Program Pathway

The IES degree offers a highly interdisciplinary learning experience. This is a huge advantage but provides some challenges which need to be carefully addressed. You could have a Faculty of Education class in the morning, addressing education in intercultural contexts; an Italian language class in the early afternoon; and a Global Studies class focussed on social science research methods in the evening. You might be left with your head spinning!  

We work hard to build complementarity between the various aspects of your degree studies, but there is no denying that you’ll also have to put in special effort to manage the different topics of study, classroom cultures, and assignment expectations. You’ll come out of the degree with adaptability as one of your key skills! 

A SUGGESTED STUDY PATHWAY 

Most courses are only offered in one semester, and there are certain parts of the IES degree that are normally meant to fit into a particular year of study. So, you have to plan your courses carefully. Below, we offer a suggested 4-year “pathway” for the IES degree, using the most recent calendar requirements. Remember, you might have entered the degree on a different calendar, so don’t use this pathway as your definitive list of degree requirements!  

This pathway is only a guideline. You don’t have to take five courses per semester, and you don’t have to take all of your second-year courses in second year (or third-year courses in third year, etc.). It’s important to stay on track, but it’s just as important to be successful in your courses, and sometimes a lighter load can help with that. Many students will end up taking 4.5 or even 5 years to finish their degree—and that’s OK! 

 YEAR 1 (5.0 CREDITS) 

• GS101: Introduction to Global Studies 
• GS102: Mapping Global Studies: Culture, Conflict, Development 
• INED103: Introduction to Education in International Contex
• INED104: Theories of Learning and Development 
• WS100: Introduction to Women and Gender Studies 
• Non-English Language study (1.0 credit) 
• Electives (1.5 credit) 

YEAR 2 (5.0 CREDITS) 

• GS201: Theories in Global Studies 
• GS202: Methods in Global Studies 
• 1.0 additional credit of GS 200-level courses 
• INED201: Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy 
• INED202: General Teaching Methods (for 2023 and earlier students, was INED101)
• INED203: Language and Literacy Development in Multilingual Contexts 
• EM212: Remodeling Relationships with Mathematics  
• EM202: The Educational Divide 
• 0.5 credit of electives 

YEAR 3, FALL & WINTER (4.75 CREDITS) 

• TESL Certificate Program (Standard 1; 2.5 credits) or at least 1.0 in additional non-English language credits (with 1.5 other electives) 
• 1.0 credit of GS 300-level courses 
• GS391: Global Experience Pre-Placement (0.25 credit) 
• INED301: Introduction to Adult Education 
• 0.5 credit elective 

 YEAR 3, SPRING (1.0 CREDIT) 

• GS392: Global Experience Placement 
• INED302: Issues and Practice in International Education Studies
• NOTE: as of 2024, only INED302 will be required during placement. For students on 2023-24 or earlier calendars, check on MyDegree or with iesadvisor@wlu.ca to make sure that without GS392 you will still attain the minimum 9.0 senior credits in your major.    

YEAR 4 (4.25 CREDITS) 

• INED401: Educational Leadership in International Contexts 
• INED402: International Integrated Curriculum 
• GS394: Global Experience Post-Placement (0.25 credit) 
• 1.0 credit of GS 400-level courses 
• 2.0 credits of electives