Education – Intermediate/Senior

General information

The Faculty of Education offers a 16-month program in the preparation of 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 options 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.

Application information

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. Each candidate must have received the required undergraduate degree by July 1 of the year in which they begin their Bachelor of Education program.

Applicants must have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours in university courses (equivalent to five full courses, or 10 one-semester courses) in a first teachable subject and 18 credit hours (equivalent to three full courses, or six one-semester courses) in a second teachable subject; and a minimum of 70 per cent (B- or 2.7 GPA) is required with a minimum 70 per cent (B- or 2.7 GPA) average in courses applicable to each teachable subject. The application service (through Ontario Universities’ Application Centre – OUAC) opens mid-September of 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:

1. 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. 
2. 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 Intermediate/Senior Concurrent option is available for undergraduate students in the following faculties:

• Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science
• Faculty of Health Sciences (excluding the Nursing program)
• Faculty of Science

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). A teacher candidate who is not successful in placement, and therefore fails the Foundations course, will be removed from the program. 

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) in the Bachelor of Education courses to be eligible for progression in and graduation from the Bachelor of Education (Consecutive) degree program. In addition, students must achieve a minimum grade of 70 percent (B-) in the following courses:

EDUC 1300U - Foundations I: Planning and Preparation + 22 days Field Experience

EDUC 1305U - Foundations II: Curriculum Theory and Practice + 32 days Field Experience

EDUC 2405U - Foundations III: Long Range Planning and Assessment + 31 days Field Experience

Students who do not achieve both a minimum B- grade in these courses and complete a successful practicum during the term in which the associated Foundations course is scheduled will be removed from the 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 Intermediate/Senior program is comprised of 60 credit hours, including 54 credit hours of required courses and 6 hours of elective courses.

The Bachelor of Education program is a Professional Program and accredited by the Ontario College of Teachers. Attendance is mandatory in all classes and multiple absences may result in Field Experience cancellation and removal from the program. The Faculty strives to provide support and guidance for students struggling with attendance and will work collaboratively with students on improvement toward success.

**Education electives

Elective requirements: 6 credit hours selected from the following list. Two electives must be taken during the second fall term.

Note: Not all listed electives will be available every year.