Program Requirements

Students must complete the required courses listed below. Note that the Practicum Days (EU450A and EU450B) requires teacher candidates (TCs) to be in the school one day a week throughout the duration of the BEd program.

Students must pass five practica and an Alternative Placement prior to graduation.

Attendance at the Professional Teaching Orientation (September) and Professional Teaching Transition (after practicum five) is mandatory. Failure to attend will result in their ineligibility to graduate at convocation.

Students must provide to the faculty a copy of an up-to-date "clear" Vulnerable Sector Screening (police check). If they have a criminal record they will be unable to visit their PDS site or any school involved in the Laurier teacher education program. Under these circumstances they will be unable to complete Faculty of Education program requirements.

Because the program is a two-year consecutive program, the entry requirements identified in the admissions program page are preparation for the required courses in the program. The courses in Language and Literacy, Mathematics, Special Education and Integrating Curriculum are sequential, such that the Level I course in each subject is prerequisite to the Level II course (as identified in the course descriptions below); however, these requirements are normally met through the scheduling of the courses.

Students must complete the following required EU courses:

• EU414P°, EU415P°, EU418, EU419, EU422P°, EU423P°, EU425, EU426, EU439°, EU450A, EU450B, EU455A°, EU455B°, EU455C°, EU455D°, EU455E, EU452, EU453, EU454, EU456, EU457°, EU480, EU481, EU482P, EU485P°, EU486P°, EU487P°, EU489°, EU490°, EU491°, EU492°, EU493°, EU494°, EU495°

And two of the following electives:

• EU430°, EU432°, EU433°, EU434°, EU438°, EU440°, EU443°, EU444°, EU445°, EU446°, EU499°

Professional programs are designed to assist students in developing skills and knowledge needed for them to function as a member of their chosen profession. Virtually all professional programs mandate practical or field-based experience. Laurier’s program is designed in recognition of candidates’ need to learn from expert teachers in the context of such field-based experiences. In education, practicum placements or practica are required by provincial legislation though Regulation 283/13. The Laurier teacher education program exceeds the mandatory time requirement for practica.

The practicum experience is designed to assist TCs in accomplishing the following:

• Forging connections between theory and practice;
• Integrating and applying knowledge;
• Applying knowledge and skills from academic course work to meet the needs of diverse learners within the socio-cultural context of the classroom; and
• Working collaboratively with other professionals to improve student learning.

As the Laurier program is based on a Professional Development School (PDS) model, Year 1 TCs will be assigned to one site from the last week in August (one week before school begins) through the first week in April. TCs will be required to work at these school sites for 2.0 days a week (PDS Field Days) and complete their practicum placements there as well. In Year 2, TCs will be assigned to a new PDS site from the last week in August through the last week in April. Year 2 TCs will work at their new school site for 2.0 days a week (PDS Field Days) and complete their practicum placements there. Being associated with one school for eight months will allow the TCs to build collaborative professional relationships that will prepare them for effective integration into the broader education community of practice. The opportunity to spend eight months at a second school will allow the TCs to develop a broader understanding of the Ontario school context.

Laurier’s two-year program provides TCs with a total of 198 days of practical experience. In Year 1, TCs are assigned to one PDS site for their two block-practica (EU455A°, EU455B°) and their PDS Field Days (EU450A), which occur on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the weeks when classes are held. There is also a nine-day block of PDS Field Days included in EU450A during the fall term. The Year 1 practica (EU455A°, EU455B°) include two three-week blocks (one at the end of the fall term and one mid-way through the winter term). TCs will complete a required three-week Alternative Placement (EU452) at the end of Year 1. They will work in a voluntary capacity in various contexts where learning takes place, outside of their PDS sites, or may take advantage of international teaching opportunities. In Year 1 of the program, TCs will spend a total of 30 days in their PDS sites during the two block practica and 49 days during their PDS Field Days, as well as 15 days in their Alternative Placement.

In Year 2, TCs are assigned to a different PDS site for their school experience. The PDS Field Days (EU450B) continue in Year 2, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the weeks when classes are held. The fall Year 2 practica (EU455C°, EU455D°) include one two-week and one three-week block. In winter of Year 2, TCs will complete an extended 10-week block practicum, the Laurier Professional Placement (LPP, EU455E). In Year 2 of the program, TCs will spend a total of 74 days in their PDS sites during the three block practica and 30 days during their PDS Field Days. As required by Regulation 283/13, all Primary/Junior TCs will be assigned to both primary and junior classrooms for their practicum experiences.

The practica, PDS Field Days and Alternative Placement are mandatory components of the Laurier program. Successful completion of the PDS Field Days (EU450A, EU450B), all practica (EU455A°, EU455B°, EU455C°, EU455D°, EU455E), and the Alternative Placement (EU452) are required in order to graduate from the program.

An absence from your PDS must be recorded by completing the Absence Reporting Form.

Students must complete the following required EU courses:

• EU414P°, EU415P°, EU418, EU419, EU422P°, EU423P°, EU425, EU426, EU439°, EU450A, EU450B, EU455A°, EU455B°, EU455C°, EU455D°, EU455E, EU452, EU453, EU454, EU456, EU457°, EU480, EU481, EU482P, EU485P°, EU486P°, EU487P°, EU489°, EU490°, EU491°, EU492°, EU493°, EU494°, EU495°

And the two required courses:

• EU436 and EU461

Students must complete the required courses listed below. Note that the Field Placement Experience (EU450A and EU450B) requires teacher education candidates to be in the school one day a week throughout the duration of the BEd program.

Students must pass five practica and an Alternative Placement (listed below) prior to graduation.

Attendance at the Professional Teaching Orientation (August) and Professional Teaching Transition (May) is mandatory. Failure to attend will result in their ineligibility to graduate at convocation.

Students must provide to the Faculty a copy of an up-to-date "clear" Vulnerable Sector Screening (police check). If they have a criminal record they will be unable to visit their PDS site or any school involved in the Laurier teacher education program. Under these circumstances they will be unable to complete Faculty of Education program requirements.

Because the program is a two-year consecutive program, the entry requirements identified in the admissions program page are preparation for the required courses in the program. The courses in Language and Literacy, Mathematics, Special Education and Integrating Curriculum are sequential, such that the Level I course in each subject is prerequisite to the Level II course (as identified in the course descriptions below); however, these requirements are normally met through the scheduling of the courses. Together, the courses EU466: Teaching Methods: French as a Second Language and EU436: French as a Second Language elective will be deemed equivalent to the French as a Second Language (FSL) Part 1 Additional Qualification course.

Students must complete the following required EU courses:

• EU414I°, EU415I°, EU419, EU420, EU422I°, EU423I°, EU426, EU427, EU450A, EU450B, EU452, EU453, EU454, EU455A°, EU455B°, EU455C°, EU455D°, EU455E, EU456, EU457°, EU480, EU481, EU482I, EU485I°, EU486I°, EU487I°, EU489°, EU490°, EU491°, EU492°, EU493°, EU494°, EU495°

And one of the following specialized teaching methods courses:

• EU460°, EU462°, EU463°, EU464°, EU465°, EU466, EU467 or EU470°

And two of the following EU electives:

• EU430°, EU432°, EU433°, EU434°, EU436, EU438°, EU440°, EU443°, EU444°, EU445°, EU446°, EU499°

Notes:

• TCs with French as a Second Language as their teaching specialization must complete both EU436 and EU466 and are not required to take an elective.
• TCs with music as their teaching specialization are only required to take one elective.
  
  

Professional programs are designed to assist students in developing skills and knowledge needed for them to function as a member of their chosen profession. Virtually all professional programs mandate practical or field-based experience. Laurier’s program is designed in recognition of candidates’ need to learn from expert teachers in the context of such field-based experiences. In education, practicum placements or practica are required in provincial legislation though Regulation 283/13. The Laurier teacher education program exceeds the mandatory time requirement for practica.

The practicum experience is designed to assist TCs in accomplishing the following:

• Forging connections between theory and practice;
• Integrating and applying knowledge;
• Applying knowledge and skills from academic course work to meet the needs of diverse learners within the socio-cultural context of the classroom; and
• Working collaboratively with other professionals to improve student learning.

As the Laurier program is based on a Professional Development School (PDS) model, Year 1 Teacher Candidates (TCs) will be assigned to one site from the last week in August (one week before school begins) through the first week in April. TCs will be required to work at these school sites for 2.0 days a week (PDS Field Days) and complete their practicum placements there as well. In Year 2, TCs will be assigned to a new PDS site from the last week in August through the last week in April. Year 2 TCs will work at their new school site for 2.0 days a week (PDS Field Days) and complete their practicum placements there. Being associated with one school for eight months will allow the TCs to build collaborative professional relationships that will prepare them for effective integration into the broader education community of practice. The opportunity to spend eight months at a second school will allow the TCs to develop a broader understanding of the Ontario school context.

Laurier’s two-year program provides the TCs with a total of 198 days of field experience. In Year 1, the TCs are assigned to one PDS site for their two block-practica (EU455A°, EU455B°) and their PDS Field Days (EU450A), which occur on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the weeks when classes are held. There is also a nine-day block of PDS Field Days included in EU450A during the fall term. The Year 1 practica (EU455A°, EU455B°) include two three-week blocks (one at the end of the fall term and one mid-way through the winter term). TCs will complete a required three-week Alternative Placement (EU452) at the end of Year 1. They will work in a voluntary capacity in various contexts where learning takes place, outside of their PDS sites, or may take advantage of international teaching opportunities. In Year 1 of the program, TCs will spend a total of 30 days in their PDS sites during the two block-practica and 49 days during their PDS Field Days as well as 15 days in their Alternative Placement.

In Year 2, the TCs are assigned to a different PDS site for their school experience. The PDS Field Days (EU450B) continue in Year Two, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the weeks when classes are held. The fall Year 2 practica (EU455C°, D) include one two-week and one three-week block. In winter of Year 2, TCs will complete an extended 10-week block placement, the Laurier Professional Placement (LPP, EU455E). In Year 2 of the program, TCs will spend a total of 74 days in their PDS sites during the three block-practica and 30 days in their PDS sites during their PDS Field Days. As required by Regulation 283/13, all Junior/Intermediate TCs will be assigned to both junior and intermediate classrooms for their practicum experiences.

The Practica, PDS Field Days and Alternative Placement are mandatory components of the Laurier program. Successful completion of all PDS Field Days (EU450A, EU455B°), Practica (EU455A°, EU455B°, EU455C°, EU455D°, EU455E), and the Alternative Placement (EU452) is required in order to graduate from the program.

An absence from your PDS must be recorded by completing the Absence Reporting Form.

Junior/Intermediate students can only graduate with one teachable subject and may upgrade to hold a second teachable subject with the appropriate prerequisites following conferral of the Bachelor of Education degree.

This upgrade is done through Additional Qualifications/Additional Basic Qualifications courses. To register for any AQ/ABQ, you must have a Certificate of Qualification and Registration with the Ontario College of Teachers. 

You will progress from year one to year two if:

• You successfully complete 5.0 EU credits with a minimum grade of 5.00 (C) in each course.
• You have an overall grade point average (GPA) of 8.00 (B), and a Pass grade (Satisfactory or above rating) in all practicum placements.
• All dispositions must be assessed as “acceptable” by the end of year one.
  • If one or more of the dispositions is rated as unsatisfactory by faculty or school staff, you must demonstrate satisfactory performance by following an action plan created in consultation with the Placement Officer, Faculty member, Associate Dean and/or Dean.

You will graduate if you:

• successfully complete 10.0 EU credits (10.25 for J/I French Teachable)
• have a minimum grade of 5.00 (C) in each course.
• have an overall grade point average (GPA) of 8.00 (B), and
• a Pass grade (Satisfactory or above rating) in all practicum placements.

All assignments for each course must be submitted to attain a passing grade for the course. Specific course requirements are outlined in the course syllabi.

Apply to Graduate

If you have met all the requirements, you must apply to graduate. 

The typical time frame for completion of the program is two academic years. However, under extenuating circumstances, such as an incomplete practicum or a Temporary Withdrawal for medical or compassionate reasons, some program requirements may need to be completed in the subsequent academic year.

Normally, the maximum time limit in which the program must be completed is three academic years from the date of first registration.

Upon successful completion of the program, you are awarded the Bachelor of Education degree (BEd) and must provide the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) with an Official Transcript of your BEd degree.

The Faculty of Education reserves the right to recommend students to the OCT for the Certificate of Qualification to teach in Ontario.

Non-Canadians completing the program may be recommended to the College, but it is the responsibility of the student to provide acceptable and appropriate documentation permitting them to work in Ontario.

For further information regarding certification contact the Ontario College of Teachers.

Students are placed on Academic Probation when they have failed to meet and/or maintain academic expectations of the Bachelor of Education program. Such failure occurs when the student’s cumulative GPA falls below “B” (8.00) at the end of any semester.

To clear probation, students must raise the cumulative GPA to at least 8.00 (B) by the end of the probationary period, which will extend to the end of the first five-week block in the subsequent semester. The cumulative GPA calculated to determine whether the student has cleared probation will include all credits or partial credits completed by the end of the probationary period.

A student who fails to clear probation based on GPA requirements after completing the first five-week block of the next semester will normally be required to withdraw from the program.

Failure in coursework, practicum placements, and/or dispositions assessments will normally result in the student being required to withdraw from the program.

Independent assessments of the student’s performance will be collected from course instructors, school principals and Associate Teachers who have worked with the student.

If the preponderance of the evidence shows that the student is unsuitable for the profession, the student will be withdrawn from the program and “required to withdraw” will appear on his/her transcript.