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Consecutive Bachelor of Education & Technlological Education Admissions
Thinking of Applying
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General Questions
What is "Initial Teacher Education"?
The term "initial teacher education" describes a program of professional education taken in order to be eligible to become certified to teach elementary or secondary school. The programs offered by OISE are specifically structured to satisfy the requirements of the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) (the licensing authority for teachers in Ontario).
The term "initial" highlights the fact that the professional education of teachers is an ongoing process. The professional education acquired in an "initial teacher education program" should be viewed as a starting point and a foundation on which to build. OISE, through its Graduate Degree Programs and Continuing Education for Teachers program, offers many different opportunities for continuous professional learning and development.
Sometimes the term "preservice teacher education" is used in place of "initial teacher education".
What is a "Consecutive" program and how is it different than a "Concurrent" program?
A "consecutive" program is an initial teacher education program that can be taken by candidates who have already completed a university degree. A "concurrent" program combines undergraduate degree studies and initial teacher education into one extended program of study.
This website pertains to the Consecutive version of the Bachelor of Education Degree and the Diploma in Technological Education.
How long is the program?
The Consecutive Bachelor of Education and Diploma in Technological Education programs are one-year programs of initial teacher education.
When does the program begin?
For Primary/Junior, Junior/Intermediate and Intermediate/Senior, there is only a September start of program each year. The program runs to the end of May. There is no January program start-up nor is there a summer program for Primary/Junior, Junior/Intermediate and Intermediate/Senior.
Technological Education also has a September - May program schedule for the regular program. The Technological Education (Apprenticeship Program) has a different schedule and the potential for multiple start dates in a year. Please refer to the Technological Education (Apprenticeship Program) sub-section of the Technological Education section of this website for details.
When do you apply?
The application for the Bachelor of Education and Diploma in Technological Education programs become available late-September. The application deadline is at the end of November or the beginning of December. The application process is discussed extensively throughout the Admissions Guide website.
This applies also to the Technological Education (Apprenticeship Program).
Can I take the program part-time?
No. The Bachelor of Education and Diploma in Technological Education programs are full-time programs.
Does OISE have a mature student status in the admission process for entry into the B.Ed. program?
No. OISE does not have a different admission process or different admissions requirements for mature students. All of our standard procedures and requirements must be satisfied.
Questions About Academic Requirements
What is the cut-off grade required for the B.Ed. program?
We require a "B-range" average, which is calculated on the best 15 full courses (or equivalent in half courses) of undergraduate study. This is our academic "cut-off" for consideration. We record the average that we calculate as "A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, or C. Any average that falls within the "A-range" or "B-range" (as defined by your university in terms of percent grades) can be considered for admission, depending on other factors, such as the evaluation of your Applicant Profile.
What do you mean by "course" or "full course"?
The unit of credit at the University of Toronto is the "full course". A full course is a course that is typically taken over two terms in an academic year and represents 20% of the regular full-time course load in an academic year. Therefore, the standard course load for full-time undergraduate students would be 5.0 full courses per year and a 4-year degree would be comprised of 20 full courses (or equivalent in half courses).
A half course is a course that is typical taken in one term of the academic year (and represents 10% of the regular full-time course load in an academic year).
In terms of semester credits, a "full course" is equal to 6 semester credits and a "half course" is equal to 3 semester credits. Typically, a 4-year degree completed at a university using a "semester credit" system will have 120 semester credits (4 years @ 30 semester credits per year).
Do 2 half courses equal a full course?
Yes. Two half courses represent the same amount of academic credit as one full course. Therefore, when we describe a requirement in terms of a specific number of courses (such as teaching subject prerequisites), the term "courses" should be understood to refer to full courses or the equivalent in full and half courses combined.
What are the prerequisites for Primary/Junior?
There are no prerequisites for the Primary/Junior division at OISE. We only have prerequisites for specific teaching subjects at the Junior/Intermediate and Intermediate/Senior divisions. Since Primary/Junior does not include teaching subjects, it does not require prerequisites.
What prerequisites do you require for a second teaching subject?
At OISE we do not use the concept of "first" and "second" teaching subjects in our Intermediate/Senior division. Thus, the prerequisites listed in our list of Intermediate/Senior Teaching Subjects & Prerequisites apply for a specific teaching subject whether that subject is listed first or second on your application.
My degree is from another country. Is there anything extra that I need to know?
All applicants, including those who have completed university studies in another country, must satisfy all of our regular procedures and requirements. However, we do have some information resources that will help to address issues related to international credentials. Links to a number of useful supplementary information sheets are listed below:
We will evaluate the academic background of all applicants as part of our formal application assessment. Note, however, that acceptance of a university degree or documentation of a degree by OISE does not guarantee similar acceptance by the Ontario College of Teachers.
Questions About Experience Background
What kinds of experience are you looking for?
At the present time we do not specifically evaluate applicants on the type of experiences that they present in their Profile. However, we do require that each applicant include information about 3 teaching or teaching-related experiences and that at least one of these experiences involve interaction with a group of 5 or more individuals. Nevertheless, what is most important is the ability to clearly articulate the insights into teaching and learning that have been gained from each experience.
Even though our evaluation does not look for this, for most people, the best experience is based in a regular school classroom at the age-level appropriate to the division and grade to which you are applying. This is discussed in detail in the Experience Preparation sub-section of the B.Ed. section of the Admissions Guide website. This includes a list of many different activities that can be usefully included in the application. (Note that this list does not rank activities in order of usefulness.)
How much experience do I need?
Applicants must present 3 teaching or teaching-related experiences in the Applicant Profile in order for the Profile to be considered complete. At the present time we do not have a specific requirement regarding the amount of time spent in a specific experience activity in order for an experience to be used in the Applicant Profile and our evaluation of the Applicant Profile does not specifically consider the number of hours in an experience.
The true determining factor as to whether or not experience is "enough" is how well experience is used in the Applicant Profile to demonstrate an understanding of how children learn in a contemporary school environment relative to what other candidates present. Given the large number of applications which we receive every year, it is important to consider what may be necessary to be competitive with what other applicants are presenting in their applications. The competition is not to see who can give us the largest amount of experience, but rather to see who can demonstrate the greatest amount of learning derived from their experiences. Nevertheless, the more time you spend in an activity more opportunity you have to expand your understanding of young people and the way they learn. In this regard you may wish to consider that completion of no less than 100 hours in an experience prior to the application deadline be viewed as a target for time spent in a potentially significant learning experience.
Perhaps the best answer to this question is to observe that if you apply and get an Offer of Admission, then, for that year, you have enough experience.
Do I need to submit reference letters?
We do not request reference letters as part of our application documentation. Any that are, nevertheless, submitted are not used in our evaluation. Specifically, potential applicants are advised that a reference letter is not an acceptable substitute for verification of experiences that are presented in the Profile.
Technological Education candidates are cautioned that a general reference letter is unlikely to include sufficient details and information to serve as acceptable documentation of skilled wage-earning experience. Please consult the Documenting Skilled Wage-Earning Experience sub-section of the Technological Education section of the Admissions Guide website for more details.
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If you have any questions, please contact the OISE Registrar's Office Initial Teacher Education, Admissions Unit.
Telephone: 416-978-1848
Email: admissions@oise.utoronto.ca
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