Graduate Studies

Graduate certificate in Mindfulness-Based Teaching and Learning

This graduate certificate provides advanced, specialized professional education in mindfulness-based teaching and learning (MBTL) at a graduate level to professionals in healthcare, education, workplace training, and social services, including corrections and addiction and mental health services. The 15-credit graduate certificate is delivered over four semesters in a part-time program. Students are prepared over the duration of the program to complete an inquiry project and an 8-week, 48-hour field experience as part of the final two courses. The program offers flexible pathways to a range of mindfulness teaching credentials, including MBSR and MBCT practitioner certification and completion as an MEd at the University of British Columbia or the University of Calgary for those qualified.

At its core, mindfulness entails attending to moment-to-moment experiences in a non-judgmental manner, thereby enhancing a range of health and learning outcomes, including the ability to self-regulate as individuals and as organizations. Students are expected to maintain and deepen personal mindfulness practices to embody as mindful teachers, facilitators, and leaders. Students will be supported to follow individualized pathways that support employment and professional advancement by refining skills and abilities as teachers or clinicians and as professional leaders capable of enacting organizational change and mindfulness programming in their respective communities of practice.

The program is delivered in a unique hybrid model that combines online with face-to-face classes in which distance learners are given access through a synchronous videoconferencing online platform. The combined program and delivery models support the formation of professional and inter-professional networks of mindfulness experts and professionals, the first of its kind in North America.

Entrance requirements

1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree from a recognized institution with a minimum GPA of 3.00. Relevant majors include, but are not limited to, Adult Education, Business and Human Resources Management, Teacher Education, Social Work, Criminology, Indigenous Studies, Psychology, Child-Youth-and-Family Studies, Counselling Psychology, Kinesiology, and Nursing.

Note: Any relevant combination of educational, facilitation, and professional experience will be considered to meet this requirement, which in exceptional cases could include Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR).

2. A resume that includes evidence or details of the following, including contact information for the organization and supervisor where applicable. Please highlight these areas so they are easy to identify:
• Teaching, facilitating, or leading groups in an employment or voluntary capacity
• Completion of an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) or Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) program
• Completion of a 5-day supervised silent retreat
3. A letter of intent (maximum one page or 500 words).
4. Three letters of reference (optimally a mix of academic and professional).
5. Applicants must meet the Degree/diploma level English language proficiency requirement. For details on how this requirement may be met, see the English language proficiency requirement section of the calendar.

Note: In rare cases, some of the above requirements may be waived for individuals who can demonstrate the equivalent qualifications through Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR). This provision is intended in particular for students who offer the opportunity to extend mindfulness to communities and clients who are underserved by existing mindfulness programming.

When to apply

Note: This program will not be accepting applications until 2019.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year. Qualified applicants are considered for the next intake in which there is space. See Continuous application process for more information.

How to apply

Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/apply. A $75 application fee will be required.

Additional documents required for a complete application:

• Official transcript(s) documenting completion of a baccalaureate degree from a recognized institution with a minimum GPA of 3.00. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to UFV from the originating institution; see the Transfer Credit section for details.

• Evidence or details of teaching, facilitating, or leading groups in an employment or voluntary capacity.

• Evidence or details of having completed an 8-week MBSR or MBCT course or equivalent and a 5-day silent retreat (some flexibility for parents of young children or full-time caregivers).

• A resume and a one-page (max. 500 word) Letter of Intent (statement of interest) outlining personal and professional experience and interest in mindfulness.
• Three letters of reference, preferably one academic, one professional- or employment-related, and one from a mindfulness instructor or retreat facilitator to corroborate participation and suitability.

Applicants will be advised of an admission decision and provided with registration information. A deposit is required prior to registration (see Fees and additional costs section below). This money will be applied toward tuition fees. Final payment of all course fees is due by the end of the second week of classes.

Basis for admission decision

Applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be admitted in order of their application date. This date is set when an application, all required documentation, and the application fee have been submitted.

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section. There will be additional costs for textbooks, retreat accommodations and board for MBTL 710, and, in some cases, for field experience supervision for MBTL 721.

Program duration and total number of credits

The five required courses (15 credits) are offered sequentially over a period of four semesters; therefore, the time required to complete this program will normally be 16 months.

Dates and location

The Graduate certificate in Mindfulness-Based Teaching and Learning is a 15-credit, part-time program spread over four semesters, beginning in September and continuing until the end of December of the subsequent year.

One course is offered each term, with the exception of the Summer, when both MBTL 710 and 720 are offered. MBTL 710 will be offered in a shortened period of time, as much of the course is offered as a residential retreat. Distant students will be expected to attend this week-long session, though PLAR options are available if equivalent training is done elsewhere. In contrast, the concurrent MBTL 720 is offered over an extended period of time that can extend into the Fall term to give students sufficient time to complete their inquiry projects.

The hybrid delivery model means the program is self-directed with approximately 75% online and approximately 25% face-to-face with videoconferencing options available for distance learners to participate in these classes synchronously.

The field experience course, MBTL 721, is offered in the final Fall semester.

Program outline

The Graduate certificate in Mindfulness-Based Teaching and Learning consists of five courses for a total of 15 graduate-level credits.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Students may be able to obtain credit for prior learning through evaluation of previous studies or learning through experience for a maximum of 25% of the certificate’s total number of credits. Furthermore, in rare circumstances, admission to the program without some of the requirements will be considered with adequate demonstration of equivalencies through PLAR. Contact the program coordinator for further information.

Course withdrawal deadlines

Course withdrawal deadlines follow UFV's Course Withdrawal policy (81). Please see the General Regulations for Graduate Studies.

Maximum length of time to complete program

All students must complete the certificate within four years.

Residency

UFV Graduate Studies policy requires that at least 75% of program courses be taken at UFV. Therefore, a maximum of one course may be taken at another university for transfer or prior learning assessment credit. This would require advance approval of the Adult Education department and the Associate Vice-President of Research, Engagement and Graduate Studies.

Auditing courses

Students wishing to audit a course must request permission from the instructor no later than 30% of the course duration. No changes from regular to audit status will be permitted after this date. Please note that students taking a course for credit will be given first priority to register for seats in courses. See UFV's Course Audit policy (108) for more information on auditing.

Academic regulations

Governed by the General Regulations for Graduate Studies.

Graduation requirements

Consistent with the General Regulations for Graduate Studies, students in the MBTL program require a continuance and graduation GPA of 3.00, CGPA of 3.00 on all graduate level courses attempted, and a minimum of B- in every course.

Graduation

Candidates who qualify to receive a UFV graduate certificate must be approved by the Adult Education department and the Senate. Students must submit a Request for Graduation form to the UFV Office of the Registrar by April 1.

Additional credentials and pathways

As part of the intake process, students will be asked to identify if they are seeking any specific mindfulness program facilitator qualifications. The program has been designed to accommodate most of these, including the two most popular programs (outlined below):

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) specialization

This qualification is intended for those teaching mindfulness to healthy populations or those suffering from pain- or stress-related injuries or health challenges. It is focused on teaching mindfulness practices, attitudes, and intentions in community, professional, or health education contexts.

To qualify as an MBSR facilitator, students will need to complete the following:

• Identify this goal early on the program and request placement in an MBSR pod (an inquiry group that students will be assigned to or join early in the program).
• Complete a project for MBTL 708 based on MBSR curriculum and inquiry.
• Facilitate groups in MBTL 710 using MBSR approaches and practices.
• Complete the inquiry project in MBTL 720 on an MBSR-related topic in an MBSR pod.
• Complete the field experience in MBTL 721 by delivering at least one complete eight-week MBSR course supervised by a qualified MBSR supervisor (11 hours of supervision).

All other requirements are met by the structure of the program.

If and when these requirements are met, students will be identified as having the MBSR facilitation specialization on their transcripts.

These qualifications as well as guidelines for retaining MBSR facilitator qualifications can be found on the UK Network for Mindfulness-Based Teaching Training Organisations website in a document outlining Good-practice Guidelines (GPG) for teaching mindfulness-based courses.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) specialization

This qualification is intended for facilitators working with clinical populations, including those suffering mental health and addiction challenges. It is focused on teaching mindfulness practices, attitudes, and intentions to individuals or groups in clinical settings.

To qualify as an MBCT facilitator, students will need to complete the following:

• Enter with an appropriate clinical degree, completed or near-completion (Nursing, Social Work, Medicine, Psychology, Counselling), or with relevant work experience.
• Identify this goal early on the program and request placement in an MBCT pod (an inquiry group that students will be assigned to or join early in the program).
• Complete a project for MBTL 708 based on MBCT curriculum and inquiry.
• Facilitate groups in MBTL 710 using MBCT approaches and practices.
• Complete the inquiry project in MBTL 720 on an MBCT-related topic in an MBCT pod.
• Complete the field experience in MBTL 721 by delivering at least one complete eight-week MBCT course supervised by a qualified MBCT supervisor.

All other requirements are met by the structure of the program.

If and when these requirements are met, students will be identified as having the MBCT facilitation specialization on their transcripts.

These qualifications as well as guidelines for retaining MBSR facilitator qualifications can be found on the UK Network for Mindfulness-Based Teaching Training Organisations website in a document outlining Good-practice Guidelines (GPG) for teaching mindfulness-based courses.

Master of Education in Adult Learning and Education degree, UBC

The Educational Studies department at the University of British Columbia welcomes applications from UFV students who are interested in continuing their graduate studies through the 30-credit Master of Education in Adult Learning and Education program. Up to 12 credits may be transfered if the courses meet the requirements outlined in UBC's Transfer Credit policy.

Master of Education: Interdisciplinary Route, University of Calgary

The University of Calgary's Werklund School of Education currently offers a laddered, course-based pathway to their Master of Education: Interdisciplinary Route. Qualified students can transfer 12 credits to this 36-credit MEd degree. For more information, see http://werklund.ucalgary.ca/gpe/med-interdisciplinary.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.