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- Bachelor of General Studies
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- Minors
- Counselling and Human Development Minor
- Curriculum and Instruction Minor
- Early Learning Minor
- Educational Psychology Minor
- Learning and Developmental Disabilities Minor
- Social Justice in Education Minor
- Elementary Generalist Minor
- Environmental Education Minor
- French Education Minor
- Physical and Health Education Minor
- Secondary Mathematics Education Minor
- Secondary Teaching Minor
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- Teacher Education
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- MA, MEd in Arts Education
- MA, MEd in Counselling Psychology
- MEd in Curriculum & Instruction: Children’s and Young Adult Literature
- MEd in Curriculum & Instruction: Contemplative Inquiry & Approaches in Education
- MEd in Curriculum & Instruction: Ecological Education
- MA, MEd in Curriculum & Instruction: Educational Theory and Practice
- M.Éd. dans Curriculum & Instruction: Enseigner et apprendre en français: plurilinguismes, francophonies et éducation
- MA, MEd in Curriculum & Instruction: Equity Studies in Education
- MEd in Curriculum & Instruction: Imagination in Teaching, Schooling and Place
- MEd in Curriculum & Instruction: Innovations in Mathematics Education
- MA, MEd dans Curriculum & Instruction: l'éducation en français en contextes de diversité (campus de SFU)
- MEd in Curriculum & Instruction: Place- and Nature-Based Experiential Learning
- MEd in Curriculum & Instruction: Post-Secondary (VCC)
- MEd in Curriculum & Instruction: Science Education and Communication
- MEd in Educational Leadership: Indigenous Resurgence
- MEd in Educational Leadership: Post-Secondary (Surrey)
- MEd in Educational Leadership: Imaginative K-12 Leadership (Surrey)
- MEd in Educational Practice
- MEd in Educational Practice: Practitioner Inquiry
- MA, MEd in Educational Psychology
- MEd in Teaching Languages in Global Contexts
- MA, MEd in Educational Technology & Learning Design
- MSc, MEd in Secondary Mathematics Education
- MA, MEd in Teaching English as an Additional Language
- Doctoral Programs
- EdD in Educational Leadership: Leading for Educational Change in the Yukon
- PhD in Arts Education
- PhD in Educational Psychology
- PhD in Educational Technology & Learning Design
- PhD in Educational Theory and Practice: Curriculum and Pedagogy Stream
- PhD in Educational Theory and Practice: Philosophy of Education Stream
- PhD in Languages, Cultures and Literacies
- PhD en langues, cultures et littératies (en français)
- PhD in Mathematics Education
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Delivery method: in-person and/or online |
Applications open: October 1, 2023 (high school applicants) March 1, 2024 (transfer applicants) |
Applications close: January 31, 2024 (high school applicants) April 15, 2024 (transfer applicants) |
Next start date: Fall 2024 |
Designed with the non-specialist in mind, the Bachelor of General Studies in Education (BGS) gives you the freedom, flexibility and support to explore a wide variety of subjects and develop the skills you'll need to chart your career course.
Whether or not you decide to become a teacher, the BGS in Education is a great program for anyone who's interested in learning more about educational theories, research and practices, and how they apply both inside and outside of the classroom.
Students leave this program as curious, passionate and versatile life-long learners.
Designed for
The Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) in Education is an ideal program for anyone who's interested in learning more about educational theories, research and practice while also enjoying the freedom and flexibility to explore other faculties and fields of study.
Planning to Become a Teacher?
The Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) in Education is a great route for students pursuing teaching at the elementary level. To prepare to apply to the Professional Development Program (PDP – our 16 month full-time teacher education program), you should enroll in the pre-requisite courses listed on PDP Admissions.
Planning to teach at the secondary level? You will need to complete either a major or two minors in teachable subject areas in order to apply to the Professional Development Program at the secondary level. See specific academic requirements on PDP Admissions. You should apply directly from high school to the appropriate faculty and program for your teachable subject area(s).
Program Structure
The BGS in Education requires successful completion of 120 units, including 45 units of upper division (300-400 level) units. These units can come from a wide variety of courses and faculties. All students must complete three core courses:
- EDUC 100W: Selected Questions and Issues in Education (3 units)
- EDUC 252: Introduction to Reflective Practice (4 units)
- EDUC 352W: Building on Reflective Practice (4 units)
Unlike other programs, the BGS in Education does not require students to declare a major area of study. Instead, students complete the General Education Option or the Double Minor Option.
GENERAL EDUCATION OPTION
The General Education Option requires the completion of the three core courses (EDUC 100W, EDUC 252 and EDUC 352W) plus:
- 9 lower division units in EDUC courses;
and
- 15 upper division units in EDUC courses
A 2.00 graduation grade point average (GPA) and upper division GPA is required.
With the exception of EDUC 400/401/402/403/405/406, courses completed in any faculty may be used to satisfy degree requirements. Course admission is subject to the prerequisites set by various departments.
DOUBLE MINOR OPTION
The Double Minor Option requires the completion of the three core courses (EDUC 100W, EDUC 252 and EDUC 352W) plus:
- Two minors or extended minors, including one from the Faculty of Education
Minor Themes of Study
Popular with students from a wide variety of disciplines, Education minors in the BGS are designed to complement nearly every major/minor area of study. Students can explore:
Additional Options and Programs
Online Coursework
With careful course selection it may be possible for students to complete the Bachelor of General Studies through online coursework.
This may appeal to students who need even more flexibility due to work commitments, distance from campus, childcare, travel, and more. A blended model is also available should you wish to take a course on campus.
COOPERATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM
It is also possible for students to add a co-op semester to gain important job experience while taking the BGS.
Burnaby
Perched atop Burnaby Mountain, Simon Fraser University's original Arthur Erickson-designed campus includes more than three dozen academic buildings and a flourishing sustainable residential community.
Simon Fraser University respectfully acknowledges the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations, on which SFU Burnaby is located.
Surrey
Our Surrey campus is a vibrant community hub in the heart of one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities. With easy access to transit, the modern campus is conveniently situated between Metro Vancouver and communities south of the Fraser River.
Simon Fraser University respectfully acknowledges the unceded traditional territories, including the Semiahmoo, Katzie, kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Kwantlen, Qayqayt and Tsawwassen Nations, on which SFU Surrey is located.
Vancouver
Our Vancouver campus transformed the landscape of urban education in downtown Vancouver. The campus comprises multiple facilities clustered in the core of one of the world’s most liveable cities.
Simon Fraser University respectfully acknowledges the unceded traditional territories including, the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations, on which SFU Vancouver is located.
Off-Campus Opportunities
Students in the Bachelor of General Studies have the opportunity to participate in Field Schools (as and when available). Past Field Schools have taken Education students to: Haida Gwaii, Indonesia and Hawaii.
Where can this program take you? The world is changing rapidly and so is the full range of career and academic opportunities that await.
Occupations
Armed with the necessary knowledge and skills, graduates pursue careers in jobs such as:
- Academic Advisor
- Admissions Counsellor
- Adult Educator
- Consultant
- Curriculum Coordinator
- ESL Teacher
- Program Planner
- Public Lecturer
- Researcher
- School Administrator
- School Psychologist
- Social Worker
- Student Affairs Administrator
- Teacher
Further Studies
- If you want to become an elementary school teacher, the BGS is a popular pathway to SFU's highly-regarded teacher education program, the Professional Development Program (PDP). The PDP is a 16-month, post-degree program that helps aspiring educators get a B.C. teaching certificate.
- Graduates from the BGS may also be interested in furthering their studies in one of our diploma (PBD or GDE) or master programs.
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Emmalee Rao shares insights into her undergraduate journey and her aspirations for the future.
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Susan Luu remembers feeling anxious and overwhelmed on her first day at SFU. But the feelings quickly dissipated as she was immediately embraced by the Welcome Day leaders and Faculty of Education community.
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When it came time to apply for university, undergraduate student Emerly Liu knew SFU was the right place for her. But she didn’t anticipate just how rewarding the experience would be.
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From a remarkably young age, Aneesa Hashimi knew she wanted a career working with children.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BACHELOR OF GENERAL STUDIES IN EDUCATION
Curious to know more about the program?
Future Student Advising
If you are not currently an SFU student, contact one of the Education advisors below:
-
Sarah Lison (on Leave) Advisor/Administrator
Undergraduate Studies 778-782-3614 slison@sfu.ca EDB 8628 -
General Inquiries
For general program questions, contact the Undergraduate Studies office at educuga@sfu.ca.
Current Student Advising
Schedule a time to speak with one of our advisors through Advisor Link.
Note: Only students declared in an Education program will be able to book with an Education advisor through Advisor Link. For non-Education students, continue to email one of our three advisors directly.
Disclaimer: The information provided for this program is to be used as a reference. Should any discrepancies occur between the information found on this page and the SFU Calendar, the information found in the SFU Calendar shall be deemed correct.