SCUBA Instructor Program for Elite Professionals

Our SCUBA Instructor Program for Elite Professionals will take someone from an Open Water Diver to a Instructor.

We are currently eligible to use GI Bill® benefits for this program and our school is nationally accredited by ACCET, which also allows us to accept Tuition Assistance for this program.

For more info on signing up for VA/GI Bill funding please check at the bottom of this page).

Our Program includes the following courses:

Mission Statement

At the training division of Discovery Diving Co., Inc., our mission is to produce outstanding SCUBA professionals that not only comply with industry standards, but surpass them. Through our two intensive professional programs, the 4-month Divemaster program and the 9-month Instructor program, graduates emerge ready to teach courses, guide students and certified divers, work on charter boats, work in a dive shop or resort, and even begin their own business. Our goal is to graduate students with Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) professional rankings that exceed industry standards, creating an instructor that is in high demand worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How and where do I sign up?
To sign up please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., call (252-728-2265) or just stop in to Discovery Diving (if using VA/GI Bill please see below).

How long will the program take?
This program runs almost 9 months with mandatory attendance (some rescheduling may be accommodated).  To graduate, the student must complete all of the classes, as well as 100 ocean dives. You will complete about 40 dives with our instructors, which means that you will be responsible for the additional 60 dives on your own.

How often will I be going to classes/diving?
The student is not required to take a class every weekend, but if they wish to complete the program faster, we will generally have dives available for them to take at least once a week. Most classes will be held on weekends. But for example: Enriched Air specialty just requires classroom time, so we may schedule them on weekday evenings and some classes i.e. the Advanced Class may  class time on a Friday evening to expedite the dives that following weekend. We are flexible; we understand that we have to work with many different schedules. We are eager to have students complete the program so we will do everything that we can to accommodate your needs.

What do I need to do before I Start My Class?

1. Tell all your friends you are taking SCUBA diving course and ask them if they would like to join you.
2. Please read the first three modules of the PADI Open Water Manual and complete the Knowledge Reviews at the end of each module.
3. Please complete the Medical Form enclosed with your student package, if you answer yes to any of the questions you will need to have a signed medical release form on the first day of class.
4. You will need to provide your own mask, fins, booties, and snorkel. If you would like to schedule an appointment for a personal fitting prior to your first day of class, please give us a call. You may also wait until after the first day of class during which we will give a very important lecture on the proper fit of equipment.
5. We will provide the rest of your SCUBA equipment for your class, pool, and ocean sessions.
6. Note class times and date. Promptness is appreciated.
7. Practice putting your face in water with your snorkel in your mouth (no mask on) in a bathtub, pool, etc. and practice being able to breathe in through your mouth and out through your nose 2 or 3 times without lifting your face out of the water and with out holding your nose.
8. Collect high school transcript and submit to DDC.

Where do I meet for my first class?
Students will need to come to Discovery Diving Co. 414 Orange St. in Beaufort NC 28516 252-728-2265(SCUBA OK)

What do I need to bring for my first class?
On the first day, you will need to bring your Open Water Manual and Dive tables. You will also need to bring your bathing suit/towel on the first day.

How do I sign up for VA/GI Bill funding?

1. Download, fill out and bring back in a copy of the Enrolment Agreement.
2. Download a copy of the Course Catalogue and the training schedule, please note that attendance is mandatory but understanding that some students are still active duty we will do what we can to work around operational commitments.
3. Apply for or transfer your VA/GI Bill Benefits:
   • If you have not yet applied for your VA/GI Bill Benefits you need to download and fill out VA Form 22-1990.
   • If you have already used some of your benefits you'll need to transfer the remanding funds to us and can do this by downloading and filling out VA Form 22-1995.
   • This can all be done online at VONAPP.
   • When applying, the name of the school is Discovery Diving Co., Inc. and the name of the program is Open Water SCUBA Instructor Certificate.
4. Collect high school transcript and submit to DDC.
5. Return the Enrollment Agreement with copies of any SCUBA certifications we can apply for credit.
6. You'll then receive an acceptance letter and receipt of transfer credit information.
7. Depending on the type of VA/GI Bill benefits you qualify for there are a few other things you'll need to know:
   • If you are post 9-11, you are pretty much done. Tuition and fees will be paid directly to Discovery Diving, books and supplies money will go directly to you.
   • If you are pre 9-11, you will need to certify that you are attending monthly (submit forms online) and you will be responsible for paying the tuition monthly once you've received your monthly stipend.
8. We can not guarantee that your VA benefits will pay for this as we do not make the call on who gets the benefits or what amount.  You are ultimately responsible for the cost of the course ($21,120.81). This includes the cost of the course of $20,300.81 and additional fees incurred for books. The difference of $820.00 may be covered by your book stipend.

What does the VA/GI Bill cover?
The VA/GI Bill will currently pay just over $20,300.00 which covers tuition and books. $1000 of this covers specialized equipment required for courses. Also you will need to apply for any Per Diem or Stipends directly.

Is lodging available?
We will have discounted lodging in one of our Lodges on a space available basis.

Where can I go for more information?
For more information on the program, please call Discovery Diving Co. at 252 728 2265 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Where can I go for more information about my VA/GI Bill benefits?
For more information on using your VA/GI Bill benefits, please click the following link:

http://www.gibill.va.gov/

How long will the program take?
This program is almost every weekend for 9 months.

What do I need to do before I Start My Class?

1. Tell all your friends you are taking SCUBA diving course and ask them if they would like to join you.
2. Please read the first three modules of the PADI Open Water Manual and complete the Knowledge Reviews at the end of each module.
3. Please complete the Medical Form enclosed with your student package, if you answer yes to any of the questions you will need to have a signed medical release form on the first day of class.
4. You will need to provide your own mask, fins, booties, and snorkel. If you would like to schedule an appointment for a personal fitting prior to your first day of class, please give us a call. You may also wait until after the first day of class during which we will give a very important lecture on the proper fit of equipment.
5. We will provide the rest of your SCUBA equipment for your class, pool, and ocean sessions.
6. Note class times and date. Promptness is appreciated.
7. Practice putting your face in water with your snorkel in your mouth (no mask on) in a bathtub, pool, etc. and practice being able to breathe in through your mouth and out through your nose 2 or 3 times without lifting your face out of the water and with out holding your nose.

Where do I meet for my first class?
Students will need to come to Discovery Diving Co. 414 Orange St. in Beaufort NC 28516 252-728-2265(SCUBA OK)

What do I need to bring for my first class?
On the first day, you will need to bring your Open Water Manual and Dive tables. You will also need to bring your bathing suit/towel on the first day.

Cost:$20,300.81 + Books (Books must be purchased from Discovery Diving to qualify for this program)
If you are a veteran and signed up for the Post 911 GI Bill the cost will be covered by the GI Bill, if you signed up for the Montgomery GI Bill a portion of the cost will be covered, however you may be able to convert your Montgomery GI Bill to the Post 911 GI Bill.

Additional Fees (Out of Pocket):

• PADI Instructor Application Fee - $150
• PADI Instructor Insurance Approx $600 (Prorateable)
• Cost of equipment between $1,200 - $2,500

Are there any additional costs that the VA/GI Bill does not cover?
Yes. Your VA/GI Bill benefits does not cover your scuba gear. You will be responsible for your own snorkel gear (if you do not yet have mask, fins and snorkel, we recommend waiting until the first day of class to purchase as we will go over all the pro and cons of the different gear that first day). We include the use of all SCUBA gear for your Open Water class, however after your Open Water class you are responsible for renting or purchasing your own gear. Overall, buying high quality gear will cost you about the same amount as renting gear for the duration of your program.

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