Program Details

Program Length
2 Years
Credential
Graduate Diploma
Location Offered
Online

To keep students engaged and connected to learning, it is crucial to keep up with the digital shift in education. Teachers who meet the many opportunities to connect and engage online increase the success of technologically savvy students of all ages. The Online Learning and Teaching Graduate Diploma is a program for professional teachers and educators looking to increase their technology skills and confidence.

The program is experiential and provided entirely online. Instruction is delivered on software programs and tools that are part of your curriculum. You will gain hands-on experience with creating online classrooms, delivering distance courses, and engaging through apps, websites, and more.

Graduates of this education technology diploma leave the program as technology experts in the field, paving the way for innovation in the classroom and the future of education.

The Online Learning and Teaching Graduate Diploma Program

The Graduate Diploma in Online Learning and Teaching is designed to provide a solid foundation in the pedagogical and technical expertise required to effectively use technology to support effective eLearning in technology mediated environments. Students will gain insight into approaches and methodologies that advance the online learning experience for both the learner and the facilitator/teacher/instructor. This program will be especially appealing to educators at all levels engaged in online and blended teaching and learning, including K12 teachers and post-secondary instructors, locally, nationally and internationally.

Individuals working outside of formal teaching settings, such as corporate and workplace training, will also benefit from the program content and skills acquired. Skills gained in instructional design, distance delivery and technology-enhanced learning will meet the needs of employers seeking instructional designers, educational technologists and online teaching and learning specialists.

Program Outline

Year 1	Credits
Fall Semester
OLTD 501 - (Foundations of Online Learning)	3
OLTD 512 - (Instructional Design)	3
Spring Semester
OLTD 503 - (Online Communication)	3
OLTD 504 - (Learning Systems)	3
Intersession Semester
OLTD 502 - (The Digital Learning Continuum)	3
Total Credits	15

Year 2	Credits
Fall Semester
OLTD 508 - (Game-Based Learning)	3
OLTD 511 - (Blended Learning)	3
Spring Semester
OLTD 509 - (Emerging Technologies and Pedagogies: Challenges and Opportunities)	3
OLTD 506 - (Digital Responsibilities and Professionalism)	3
Intersession Semester
OLTD 510 - (Capstone Learnings)	3
Total Credits	15
Total Program Credits	30

Note: The Graduate Diploma in Online Learning and Teaching (OLTD) program is cohort-based and offered in a totally online environment using synchronous and asynchronous delivery.

Updated

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Admission Requirements

Completion of either a Bachelor of Education degree, or a prior degree in another discipline with current teaching experience.

Flexible Admission

In exceptional circumstances, a student may be admitted with lower formal qualifications when there is significant professional experience relevant to the proposed area of scholarship. The objective of flexible admission is to recognize prior learning accomplishments and to ensure a high probability of successful program completion. Applicants must show evidence of having sufficient knowledge, skills, and attitudes to complete a demanding academic course of study. Applicants seeking Flexible Admission will be required to:

Provide a personal statement of intent;
Provide a detailed résumé;
Provide two or more letters of reference;
Provide official transcripts of all post-secondary coursework;

In limited cases, applicants may also be required to:

Provide a portfolio containing evidence of applicable prior learning;
Appear for an interview;
Take a qualifying course; and/or
Provide additional documentation as may be required to adjudicate the application.

Notes on Admission

Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.

Transfer from other institutions

Applicants may apply to the Dean for possible transfer credits from other accredited graduate programs

Career Opportunities

Online learning is expanding rapidly in BC and beyond. School districts, post-secondary institutions, training colleges, and other educational institutions are challenged to find qualified teachers/instructors to meet this growing demand.

Program Fees

Domestic Fees | International Fees

Domestic Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Cost per year	Amount
Tuition (15 credits x $426.65 per credit)	6,399.75
Student Activity fee (15 credits x $9.60 per credit)	144.00
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $20.90 per month)	167.20
Total	6,710.95

Notes

The Online Learning and Teaching Graduate Diploma is a two-year program (30 credits total).

The Health and Dental Plan fee is in effect only for fulltime students at the Nanaimo Campus.

Textbooks and/or course packages are required for each course. Contact the Education Department at 250-740-6223 for further information regarding books and supplies.

All fees are subject to change without prior notice.

International Fees