Applicants to the Bachelor of Education program are evaluated on academic and other relevant criteria. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of available places in either pathway in the program, not every qualified applicant will be admitted.
1. Academic Requirements
All applicants must have completed academic admission requirements prescribed by the Okanagan School of Education, including a four-year (minimum 120 credit) bachelor’s degree or equivalent at an accredited post-secondary institution. For details, applicants must review academic requirements for the pathway options (please see appropriate section under ‘Admission Requirements’). Language test scores may also be part of academic requirements for some applicants or for some specific options.
2. Additional Requirements
All applicants must submit:
a) A summary of experience working with school age children and/or youth. A minimum of 75 hours of practical experience (volunteer or paid) working with young people is required;
b) A one-page essay indicating what they have learned from their experience with school age children and/or youth that will help them in their teaching career; and
c) Two confidential reference reports
The evaluation of the information provided on the above materials is an integral part of the School’s selection process. Applicant experience with children/youth and their personal character and qualities as reflected in the reference reports are essential selection criteria. Qualities appropriate to the profession of teaching that referees are asked to judge include: motivation for teaching; enthusiasm; leadership potential; dependability; initiative; flexibility and adaptability (including the ability to deal with change and/or stressful situations); oral and written communication skills; ability to interact appropriately with children and/or youth and with adults; ability to identify problems and pose possible solutions; and ability to access feedback and respond to suggestions.
Normally an applicant without experience with school-aged children and/or youth will not be admitted to the program.