Program Requirements

Note: University regulations apply to all students at Laurier. If there is any discrepancy between the program or progression requirements outlined on this page and those in the university's academic calendars, the academic calendars are the official sources of information. The information below is from the latest calendar, and you may be following progression requirements from an earlier calendar. Students are responsible for checking the appropriate calendar. Contact your program coordinator should you notice any discrepancies.

Bachelor of Education: Primary/Junior

Program Regulations

Students must complete the required courses listed below. Note that the Field Placement Experience (EU450A and EU450B) requires teacher candidates (TCs) to be in the school two days 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 (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.

Course Prerequisites

Program Requirements

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°, EU436, EU438°, EU440°, EU499°

Progression and Graduation Requirements

Bachelor of Education (BEd) students progress and graduate if they successfully complete all components of each required and elective course for 10.0 Education (EU) credits with a minimum grade of C in each course, an overall grade point average (GPA) of 8.00 (B), and a "pass" grade in all practicum placements.

Practica Requirements and Expectations

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.

Bachelor of Education: Junior/Intermediate

Program Regulations

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 two days a week throughout the duration of the BEd program.

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

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.

Course Prerequisites

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.

Program Requirements

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 (Note 1), EU438°, EU439°, EU440°, EU467, EU499°

Notes:

TCs with French as a Second Language as their teaching specialization must complete both EU436 and EU466.

Progression and Graduation Requirements

Bachelor of Education (BEd) students progress and graduate if they successfully complete all components of each required and elective course for 10.0 EU credits with a minimum grade of C in each course, an overall grade point average (GPA) of 8.00 (B), and a "pass" grade in all practicum placements.

Practica Requirements and Expectations

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.

Minor in Education

Note: The courses in the minor do not count toward the Bachelor of Education (BEd) nor does taking these courses guarantee preferential treatment in applying toward a BEd at any other Faculty of Education. However, preference will be given in admission to the Bachelor of Education program at Laurier to students achieving a cumulative GPA of 10.0 for the Minor of Education, along with meeting the requirements of admission for the Bachelor of Education.

A Minor in Education consists of 3.0 credits: three core half-credit courses offered through the Faculty of Education, plus three elective half-credit courses from an approved list. The minor is designed to provide students with a supplemental course of study focusing on schooling and education. Students have the opportunity to bundle elective courses within their current programs of study into a Minor in Education. Students should check with their individual programs to confirm eligibility. Students are responsible for ensuring that they have met prerequisites for elective courses taken in other faculties. Courses taken in the minor may not count toward fulfilling requirements for the teaching specialization (“teachable”) at the Junior/Intermediate level.

For graduation with a Minor in Education, students must have a minimum GPA of 6.0 computed on all 3.0 credits in the minor. Other courses may be considered for inclusion as part of the Minor in Education requirements with the permission, in advance, of the associate dean of the Faculty of Education.

The three core courses provide an intriguing and broad-based introduction to the field of education, while the electives provide an opportunity to examine educational issues from a wide variety of perspectives.

Core Courses

EM101: Images of Education in Media (0.5 credit)
EM202: The Educational Divide (0.5 credit)
EM203: Learning in 280 Characters or Less (0.5 credit)

Electives

Choose 1.5 credits from:

Notes

Register for UW courses using the UW cross-registration form.
Preference will be given in admission to the Bachelor of Education program at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo campus, to students achieving a cumulative GPA of 10.0 for the Minor of Education, along with meeting the requirements of admission for the Bachelor of Education.

Master of Education

Students are required to complete eight half-courses. This includes five required core courses and three elective courses. All of the Master of Education (MEd) core courses will be offered in the late afternoon or early evening.

Students must take at least one elective external to the Faculty of Education as well as one internal elective to the Faculty of Education. For the third elective, you will have the choice of taking an external or internal elective. Students are required to have the necessary prerequisites for any course taken outside of the Faculty of Education. To search for courses outside of the Faculty of Education, please view the dynamic class schedule on LORIS.

The program is normally expected to be completed in six consecutive terms, to a maximum of 15 terms of enrolment before a student would need to petition for extension to degree time limits. The Master of Education is governed by the degree program time limits as set out by the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies office.

MEd Program Course Timetable for 2016/17

Year 1 (spring/summer):

EU501: Investigating the Relationship between Theory and Practice (required); and
EU502: Interpreting Research in Education (required).

Year 1 (fall):

EU 505: Qualitative Research Methods (EU505 or EU504 required); and/or
External elective.

Year 1 (winter):

EU530: Integrating Technology, Pedagogy and Content (MEd elective); and/or
External elective.

Year 2 (spring/summer):

EU503: Learning Theories (required); and/or
External elective.

Year 2 (fall):

EU504: Quantitative Research Methods (EU504 or EU505 required); and/or
EU514: Leadership in Education (MEd elective); and/or
External elective.

Year 2 (winter):

EU598: Capstone Seminar (required).

Notes

If an elective is not taken in Year 2 spring/summer semester, then a second course will need to be taken in another term. Course selection will depend on which course is taken in the fall of Year 1. Students may elect to take both EU504 and EU505 and have one course count as an elective.
Part-time students can take a maximum of two courses per term.