General information
The Faculty of Education offers a 16-month program in the preparation of Primary-Junior (P/J) and Intermediate-Senior (I/S) teachers. The emphasis on technology in learning and teaching is a defining element of our university’s Bachelor of Education program. Teacher candidates use technology in their own learning experiences so that they will understand how to integrate technology into classroom practice. Courses use inquiry and problem-solving approaches with a focus on the importance of subject matter as the catalyst for teacher-learner interaction, as well as individual learning and teaching in shaping learning conditions. The faculty’s Bachelor of Education programs are based on key educational principles including technology, diversity, reflection and praxis.
The program models key elements of education at the edge of innovation, such as a blend of face-to-face and online curriculum offerings, and encouraging the use of digital technologies and multiple forms of literacy so that teacher candidates will be able to be leaders of technology in their schools and in their school boards, and in other workplace options, such as professional development, adult education, and training.
There are two routes of application into the program, as described below.
Consecutive option
Admission requirements
Admission is competitive. The specific average or standing required for admission varies from year to year. Students are selected by taking into consideration a wide range of criteria including school marks, distribution of subjects taken, and performance in subjects relevant to the academic program. Possession of the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Preference will be given to applicants with the best qualifications.
Applicants will hold an undergraduate degree from a recognized university, with a minimum required average of 70 per cent (B- or 2.7 GPA) in their best 10 full-year or best 20 half-year courses completed. Preference will be given to students with a four-year honours degree.
Application information
Because Primary/Junior teachers deal with a wide range of subject areas, it is desirable that applicants have a broad academic background. In assessing the academic breadth of Primary/Junior applicants, the Faculty of Education gives preference to candidates who have one or more 3 credit hour undergraduate or graduate courses in the subject groupings listed below:
- English
- Equity/Indigenous Studies
- Liberal Arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Technology
While few applicants will have completed courses in all of the above areas, the more areas an applicant has covered, the stronger the application. Each candidate must have received the required undergraduate degree by July 1 of the year in which they begin their Bachelor of Education program.
The application service (through Ontario Universities’ Application Centre – OUAC) opens mid-September each year for Professional Program Applications to the Teacher Education Application Service (TEAS) and closes in late November/early December of each year. A complete application includes:
- Transcripts – Applicants must ensure that any courses in progress are listed on the OUAC/TEAS application form, especially when appropriate prerequisites do not appear on the official transcripts being forwarded.
- Evidence of oral and written proficiency in English.
A clear criminal record check is a post-admission requirement for all successful applicants.
Concurrent option
Admission requirements
A concurrent admission option is available for students applying to or currently enrolled in an undergraduate program at Ontario Tech University. This option allows students to apply directly for advance acceptance into an Education program at the same time as applying for or studying an undergraduate degree. The option is available for both the Primary/Junior (Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6) and Intermediate/Senior (Grade 7 to 12) programs. The option allows students to participate in education seminars, visit classes and discover if a career in education is right for them. Students will be encouraged to meet faculty, current teacher candidates and graduates to gain a better understanding of the teaching profession and the multiple career paths one can pursue with a Bachelor of Education degree.
The Primary/Junior Concurrent option is available for undergraduate students in the following faculties:
• Faculty of Business and Information Technology
• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Engineering
• Faculty of Health Sciences (Nursing program only)
• Faculty of Science
• Faculty of Social Science and Humanities
Application information
New applicants interested in pursuing the concurrent option must apply directly to the undergraduate program of their choice on the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) website. Applicants must meet all prerequisites for the undergraduate application, as well as a competitive admission average. For more information, see admissions . Upon completion of the undergraduate program, eligible students will directly enter the Bachelor of Education program. Acceptance is dependent on GPA and subject specialization requirements.
Current undergraduate students may apply and be accepted in the winter semester of students’ second or third year of studies in an undergraduate program at our university. This program will have limited space and applications are considered on a competitive basis based on GPA. Successful applicants will be notified by the Office of the Registrar by the end of May after the term of application. Students in their final year of study are not eligible for this option and must apply through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) as outlined in the Consecutive sections above.
During the fall semester of the students’ final year of study, the Faculty of Education will determine which students completed sufficient modules to continue into the Bachelor of Education program. Eligible students must present a GPA of 2.7 in their best 20 courses (for P/J and I/S) and a GPA of 2.7 in each teachable subject (for I/S) to gain admission into the Bachelor of Education program.
Field experience
Field experience includes 80 days of practical experience, appropriate to the format and structure of the program, in schools and other situations approved by the College for observation and practice teaching (Regulation 347/02, Section 1).
Teacher certification
The university’s Bachelor of Education consecutive programs are designed to meet all the Ontario legislated requirements and incorporate the standards of practice and ethical standards for the teaching profession of the Ontario College of Teachers.
Graduates will be recommended by the university to the Ontario College of Teachers for certification to practice in the Ontario education system.
Program details and degree requirements
To be eligible for the Bachelor of Education degree, students must successfully complete the courses outlined below. Students must achieve a minimum overall average of 70 per cent (B- or 2.7 GPA) to be eligible for promotion in and graduation from the Bachelor of Education (Consecutive) degree program.
Although reasonable efforts will be made to adhere to the following program map, course requirements and term offerings may change. For the most up-to-date list of course offerings please visit the faculty website at education.ontariotechu.ca.
The degree requirements for the Bachelor of Education Primary/Junior program are comprised of 60 credit hours, including 54 credit hours of required courses and 6 credit hours of elective courses.
Fall semester (15 credit hours)
Winter semester (15 credit hours)
Spring semester (15 credit hours - online)
Fall semester (15 credit hours)
**Education electives
Elective requirements: 6 credit hours selected from the following list. Both electives must be taken during the second fall term.
Note: Not all listed electives will be available every year.
