Programs

Laurier's two-year consecutive Bachelor of Education program is designed to prepare teachers for the Primary and Junior levels (Grades K-6) or Junior and Intermediate levels (Grades 4 to 10). Our innovative program maintains strong linkages with four local school boards. The program focuses on practice-based inquiry. 

The Faculty of Education two-year consecutive program is designed to meet all Ontario legislated requirements and incorporates 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.

What Sets Laurier Apart from Other Faculties of Education

• Amount and quality of time in classrooms: over 40 weeks of hands-on experience over two years, culminating in a 10-week Laurier Professional Placement.
• Professional Development School (PDS) model: you will be assigned to one school for each year, where you become an integral part of the staff.
• Alternative placement: you will choose a community setting for learning, or do an international placement.
• Diversity series: a set of six classes where you will gain in-depth knowledge about adapting your teaching to children with different backgrounds and needs.
• Integrated courses: technology, collaboration, communication, critical and creative thinking are integrated with subject matter to create a dynamic learning environment.
• Learn from the best: small class sizes and a combination of subject-matter experts and real-world experience from well-respected principals and teachers in local boards.
• New flexible learning spaces.
• One of the highest placement rates in the province for graduates!

Professional Development School Model

Laurier's program is unique in that it is based on a Professional Development School (PDS) Model. We have partnered with four area school boards to provide extensive, in-depth, and sustained field experiences for our candidates. Teacher Education Candidates (TECs) spend two days per week throughout the year in host schools, in addition to scheduled block practica.

Being situated in the same school for the entire year affords the TECs the opportunity to establish close, personal, interactive professional relationships with school personnel and communities. Initially TECs spend much time observing different teaching techniques, classroom management strategies, and school procedures. They begin working with individual students, then small groups, before taking responsibility for the entire class. During their field placements, they have the opportunity to work with their associate teachers and with other specialists available within the school: special education, ESL, behavioural support, music, physical education, art, etc. They may also work with the principal on selected special projects, such as planning character education assemblies for the school. Within their full-time practica they move from teaching 25% of the time in the first placement to 100% of the time in their final placement. They acquire and refine the skills of teaching, learn first-hand from practicing professionals what it means to be a classroom teacher, contribute to school improvement, and partner with the school staff in seeking to improve student achievement. Importantly, they regularly link the theory from their university classes to what they experience in the schools.

Students may be wondering about teaching as or within a career. Or, students may simply be looking for elective courses to round out their programs. Skills endemic to teaching are transferable to a huge number and variety of settings. The ability to critically analyze practices and issues in education will greatly enhance the ability to:

• Decide if teaching is an option students wish to pursue; and
• Enter a BEd program with a sound foundation.

Thus, the Minor in Education is designed to provide students with a supplemental course of study focusing on schooling and education.

The Master of Education program at the Faculty of Education at Laurier offers a unique and exciting integrated learning dimension in that students are encouraged to take identified elective courses related to educational topics/issues outside of the faculty in other faculties. This provides students with an intentional opportunity to benefit from scholars across the university who conduct research and teach in their areas of interest.

The Master of Education program is offered at Laurier’s Waterloo campus in a part-time, blended format. Most course work will be offered as a combination of face-to-face and online components. Course configuration will depend on the content being taught and the instructor. Courses may offer up to 50% of classes online.

The program is designed to be completed on a part-time basis. The program requires the completion of eight half-credit courses: five required, including a final capstone portfolio, and three electives, one being outside of the Faculty of Education. Continuous enrolment is required for the duration of the degree.