Overview
Our Associate Certificate in Polytechnic Teaching gives you a professional development pathway to build your skills as an instructor in an applied-skills learning environment.
This program is designed for those who are teaching, or wish to teach, in a polytechnic educational setting. It begins by building foundational teaching and learning skills, followed by more in-depth exploration of instructional and assessment strategies, teaching with technology, facilitating online learning, and professional reflective practice. The program uses active and applied learning strategies that reflect the experiential learning model valued in polytechnic programs.
The program is composed of 6 courses totalling 17 credits:
We recommend that participants begin with POLY 1005 Instructional Skills Workshop. POLY 1010, 1015, 1020, and 1025 can then be taken in any order. All courses in the first tier of the map are prerequisites for POLY 1030.
This POLY program is available in a flexible learning format (part-time studies) to meet the diverse needs of working professionals. The program takes 2–5 years to complete.
Laddering Opportunities
All courses in this program are transferrable to the Provincial Instructor Diploma Program (PIDP) at Vancouver Community College (VCC). This laddering opportunity is a great chance to continue building your skills as an educator. See the chart below for more information about credit transfer from BCIT to VCC. To begin the process of transferring credit, please reach out to the Transfer Credit department at VCC or see the tab Transferring Your POLY Credits to the PIDP at VCC on this page.
Also, please be aware that credit transfer of your POLY 1005 – ISW depends on the delivery mode. If the delivery mode was fully online VCC provides PLAR credits towards VCC PIDP 3320. If the delivery mode was face-to-face or blended PLAR credits are towards VCC PIDP 3220. See this POLY to PIDP credit transfer cha
Please see the Continue Your Education section under Program Details or the Transfer Credit section under Courses for more information. VCC has a 5-year limit to complete the PIDP, which includes all transfer credits and completion of the PIDP Capstone.
Program Goals
Upon completion of the POLY program, participants will be equipped to:
- Develop suitable learning outcomes for polytechnic courses, ensuring that the goals are appropriate for the educational setting.
- Apply learning theories to inform teaching methods and optimize learning experiences for students.
- Design supportive and effective online, in-person, and blended learning environments to accommodate various learning preferences.
- Implement teaching strategies using appropriate tools and technologies that are tailored to specific educational goals and objectives.
- Create instructional strategies that address diverse learner needs and backgrounds, fostering an inclusive learning environment.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of instructional strategies to continually improve and refine teaching methods.
- Choose assessment strategies, techniques, and feedback mechanisms that align with the learning outcomes, facilitating effective student evaluation.
- Formulate and maintain a professional development plan to stay current with trends and issues in field of practice and adult learning.
- Cultivate habits of being a reflective practitioner, encouraging self-awareness and continuous improvement in teaching practices.
When you are ready to begin your pathway in the Polytechnic Teaching Associate Certificate, please see Courses for information about course offerings and to begin your registration process.
- Next up Entrance Requirements
Entrance Requirements
Below are the entrance requirements to the program. You will also find information about program declaration, which is required for graduation. If you intend to embark on the educator pathway toward this associate certificate, declare now.
Application processing
This program is open to declarations beginning:
- February 1st* for the January intake
- May 1st* for the April intake
- October 1st* for the September intake
Entrance requirements
Declarations submitted for program intakes beginning April 1, 2025 or later will be evaluated using the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement below.
- English language proficiency: Category 2 – English Studies 12 (67%) or equivalent
Recommended for success
Before beginning this program, it is strongly recommended to have the following:
- Graduation from Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification.
- Time management skills and the ability to allocate time for classes, as well as an additional 2-4 hours per week for reading, assignments, and studying.
- Current or recent experience teaching in a post-secondary polytechnic environment or
- The intention to teach in a polytechnic environment, along with a minimum of 3 years of post-secondary or trades training or experience working in a specific field.
Additionally, meeting one of the following criteria is recommended:
International applicants
This program is not available to international students. View available programs.
Program declaration
Declaring your Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) program ensures that BCIT is aware of your intent to complete a program as it is currently outlined and provides you the opportunity to apply for transfer credit.
To submit your declaration:
- Answer all questions completely.
- If required, convert transcripts and documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Declare Now
Upon approval, a program plan letter will be sent to you confirming your program of study. Please allow approximately eight weeks for processing.
Scheduled Intakes
Ongoing Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) intakes: January, April, and September.
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Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) tuition is charged on a course-by-course basis. Please see the Flexible Learning Tuition & Fees page for more information.
For BCIT Faculty and Staff who are eligible for a fee waiver, please contact develop@bcit.ca. Only BCIT internal applicants are eligible for a fee waiver.
Books & supplies
Books and supplies are included.- Go back Entrance Requirements
- Next up Courses
Courses
This program is offered through Flexible Learning mostly during evenings and weekends and in multiple delivery modes – some in-person, blended and fully online options. Please see each individual course’s schedule for more information about that course’s specific schedule.
To start your registration process, contact poly@bcit.ca with your name and the course you’d like to take.
Class hours
See individual course sections for class hours.Program matrix
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Required Courses: | Credits | ||
---|---|---|---|
POLY 1005 | Instructional Skills Workshop | 1.5 | |
POLY 1010 | Instructional Strategies | 3.0 | |
POLY 1015 | Assessment for Learning | 3.0 | |
POLY 1020 | Teaching with Educational Technology | 3.0 | |
POLY 1025 | Fostering Learning Online | 3.0 | |
POLY 1030 | Reflective Professional Practice | 3.5 | |
Total Credits: | 17.0 |
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
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- Next up Program Details
Program Details
Program length
The program can be completed in five years.Program delivery
This program is offered in the following delivery modes:
- In person: This program is delivered on campus.
- Blended: Blended: This program is delivered partly on campus and partly online.
- Online: The entire program is delivered fully online.
Program location
Courses may be offered at the following locations:
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
Continue your education
Several courses from this program will be transferable to Vancouver Community College (VCC)'s Provincial Instructor Diploma Program (PIDP).- Go back Courses
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Graduating & Jobs
Apply for graduation
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, complete an Application for BCIT Credential [PDF] and submit it to Student Information and Enrolment Services.
Allow approximately six to eight weeks for processing.
All financial obligations to the Institute must be met prior to issuance of any credential.
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- Next up Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Michele Bridge
Faculty Development Coordinator/Instructional Development Consultant – Learning and Teaching Centre
604-451-7004 | mbridge4@bcit.ca
Cheyenne Keith
Program Assistant – Learning and Teaching Centre
604-432-8408 | cheyenne_keith@bcit.ca
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Contact Us
Michele Bridge
Faculty Development Coordinator/Instructional Development Consultant – Learning and Teaching Centre
604-451-7004 | mbridge4@bcit.ca
Questions or comments?
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