What is the Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design?
The Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design is a tutor-supported self-study program of at least 2 years. In this journey, called Action Learning Pathway, a project is prepared that demonstrates the apprentice’s ability to apply the principles and ethics and permaculture in a comprehensive and complex manner, and to demonstrate the skills acquired using a range of design methods, tools and skills. See the Action Learning Manual and documents in the Documents section.
Why obtain a Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design?
The diploma is important for three main reasons:
First, it is a structured curriculum to help people who want to learn more and use more permaculture. This allows us to develop our skills and become professionals
Secondly, it contributes to the development of the network. Projects can be chosen to support the wider network, and the tutor’s network helps to connect people through interests and learning topics.
Third, our system is a quality assurance system, in fact, good trainees will be good teachers and will increase the number of designers involved in permaculture.
What is the Accreditation for the Diploma?
The “Action Learning Pathway” is a structured but flexible course, which is carried out with the support of an “Action Learning Pathway’s tutor” and a project tutor. There is an active network of apprentices, graduates and tutors who meet during the Academy’s Plenary Assemblies to share the work of design and socialization.
The main stages of the route are as follows:
- Choice of the Design Tutor and Action Learning Pathway tutor
- Registration at the Academy
- Preparation of a project portfolio for the evaluation of the accreditation commission
- The career and project tutors will review the work and provide advice on the necessary actions to be taken, suggesting changes and improvements or that the apprentice is ready to become certified.
- “Mid-term presentation” of its work to the Plenary Assembly. The mid-term presentation is a very important moment of active learning, it allows you to present your own journey and project to gather feedback from all those present, lasting 20 minutes followed by 10 minutes of questions from the Assembly and 10 minutes of Assembly feedback. This presentation can be made from a minimum of one year after enrollment in the Action Learning Pathway and with the consent of both tutors.
- After one year from the date of the last “Mid-term Presentation” and after a minimum of two years from the start of his or her “Action Learning Pathway” – and always with the consent of both tutors – the apprentice may make his or her Accreditation to the Accreditation Committee. The accreditation presentation lasts 45 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of questions and 10 minutes of feedback.
The opportunity to present both the mid-term and the Diploma portfolio is the Plenary Assembly of the Academy, also a very important opportunity to participate in the presentations of other apprentices and possibly to be part of the Accreditation Committee of other apprentices and to know the Academy’s tutors.
Obtaining the Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design
Students in active learning have two sessions during plenary sessions to present their work:
- Session for mid-term presentations, during which students have 40 minutes each, divided into 20 minutes of presentation, 10 minutes of questions and answers and 10 minutes of comments from attendees.
- Diploma accreditation session, during which students each have 45 minutes to present their project and their progress, 10 minutes of questions and answers and 10 minutes of comments from those present.
The entire process is managed by the Academy’s tutors.
After the presentations for accreditation, the Accreditation Committee meets and prepares its recommendation report for the candidate and the Academy. The report is filed as part of the procedure.
The awarding of the Diploma takes place after the Accreditation, at a public event during the Plenary Assembly, where new graduates are celebrated together.
For more information, see the “How to register” page.