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

Admission is based primarily on relevant course work (undergraduate and graduate) and on academic standing (undergraduate only). Experiential qualifications are considered in the final phase of the selection process.

Applicants with 4-year degrees (or the equivalent in course work) receive preference in the admissions process. A 4-year degree provides for increased flexibility in program and future career choices.

Upon successful completion of the B.Ed. program, graduates are recommended to the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) for certification.

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) Provide documentation confirming 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 an offer of admission can be made, 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.

Candidates who, after admission, show an inadequate command of spoken or written English will be required to improve their proficiency to the Faculty'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 or during the practicum.

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.

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 B.Ed. programs are summarized below.

Applicants who have completed at least one half undergraduate or graduate credit in four or more of the following areas receive preference in the admissions process: 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.

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: See 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: Applicants with course credits in the following areas receive preference for admission to Religious Education: 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.

For admission to French as either a first or second teaching subject, applicants must possess oral and written fluency in French and a thorough knowledge of grammar. Normally, five full French courses (or the equivalent), at least two of which should be language courses, are required. One or more full course equivalents in French literature is desirable for those hoping to teach in French-immersion settings. Fluent French speakers who do not have university-level French courses may apply for special consideration. The Faculty of Education reserves the right to test candidates to ensure they meet the required standard.

Applicants to the Intermediate/Senior program must select two teaching subjects from the following list: Biology, Chemistry, Economics, English, Environmental Science, Family Studies, French, Geography, Health & Physical Education, History, Law, Mathematics, Music (Instrumental), Music (Vocal), Philosophy, Physics, Politics, Religious Education for Catholic Schools, Science (General), Social Studies (General). Not all teaching subject combinations are available every year. Consult the Faculty of Education website for further information.

Requirements and Exceptions:

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.

Family Studies: Applicants with course credits in the following areas receive preference for admission to Family Studies as a first or second teaching subject: Child and Family Development, Housing and Interior Design, Clothing and Textiles, Foods and Nutrition, Family Resource Management (Consumer Economics).

French: For admission to French as either a first or second teaching subject, applicants must possess oral and written fluency in French and a thorough knowledge of grammar. Normally, five full French courses (or the equivalent), at least two of which should be language courses, are required. One or more full course equivalents in French literature is desirable for those hoping to teach in French-immersion settings. Fluent French speakers who do not have university-level French courses may apply for special consideration. The Faculty of Education reserves the right to test candidates to ensure they meet the required standard.

Geography: Applicants with course credits in Canadian Geography receive preference for admission to Geography as a first or second teaching subject.

Health & Physical Education: Applicants with three or more activity course credits receive preference for admission to HPE as a first or second teaching subject.

History: Applicants with course credits in Canadian History receive preference for admission to History as a first or second teaching subject.

Mathematics: Applicants with at least one full course credit in senior Mathematics receive preference for admission to Math as a first or second teaching subject.

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: Applicants with course credits in the following areas receive preference for admission to Religious Education as a first or second teaching subject: 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 only in Roman Catholic secondary schools.

Science-General: Applicants with course credits in the following areas receive preference for admission to Science General as a first or second teaching subject: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and 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.