Professional Qualification Program - Simon Fraser University

Professional Qualification Program
The Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University (SFU), in collaboration with the BC College of Teachers (BCCT) has developed the Professional Qualification Program (PQP).
The PQP is designed to orient foreign-trained teachers to the cultural, social and political contexts of BC schools through a combination of seminar and in-school experiences. It is a
12 month full-time program based at the Surrey campus.
The PQP has been approved by the BCCT and meets their familiarization and updating requirements. This program is comparable to the Professional Development Program (PDP)
but has been specifically developed for individuals with previous teaching experience and qualifications from outside Canada.
Applicants to the PQP are foreign-trained teachers who have been evaluated by the BCCT and have been recommended to complete the Professional Qualification program.
Goals
• to offer a comprehensive program that fulfills the
familiarization or updating requirements of the BC
College of Teachers
• to support individuals seeking successful entry into
teaching in BC schools
• to introduce teachers to the culture of British
Columbia’s classrooms
• to acknowledge the differences and the strengths
in teaching practices from around the world and to
develop teachers who are comfortable within BC
classrooms and schools
• to introduce teachers to the curriculum and
support systems within BC classrooms and schools
• to provide opportunities to practice new and
developing teaching abilities
• to share experiences and knowledge with others
from around the world
• to provide opportunities for schools and teachers
in the public school system to benefit from the
experiences of the PQP candidates and to support
their work to become certified to teach in BC.
Program Outline
The PQP is a full-time, 12-month program based at SFU Surrey and is completed in three consecutive semesters.
There is only one intake per year, which begins in January, and there are normally between 20 and 24 seats available
per year. The PQP incorporates practical experience and university coursework in approximately equal proportions.
Participants will receive practicum placements in the Lower Mainland or Fraser Valley and must be prepared to travel
a distance to attend their school placements.
Program Structure
First Semester: January to March
This semester includes EDUC 352 and EDUC 483 consisting of classroom work and 5 weeks in schools observing
and teaching ,which occurs from February to March.
EDUC 352: Building on Reflective Practice (4 credits)
EDUC 483: Designs for Learning: Curriculum Studies (8 credits)
Second Semester: April to August
During the 2nd Semester there is a 6-week practicum from April to May. From May to August students take EDUC
401 plus a minimum of one methodology course related to your grade/subject area. Additional courses as prescribed
by your BCCT evaluation may be required.
EDUC 401: Introduction to Classroom Teaching (8 credits)
Third Semester: September to December
This semester is referred to as EDUC 406 which is your full-time practicum.
EDUC 406: Supervised Observation and Teaching (12 credits)

In addition to University Admissions requirements,
the PQP Admissions Committee evaluates the
following areas in reviewing your application:
1.Volunteer Experience: Preference will be given
to candidates who have gained volunteer experience
in a BC public educational setting and who reflect
an interest in the BC school system through their
portfolio. The Admissions Committee looks at the
quality of experience versus the quantity of
experience.
2. Reference Letters: A minimum of two,
maximum of three reference letters are required
to support your application. At least one reference
letter must come from an off campus educator who
has observed you interacting with youth/adolescents
in an educational setting. Instructions for the
referees are available on the web site.
3. English Proficiency: English proficiency, both
written and oral, is a requirement for acceptance
into the program. An English exam may be required
of applicants.
4. BCCT Evaluation: All applicants to the PQP
require an evaluation letter from the BC
College of Teachers. For more information contact
the BCCT at 604.731.8170 or www.bcct.ca.
5. Portfolio: Your portfolio helps the Admissions
Committee to understand who you are, your
approach to teaching and your educational
philosophy. It should be a collection of items that
reflect your teaching practice.
6. Interview: The interview allows Committee
members to learn more about you and determine
your candidacy for PQP. Only short-listed
candidates are contacted. The interview does not
guarantee you a position in the program.
7. Written Assignment: As part of the interview
process, short-listed candidates are asked to
complete a written assignment.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the January cohort is
March 31 of the previous year.
For more information:
BC College of Teachers
www.bcct.ca
604.731.8170
SFU Special Programs Office
www.educ.sfu.ca/pdp/pqp
Faculty of Education - Surrey Campus
250-13450-102 Avenue
Surrey, BC V3T 0A3
Telephone: 778.782.8974
Fax: 778.782.8119
Email: seducadv@sfu.ca
Success Story
Bashir Jamalzadah, a former teacher-educator in
Afghanistan, was one of the first students to enrol in
the PQP.
At the age of 51, after a decade in Canada, Jamalzadah
was nudged back to teaching by his family who
thought he was “well suited” to the profession.
Now a teacher at a private international college
in Richmond, B.C., Jamalzadah says the PQP
“changed what was awkward about my teaching,
and even changed the way I taught. In Afghanistan,
teaching and learning is based on rote memorization.
The teacher bombards the student with
information and the student is not actively involved.
In Canada, it’s the complete opposite. Teachers
play the role of facilitator and the students are full
participants in the learning process. I am more of a
teacher now and less a preacher.”
08-2010
Professional Qualification
Program
www.educ.sfu.ca/pdp/pqp
Professional Programs
Faculty of Education
PQP