Graduate Studies

Graduate certificate in Teacher Leadership and Mentorship

If you are a practicing teacher in the B.C. K-12 school system looking to develop your skills in leadership, mentorship and communication, this one-year intensive certificate is for you. This UFV program includes a practicum and five courses for a total of 15 graduate-level credits. It connects existing leaders with protégés, and creates an ongoing cycle of teacher/mentor development. The program is designed not to interfere with your regular employment. In-class sessions at UFV’s Abbotsford campus are scheduled for select Friday evenings and Saturdays over the course of the year.

Together with a bridging course, students will have opportunities to complement this certificate with other themed courses in order to complete all required 30 credits at UFV towards the next TQS category.

Courses will be taught by faculty from UFV and leaders from the school districts. Students wanting to ladder this certificate into a Masters degree will be able to receive credits towards a Master of Educational Leadership and Management degree at Royal Roads University. For additional themed options at UFV and agreements with other universities, please see ufv.ca/teachereducation/graduate-certificate-in-teacher-leadership-and-mentorship.

This program was developed through extensive consultation with teachers and administrators in the four Fraser Valley school districts (Fraser-Cascade, Chilliwack, Mission and Abbotsford).

Entrance requirements

All applicants must:

1. Have completed a Bachelor's degree, with a grade point average of at least 3.0, from a recognized post-secondary institution.

2. Have earned a Teacher’s Certificate or other recognized professional licensed teaching credential.

3. Submit a short letter of intent.

4. Submit three letters of reference.

5. Satisfy the English language proficiency requirement. For details on how this requirement may be met, see English language proficiency requirement section of the calendar.

When to apply

Applications are accepted beginning February 1. The application deadline is May 31.

How to apply

1. Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/admissions/apply. You will be required to pay a $75 application fee. An application checklist is available at ufv.ca/teachereducation/graduate-certificate-in-teacher-leadership-and-mentorship, and should be included with your application package.

Additional documents required for a complete Graduate application:
• A resume.
• A statement of intent – describe how this program will help you obtain your career and academic goals.
• Official sealed transcripts (or interim transcripts) from every post-secondary institution you have attended showing grade/course achievement as per entrance requirements. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to UFV from the originating institution; see the Transfer Credit section for details.
• Three letters of reference. Please use the forms provided at ufv.ca/teachereducation/graduate-certificate-in-teacher-leadership-and-mentorship. Arrange for the letters to be forwarded to UFV in separate, sealed envelopes. One letter should be from an administrator at the school where you are currently employed or have been employed.
• Evidence of teacher certification – submit a copy of your current Certificate Verification Card. Please be aware that you will be asked to show your original card on the first day of class.

2. You 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 your tuition fees. Final payment of all course fees is due the end of the second week of classes.

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section. There will be additional costs for textbooks. You are encouraged to speak with your District about opportunities for professional development funding.

Dates and location

Courses will be held on the Abbotsford campus and online. The program will be offered as a cohort model, and will take one year of part-time study to complete. This program is designed not to interfere with your regular employment. On-campus classes will be scheduled for Friday and Saturday evenings over the course of the year. The program begins with a Summer Institute, during which time the course EDU 700 will be completed. This condensed summer session will run on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday during the day from 8:30 am - 2:30 pm.

Course withdrawal deadlines

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

Graduation

Candidates who qualify to receive a UFV graduate certificate must be approved by the UFV School of Graduate Studies and the University College Council. Students must submit a Request for Graduation form to the UFV Office of the Registrar by April 1.

Program requirements and continuance in program

To maintain status as a program student and to continue in the program, students must maintain a minimum program grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

A minimum of 75% (12 of the 15 credits) of the academic requirements for the completion of the graduate certificate must be UFV credits.

Academic regulations

Governed by the General Regulations for Graduate Studies.

Program outline

The graduate certificate in Teacher Leadership and Mentorship consists of five courses, for a total of 15 graduate-level credits.

Required courses

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.