Jump to Main Content
Decrease font size Reset font size Increase font size
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto Home| OISE| U of T| Portal| Site Map
INSPIRING EDUCATION | oise.utoronto.ca
Registrar's Office
Go to selected destination

RO Home> BEd &Tech Admissions> Thinking of Applying> Info for High School> Advance Planning...BEd

Consecutive Bachelor of Education & Technlological Education Admissions

Thinking of Applying
 

ADVANCE PLANNING GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS INTERESTED IN TEACHING ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY SCHOOL

In This Section:

Why Teaching?
Steps to Becoming a Teacher
What High School Background is Required?
What Experience Background is Helpful?
What University Subject Background is Required?
Undergraduate Programs at the University of Toronto of Interest to Prospective Teachers
Some Courses at the University of Toronto of Interest to Prospective Teachers
Your Next Step


 

ADVANCE PLANNING GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS INTERESTED IN TEACHING ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY SCHOOL
 

Why Teaching?

Becoming a teacher gives you the chance to make a difference in someone's life and to contribute to your community. As a teacher you will be part of a profession which is respected world wide, and you will have an opportunity for life long learning and growth. The education and experience gained from teaching is useful in a wide variety of careers for which teaching skills and proficiency in communication skills are required.

 

Steps to Becoming a Teacher

High school students who want to become elementary or secondary school teachers in Ontario should follow the basic steps listed below:

  1. Complete a Bachelor's Degree (preferably a four-year degree) with an overall "B" range average in 15 full courses or equivalent half courses.
     
  2. Accumulate experience while studying for your degree, working with groups of children or adolescents on a regular basis at the age level you wish to teach.
     
  3. Complete a teacher education program. At OISE there are four teacher education programs that lead to the Ontario Teacher's Certificate of Qualification.
    • Bachelor of Education Degree (1 year)
    • Diploma in Technical Education (1 year)
    • MA in Child Study and Education (2 years)
    • Master of Teaching (2 years)
    • Concurrent Teacher Education Program (CTEP)

This information focuses on our one-year consecutive Bachelor of Education (B. Ed.) teacher education program. You enter this degree program after you first complete an undergraduate degree.

Information about programs in Technological Education, Child Study, the Masters of Teaching programs and CTEP can be obtained from the respective addresses at the bottom of this page.

[Top]

What High School Background is Required?

You do not need any specific high school courses to apply for our B. Ed. (consecutive) teacher education program since we will be looking at your university record, not your high school record.

To meet the minimum university admission requirements you need to have 6 grade 12 U/M courses including English 4U.

 

 What Experience Background is Helpful?

 You should try, as early as possible, to obtain some experience working with groups of children or adolescents and exceptional children in the following ways:

  • Volunteer in an elementary classroom; (the credits earned can be used towards your graduation)
  • Participate in mentoring and tutoring youth groups;
  • Join leadership groups such as Outward Bound, Scouts, Beavers, Cubs, Brownies and Girl Guides;
  • Work in a Cultural Centre or a Heritage Language Program;
  • Volunteer to coach a sports team;
  • Get involved in student government and other school leadership activities. 

These experiences will help you to decide if teaching is a good career choice for you, and will also give you some of the experiences which you will need to do it well. 

Keep a log or diary of your experience. Record where you worked, the age group you enjoyed the most and what you learned from your experiences. Suitable experience is an important factor in your admission to OISE and you should keep track of what you have done.

What University Subject Background is Required?

You need to think about the grade levels you might want to teach. When applying to the B. Ed. (consecutive) program you will be asked to select one of the following programs:

Primary/Junior (J.K. - grade 6)

  • No specific teaching subjects are required.
  • You could choose some university courses in subjects taught in the schools so that you will be comfortable with the more general elementary school program.
     

Junior/Intermediate (grades 4-10)

  • One teaching subject is required.
  • Commonly taught subjects include history, english, physical education, geography.
     

Intermediate/Senior (grades 7-12)

  • Two teaching subjects are required.
  • High demand subject areas are: french, physics, chemistry, computer science and math. 

NOTE 1: Persons entering the teaching profession should have knowledge of computers.

NOTE 2: Taking courses in communication, psychology, sociology, equity and cultural diversity, may help you to understand children or adolescents in today's schools.

[Top]

 
Undergraduate Programs at the University of Toronto of Interest to Prospective Teachers

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO AT MISSISSAUGA (UTM)
Exceptionality in Human Learning
This four-year specialist undergraduate degree program is recommended for those who want to teach at the elementary level (Kindergarten - grade 6). During their fourth year students will participate in a field experience in a school working with a mentor teacher.

FACULTY OF MUSIC
Bachelor of Music Education 
This four year undergraduate degree program in music education is a good preparation for those who want to teach Music at the elementary or secondary level.

FACULTY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND HEALTH
Bachelor of Physical and Health Education
This four year undergraduate degree program is of interest to those who want to teach Physical Education at the elementary or secondary level. Prospective teachers should pay particular attention to the "Preparation for Teaching Option."

The list is for general information only. For official program descriptions and application information, please consult the calendars of the divisions concerned.

[Top]

Some Courses at the University of Toronto of Interest to Prospective Teachers

Some Courses at the University of Toronto of Interest to Prospective Teachers

  • ENG 234H - Children's Literature
  • JLP 315H - Language Acquisition
  • MAT 329Y - Elementary Methods of Math
  • PSY 311H - Social Development*
  • PSY 312H - Cognative Development*
  • SOC 225Y - Sociology of Education*
  • SOC 336H - Immigration and Race Relations*

You should discuss your undergraduate program with your College Registrar.

*These are only a few of a number of relevant Psychology and Sociology courses.


Your Next Step

Contact Information:

  • Consecutive Bachelor of Education Degree or Diploma in Technological Education
    OISE Registrar's Office
    Initial Teacher Education, Admissions Unit
    Email: admissions@oise.utoronto.ca
     
  • M.A. in Child Study and Education or Master of Teaching
    OISE Registrar's Office
    Graduate Studies, Admissions Unit
    252 Bloor St. West, Room 4-485
    Toronto, Ontario M5S lV6
    E-mail to: gradstudy.oise@utoronto.ca

    See also Graduate Studies section of the OISE Registrar's Office website.

If you have any questions, please contact:
OISE Registrar's Office, Initial Teacher Education Admissions Unit
Telephone: 416-978-1848 | Email: admissions@oise.utoronto.ca

[Top]

OISEcms v.1.0 | Site last updated: Wednesday, May 1, 2013 Disclaimer | Webmaster

© OISE University of Toronto
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, 252 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1V6 CANADA