DOMESTIC APPLICATIONS
Fall 2025: Apply Now!
Please contact the Program Coordinator, Gord Sturrock sturrockg@douglascollege.ca for more information.
Fall 2025: Apply Now!
Please contact the Program Coordinator, Gord Sturrock sturrockg@douglascollege.ca for more information.
The Graduate Diploma in Physical and Health Education is designed to give you the practical knowledge and real-life experience you need to become a Physical and Health Education (PHE) Specialist for elementary, middle or high school classrooms.
Designed for working teachers, classes are offered in a blend of online and face-to-face formats that don’t interfere with the regular K-12 school schedule. The program delivers a blend of theory and practical skills through health education, movement education, dance, games-centered approaches, physical literacy, outdoor education and school-based leadership.
The GDPHE community at Douglas College is committed to the continuous pursuit of principles and practices that support and promote equity, diversity and inclusion throughout our program structure, curriculum and pedagogy.
TQS upgrade opportunities and specialized job advancements
The Graduate Diploma in Physical and Health Education prepares you to become a confident leader in your classroom and the wider school community through essential skill development, knowledge building and hands-on practice. Plus, you'll be eligible for TQS salary upgrades in categories 4-5 and 5-5+ once you graduate.
Next application deadline
The next program start date is Fall 2025. The Application deadline is July 15, 2025. It is encouraged to apply early.
Priority intake by cohort
Fall 2025 – Teachers from all grades are encouraged to apply (Elementary, Middle, Secondary).
International students are not currently eligible for this program. For more information, contact Douglas College International.
To enrol in the Graduate Diploma in Physical and Health Education, candidates must:
1. Candidates must meet one or more of the prerequisite conditions:
and,
2. Candidates must submit a letter of intent that outlines:
Notes
Calculate your tuition and see the approximate cost of taking your program at Douglas College with the tuition & fee estimator. See costs broken down into categories including tuition fees, textbooks, student activity fees, U-Pass and more.
For more information, refer to the tuition fee charts.
Graduation Requirements For Students Completing By Summer 2023:
Graduation Requirements For Students Completing After Summer 2023:
Year 1 |
SPSC 5398 | Dance Education | 3.0 |
Year 1 Fall/Winter Online Sept to Mar |
SPSC 5591 | Health Education | 3.0 |
Year 1 Spring Apr to June 1 night/week |
SPSC 5391 | Physical Literacy I: Foundations | 3.0 |
Year 1 Winter Jan to Mar 1 night/week |
SPSC 5499 | Curriculum issues: Physical and Health Education | 3.0 |
Year 1 Summer Institute Weeks 1 & 2 of July |
SPSC 5396 | Alternative Environment Physical Education | 3.0 |
Year 2 Fall Sept to Dec 1 night/week |
SPSC 5493 | Physical Literacy II: Dynamic Systems Theory | 3.0 |
Year 2 Fall/Winter Online Sept to Mar |
SPSC 5495 | Applied Studies in Physical and Health Education | 3.0 |
Year 2 Winter Jan to Mar 1 night/week |
SPSC 5395 | Games-centred approaches in PHE | 3.0 |
Year 2 Spring Apr to June 1 night/week |
SPSC 5492 | PHE Leadership Seminar | 3.0 |
Year 2 Summer Institute Weeks 1 & 2 of July |
SPSC 5397 | Developmental Gymnastics and Movement Education | 3.0 |
Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.
Category 4 teachers: The British Columbia Teacher's Qualification Service (TQS) accepts the Graduate Diploma in Physical and Health Education as an 'integrated program' which makes graduates of the Diploma eligible for a pay scale upgrade from category 4 to 5. Category 5 teachers: TQS accepts the Graduate Diploma for a pay scale upgrade from category 5 to 5+.
TQS is the sole body responsible for issuing payscale upgrades in British Columbia all inquiry regarding unique personal circumstances should be directed to TQS.
The Graduate Diploma in Physical and Health Education is a dynamic learning experience that emphasizes practical applications of current physical and health education curriculum and pedagogy. Building on your experience and your teaching skill set, the program courses combine the latest theory and practice to help you become a confident physical and health education leader. Check out the Curriculum tab (above) for more information.
The program was designed by working teachers, for working teachers, and instructors are sensitive to the uneven workloads of teachers throughout the year.
Upon completion of this graduate diploma, graduates will have an opportunity to bridge into a Master of Physical and Health Education degree through a partnership agreement with the University of Wales, Trinity St. David. Contact the program coordinator for more information.
Please see the Faculty page for details.
Please contact the program coordinator, Dr. Gordon Sturrock, by email.
If you are a Category 4 teacher, British Columbia Teacher's Qualification Service (TQS) accepts the Graduate Diploma in Physical and Health Education as an "integrated" program which makes graduates of the Diploma eligible for a pay scale upgrade from category 4 to 5.
If you are a category 5 teacher, British Columbia Teacher's Qualification Service (TQS) accepts the Graduate Diploma in Physical and Health Education as an "integrated" program which makes graduates of the Diploma eligible for a pay scale upgrade from category 5 to 5+.
NOTE: Some districts require approval of a Graduate Diploma Plan before starting your program. Check with your Human Resource department to see if this applies in your district.