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 see the Course Information for the Graduation Program link at the Ministry of Education’s website  http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/graduation/courseinfo/  select “Course Information for the Graduation Program” and go to Chapter 3 External Sport Course Information.

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.