FAQ’s

The BC Provincial Instructor Diploma will give you the knowledge and skills you need to instruct within a variety of adult learning environments. The BC Provincial Instructor Diploma is a requirement of employment at many colleges and institutes in British Columbia.

In the 1970′s the Government of British Columbia developed the BC Provincial Instructor Diploma Program to train instructors for the many new community colleges that were being built around the province. For many years, students in the program were mostly from public colleges and institutes. Gradually, the program has attracted students from a wide variety of backgrounds.A typical class today includes instructors from public colleges, private training institutions, trainers or supervisors in business, industry or government, and those who are not presently working as instructors, but who are planning a career change.

Entrance requirements include the following:

1. A non-refundable $30 application fee (a $30 reactivation fee will be incurred for dormant accounts of 12 months).
2. Photocopies of certificates, diplomas or relevant documents, which indicate the training you have received in your speciality. If your training has been work related, a current resume is acceptable.
3. A one page letter of introduction outlining education background and your motivation in taking our program.
4. Grade 11 English, Grade 12 Communication or equivalent.

Yes. Individuals not currently employed as instructors may take all the courses in the program. In order to complete the Capstone Project, however, you must complete the practical teaching component.

Courses are offered in a variety of formats:

• Weekends (Friday evenings (6 – 9pm) and Saturday and Sunday (9am – 4pm) for two non-consecutive weekends per course)
• Evening courses (twice a week (5:30 – 8:30pm) for five weeks per course at VCC)
• Full-time intensive (One week per course Monday to Friday (9am – 4pm) at VCC)
• Online (8 weeks)

Courses are generally offered at local community colleges. For times and locations of the courses nearest you, please check our current Course Schedule.

Yes, you can take the PIDP courses in any order.* That being said, based on student feedback we recommend that:

1. Your first two (2) courses be either PIDP 3220: Delivery of Instruction or PIDP 3100: Foundations of Adult Education, and
2. You take PIDP 3210: Curriculum Development prior to PIDP 3230: Evaluation of Learning.

The BC Provincial Instructor Diploma is managed by Vancouver Community College and offered at locations throughout British Columbia, Alberta and online. Courses are generally offered at local community colleges. For times and locations of the courses nearest you, please refer to our current Course Schedules.

If your institution or agency has 18 or more people who are interested in the program, you may consider in-house training. Courses can be tailored for your organization and presented on-site to meet your specific training needs. Please contact our office for any further inquiries you may have.

Yes. Please refer to the Policies and Procedures.

Approximately 30 hours of homework are required in each course (including reading, homework and course assignments).

Tuition fees and cost of supplies are subject to change. For current information, refer to Admissions.

The BC Provincial Instructor Diploma Program articulates with a number of degree, diploma and certificate programs at various educational institutions. Please check the BC Council on Admissions and Transfer website for additional information.

Degree Programs: The following university accepts PIDP graduates into their programs, provided they meet the master’s admission requirements:

• Simon Fraser University (MEd)

Further information is available directly from the accepting institutions.

Official transcripts can be ordered from VCC Registrar’s Office.

Participants who are unable to complete the Capstone Project may apply for the VCC Train the Trainer Certificate upon completion PIDP 3210, PIDP 3220 and PIDP 3230. Applicants must have completed at least two of these three PIDP courses (i.e., only one course exemption can be included in those three courses).

Yes! For further information see Consider Online Learning.

Yes, you may apply to take two courses concurrently. However, you must recognize that this represents a very heavy course load and that weekly time commitments may vary between 8-20 hours per week. Students who have done so in the past do not recommend taking two courses at one time, especially if working full time, with other outside commitments. Please contact our office for further details.

Login to myVCC and enter your VCC Student ID Number. If this is the first time you login, your password is set initially to your birth date in the format of MMDDYY (Example: January 18, 1975. Your Password is: 011875). You can then access your grades through My Services in the Student Records area.

Please contact our office for any further inquiries you may have.