Please note:
To view the Spring 2024 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2024/spring.html.
Teacher Education (PDP)
This 16 month teacher education program is an integral component of the bachelor of education requirements. Admission is by application. Declaration of BEd as a degree goal does not guarantee acceptance into the professional development program (PDP).
The professional development program is also available in French, for students aspiring to teach in Core French, French Immersion or Programme Francophone. See Bureau des affaires francophones et francophiles (BAFF) /Office of Francophone & Francophile Affairs (OFFA).
Admission Requirements
Applicants must be attending Simon Fraser University or be admissible.
Candidates who have not attended Simon Fraser University previously, or who have not attended in any of the three terms prior to intended enrollment, must apply for admission or readmission.
All candidates are required to complete the online professional development program application form located at https://www.sfu.ca/education/programs/teacher-ed/pdp.html.
All applications must be submitted to the Preservice Professional Studies Admissions office by January 31.
All applicants pay the PDP application fee online at https://www.sfu.ca/education/programs/teacher-ed/pdp.html.
Elementary Applicants
Elementary applicants must, one full term prior to the start of PDP, have completed a minimum of 76 units of courses acceptable for credit at Simon Fraser University including the following prerequisite courses:
- six units in English (a maximum of three units of English composition may be included)
- one course (three units) in each of Canadian history, Canadian geography, and laboratory science
- MATH 190
- elementary applicants are recommended to have education, fine and performing arts and kinesiology courses
Secondary Applicants
Applicants who plan to teach at the secondary level must fulfil the requirements of a four-year degree with a teachable major subject or two teachable minor subjects prior to commencing PDP.
Teachable Majors or Minors
- Anthropology*
- Applied Mathematics
- Archaeology*
- Asia/Pacific Studies*
- Biological Sciences
- Canadian Studies*
- Chemistry
- Classics/Greek & Roman Studies*
- Computing Science (Minor only)
- Criminology*
- Dance (FPA) (Minor only)
- Earth Science
- Economics*
- English
- First Nations Studies*
- French
- Gender Studies*
- Geography*
- Germanic Studies*
- History*
- Humanities (Minor only)*
- International Relations/Studies*
- Law*
- Mathematics
- Music (FPA)
- Physical Education/Kinesiology (Minor only)
- Physics
- Political Science*
- Slavic Studies*
- Social Studies*
- Sociology*
- Spanish & Latin American Studies*
- Theatre (FPA) (Minor only)
- Visual Arts (FPA)
- World Literature
*see admission requirements for Social Studies here: https://www.sfu.ca/education/programs/teacher-ed/social-studies-requirements.html
Students planning to teach at the secondary level must complete requirements prior to commencing PDP, except BEd candidates who cannot complete their degree until they have successfully completed PDP. These BEd candidates complete one teachable major or two teachable minors prior to commencing PDP. Students from other institutions may apply prior to degree completion.
Secondary applicants must complete six English units (a maximum of three units of English composition may be included) one full term prior to starting PDP.
It is recommended that applicants have credit for at least one EDUC course before applying for admission.
All Applicants
All PDP applicants are required to submit the following:
- three online recommendation forms
- a written essay described further on the PDP website at https://www.sfu.ca/education/programs/teacher-ed/pdp/application-tuition.html
- a resumé
Before program admission, applicants must demonstrate competence in written and oral English (and written and oral French for French immersion and French as a second language programs).
Students may be interviewed before being considered for program admission.
If the number of PDP applicants exceeds facilities and staffing capabilities, the admissions committee will select the best qualified candidates.
Admission selection is generally given to students whose applications show experience with and commitment to community service that may include teaching or other helping roles.
Because of the number of well qualified PDP applicants, it is unlikely that candidates who have been unsuccessful in four previous competitions will be considered favourably in any subsequent competition. Those who have been unsuccessful in gaining entry on at least four occasions are discouraged from further application.
Program Requirements
The program’s duration is four terms.
Professional studies and activities are arranged in the following sequence.
In the first term, students complete
Through a combination of on-campus seminars and guided field experiences, students will investigate the historical, philosophical, social, and cultural foundations of education and schooling, and begin to develop professional orientations and identities that recognize the expectations and responsibilities of practicing teachers. Grading is on a pass/withdraw basis. Prerequisite: Admission to Professional Programs and successful completion of a Criminal Record Check.
Through a combination of on-campus seminars and guided field experiences, students will investigate the historical, philosophical, social and cultural foundations of education and schooling, and begin to develop professional orientations and identities that recognize the expectations and responsibilities of practicing teachers. Grading is on a pass/withdraw basis.
In the second term, students complete both of
A half term of observation and experience in a BC school during which students work as a team with a teacher selected by school authorities and appointed by Simon Fraser University as a school associate. Students observe, teach and participate in school routines and programs. Grading is on a pass/withdraw basis. Prerequisite: Admission to Professional Development Program. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check. Students with credit for EDUC 403 may not take EDUC 401 for further credit. Writing.
A half term of study which provides students with workshops, seminars, and lectures designed to introduce them to basic curriculum and methods appropriate for the age/grade level in which they expect to teach. Students will also be given an introduction to generic teaching skills, as well as to current issues in educational theory and practice. Grading is on a pass/withdraw basis. Prerequisite: Admission to PDP or PLP program. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check. Writing.
These courses are offered as an integrated program, combining theory and practice in both on-campus seminars and in-school practice in the second term of PDP. This is accomplished by alternating blocks of classroom teaching with workshops and instruction on campus.
During EDUC 401, students are assigned to a teacher (school associate) identified by school authorities and supervised by a faculty associate appointed by the university. Students observe, teach and participate in school routines and programs.
During EDUC 402, students participate in the study of teaching and learning, and make meaning of the complex world of educational practice, informed by extensive study of pedagogical literature.
In the third term, students complete
Students' complete enrollment in this course in consultation with the undergraduate program advisor, faculty members, and the student’s faculty associate, to ensure that professional, academic and certification requirements are satisfied, or to satisfy the educational requirements of designated PDP modules. Students undertake 15 units of upper division study in education.
Students completing degrees from the Faculties of Applied Sciences, Arts and Social Sciences, Business Administration, Communication, Art, and Technology, Environment, Health Sciences or Science may apply credit for EDUC 404 to that degree.
To be recommended for certification, in EDUC 404 students must achieve a minimum 2.0 grade point average in courses taken towards the EDUC 404 requirement (or receive a P in Pass/Fail courses).
See EDUC courses for prerequisites and grading.
In the fourth term, students complete
A full term of classroom experience supervised by University appointed school associates. The school placement is appropriate to the grade level and subject specialties which the student expects to teach after graduation. Grading is on a pass/withdraw basis. (Not offered in summer term.). Prerequisite: EDUC 401/402 or EDUC 402/403. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.
This course is a term of classroom experience supervised by university appointed faculty associates. The school placement is appropriate to the educational level and subject specialties in which the student expects to obtain certification. Students assume a large measure of responsibility and participate in a wide range of teaching and supervisory activities. School placements are made in school districts throughout the Lower Mainland.
* not offered in summer term
** this zero-unit course functions as an umbrella course where the student completes 15 units of course work
French Education
French Immersion, Core French and Programme Francophone for grades 5-12 are normally available. The majority of the program in Immersion and Programme Francophone is offered in French.
General Regulations
Students complete normal Simon Fraser University enrollment procedures before commencing studies in any term of the professional development program.
Successful applicants will be required to undergo a criminal record check. If the check indicates the applicant has a criminal record, that may preclude continuation in PDP.
Students must meet program goals, as outlined in the Preservice Professional Studies Handbook.
Those with valid reasons may be given permission by the director of Professional Programs to interrupt their program. A formal request must be submitted in writing to the director, Professional Programs. A program interruption requested by a student may normally last no longer than two years.
Students who indicate their intention to undertake a given PDP term and then do not honour this commitment are considered to have withdrawn from the program. Permission to re-enter is not given automatically.
Readmission
Students who withdraw from EDUC 400 must re-apply through Preservice Professional Studies Admissions.
EDUC 401/402: Students may apply for re-entry into EDUC 401/402 by the September 15 deadline for the following two spring terms. Students must meet the conditions for re-entry outlined in their withdrawal paperwork. An interview may be required. Applications must be submitted within two years of the withdrawal. Re-entry is competitive; there is no guarantee of admission to a particular term.
EDUC 405: Students may apply for re-entry by September 15 for the spring term or March 15 for the fall term. Students must meet the conditions for re-entry outlined in their withdrawal paperwork. An interview may be required. Applications must be submitted within two years of the withdrawal. Re-entry is competitive; there is no guarantee of admission to a particular term.
A student withdrawn from EDUC 405 for a second time may not re-enter the program unless by appeal.
Students who withdraw from PDP may apply for re-entry within two years of withdrawal. Students who do not re-enter within the specified time must re-apply to the program and must meet the admission requirements at the time of reapplication.
Recommendation for Certification
The academic and professional records of all students who have completed the four professional development program terms will be subject to review by the faculty before a recommendation for certification is forwarded to the Teacher Regulation Branch (TRB).
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
- At least half of the program's total units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.
- At least two thirds of the program's total upper division units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.