Diploma Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take just one or two courses or do I have to be enrolled formally in a program?

You may take courses offered within the program as an Unclassified student. However, you must have all of the pre-requisites the courses require.  Check the UBC Calendar for specific admission information.

If I take courses as an unclassified student and later want to enroll in the certificate/diploma are these courses applicable?

Yes, the courses will count toward a certificate/diploma provided the credits have not been applied to another degree/diploma and the 5 year time limit has not been exceeded.

Can I take the entire certificate/diploma by correspondence?

Yes.At the present time the five courses for the certificate are planned to be available for the current students as the courses are needed.  This means that anyone enrolling at this time will have the first 5 courses available by correspondence. Other course selections will be available shortly.  Also, courses are available from a number of other institutions that can be transferred into the diploma.

Must I take the 5 core courses required or can I substitute other ones?

The 5 core courses must be taken as outlined.  No substitutions are made.

Do I have to make a formal application for a Certificate or can I do it all by collecting the 5 core courses as an unclassified student?

You can work your way through the 5 core courses as an unclassified student and then request the Certificate.  You are encouraged to fill out the Certificate Notification form so you can be placed on our e-mail list.  This will allow us to keep you informed of any new courses being introduced and/or activities within the field that we feel might be of interest. There is no obligation attached to the Certificate Notification form (it is not required in order to obtain the Certificate).  

After completing my certificate I would like to continue to work toward a Diploma. Is this possible?

 Yes, you may apply the 5 courses necessary for the Certificate toward the Diploma.  You will need to formally apply for the Diploma. Applications are available at http://teach.educ.ubc.ca The 5 year time limit starts with the first course for the certificate.

Can I still get a Certificate and then get a Diploma?

Yes, you can obtain the Certificate and then continue on toward the Diploma.

How do I transfer courses into the diploma?

If you are planning to take a course at another institution then contact the Diploma Advisor before you register.  A Letter of Permission will be issued allowing the credits to move from one institution to your transcript here at UBC.  It also ensures that the course you are taking will count toward the diploma.

What about courses I took at UBC as an unclassified student, do I need to have them transferred?

Any certificate/diploma core course taken as an unclassified student would not be moved.  It would just be counted toward the certificate/diploma.

As a Diploma student how do I decide on appropriate electives?  How do they get approved?

The intent of electives is to allow you to tailor this Diploma to your own particular needs. A number of suggested electives can be obtained from the Diploma Advisor.  However, you are encouraged to look at the wide variety of courses offered by other departments and universities.  Once you have some ideas check with the Diploma Advisor to get approval in writing for your selections.  You may get approval for one course at a time or for the entire block of 5 electives.  Just remember that you are responsible for any pre-requisites for those courses and at least one of them must be from UBC. 

What is the Summer Institute?  Does it count toward the certificate/diploma?

The Summer Institute is a two-week intensive course offered by the Department of Educational & Counseling Psychology & Special Education.  It covers a topic of current interest to the field and usually is taught by a guest expert in that particular field.  It is scheduled during the month of July.  It is a 3 credit course and will count toward the Diploma.  It does not count toward the Certificate since that requires the 5 core courses (with no substitutions).

Once I have completed the 5 core courses how do I receivemy Certificate?

You need to contact the Office of External Programs (OEP).  The Certificate is issued from that office.

How do I graduate with my Diploma?

Graduation is NOT automatic.  You will need to contact Student Services to indicate you have completed all of the requirements for the Diploma. You may apply any time within the 12-month period by which you will have completed all of the requirements. Applications for May are no later than February 1 and no later than August 15 for November. Procedures are given at  http://students.ubc.ca/publications/

How much will this cost?

The University sets the fee schedule for all courses.  You can calculate costs by checking at  http://www.students.ubc.ca

If I took a course as an Audit can it be changed later to get credit?

No. The University regulations allow that kind of a change only within the first couple of weeks of the course.