The Professional Development Program (PDP) at Simon Fraser University is a 12-month (three semester) teacher education program that incorporates practical experience and university coursework, in approximately equal proportions. PDP is a full time program and is not available by Distance Education.

The approximate cost of PDP is currently $8,600 (plus the cost of books) for the twelve month program. Approximately one third of the program fee is due at the beginning of each semester. Upon successful completion of the program, students are recommended to the Teacher Regulation Branch of the Ministry of Education for a British Columbia Teaching Certificate.

For the program structure, please see below.

Simon Fraser University's Faculty of Education operates on a differentiated staffing model. In addition to faculty members (Professors), experienced teachers (Faculty Associates and School Associates) play various roles in the program. Faculty Associates are teachers who are seconded to the University for a temporary appointment. School Associates are teachers in whose classrooms student teachers are placed for Education 401/402 and 405.

The program consists of the following three stages:
 
EDUCATION 401/402: INTEGRATION OF THEORY AND PRACTICE
In Education 401/402, you study teaching through the integration of in-classroom practicum experiences and instructional seminars. This integrated experience makes it possible for you to grow in your understanding of the relationship between educational theory and classroom practice.
 
As part of your Education 401 experiences, you are ideally placed in pods of 3-6 students at an assigned school.  You will be a part of a 2-3 week School/Community Experience as well as assigned to a specific classroom teacher (School Associate) for your 3 week Classroom Experience. As part of Education 402, you begin the study of the literature of education and engage in seminars that examine educational issues. You may also attend curriculum workshops, and become familiar with a vast array of educational resources. As an important part of the Education 401/402 experience, you will begin to make meaning of the vast and complex world of educational practice, and to have this meaning informed by extensive study of the literature and by thoughtful, reflective discourse.
 
EDUCATION 405: TEACHING SEMESTER
In Education 405, you are assigned to a classroom for 10 to 12 weeks of student teaching experience. During this semester, the School Associate and Faculty Associate provide help and guidance, as well as make assessments of your growth toward the achievement of standards of professional competence.
 
EDUCATION 404: PROFESSIONAL COURSEWORK SEMESTER
In Education 404, you choose from a variety of professional courses offered by the Faculty of Education-courses that will build on teaching strengths, and eliminate deficiencies in the preparation for teaching.