Education (BEd)

Laurier's Bachelor of Education (BEd) program is highly progressive and future-oriented. Our courses blend knowledge, skills, and global competencies that focus on the diverse needs of children and youth. We designed our full-time, two-year BEd program to prepare you to teach students in Primary/Junior divisions (Kindergarten to Grade 6), Primary/Junior French as a Second Language (Kindergarten to Grade 6) or Junior/Intermediate divisions (Grades 4 to 10).

The Bachelor of Education program is available at both our Waterloo and Brantford campuses!

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Apply Your Learning

Our teacher education program is based on the Professional Development School model, which means that you will be immersed in the community and culture of your placement school. You will have four block practicum placements in schools, in addition to weekly practicum days. In total, you’ll benefit from over 100 days of practicum experience.

All of our practicum placements are in select Partner School Boards, strategically located to allow our teacher candidates to attend classes at Laurier and be involved in their placement schools as described above. These partnerships provide you with extensive, in-depth, and sustained experiential learning experiences. 

Our partner school boards include Avon Maitland, Bluewater, Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic, Bruce Grey Catholic, Grand Erie, Halton, Halton Catholic, Hamilton-Wentworth, Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic, Huron-Perth Catholic, London District Catholic, Six Nations Schools, Thames Valley, Upper Grand, Waterloo Catholic, Waterloo Region, and Wellington Catholic. During Professional Learning Seminars, you will reflect on your learning, connect practice to theory, share the uniqueness of your school sites with your peers, and discuss the roles and responsibilities of being a teacher.

During Professional Learning Seminars, you will reflect on your learning, connect practice to theory, share the uniqueness of your school sites with your peers, and discuss the roles and responsibilities of being a teacher.

Learn more about our program structure, including Laurier Partner School placements, block practicum placements and more.

 

2022 graduates who secured employment or went on to postgraduate studies

 

Laurier ranks in the top 6 percent of universities worldwide*

 

students who gained hands-on learning experiences at Laurier in 2022

*Center for World University Rankings (CWUR)

Admissions

Format: full time      Duration: two years     Start: September (fall term)    

Program Details

Conceptual Framework

The five principles of our conceptual framework are: learning, inquiry, connections, reflective practice, and collaboration and concurrent school improvement. They are manifested in our daily operations, practices, course structure and initiatives.

At Laurier, the conceptual framework permeates our courses and practicum experiences, our partnerships with schools and school boards, and our relationships with one another within the faculty; in this sense, it is a living piece of our culture.

Read more about how these principles are lived out in our programming.

Sample Schedule

Get a sense of what it will be like as an Education student, by reviewing our sample schedule. We layout your first and second year to give you a sense of when to expect your classes, practicums and holiday breaks to take place.

Check out a sample schedule.

Courses and Learning Outcomes

Foundations Courses

  • Curriculum Foundations
  • Principles and Applications of Learning and Development
  • Professional Learning Seminar I and II
  • School and Society

Curriculum Methods Courses

  • Language and Literacy Education (Course in first and second year)
  • Mathematics Education (Course in first and second year)
  • Science and Technology Education
  • Social Studies, History and Geography Education
  • Teaching for the Arts
  • Teaching Health and Physical Education

Instruction and Assessment Across the Curriculum

  • Assessment
  • Integrated Curriculum I
  • Integrated Curriculum II
  • Teaching in Kindergarten

Knowing Your Learner: Diversity Series

  • English Language Learners in the Classroom
  • Equity and Diversity in Schools
  • First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Topics in Educational Contexts
  • Mental Health in the Classroom Context
  • Self-Regulated Learning
  • Special Education I
  • Special Education II

Sample Electives

  • Environmental Education
  • Global Education
  • Introduction to Mathematical Cognition and Exceptionalities
  • Literacy Intervention
  • Online Teaching in K-12
  • Restorative Practices in Education
  • Social Innovation in Education
  • Teaching in Ontario Catholic Schools

Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes of the Bachelor of Education program refer to the following areas of teaching and learning.

Learning Environment

Use effective strategies to develop positive relationships and create an inclusive learning environment that respects diverse learner identities and supports the development of self-regulated, adaptive and social justice-oriented learners.

Knowledge of Education

Construct and apply subject-specific knowledge and understanding of students, Ontario curriculum, legislation, teaching practices, technology integration, and classroom management strategies, to promote the learning achievement of all students.

Planning

Design short- and long-term instructional plans that are developmentally appropriate and relevant to diverse learner needs, perspectives and experiences, using appropriate technologies and resources.

Instructional Strategies

Implement a broad range of evidence-based instructional strategies and technologies that promote self-regulated student learning and develop creative and critical thinking, collaborative and problem-solving skills.

Assessment

Conduct ongoing assessment of student progress, make data-informed decisions for differentiated instruction, and develop skills to evaluate student achievement and communicate results to students and parents/guardians.

Communication

Communicate effectively and professionally with diverse audiences using various media. These include both face-to-face interaction and online methods, in written, visual and oral forms.

Professionalism

Adopt a professional demeanour in both school and university contexts, develop professional relationships, and follow ethical standards of practice.

Inquiry and Continuous Learning

Adapt and refine teaching practices through inquiry and reflection, using a variety of sources and resources, including collaborative, professional learning networks in face-to-face and digital environments.

High School to BEd Pathway Programs

Finished High School and Interested in an Education Degree?

Laurier's Bachelor of Education program is only open to applicants who have already completed a qualifying undergraduate degree. But if you're wrapping up grade 12 now (or maybe you finished a few years ago!), we have several undergraduate pathway programs that can help you check off that prerequisite degree and start preparing to be an outstanding teacher right from year one.

If you keep your GPA up and meet all the requirements, you'll be guaranteed a spot when it comes time to apply to Laurier’s competitive Bachelor of Education program.

Here's what you need to qualify for admission to our BEd program:

  • Meet all requirements of associated undergraduate program.
  • Achieve a 10.5 GPA on the ten final full credits completed at Laurier.
  • Complete all requirements of the Teaching Option.
  • Satisfy all application requirements of the BEd program.

About the Undergraduate Teaching Option

Laurier’s Undergraduate Teaching Option consists of 4.0 credits throughout your degree: five core half-credit courses offered through the Faculty of Education, plus three elective half-credit courses from an approved list. The option is designed to provide students with a foundational course of study focusing on teaching.

Programs with Pathways to the BEd

While you can add a Teaching Option to most programs in your upper years, a subset of programs on both our Waterloo and Brantford campuses are eligible for this direct to BEd pathway (which secures you a spot in our BEd program upon successful completion of all the undergraduate requirements).

Tuition and Scholarships

There are many elements to consider when calculating costs to continue your education, including tuition, fees and living expenses. At Laurier, we offer financial support for students through a variety of different programs and options.

Entrance Scholarships

Laurier offers entrance scholarships valued at $500 each to top-ranking students in each division. No application is required.

Indigenous Scholarships

Indigenous scholarships are available to qualified applicants who self-identify as having an Indigenous background, heritage or ancestry upon confirming an offer of admission to the BEd program at Laurier. These scholarships are not competitive and do not require a separate application.

More Options

We have several online resources to help you plan to pay for your education. Learn how to apply for government assistance, competitive awards and scholarships, as well as part-time employment on campus to help offset your education costs.

Expenses

Note: For one year (or two terms) studying full time. Fees are based on 2021/22 and are subject to increase for 2022/23.

Breakdown of Expenses

Fee Type

Domestic Students

International Students

Tuition

$8,051

$29,253

Incidental Fees

$1,300

$1,300

Technology Fee

$80

$80

Textbooks

$900

$900

On-Campus Parking

$382

$382

UHIP

N/A

$756

Total

$10,713

$32,671

“No other program offers as much classroom experience. Through weekly placement days you become part of a staff and learn things about teaching and your own identity as a teacher that no textbook can teach you.”

Christina Siderius, Education graduate

Your Career Awaits

It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.

Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • assistive technology consultant
  • camp executive director
  • curriculum developer
  • educational software support coordinator
  • French teacher
  • instructional designer
  • leadership program coordinator
  • private school teacher
  • teacher, Kindergarten to Grade 10

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

Waterloo and Brantford Campus

The Waterloo campus is home to more than 17,700 undergraduate and graduate students. You're steps away from classes, residence, and campus amenities on this close-knit campus.

On the other hand, the Brantford campus is woven into the downtown core of the City of Brantford and is home to more than 3,000 students. With classrooms and study spaces close to great restaurants, shopping and hiking trails, you get the best of both worlds.

There are many ways to tour both of our campuses to help make your decision. The choice of where you study is up to you!

“Nothing will prepare you more for the teaching world than this program; the field days allow you to fully immerse yourself and grow into better teachers and people.”

Shaylyn Dwyer, Education graduate

Interested in More Info?

Email eduadmissions@wlu.ca, call 548.889.8888 or see all contact information.