Undergraduate Studies

Welcome to Undergraduate Studies in Education

Whether you're an aspiring teacher or curious about educational theories and practices, our programs offer the flexibility to explore disciplines and subjects through an education lens and allow you to pursue pathways beyond traditional teaching careers. Whatever your journey, when you study here, you’re part of an inclusive learning community that sparks personal growth and self-discovery and opens you to a world of possibilities.

EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES IN EDUCATION

Explore a world of pathways and potential. We offer a variety of programs, minors, courses and certificates designed to launch your journey into the field of education.

BACHELOR DEGREES

From the Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) in Education to the Bachelor of Education (BEd), find out which of our flexible degree programs is the right fit for you and your career goals.

Bachelor of General Studies

This highly flexible program will give you the skills to become a curious and versatile life-long learner and open doors to a wide range of career possibilities, determined by you.

Designed 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

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Bachelor of Education

The BEd program readies you to shape young learners as an elementary or secondary school teacher, in combination with SFU's Professional Development Program (PDP).

Designed for

Aspiring elementary and secondary school teachers

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Bachelor of Education as a Second Degree

Ready to pursue education? This program, designed for those who have already completed a Bachelor’s degree, helps ready you for the next step in your career path.

Designed for

Students who already have a Bachelor's degree AND who have been admitted to SFU's Professional Development Program (PDP), Professional Linking Program (PLP) or the Alaska Highway Consortium on Teacher Education (AHCOTE)

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MINORS

Education Minors

Counselling and Human Development

This minor combines theoretical, empirical and practical matters central to the understanding and practice of counselling and human development. Learn more

Curriculum and Instruction

This minor provides theoretical and practical expertise in contemporary approaches to curriculum development and instructional design. Learn more

Early Learning

This minor provides a focus for students wishing to work with children aged three through eight. Learn more

Educational Psychology 

This minor makes theoretical and experimental inquiries into how students learn from instruction, how they acquire and express motivation in educational settings, and how they develop skills in school subjects and for learning. Learn more

Learning and Developmental Disabilities

This minor enhances understanding of learning and developmental disabilities, and explores an interdisciplinary approach to the health, education and care of infants, children and adults with disabilities. Learn more

Social Justice in Education

This minor explores the historical roots and ongoing patterns of social and educational injustice with an emphasis on the Canadian context, including responses to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action. Learn more

Bachelor of Education as a Second Degree Minors

Elementary Generalist

This minor enables the student to explore a range of curriculum and teaching areas within the elementary school program in the professional development program. Learn more

Environmental Education 

This minor develops a teacher's skills in environmental and outdoor education programs from kindergarten through grade 12, and in the organization and operation of residential and day centre outdoor education, wilderness outdoor recreation, and other interdisciplinary environmental school programs. Learn more

French Education 

This minor enables students to explore contemporary second language teaching and learning theory, as well as experientially based approaches to French language curriculum development and instructional design, so that culturally informed and appropriate practices can be developed and used in French-speaking classrooms. Learn more

Physical and Health Education

This minor provides students in the Professional Development Program with competence to teach physical education. Learn more

Secondary Mathematics

This minor will interest pre-service teachers who are considering a career in teaching secondary mathematics. Learn more

Secondary Teaching

This program enables the secondary Professional Development Program (PDP) student to explore a range of curriculum and teaching areas that are applicable to the secondary school program. Learn more

CERTIFICATES

French and Education  

This program prepares students, who possess diverse qualifications and background, before they enter the French Professional Development Program, or during their career as French teachers. Learn more

Professional Practices

This certificate trains either teachers with credentials from outside of Canada or previously credentialed Canadian teachers by upgrading skills to current practices. Learn more

COURSES

Courses in the Faculty of Education

Whatever your interest, there’s no limit to what you can explore with the Faculty of Education. From early learning and international education to social justice and diversity in learning, you’ll find something that inspires you here. Learn More

Where to start? and where to go?

Use our interactive guide to explore programs that fit your interests and goals.

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PATHWAYS

Whether you aspire to become a teacher, or to expand your knowledge of education and pedagogy, undergraduate studies prepares you for diverse career paths inside and outside the classroom.

We're not just for teachers. We're for all students with an insatiable curiosity and a passion for learning. At the undergraduate level, we offer a variety of highly flexible programs, minors, courses, certificates and post-baccalaureate diplomas designed to help you explore the aspects of Education that you find most interesting — from early learning to social justice in education. Our undergraduate programs and courses are also taught in French at all levels. 

SEE WHERE UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS CAN TAKE YOU

Whether you are an aspiring teacher or exploring the field of education, your future starts here.

Emerly Liu

Emerly Liu is a current student in the Professional Development Program.

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Tyler Fairbrother

Tyler Fairbrother is an Alumni having minored in Learning & Developmental Disabilities, Curriculum Instruction and Business.

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Jennifer Low

Jennifer Low is an Alumni in the Bachelor of General Studies in Education program.

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UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT LIFE

FRIENDS OF SIMON

Join this award-winning program as a literacy tutor to help newcomers to Canada at the K-12 level achieve greater school success.

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EDUCATION PEER MENTORS

The Faculty of Education's peer mentor program was created to strengthen the undergraduate community and provide a peer support network for newly admitted Bachelor of General Studies in Education (BGS) students.

 

ACTIVE STUDENT ASSOCIATION 

The Education Student Association (ESA) exists to inspire, inform and advocate for Faculty of Education students.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How can I internally transfer to the BGS in Education?

Students must have completed at least one semester at SFU, including 6 units of EDUC coursework with a minimum of 2.0 on the CGPA, UDGPA, EDUC GPA posted on the transcript.

To complete the internal transfer, make an appointment to see the undergraduate advisor.

How do I declare a minor in Education?

The deadline to declare a minor has passed.

Where can I find course outlines for EDUC courses?

Education course outlines can be found here.

I have the prerequisites for a course but was unable to register in the course. Why?

If you believe you have the prerequisites, or equivalent courses from another institution or from your first degree, contact the undergraduate advisor with the relevant transcripts on hand to check whether you are eligible for a waiver.

I want to register in an EDUC course that has a prerequisite/corequisite and I have a similar course from another university. Can I still register for the course?

When in doubt, contact the undergraduate advisor to review. You must present relevant transcripts with the equivalent course for a waiver to be granted.

I was unable to register in an EDUC course that only has the prerequisite of 60 UNIt hours. Why?

The 60 units pertain to all current SFU academic units shown on your student transcript - not just EDUC units. Your transcript should indicate your current units.

  • All new students start at 0 units.
  • If you have 60 or more units including those in progress, then you are eligible to register for EDUC courses that require the prerequisite of 60 units.
  • Returning students who hold an SFU degree and have been accepted into a post degree program (e.g., 2nd degree, Post-Baccaulaureate Diploma, or Professional Development Program) should meet the 60 unit prerequisite.
  • Students who hold degrees (including returning SFU degree students) who are not in an approved program, will not meet the 60 unit prerequisite. If you are one of these students, contact your program departmental advisor before your registration date.

I tried to register for an EDUC course but it's full. Can I join the wait list?

goSFU allows you to add yourself to the wait list, provided there is space. Once a spot has opened up, students will be automatically enrolled overnight through goSFU.

You may only waitlist for a maximum of 8 units (2 courses). If you have a course or exam time conflict with another course you are registered in, the waiting list will skip over you and add the next student who does not have a time conflict. 

Waiting lists expire 5 school days into the semester. If you were not automatically added to the class before this happens, you are not registered in the class and should look for other options.

What do OL01, D100, E100 and F100 mean?

These codes represent various course sections.

  • OL01 = online asynchronous section
  • D100 = daytime section
  • E100 = evening section
  • F100 = course/section taught in French

Courses with tutorial or lab sections will include additional numbers associated with the main section. For example, D108 indicates that it is the 8th tutorial section of the daytime course.

For complete course code details, refer to the goSFU Course Timetable.

What's the difference between summer semester, intersession and summer session?

SFU operates on a tri-semester system whereby courses are held regularly for 13 weeks during each each semester:

  • Spring (January-April)
  • Summer (May-August)
  • Fall (September-December)

Incorporated in the regular Summer Semester are two sessions:

  • Intersession (May-June)
  • Summer Session (July-August)

During these two sessions, courses usually run two or more times per week, meeting the total number of hours required. Many education courses are offered throughout the summer; therefore, be sure that you have correctly added the required course section and session.

What is the Faculty of Education's percentage breakdown on letter grades?

The Faculty of Education's Undergraduate Programs does not have a breakdown of percentages to letter grades. For example, there is no formal policy that indicates that 95% and above equals an A+, 90-94% an A, and so forth.

However, guidelines are provided to help instructors determine grading practices that are appropriate to their own particular type of course or subject area. At the beginning of a course, the instructor should inform students about the nature of all assignments, criteria for marking all assignments, the weight assigned to each assignment, penalties for late assignments, opportunities to resubmit assignments for marking and, university policy regarding plagiarism and academic dishonesty.

SFU Teaching Policy

How do I appeal a grade?

Your first step is to discuss your concerns with the course instructor. If you cannot come to an acceptable understanding with your instructor you can then appeal in writing to the Director of Undergraduate Programs. You must submit all original marked assignments along with your written appeal. The Director will determine how to proceed with your appeal. If you are still not satisfied then your final option is to appeal to SFU's Senate Appeals Board, Office of the Registrar.

Grade Reconsideration Form

Before requesting a grade appeal, be aware that your course work could receive a lower mark after reevaluation.

How can I become a teacher in British Columbia?

At SFU, students must complete the Professional Development Program (PDP) to become a certified elementary or secondary school teacher in BC. The PDP is a full-time, 16-month, post-degree program. 

Attend an information session or contact the PDP admissions team for more information. 

PPS Admissions

PPS ADMISSIONS,
FACULTY OF EDUCATION

Education Building 8630
Simon Fraser University
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6

Phone: 778-782-3559
Fax: 778-782-5323
Email:
pps_admissions@sfu.ca

I've been accepted into the BGS in Education and want to become an elementary school teacher. What courses should I take in my first couple of semesters?

Becoming a certified teacher in B.C. requires completion of a teacher education program, including SFU's Professional Development Program (PDP), Professional Linking Program (PLP) or Alaska Highway Consortium on Teacher Education (AHCOTE). Admission to these programs varies based on interest teaching at the elementary or secondary school level.

Students completing the BGS in Education and preparing to apply to the PDP at the elementary level should consider enrolling in these courses

CONTACT US

Questions? We’re here to help guide your journey with the Faculty of Education.

For general inquiries, contact the Undergraduate Studies office.