Students discovering the importance of teaching courses online and online education

Online Learning and Teaching Graduate Diploma

  • 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.

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 & Research)

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.

  • 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

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.

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 $435.18 per credit)

6,527.70

Student Activity fee (15 credits x $9.79 per credit)

146.85

VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $26.59 per month)

212.72

Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year)

265.00

Total

7,152.27

Notes

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

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

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 and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

International 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 program

Amount

Tuition

22,973.10

Ancillary Fee (30 credits x $39.68 per credit)

1,190.40

VIU Students' Union fee (24 months x $26.59 per month)

638.16

Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year)

530.00

Total

25,331.66

Notes

Tuition in the above table is based on $776.48 per credit, up to a maximum of $10,870.72 per semester for 15 credits; $776.48 per credit beyond 15 credits. Ancillary Fees in the above table are based on $33.10 per credit, up to a maximum of $463.40 per semester for 15 credits; $33.10 per credit beyond 15 credits.

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

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

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 and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

Updated
Monday, April 3, 2023

Domestic (Canadian)

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Location Options
Next Intake(s)

The Online Learning & Teaching Graduate Diploma has one program start date each September.

Application Fee
$114.83
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Helene Viau
Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2040
Email: Helene.Viau@viu.ca

Chair Contact

Name: Marian Riedel
Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2689
Email: Marian.Riedel@viu.ca

Area Contact

Name: Liana Peterson
Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2530
Email: Liana.Peterson@viu.ca

Documentation Deadline

July 31, 2023

Comments

The program is cohort-based and offered in a totally online environment using synchronous and asynchronous delivery. Courses are 6 weeks in duration with a 2-week break in between offerings. There are no residency requirements.

Graduates of the Online Learning and Teaching Graduate Diploma program may apply to the Master of Education in Educational Leadership degree program with advanced standing.  Please contact the Chair of Graduate Programs, Marian Riedel at 250-753-3245 Ext. 2689 for more information on the Master of Education laddering option.

International

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Location Options
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Sep 5, 2023
Next Intake(s)

This program has one intake each Fall.

Accepting International Applications
Yes
Application Fee
$150.00
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Testing Required
No
Chair Contact

Name: Marian Riedel
Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2689
Email: Marian.Riedel@viu.ca

Area Contact

Name: Liana Peterson
Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2530
Email: Liana.Peterson@viu.ca

International Admissions Officer Contact

Name: Ari Rivas
Email: Study@viu.ca

Comments

Program is cohort-based and offered in a totally online environment using synchronous and asynchronous delivery. Courses are 6 weeks in duration with a 2-week break in between offerings. There are no residency requirements. Please note online synchronous work may bias Pacific Standard Time.

Graduates of the Online Learning and Teaching Graduate Diploma program may apply to the Master of Education in Educational Leadership degree program with advanced standing. Please contact the Program Chair, Marian Riedel, at 250-753-3245 Ext. 2689 for more information on the Masters laddering option.

Further information on this program can be found on the Department website.


Lindsey Watford, a student of VIU's online education program, working on a paper

Lindsey Watford

"I was awarded my current position as the K-7 Coordinator at Island ConnectEd after completing the Online Learning and Teaching Diploma at VIU. I specifically chose the OLTD program because it offered the most comprehensive and well-rounded academic and practical hands-on experience required to successfully work in an Online/Blended school. OLTD is designed to provide students with the most up to date theory, perspectives, strategies, techniques, and tools necessary to become an effective online/blended learning specialist."