Certification by the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development provides students with a basic foundation of the knowledge and skills needed to work in early childhood educational settings (ages birth to 5 years).
Graduates from this program can work as Early Childhood Educators once they apply for and are granted a certificate from the ECE Registry in the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
The first cohort in this program began in September 2018. Members of this and future cohorts will follow a standard course schedule over 32 months.
Please Note: The BC ECE Basic certificate is specific to ECED professionals practicing in the province of British Columbia only, and may not meet inter-provincial or international requirements. It is up to the individual to contact the specific Early Childhood Education credentialing body in the location where they wish to work to determine if this program meets their needs.
The Program
39 credits (13 courses) of prescribed online courses and 9 credits of on-site practicum (48 credits total). Most practica will take place in the Lower Mainland. Once students are admitted, they can discuss with their advisor the potential for a rural or non-Lower Mainland practicum. The program will take approximately 32 months to complete.
This 32-month part-time program has been designed to accommodate working students. Note, it may be possible on a case-by-case basis to expedite the program and take courses full-time to complete the program earlier.
The ECE Basic Certificate requires that you take the following courses
Please note: Once you are admitted into the program, you will be proactively registered in the required courses. You do not need to self-register.
-
- ECED 400 - Introduction to Early Childhood Education and Care
- ECED 401 - Supporting Young Children's Health and Well-Being in Early Childhood Settings
- ECED 405 - Foundations of Curriculum and Instruction in Early Childhood Education
- ECED 406 - Early Learning Curriculum in the Pre-School Years
- ECED 407 - Supporting Early Learning in the Pre-School Years
- ECED 420 - History of Early Childhood Education
- ECED 421 - Supporting Young Children Through Home, School, and Community Relationships
- ECED 438 - Observation and Documentation in Early Childhood Settings
- ECED 439 - Assessment of Infants and Young Children with Special Needs
- ECED 442 - Supporting Indigenous Infants and Young Children within the Context of Their Communities
- EPSE 348 - Family-Centred Practice for Children with Special Needs
- EPSE 406 - Typical and Atypical Development in Infants and Children
- LLED 441 - Introduction to Teaching Children's Literature
Practicum
-
- ECED 490 - Early Childhood Education Practicum & Seminar I Prerequisites: ECED 400 and 438
- ECED 491 - Early Childhood Education Practicum & Seminar II Prerequisites: All of ECED 400, 401, 438, 490 and EPSE 406 (or other approved course)
- ECED 495 - Early Childhood Education Practicum & Seminar III Prerequisites: All of ECED 400, 401, 406, 407, 438, 490, 491 and EPSE 406 (or other approved course)
Below is a sample course schedule; course order may vary.
Please note: Once you are admitted into the program, you will be proactively registered in the required courses. You do not need to self-register.
| Term | Course 1 | Course 2 | Practicum |
| 1 | ECED 400 | EPSE 406 | N/A |
| 2 | ECED 401 | ECED 407 | N/A |
| 3 | ECED 421 | ECED 438 | N/A |
| 4 | ECED 405 | ECED 406 | Practicum ECED 490 (90 hours) |
| 5 | ECED 442 | EPSE 348 | N/A |
| 6 | ECED 420 | LLED 441 | N/A |
| 7 | ECED 439 | N/A | Practicum ECED 491 (140 hours) |
| 8 | N/A | N/A | Practicum ECED 495 (195 hours) |
Tuition Fees
Current tuition fees are found in the UBC Calendar: Post-baccalaureate Tuition. The information below is provided as an example, is subject to change, and only information on the UBC Calendar is official.
| Program | Domestic rate (Undergraduate-level courses) | International rate |
| Diploma | $601.23 per 3-credit course* | $2,545.80 per 3-credit course* |
* Domestic rate $200.41 per credit. International rate $848.60 per credit. Most courses in the program are 3 credits.
Student & Distance Education Administration Fees
Student Fees do not apply when taking only online courses.
A non-refundable distance education administrative fee of $52.25 will apply per course.
Criminal Records Check Fee
All individuals in the Faculty of Education who will be working with students and/or vulnerable adults are required to complete a criminal records check through the Faculty of Education.
The fee is $45.00 CAD, payable upon admission to the program.
Student Accident Practicum Insurance Fee
All students in the BC ECE Basic Certificate program are required to opt-in for UBC Student Accident Insurance.
The fee is $7.00 CAD, payable at the start of each academic year that the student will participate in practicum(s).
Admission Requirements