Frequently Asked Questions
Are you accredited?
Coastal College of British Columbia is a fully accredited, designated college.
Can we choose our practicum placement, or is it chosen for us?
Practicums are organized by Coastal College of British Columbia (CCBC). In consultation with the student, CCBC would tentatively schedule a practicum in a high school or elementary school in the students preferred area. The student may also make inquires. CCBC would negotiate placements through discussions with a host organization. If a host organization is not available in the student’s preferred area of residence, the student maybe required to accept a practicum elsewhere. But this should not be an issue, as most school districts, independent schools and private schools are hiring. Through negotiations, the practicum is set out based on the learning outcomes. Care is taken to ensure that the practicum does not demand knowledge that the student does not yet possess. All coursework must be complete before the beginning of the practicum. As well, a criminal record search and a basic first aid course must be completed before the start of the practicum. Most school districts do not allow practicums in September or June. Our goal would be to have you start the practicum in other months. Not to worry, we would work with you to ensure all these pieces are in place.
Are the listed textbooks included in the price and provided or do we buy them elsewhere? If so, where?
As you may know, you can purchase or rent textbooks from a variety of sites and locations. Please see the attached course outline and textbook list for textbook titles and ISBN numbers. We encourage students to rent textbooks from a vendor of their choice. Estimated cost is about $300 in total. Here is a list of sites some students have found useful. You may wish to rent/purchase from the following sites:
textbooks.com
Are tests scheduled, or are they all online and can be taken whenever the student is ready?
In the courses there are no examinations. The research is quite clear that exams do not provide long term retention or deep understanding of course content. In this program, the instructors use the formative assessment model. Many colleges and universities are moving away from the “test”. Many educators and experts believe that formative assessment is an integral part of effective teaching and learning. In contrast with most summative assessments (exams and tests), which are deliberately set apart from instruction, formative assessments are integrated into the learning process. For example, a formative-assessment technique could be as simple as an instructor posing a reflection question to a student and then using a rubric to provide feedback.
Can payment for the course be made in installments or does it all have to get paid at once?
Tuition fees for programs are due and payable before the start date of the program. Students may pay in installments, which would be set up as evenly as possible. The amount of tuition would be apportioned equally to each installment date. All tuition must be paid before the student begins their practicum and before the students receive their final proof/certification of program completion. Most students pay in 3 installments. Tuition fees do not include the cost of the required textbooks.
Is there a set start date or can I start as soon as I pay and register?
Programs have continuous intake. This means that you can start as soon as your registration has been processed by the registrar.
Do you have bursaries or scholarships, particularly for single parents?
We have a small scholarship of $100 for students in need. All that is required is a letter outlining the details. A summary will suffice.
Please do not hesitate to contact CCBC if you require any further information.