Admission to all Faculty of Education programs is very competitive; therefore, fulfillment of the minimum requirements as described below, does not guarantee admission.
For the greatest flexibility in program and future career choices, it is strongly recommended that a 4-year degree, or equivalent, be completed in preparation for programs in Education. If graduate courses have been completed, they will be taken into consideration, but will not guarantee admission.
Admission is based primarily on academic standing, but the Faculty takes experiential qualifications into consideration in the final selection process.
Graduates from our B.Ed. or Dip.Ed. (Technological Studies) 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 Admissions Coordinator at the Faculty of Education for further information.
English Language Proficiency. For admission to the Faculty of Education, all students must meet 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 an accredited university 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) they have achieved the required level of proficiency on one of the following tests in English language and have provided an official statement of results on/before February 28th in the year of registration for:
i) Test of Oral Proficiency (TOP) with a minimum score of 7 and Test of Written Proficiency (TWE) with a minimum score of 3;
OR
ii) TOEFL with a score of 250 computer-based including a minimum score of 55 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE); 100 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 School'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.
Candidates who accept an offer of admission from the Faculty of Education are required to complete a satisfactory Police Record Check prior to having direct contact with students. Students will not be able to attend practicum placements without a satisfactory Police Record Check.
Minimum Requirements for BEd Programs
All of the following conditions must be met when an application is submitted to the Faculty of Education:
- All candidates must complete their programs of study from an acceptable undergraduate degree program at an accredited university by August 31st in the year of registration. The degree must be conferred no later than the Fall of the same year.
- All candidates must have successfully completed 10 full (or equivalent number) university credits at the time of application. Transfer credits from community colleges or OAC/CEGEP courses will not be considered. Preference will be given to graduates who have attained four-year degrees with 20 full or equivalent credits.
- All applicants must have a minimum average of 70% in their best 10 full or equivalent undergraduate credits. As well, Junior/Intermediate and Intermediate/Senior applicants must have a minimum average of 70% in those credits which support their teaching subjects. Courses taken after August in the year of registration will be counted in support of program requirements, but cannot be included in the calculation of the overall and teaching subject averages. List these and other credits which will be completed to meet final degree requirements in the TEAS application form.
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.
The minimum qualifications for admission to the following Preservice programs are summarized below.
Primary/Junior Program (Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6)
Preference will be given to candidates who have completed at least one half undergraduate or graduate credit in four of the five following academic areas: English*, Fine Arts*, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science/Humanities (Canadian History/Geography preferred).
*English: English culture; linguistics, and writing for business and scientists; academic and university essay writing courses are not acceptable.
*Fine Arts is defined as dance, drama, music, and visual arts.
Applicants must have an acceptable baccalaureate degree with an overall "B" average (70%).
Primary/Junior French as a Second Language Program
All of the minimum requirements for the P/J program must be met. In preparation for placement in French-immersion elementary schools, applicants must be fluent in French and have five full or equivalent French language and literature credits, of which at least two must be language credits.
Junior/Intermediate Program (Grades 4 to 10)
Preference will be given to candidates who have completed at least one half undergraduate or graduate credit in four of the five following academic areas: English, Fine Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science/Humanities (Canadian History/ Geography preferred).
Applicants to the Junior/Intermediate program must select one teaching subject from the following list: English, Family Studies, French*, Geography, History, Mathematics, Music (Vocal), Native Studies, Physical Education*, Religious Studies*, Science General, and Visual Arts.
Preference will be given to candidates who have completed the minimum requirements toward their teaching option at time of application. Minimum admission requirements are:
a) an acceptable baccalaureate degree with an overall "B" average(70%).
b) four full undergraduate or graduate level courses, or the equivalent, to support the one teaching option with a minimum average of "B" (70%).
Additional Requirements and Exceptions
English: English culture; linguistics, and writing for business and scientists; academic and university essay writing courses are not acceptable.
Family Studies: At least two of the four following areas must be represented: Child and Family Development, Clothing and Textiles, Foods and Nutrition, or Family Resource Management (Consumer Economics).
French: Five full credits at least two of which should be in language rather than literature alone, are required. 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.
Geography: At least a half credit (and preferably a full credit) in Canadian Geography must be included.
History: At least a half credit (and preferably a full credit) in Canadian History must be included.
Mathematics: At least one full senior Math credit must be included.
Music (Vocal): Credits should include at least one choral or vocal techniques course, one choral conducting course, and one music theory course.
Native Studies: Courses in the history, languages, culture, and art of Canadian First Nations people are desirable.
Physical and Health Education: Five full credits in physical education , which include activity courses are required. Three activity courses are preferred.
Religious Education: Five full credits, or the equivalent, are required. Credits should cover 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; student teaching in this subject area will occur in Roman Catholic elementary schools only.
Science-General: Credits in at least three of the following areas are required: Biology, Chemistry, Earth & Space Science, Environmental Science, Physics.
Visual Arts: At least one survey course in art history or criticism, plus studio courses, are required.
Intermediate/Senior Program (Grades 7 to 12)
Applicants to the Intermediate/Senior program must select two teaching subjects from the following list: Biology, Chemistry, Drama*, English, Family Studies, French*, Geography, History, Individual and Society, Mathematics, Music (Vocal), Music (Instrumental), Native Studies, Physical and Health Education, Physics, Religious Education*, Science General, and Visual Arts.
Preference will be given to candidates who have completed the minimum requirements toward both teaching options at time of application. Minimum admission requirements are:
a) an acceptable baccalaureate degree with an overall "B" average (70%);
b) five full undergraduate or graduate level courses, or the equivalent, to support the first teaching option with a minimum average of "B" (70%).
c) credit in a minimum of three full undergraduate or graduate level courses, or the equivalent, to support the second teaching option with a minimum average of "B" (70%).
Additional Requirements and Exceptions
Drama: As a second teaching subject, two full credits in Dramatic or Theatre Arts are required. Credits should include practical components in theatre or drama production.
English: English culture; linguistics, and writing for business and scientists; academic and university essay writing courses are not acceptable.
Family Studies: As a first teaching subject, at least three of the five following areas must be represented: Child and Family Development, Housing and Interior Design, Clothing and Textiles, Foods and Nutrition, or Family Resource Management (Consumer Economics). As a second teaching subject, at least two of the three areas must be represented.
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.
Geography: At least a half credit (and preferably a full credit) in Canadian Geography must be included.
History: At least a half credit (and preferably a full credit) in Canadian History must be included.
Music: Candidates are strongly encouraged to select either Instrumental Music or Vocal Music as teaching options, but not both. Strong preference will be given during the admissions process to candidates who choose one Music option and accompany it with a teaching option from another subject area.
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.
Native Studies: Courses in the history, languages, culture, and art of Canadian First Nations people are desirable.
Physical and Health Education: Activity courses must be included. Three activity courses are preferred.
Religious Education: For either a first or second teaching subject, credits should cover 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 in Roman Catholic secondary schools only.
Science Teaching Subjects: Candidates are strongly encouraged to select only one teaching option from among the science areas of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Strong preference will be given during the admissions process to candidates who choose one science option and accompany it with either Science General or a teaching option from another subject area.
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.
Visual Arts: At least one survey course in art history or criticism, plus studio courses, are required.
The minimum academic admission requirement of the Technological Studies program is a secondary school graduation diploma or equivalent, including Grade 12 English. An undergraduate degree is not required for the Diploma in Education (Technological Studies).
Applicants are required to present documented training, experience, and qualifications related to one of the following broad based Technological Studies areas: Communications Technology, Computer Technology, Construction Technology, Green Industries, Hairstyling and Aesthetics, Health Care, Hospitality and Tourism, Manufacturing, Technological Design, and Transportation.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible to apply to this program, applicants must meet the requirements below:
• A secondary school diploma or the equivalent;
• Proof of competency in the area of technological studies to which you are applying. Competency is demonstrated by formal technical education or training or by completion of a trade qualification, professional designation, or similar credential;
• Wage-earning experience. You will need to provide documentation for one of the following:
- at least five years of full time wage-earning experience, including business or industrial experience, where the candidate used skills and knowledge in the area of technological education selected for his or her optional courses;
- at least two years of wage-earning experience and successful completion of a post-secondary education program acceptable to the College that includes at least six semesters of academic studies, where the experience and education used the candidate’s skills and knowledge in the area of technological education selected for his or her optional courses; or
- a combination of wage-earning experience and education that totals at least five full years, of which two years must be wage-earning experience in their chosen area, no less than four months of which is continuous employment.
Preference will be given to candidates with formal apprenticeship, technician, or technologist training who can demonstrate expertise in more than one occupation housed within their broad-based Technological Studies teaching subject.
BA; BSc. Degree Completion Requirements for Technological Education Teachers Completion Steps (Three-Year Degree)
Technological Studies teachers who wish to complete a baccalaureate degree as part of a coherent and consistent system of professional development will follow these steps:
- Students who have successfully completed three years of post-secondary education including 1) a two year diploma at an accredited post-secondary institute (with an average of 70%) and 2) the Diploma in Education in Technological Education at a Faculty of Education, may be admitted to a Bachelor’s Degree (Three-Year) program with a recommendation from Western’s Faculty of Education.
- Upon admission to an undergraduate program, students will be enrolled in Year 2 in one of the following three Faculties: Social Science, Information and Media Studies, or Health Sciences. The Faculty and Departments concerned may further assess students’ degree requirements in order to determine which prerequisites may be waived, based on credits successfully completed during their previous three years of post-secondary studies, and to prescribe the credits to be completed to fulfill the requirements of the degree and program chosen.
- For graduation, the students must complete either two Minor Modules or one Major Module and a total of 10.0 credits, preferably at the senior level (course numbered 100 or above).
Technological Studies students who use their DipEd and other post-secondary courses toward an undergraduate degree will not be eligible for conversion of the DipEd to the BEd unless they successfully complete a further 5.0 undergraduate credits (for a total of 15.0).
All program admission, progression, and completion requirements will be determined on a case by case basis. Students will have to meet all normal degree requirements including breadth requirements and completion of essay courses. Students are advised that not all courses in minors and majors are available on-line nor are all such courses offered evenings or during the summer session. Normally all 10.0 credits are to be taken at The University of Western Ontario.
FACULTIES 