Bachelor of Education Degree

OISE/UT offers teacher education at several levels. This section pertains to the Bachelor of Education General Studies Program. The Bachelor of Education Degree is also offered in Technological Studies.


In this Section:

Dispelling Some Myths

Program of Study

  • Teacher Certification
  • Teaching Subjects & Prerequisites
  • Admission Requirements & the Selection of Applicants

  • Basic Academic Requirement
  • English Language Proficiency Requirement
  • Selection Criteria
  • Preparing for an Application

  • Academic Preparation
  • Experience Preparation
  • Counselling & Support Services
  • Getting an Application


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    Dispelling Some Myths

    Myth 1:

    You need an "A" average to get into U of T for Teacher Education.

    THE FACT is most students in our program have a "B" range average (B- to B+).

    Myth 2:

    U of T only looks at grades for Teacher Education Admissions.

    THE FACT is grades and experience are equally important.

    THE FACT is that the U of T was a pioneer in the use of personal experience in teacher education admissions selection.

    Myth 3:

    It is impossible to get into U of T for Teacher Education.

    THE FACT is size is an opportunity. The U of T has the largest teacher education program in Canada. We have the most spaces available and can admit a higher percentage of applicants.

    THE FACT is your chances of getting into U of T are possibly better than anywhere else in Ontario.


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    Program of Study

    This one-year post-degree program prepares suitably qualified candidates to teach at one of the following levels in Ontario schools:

    Primary/Junior (Junior kindergarten-grade 6),
    Junior/Intermediate (grades 4-10),
    Intermediate/Senior (grades 7-12).

    Currently, the program has four components with a total of 5 course credits as follows:

    The Contemporary Classroom (0.5),
    Curriculum and Instruction (2.0),
    Foundations (1.5), and
    Practice Teaching (1.0).

    Candidates in the Intermediate/Senior program select two curriculum and instruction courses (teaching subjects). Candidates in the Junior/Intermediate program select only one.

    In addition to the regular in-faculty program, there is a variety of school-based program delivery options for both the elementary and secondary programs. Specific options may vary from year to year. Detailed information concerning available options will be provided to candidates who are offered admission to the program. Please note that OISE/UT is currently undertaking a review of its preservice teacher education program which may result in changes in the way the program is structured.


     

    Teacher Certification

    Graduates who are Canadian citizens, or permanent residents of Canada or who are entitled to obtain employment in Canada as teachers, and who meet all requirements of the program, may be recommended for the Ontario College of Teachers Certificate of Qualification (formerly known as the Ontario Teacher's Certificate). This qualifies the holder to apply for teaching positions in Ontario elementary or secondary schools.


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    Teaching Subjects & Prerequisites

    A separate list of teaching subjects and prerequisites for each of the Intermediate/Senior Division and the Junior/Intermediate Division follows. Please note that not all teaching subjects listed may be offered in a given year. OISE/UT reserves the right to withdraw courses for which enrollment or resources are insufficient.

     

     

     

    Intermediate/Senior Division*
    (Teaching Subjects & Prerequisites)


    BUSINESS STUDIES

    - ACCOUNTING

    - DATA PROCESSING

    - INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

    - MARKETING & MERCHANDISING

    NOTE: APPLICANTS MUST CHOOSE TWO BUSINESS STUDIES SUBJECTS


    COMPUTER SCIENCE


    DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY


    DRAMATIC ARTS


    ECONOMICS


    ENGLISH (First Language)


    ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE


    FAMILY STUDIES


    FRENCH (Second Language)


    GEOGRAPHY


    HISTORY


    INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY


    INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE-GERMAN


    INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE-ITALIAN


    INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE-SPANISH


    MATHEMATICS


    MUSIC-INSTRUMENTAL


    MUSIC-VOCAL

    NOTE: INTERMEDIATE/SENIOR CANDIDATES CAN CHOOSE ONLY ONE OF MUSIC-INSTRUMENTAL OR MUSIC-VOCAL.
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    PHYSICAL & HEALTH EDUCATION


    POLITICS


    RELIGIOUS EDUCATION


    SCIENCE-GENERAL


    VISUAL ARTS


    * Intermediate/Senior applicants select two teaching subjects.

     

     

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    Junior/Intermediate Division**
    (Teaching Subjects & Prerequisites)


    DRAMATIC ARTS


    ENGLISH (First Language)


    FAMILY STUDIES


    FRENCH (Second Language)


    GEOGRAPHY


    HISTORY


    MATHEMATICS


    MUSIC-INSTRUMENTAL


    MUSIC-VOCAL


    PHYSICAL & HEALTH EDUCATION


    SCIENCE-GENERAL


    VISUAL ARTS


    ** Junior/Intermediate applicants select one teaching subject.

     

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    Admission Requirements &
    the Selection of Applicants

    All applicants who satisfy the basic academic admission requirement and the English Language Proficiency Requirement will be considered for admission. Enrollment, however, is limited. Selection of successful applicants is based on consideration of academic and experiential criteria, as described in this section.

     

    Basic Academic Requirement

    In order to be eligible for consideration applicants must hold an approved degree from an accredited degree-granting institution, conferred not later than the fall convocation in the year of registration at OISE/UT.

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    English Language Proficiency Requirement

    All applicants are required to give evidence to OISE/UT of their oral and written proficiency in English. This requirement can be satisfied with one of the following criteria:

    (a) their mother tongue or first language is English,

    OR

    (b) they have studied full-time for at least three years (or equivalent in part-time studies) in a university where the language of instruction and examination was English and which was located in a country where the first language is English,

    OR

    (c) they have achieved the required level of proficiency on one of the tests in English language acceptable to OISE/UT.

    For further information, please refer to the pamphlet "English Language Proficiency Requirement for Application and Admission to Teacher Education Programs" available from the OISE/UT Office of the Registrar, Preservice Teacher Education Admissions Unit.

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    Selection Criteria

    Selection will be influenced by the number of applicants and the level of the qualifications which they present for consideration. In the selection of applicants for Teacher Education the primary obligation of OISE/UT is to the learner. As a consequence, using experiential and academic criteria, we will select those applicants whom we feel can best promote students' growth and development in accordance with their potential.*

    Successful applicants will be those with the strongest combination of academic standing and personal experience as expressed in the Applicant Profile.

    Applicants are advised to hold, or be in the final year of a four year degree with at least a "B" range average in fifteen (15) full course equivalents. Applicants with a three year degree completed at the time of application will be considered, but may be at a competitive disadvantage. Similarly, applicants who have completed fewer than fifteen full courses at the time of application may be at a competitive disadvantage.

    Please note that our academic assessment is based on the best fifteen (15) full courses (or equivalent in half courses) of undergraduate level academic course work.

    There are no teaching subject quotas. Therefore, for most applicants the choice of teaching subjects does not have an impact on their chances for admission. However, applicants with a four year degree related to a teaching subject for which there is a high teacher demand can be at an advantage in the competition for admission. A graduate degree can also be an advantage.

    In the Applicant Profile, significant recent teaching-related and school-based experience with learners in the grades which the applicant hopes to teach is recommended. Written communication skills are also important. It is recommended that applicants display a keen understanding of the teaching profession and of learners in today's schools.

    A strong academic standing may not compensate for a weak Applicant Profile. Conversely, a strong Applicant Profile may not compensate for weak academic standing.

    * Report of the Task Force on Admissions to the Teacher Education Council of Ontario, 1991, page 9.


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    Preparing for Application

     

    Academic Preparation

    The minimum academic preparation is to complete an undergraduate degree which satisfies the basic academic requirement outlined previously. You should also be aware of the academic elements of our selection criteria, also outlined in the previous section.

    You should ensure that your undergraduate course work will satisfy prerequisite requirements for specific teaching subjects, if applicable to the division to which you intend to apply. (See Program Description and the List of Teaching Subjects & Prerequisites.)

    While there is no competitive advantage, you may wish to consider taking courses which would be supportive of classroom teaching and the development of communication skills. Courses such as cognitive, behavioural, or developmental psychology, children's literature and linguistics may be of interest.

    You may also wish to take courses which can be eventually used as prerequisites for additional qualification course work after you have obtained your basic teaching qualification. More information about these courses is available in the OISE/UT Additional Qualification Course brochure and the pamphlet "Honour Specialist Information" available from the OISE/UT Office of the Registrar, Continuing Education Unit (416-978-5988).

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    Experience Preparation

    An Applicant Profile is used by all applicants to present to OISE/UT a word portrait of themselves in relation to the teacher education program. This is a very important factor in our selection process, therefore you should take great care in preparing this document. You may wish to consider the following:

    You can enhance your chances for admission if you apply for the grade division where your experience is most relevant.

    Significant recent teaching-related and school based experience with learners in the grades which the applicant hopes to teach is recommended.

    Work with groups is generally better than work with individuals.

    Experience in a diversity of settings is advisable over a single type of setting.

    Past wage-earning experiences can be included in the Applicant Profile if they indicate a special interest in teaching and learning.

    When looking for ways of gaining experience you should survey the communities to which you have access in order to find opportunities for work with people at the age level you wish to teach. You should also consider what skills you have which might be useful in gaining teaching related experience. A background in art, music, drama, athletics, games or subjects in which children or adolescents might seek help, such as mathematics or computer science, could be useful.

    Following are some specific examples of the kinds of experiences you might wish to consider. They are not listed in any order of importance.

    Arts teaching - art, music, dance, - in schools, community centres, etc.

    Assisting in a classroom either as a supply

    teacher, a teacher's aid, a volunteer or as a guest instructor.

    Coaching sports or athletics. Coaching qualifications are good credentials for experience.

    Day care work.

    English as a Second Language instruction experience.

    Experience as an instructor in a second or third language program within a school setting or through a community organization.

    Half-way-house or drop-in-centre experience with adolescents.

    Instructional work in business, industry, government or the armed forces.

    Literacy program instruction.

    Museum instruction or guide work.

    Special needs work in schools or organizations devoted to special needs.

    Summer school or remedial programs in schools.

    Teaching overseas in developing countries as on a contract basis.

    You may wish to keep a log or diary of your experiences. This will allow you to keep track of your activities and help you to develop your ideas concerning teaching and learning.

    Remember that experience is assessed in relation to the area of concentration selected. It is also assessed in relation to that of other applicants. Remember also that a strong experience background and a strong Applicant Profile will not compensate for weak academic standing.

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    Counselling & Support Services

    One of our goals is to keep applicants and prospective applicants as informed as possible. We are aware that, because of limitations in enrolment, we are forced to turn away many people who would make fine classroom teachers. It is our hope that by assisting you with current and future applications, we can help you to achieve your goal of becoming a teacher.

    OISE/UT provides a variety of counselling services for applicants and prospective applicants to its teacher education programs. Group information sessions are scheduled in the fall term at all U of T campuses and on several University campuses across Ontario. Individual counselling sessions are available throughout the spring and summer months at OISE/UT. In addition, inquiries are always welcome by telephone, letter, e-mail, fax or in person. We invite you to utilize these services.


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    Getting an Application

    Application materials may be obtained from OISE/UT Office of the Registrar, Preservice Teacher Education Admissions Unit, normally beginning in mid-September of the year prior to registration. An application mailing list is established in early August. The basic application form is submitted via the Ontario Universities Application Centre. All supporting documents must be sent directly to the OISE/UT Office of the Registrar, Preservice Teacher Education Admissions Unit. Detailed information concerning the application process is included in the application package.

    The deadline for application and submission of all required documentation is the beginning of December. Applicants are notified of admission decisions in April. Please consult the Application Schedule for 1998 Admission for specific dates.

    Application materials are not currently available on-line. During the application period described above, you can request an application package by e-mail or by other methods listed in our Contact Information Section.



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