About our Teacher Education Program
At Wilfrid Laurier University, community is at the core of who we are and what we do. We are inspired together – in our pursuit of learning, how we give back to community and where we spend our time and talent. It is how we are changing the world and making a better future for us all.
Earn a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree that offers substantial practical experience and prepares you to teach effectively using diverse strategies for current learning environments. Study the theoretical and research background to further your knowledge and participate in various educational settings. Graduate as a well-rounded educator who is prepared to teach in diverse classrooms and teaching environments.
A key strength of our program that differentiates us from other faculties of education within Ontario is our strong links with local school boards and community partners across the Region of Waterloo and the County of Brant. Our program greatly exceeds the 80 days of practicum that are required by the Ontario College of Teachers to provide you with maximum learning opportunities working with children and their teachers.
Program Codes
Our BEd program is offered on both the Waterloo and Brantford campuses.
Waterloo Campus Program Codes
U10 – Primary/Junior
U11 – Primary/Junior with French as a second language focus
U20 – Junior/Intermediate
Brantford Campus Program Codes
U12 – Primary/Junior
U13 – Primary/Junior with French as a second language focus
U22 – Junior/Intermediate
Key Dates
The deadline to apply is December 1, 2023.
We must receive your supplemental application and required documents, including transcripts and your completed Experience Profile, by December 6, 2023.
Admission Requirements
Required Admission Average
- You must have a minimum average of 70% (B-) in your most recent 10 full-credit or 20 half-credit undergraduate university courses that you completed by September 1, 2023.
- If you are applying to the Junior/Intermediate (J/I) program, you also need a 70% (B-) average in your required courses for your teaching subject.
Special Consideration
- You will receive admission preference if you have completed or are completing a 4-year undergraduate degree with a minimum of 20 full credits. If you have a 3-year degree, we will still consider you for admission.
- If you have a 4-year college degree, we will consider you on a case-by-case basis.
- Mature students must meet the same requirements as all other candidates.
Teaching Subject Requirements
- You need 3 full-credit or 6 half-credit undergraduate courses with an average of 70% (B-) for your teaching subject (refer to Required Courses for Teaching Subjects to view your teaching subject’s specific course requirements).
- You need 1 full-credit or 2 half-credit courses at the second-year level or above.
- If you have more than the required number of courses for your teaching subject, we calculate your average using your highest grades.
- You must complete all courses required for your teaching subject by the end of December 2023. Any courses that you take during the winter 2024 term (January to April) will not be considered toward your teaching subject requirements.
- If you are taking courses in the fall term (September to December), you must submit an unofficial transcript showing your updated grade information in January 2024.
Transcripts and Supplemental Application
After you submit your application through the OUAC, you will receive a confirmation email from us that contains your login information to access your applicant portal and submit a supplemental application.
You must submit your undergraduate transcript(s) in your supplemental application.
If you attended a university on an international exchange or Letter of Permission, you must provide an official transcript from the institution(s) you attended by the posted deadline. You may also be asked to submit course descriptions or an academic calendar from those institution(s) to Laurier. If you are required to submit these documents, we will communicate this information to you in your supplemental application.
You must submit your supplemental application by December 6, 2023. We cannot guarantee that we will consider your application if you miss the deadline. We will not assess your application until we receive your completed supplemental application.
Experience Profile and Supplementary Forms
Your Laurier Experience Profile allows you to share your lived experiences, backgrounds and understandings, and to indicate your commitment to the teaching profession and to inclusive, inquiry-based and innovative learning communities.
You must submit your completed Experience Profile in your supplemental application by December 6, 2023, at 11:59 pm (ET).
International Applicants and Internationally Educated Teachers (IET)
If you were educated outside of North America and obtained a degree in a foreign country, you must have all official transcripts translated (as applicable) and evaluated by World Education Services.
Language Requirements
You must submit evidence of your English-language proficiency if you have not studied for a minimum of 4 years in an English-language institution (including your most recent degree). There are some circumstances in which an exemption from the English-proficiency requirement may be warranted.
To meet the English-language proficiency requirement, you must submit a minimum score on an accepted English-language test, taken within the previous 2 years.
How to request an exemption from the English-proficiency requirement.
Teaching Subjects
J/I Teaching Subjects
The following teaching subjects are offered at both campuses:
- English
- French as a Second Language
- Health and Physical Education
- Music – Instrumental
- Music – Vocal
- Science – General
The following teaching subject is offered at the Waterloo campus only:
- Mathematics
The following teaching subjects are offered at the Brantford campus only:
- Geography
- History
Teaching subject availability is subject to meeting minimum enrollment thresholds.
Refer to Required Courses for Teaching Subjects to view your teaching subject’s specific course requirements.
Contact
Education Recruitment and Admissions
Wilfrid Laurier University
75 University Avenue West
Waterloo ON N2L 3C5
Email: eduadmissions@wlu.ca