the program is competitive and SFU recommends demonstrable paid or volunteer work with children or youth at the level you want to teach, ideally observing or volunteering in a B.C. classroom. Applying means two separate applications for the Fall intake: the SFU undergraduate application on EducationPlannerBC (1 October to 31 January, 16:00 PT) and the PDP Broad-based Supplemental Application (1 October to 8 February, 16:00 PT; early submission 30 November), which asks for a resume, short essay answers and three recommenders — you cannot submit until all three recommendations arrive. Official transcripts from every post-secondary institution attended must reach SFU Undergraduate Admissions; SFU's admissions page gives 8 February and its step-by-step guide gives 31 January, so send them by the earlier date. International students may apply, and applicants holding recognised degrees from outside Canada can be considered. Once accepted, you must complete a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search through the BC Services Card app.