This Diploma route is focused on teaching and co-teaching PDC’s, advanced PC trainings, and innovation efforts based in teaching.  It is granted to honor achievement and excellence in teaching.

Please review how the Diploma Program works so you will understand what is expected of you, and what you can expect of PINA. Diplomas are awarded to applicants who demonstrate experience and ability at a professional level. The program is based in self-directed learning; PINA classes, webinars, and workshops do not automatically apply toward the diploma. You will need to meet your Action Learning goals in ways that you and your Field Advisor consider appropriate. PINA will connect you with a Field Advisor suited to your program who can support you through your journey.

Once your application is accepted, your Field Advisor will meet with you to discuss your current qualifications and together you will develop an Action Learning Plan in order to meet all of the Diploma requirements. Upon completion of the Action Learning Plan, you will submit a Portfolio to PINA for review and earn your Diploma!

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Portfolio

Your portfolio must include the following documents:

• Completed Action Learning Plan
• Documentation of Advanced Coursework
• Documentation of Permaculture Teaching Experience
• Documentation of Permaculture Design Work for 5 permaculture designs
• Two written references from PINA-recognized lead instructors with whom the candidate has co-taught.
• Two written references from your co-workers and/or employers.

Additional documentation if applicable:

• Bibliography of publications.
• Roster of public outreach activities.
• Professional awards.
• Additional supporting evidence, such as field reports or photos.

Action Learning Plan

Developed with the guidance of the field advisor, the plan may entail mentoring, internships, paid work, self-directed projects, and direct instruction. A completed Action Learning Plan also includes documentation of how you implement permaculture in your personal life, including the design and status of your home site and livelihood. This item illustrates permaculture ethics in action.

Advanced Coursework

Participation in a PINA-recognized Advanced Permaculture Design Course (PDC) and/or Permaculture Teacher Training Course is highly recommended, and may be required by the field advisor.

Advanced courses may be applied towards the requirement for teaching experience.

Permaculture Teaching Experience

Accrued under the guidance of the field advisor, you must teach at least 10 PDCs. Portfolio documentation must include course evaluations from 10 participants. Additionally, documentation must be made of the ability to teach all modules of the PINA-recognized PDC curriculum. This may include a written description of the curriculum as taught, documented lesson plans for units within the curriculum, and/or documentation through oral presentation and inquiry.

You must co-teach at least 4 PDCs with a PINA diplomate in education, or other instructor approved by your field advisor as sufficiently experienced to provide mentorship, being present throughout the entire course and sharing in organizing, instruction and classroom management responsibilities. (For candidates with extensive previous experience, one or two of these courses may be waived at the discretion of the field advisor.)

After co-teaching 4 PDCs, you must co-teach and co-organize an additional 6 PDCs. Teaching an online course can count towards this requirement, as determined by PINA on a case-by-case basis.

Certification from an advanced course will be considered equivalent to co-teaching one PDC. With both advanced courses, you must co-teach only 4 additional PDCs.

PINA will supply PDC certificates for graduates of these courses. The field advisor, in consultation with senior teachers who co-taught with the candidate, will ascertain if you are ready to sign certificates on behalf of PINA, or if a senior teacher needs to be included in the course.

Permaculture Design Work

Completion of 5 comprehensive permaculture client-based designs and/or community project designs are required, including one design for an invisible structure that has been presented to a group, such as designing a permaculture guild for the community.

Team-based design work is encouraged. Demonstration of skills is required that connect design to the real world, including problem solving ability, budgeting, generating estimates and scheduling.