Adventure Education, Post-Degree Diploma

Program at a glance

Credential

Post-Degree Diploma

Work experience

None

Study options

Part-time

Open to International

Yes

Area of study

Sport & Exercise

Length

13 months

Financial help

Learn about awards, grants and bursaries that do not need to be paid back.

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Explore the potential of outdoor, experiential and adventure-based learning

Develop your knowledge and skills in facilitating meaningful education and developmental experiences.

Do you work in formal or informal education, outdoor activity guiding, youth work, counselling, health and well-being, or other human service areas? Do you want to bring authentic, inspiring, co-operative outdoor experiences into your education or development work? Do you have questions about meaningfully addressing issues of environmental sustainability, Truth and Reconciliation, and Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and relating in outdoor adventure education? Are you looking for a short duration graduate-level program with a small group size?

The Adventure Education Post-Degree Diploma could be ideal for you. Over the course of 13 months you will develop your understanding and skills in outdoor, experiential, environmental, and adventure-based learning in order to expand and deepen your professional capabilities.

Designed for working professionals

Adventure Education is a graduate-level, 30-credit post-degree diploma delivered in a blended format with the majority of the course delivery online and two, two-week in-person summer residencies. The mix of face-to-face and online learning enables you to continue working wherever you are located while furthering your education at the same time.

The summer terms at the start and end of the program consist of online components and a two-week face-to-face residency. Courses in each fall and winter term are delivered fully online. The cohort model and small group size means you will build strong relationships with your fellow students that support your learning as you progress through the program together.

Teachers and Educators

Are you looking to reinvigorate your teaching, provide authentic and engaging learning experiences, connect students to nature, explore inter-disciplinary learning possibilities, promote healthy lifestyles, or lead students on outdoor trips? Through this program, you will develop skills to implement outdoor experiential learning in your curriculum and envision new possibilities for teaching and learning through adventure education principles.

Note: BC Teacher Qualification Service (TQS) considers this post-degree diploma an acceptable Integrated Program that may meet requirements for category upgrading. Pre-approval with BC TQS is recommended.

Counsellors, Youth Workers & Human Service Professionals

We know that our physical environment has a fundamental influence on our health and well-being. Counsellors, therapists, youth workers and other professionals are increasingly finding themselves drawn to the potential of working outdoors with their clients and can attest to the positive changes afforded by working in natural spaces. In this program you will learn how to move your professional practice into outdoor spaces or expand the bounds of the work that you already do outdoors.

Outdoor Activity Leaders and Guides

Are you already working in the outdoor adventure field and want to expand the purpose and potential of your work? This program will guide you through a range of concepts and theories that underpin outdoor, adventure, and experiential education and will develop your understanding so you'll be better able to explain what it is you do and why you do it. This academic training will help you to re-configure, expand, re-build or re-design your work in a variety of possible directions. From personal growth to theories of learning, evaluative practices to human-nature relationships, the courses in this program will support the development of your coaching, consulting, or guiding career.

What you'll learn

Current students wanting information about your program, go to student planning in myCamosun.

Group of adventure education students and instructor discussing topics outside lodge building

Program outline

For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar.

Program outline

“The Adventure Education program offered me many opportunities for professional growth and connections … I fully expected to learn new things and expand my vision for how my teaching practice could intersect with the outdoors in new ways, however; I don’t think I expected to experience such extensive personal growth. I am beyond thankful for the opportunity to be part of this incredible new program.” – Caroline Erickson, BC High School Teacher

What to expect

The 13-month post-degree diploma starts each July and is delivered entirely off-campus through online and face-to-face learning. The program consists of four terms: Summer 1, Fall, Winter, Summer 2. Summer terms are a blend of online and face-to-face learning in an outdoor setting. Fall and Winter terms are entirely online.

In this program you will develop your capacities to create and facilitate impactful experiences specific to the populations you work with. Adventure education is an approach to working with people that can be applied in many different contexts and for many different purposes. You are not expected to have a high level of technical expertise or physical fitness to participate in this program. There is no age limit to participation either! We meet each student where they are at and support them to develop their knowledge and skills relevant to their specific context. his program is open to both domestic and international applicants.

Summer Term 1 (July to August)

Your first term is comprised of three courses taught in an integrated format of online and face-to-face with a week of online engagement, a two-week immersive face-to-face field component and one following week of online engagement. You will (re-)examine and practice foundational ideas essential for working with people in the outdoors.

Fall Term (September to December)

Your second term is comprised of two online courses focused on contemporary issues and the variety of possible approaches to adventure-based learning, and developing and evaluating safe, effective programs.

Winter Term (January to April)

Your third term is comprised of two online courses. You will learn about the importance of professional reflective practice, growth and development, and human-environment relationships.

Summer Term 2 (July to August)

Your final term is comprised of three courses taught in an integrated format of online and face-to-face with a week of online engagement, a two-week immersive face-to-face field component and one following week of online engagement. You will study ideas associated with transformative learning and wilderness experiences along with a focus on water-based leadership.

Special equipment

Regular and dependable access to technology including a computer/tablet with a webcam and microphone for the online duration of the program. High-speed internet is an asset.

Appropriate outdoor clothing, footwear, sleeping bag, tent, backpack, sleeping mat and other personal camping equipment. A full list will be provided to registered students prior to the program commencement. You should not need to incur significant expenses for required equipment. Please consider borrowing or renting equipment. If you have any questions about required equipment, clothing or other items, please contact us at sported@camosun.ca.

Tuition and fees

Effective from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025

Estimated tuition

Tuition estimates are for the entire program

Adventure Education, Post-Degree Diploma

$15,300 (domestic)

$22,500.90 (international)

For International Students visit International Tuition & Fees.

Student fees

In addition to tuition estimates, student fees are calculated based on your enrolment. Refer to: Student Fees.

Financial assistance

You may need to find more than one source of funding to help pay for your education and living costs while attending college. Check out sources of money you don't need to pay back as well as those that need to be repaid.

Financial Aid & Awards

Admission requirements

All of:

Proof of a Baccalaureate degree

When you apply you will need to submit proof that you meet the program admission requirements listed above. Where a letter grade is specified, you must have proof of that grade or higher.

For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar: Loading...

Ready to get started?

Apply now

Check our current program availability.

Need help applying?

Find out more on How to Apply or speak to an Admissions Advisor.

Don't have a bachelor's degree?

Camosun offers several bachelor degree programs.

International Students

Important note: This program of study does not meet the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) criteria for either an Off-campus Work program or a Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program.
Please contact International Admissions for more details.

Contact us

If you have admissions questions contact us today!

Admissions and recruitment

If you have questions about the Adventure Education program contact sported@camosun.ca.

Faculty

Camosun College is proud of the excellent quality of its instruction. Our teaching staff are experienced, inspiring and supportive of our students' individual journeys. Please see our Adventure Education faculty listed below. For a full list of our faculty, please visit our CSEE contact page.