EXTERNAL SPORT CREDITS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

The External Sport Credentials Program (ESCP) gives students the opportunity to earn graduation credits for approved levels of competition as an athlete, coach and/or official.

Students can obtain External Sport Credits in these categories:

• Athlete (10, 11, 12)
• Coach (11, 12)
• Official (10, 11, 12)

The Ministry of Education is responsible for the External Credentials program and the Sport Credits Portion of this program is administered and monitored by the Sport and Recreation Branch of the Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport.  

To see which sports are involved in the program, eligibility standards and for more information, please visit External Sport Credentials Program.

DETAILS

• Students do not have to be in a specific grade to receive that grade’s credit.  For example, a grade 10 student who is competing on a provincial team going to a national championship will receive credit for Athlete 12.   Likewise, a grade 11 student who competed in the BC Games while he/she was in grade seven will receive credit for Athlete 10.
• Students who have participated in approved programs before they reach grade 10 can receive credit for their past participation by obtaining written documentation to verify their participation. 
• Once a student has received credit for a particular level within the athlete, official or coach categories, he or she cannot receive additional credits for duplicate participation.

HOW TO EARN CREDITS

• Check to see if your sport program is approved to receive credit in the External Sport Credentials Program (http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/graduation/courseinfo/  select “Course Information for the Graduation Program” and go to Chapter 3 External Sport Course Information.

• Obtain written documentation from the appropriate organizations:
  •  Athlete Category programs - provincial or national sport organization.
  • Official Category programs - provincial sport organization.
  • Coach Category programs – you will need to submit the required documentation to the Sport and Recreation Branch of the Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport who will review the documentation and if all requirements are met they will issue you a verification letter.  Contact:  Milena Gaiga, milena.gaiga@gov.bc.ca or 250-356-5183. 

• Provide the documentation to your school counselor.

School Credit - Officials Standards
 

Application Form 
 

UXSO 10 (2 credits): Theory course, examination, evaluation and 25 hours of practical officiating.

UXSO 11 (4 credits): Theory course, examination, evaluation and 50 hours of practical officiating.

UXSO 12 (4 credits): Theory course, examination, evaluation and 50 hours of practical officiating.

Knowledge and Assessment
Student officials must have completed a theory component, passed an exam and completed practical experience with an evaluation signed by a PSO designated official's educator or evaluator.

Practical Experience
For the practical officiating experience, a student must commit the minimum number of officiating hours as indicated in the above table.  Officiating hour can be acquired in more than one sport.  For students who accumulate officiating hours in more than one sport, it is mandatory they complete the theory, examination and evaluation/assessment component independently for each sport.  The student official must have a record (booklet, passport, etc.) that is signed by a PSO designated official to confirm the number of hours spent on the practical component.