Admission to all Faculty of Education programs is competitive; fulfillment of minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

For the greatest flexibility in program and future career choices, a 4-year degree, or equivalent, is strongly recommended.

Graduate courses are taken into consideration, during the admissions process but do not guarantee admission.

Admission is based primarily on academic standing. Experiential qualifications are considered in the final phase of the selection process.

Graduates from the B.Ed. program are recommended for certification by the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT).

Aboriginal Access Program
Aboriginal candidates who meet the minimum admission requirements will be given special consideration in the application process. In accordance with the Constitution Act, 1982, an Aboriginal candidate is an Indian, Inuit or Métis person of Canada. Applicants who wish to be considered through the Aboriginal Access program must provide proof of native status (such as a copy of status card or letter from the band). Aboriginal Access applicants are invited to contact the Teacher Education Office at the Faculty of Education for further information.

English Language Proficiency
For admission to the Faculty of Education, all students must:

a) Speak English as a first language;

OR

b) Have completed at least three years of full-time study (or the equivalent in part-time study) in an accredited university or college where the language of instruction and of examination was English and which was located in a country where the first language is English.

OR

c) Provide an official statement of results on one of the following tests of English language proficiency; the statement is required on or before February 28th in the year of registration, and must indicate at least the following levels of proficiency:

i) Test of Oral Proficiency (TOP) with a minimum score of 46 and Test of Written Proficiency (TWE) with a minimum score of 46;

OR

ii) TOEFL with a score of 250 computer-based including a minimum score of 55 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE); 103 internet-based including a speaking score of 28 and a writing score of 28;

OR

iii) MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery) with a minimum score of 90 and at least 4 on the oral interview;

OR

iv) IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with a minimum score of 7 including at least 6.5 in reading and speaking and at least 7 in writing and speaking.

Students who, after admission, show an inadequate command of spoken or written English must improve their proficiency to the Falculty's satisfaction. Students may be asked to withdraw from the program if their inadequate command of English interferes with their ability to communicate effectively in the classroom.

Police Record Check

Neither Western University nor the Faculty of Education requires a Police Record Check as a condition of admission. However, a Police Record Check which includes Vulnerable Position Screening and is acceptable to the school boards with which we place Teacher Candidates is required before you can be placed in a school for a practicum. If information appears on your police record check that is unacceptable to school boards, you will not be able to be placed for a practicum and will be required to withdraw from the program.

If you were born after January 1986 OR if you have previously received an OESC ID card, your police check should be done via the OESC at www.oesc-cseo.org/English/bed_students.html. If you do not qualify for the online check, it is your responsibility to check the procedures and timelines at your local police service. We recommended that you begin the process in mid-May, but note that completed checks must be dated no earlier than June 1, 2014. A copy of your completed police check must be submitted to the Teacher Education Office by the first day classes, September 2, 2014. Failure to submit your police check on time, or submission of a police check that is not acceptable to a school board, may result in your withdrawal from the program.

All of the following conditions must be met when an application is submitted to the Faculty of Education:

By mid-September each year a common application form is available for all faculties of education in Ontario from The Teacher Education Application Service, Ontario Universities' Application Centre. (See Application Procedures)

Candidates with acceptable standing at accredited degree-granting institutions may be considered for admission provided that the content of studies completed is equivalent in content to the courses offered by Western, and to the requirements of the program to which the student has applied. The university will review other candidates on an individual basis. Admission in all cases is competitive.

Minimum qualifications for admission to the following Preservice programs are summarized below.

Preferred status is given to candidates who have completed at least one half undergraduate or graduate credit in four, five or six of the following areas: English*, Fine Arts**, Health and Physical Education, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science/Humanities (Canadian History/Geography preferred). Applicants must have an acceptable baccalaureate degree with an overall "B" average (70%).
*English:  Courses in English culture; linguistics, writing for business and scientists, and academic and university essay writing courses are not acceptable as background courses

**Fine Arts includes dance, drama, music, and visual arts.

Applicants must have an acceptable baccalaureate degree with an overall "B" average (70%).

Teaching Subjects for the Junior/Intermediate Program (Grades 4-10)

Applicants to the Junior/Intermediate program must select one teaching subject area: Music (Vocal or Instrumental), or Religious Studies for Catholic Schools, or French.

French: The program in French is described in the next section

Music (Vocal): Credits should include at least one choral or vocal techniques course, one choral conducting course, and one music theory course

Music (Instrumental): Credits used to support this teaching subject should include at least one instrumental conducting course, several minor instrument courses in woodwinds, brass and percussion, and one music theory course.

Religious Education: Five full credits, or the equivalent, are required. These should address several of the following areas: Old and New Testament studies, Catholic Church teachings in morality and social justice, sacraments, sexuality and marriage in the Catholic tradition, and Vatican II theology. Religious Education is offered as a teaching subject only for Roman Catholic schools; practicum in this subject area will occur only in Roman Catholic elementary schools.

Applicants must be fluent in French and meet the minimum requirements for the P/J or J/I program. Admission requires the equivalent of 5.0 full French courses with a 70% average, at least 2.0 of which should be language courses rather than literature. For those hoping to teach in French-immersion settings, at least 1.0 courses in French Literature is recommended. Applicants must have an acceptable baccalaureate degree with an overall "B" average (70%).

Applicants to the Intermediate/Senior program must select two teaching subjects from the following list: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, General Science, Mathematics, French, English, History, Social Studies, Instrumental or Vocal Music, or Religious Education for Catholic Schools.

English:  Courses in English culture; linguistics, and writing for business and scientists; academic and university essay writing are not acceptable in support of English as a teaching subject.

French: As a first or second teaching subject, five full credits are required. At least two credits should be in language rather than literature alone. Students should possess oral and written fluency in French and a thorough knowledge of grammar. The Faculty of Education reserves the right to test candidates to ensure that they meet the above standards.

History:  At least a half credit (and preferably a full credit) in Canadian History must be included.

Music:  Candidates may select either Instrumental Music or Vocal Music as a teaching option, but not both.

Music (Instrumental): Credits used to support this teaching subject should include at least one instrumental conducting course, several minor instrument courses in woodwinds, brass and percussion, and one music theory course.

Music (Vocal): Credits used to support this teaching subject should include at least one choral or vocal techniques course, one choral conducting course, and one music theory course.

Religious Education: For either a first or second teaching subject, credits should include several of the following areas: Old and New Testament Studies, Catholic Church Teachings in Morality and Social Justice, Catholic Sacramental Theology, Catholic Doctrine, Ecclesiology and Vatican II Theology, and Sexuality and Marriage in the Catholic Tradition. Religious Education is offered as a teaching subject only for Roman Catholic Schools; student teaching in this subject area will occur only in Roman Catholic secondary schools.

Science-General: Credits in at least three of the following areas are required:  Biology, Chemistry, Earth & Space Science, Environmental Science, Physics. 

Social Studies-General:  A full credit in each of the following areas is preferred:  Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology. This is an optional subject in the secondary school curriculum, and entry to this teaching subject is limited. Applicants are advised to select this as a second teaching subject only.