Faculty of Education Admission Requirements

All Applicants to the Faculty of Education

Applicants to all routes of the Bachelor of Education should seek experience in work or service with children or youth before admission. Such experience may assist applicants in confirming their choice of education as a career.

Because there are more applicants to the Faculty of Education than there are places, enrolment management is in effect for all undergraduate degree programs. Under enrolment management, an overall target for the Faculty is set each year. The number of new students admitted to any particular program or year of a program may vary depending on the number of available places and the promotion, departure, or graduation of continuing students. While the minimum admission average is 70% for high school applicants, and a minimum GPA of 2.0 for postsecondary applicants, all admissions are competitive and the actual admission averages may be higher than the minimum.

Spoken English Requirement: Applicants must also meet a spoken English requirement. See “English Language Requirements” Language Proficiency Requirements  for specific score requirements.

If, after having read all relevant information in the following sections, students have further questions about admission to the Faculty of Education, they should contact Undergraduate Student Services Office, 1-107 Education Centre North; telephone (780) 492-3659.

Bachelor of Education – Elementary and Secondary Routes

Introduction

For admission purposes, new applicants for degree programs only are placed into one of four categories:

High School Applicants: Those students applying directly from high school.
Postsecondary Transfer Applicants: Those students who have not yet completed a degree.
After Degree Applicants: Those students who have already completed a degree program.
Nonmatriculated Applicants. See Nonmatriculated Applicants  on the General Undergraduate Admission Requirements page for more information.

High School Applicants

High school applicants will be considered for admission based on their average on five subjects noted below.

Subject Requirements

1. English Language Arts 30-1
2. Three subjects from Group A, and/or C.
3. One additional subject from Group A, B, C, or Physical Education 30 (5 credits), or 30-level CTS course (5 credits).
4. Mathematics 30-2 may be used for admission to the Faculty of Education although Mathematics 30-1 is a prerequisites for some required courses in Mathematics/Science majors and minors (see Notes below)

High school-level courses are based on the Alberta Education curriculum. Prospective students who completed high school education from outside Alberta should review the Admission Course Equivalents for acceptable high school courses in the three categories at www.admissions.ualberta.ca.

For general high school admission requirements refer to High School Applicants .

Additional Requirement

Situational Judgement Test (Effective Fall 2022 admission onward): Applicants are required to complete an online situational judgement test as part of their application for admission. An applicant’s situational judgement test score is a selection factor that is considered in the admission decision process. More information about this requirement is available on the Faculty of Education website.

Notes:

1. Please note that for some Secondary Education Major/Minor routes, students are required to present specific 30-level courses (or equivalent) in order to complete the requirements of each Major/Minor. These courses do not have to be presented for admission, but are prerequisites for university course registration. Please check Admission from High School for detailed information.
2. The Faculty of Education accepts proficiency in an Indigenous language recognized in Canada (e.g., Cree, Slavey, etc.) to meet a Group A admission requirement. Proficiency is measured either by a test, administered by the University if such can be arranged, or by boards of examiners appointed by the University. Candidates having passed the required test of an Indigenous language have their averages calculated on the remaining four matriculation subjects
3. Applicants who do not present the high school requirements or the required admission average may be considered for admission if they successfully complete, at an accredited postsecondary institution 24 units of course weight or more of coursework transferable to the BEd program.

Postsecondary Transfer Applicants

General Requirements:

1. Applicants must present successful completion of at least 24 units transferable course weight applicable to the specific degree program for which they have applied. Those applicants who do not present at least 24 units of course weight, are considered as high school applicants. See High School Applicants. High school applicants for admission information.
2. Satisfactory standing in the Faculty or postsecondary institution from which they wish to transfer;
3. An AGPA of at least 2.0. (See Transfer from a Postsecondary Institution  for information about the calculation of the AGPA.)
4. Situational Judgement Test (Effective Fall 2022 admission onward): Applicants are required to complete an online situational judgement test as part of their application for admission. An applicant’s situational judgement test score is a selection factor that is considered in the admission decision process. More information about this requirement is available on the Faculty of Education website.

Notes

1. Applicants without 24 units transferable coursework may apply to the Secondary Education CTS major route provided they have the following:
   1. Applicable and recognized journey certificate or approved two or three year diploma or certificate
   2. English Language Arts 30-1 (or equivalent)
   3. Subject from Group A, B, or C
2. Recommended Courses for the first year(s) of study: Applicants should present those postsecondary courses relevant to the specific route in which they plan to enrol. Students taking courses in another Faculty or program are expected to choose courses consistent with the program in which they are currently enrolled. For further details regarding course choices, see Components of the Program  for the Elementary route and Components of the Program  for the Secondary route.
3. Admission with Transfer Credit: A maximum of 60 units of course weight obtained at another postsecondary institution may be granted as transfer credit toward any Bachelor of Education program where applicable.
   The year of program to which an applicant is admitted depends on the number of transferable credits applicable to the BEd program for which they have applied.
   Year 2: 24 units of course weight or more but less than 60 units of course weight
   Year 3: 60 units of course weight
4. Students who are granted transfer credit should be aware that receiving transfer credit toward a BEd program does not guarantee that all of the courses will be counted toward their placement on the teacher salary grid by the Teacher Qualifications Service (TQS). The TQS is a provincial agency that has the sole authority for evaluating courses for teacher salary purposes.

After-Degree Applicants

General Requirements

All applicants must present the following:

1. A three- or four-year degree from an accredited postsecondary institution.
2. An Admission GPA (AGPA) of at least 2.0, or equivalent, based on the most recent graded and transferable 24 units of course weight.
3. Situational Judgement Test (Effective Fall 2022 admission onward): Applicants are required to complete an online situational judgement test as part of their application for admission. An applicant’s situational judgement test score is a selection factor that is considered in the admission decision process. More information about this requirement is available on the Faculty of Education website.

Note: BEd/AD programs in the Elementary and Secondary Routes vary in length (see BEd and BEd (After Degree) ). The length of the program will depend on the courses that a student presents at the time of admission. The Elementary After Degree program is normally two years in length. The Secondary After Degree program length will depend on the courses presented at the time of admission.
Students whose BEd After Degree program consists of fewer than 60 units of course weight may need additional postsecondary courses in order to receive two full years of credit toward their placement on the teacher salary grid when they are evaluated by the Teacher Qualifications Service (TQS). The TQS is a provincial agency that has the sole authority for evaluating post-secondary studies for teacher salary purposes.

Nonmatriculated Applicants

General Requirements

1. English Language Arts 30-1 or 6 units in transferable English at the 100-level
2. Another 30-level subject from Group A, B, or C (or equivalent).
3. Presentation of Faculty minimum average on (1) and (2), and a competitive AGPA if any postsecondary-level coursework is presented.
4. Situational Judgement Test (Effective Fall 2022 admission onward): Applicants are required to complete an online situational judgement test as part of their application for admission. An applicant’s situational judgement test score is a selection factor that is considered in the admission decision process. More information about this requirement is available on the Faculty of Education website.
5. Presentation of no more than 21 units of course weight of graded and transferable postsecondary-level coursework.

Note: Any applicant who has successfully completed 24 units of course weight of graded and transferable postsecondary-level coursework or more at the postsecondary level will be considered a transfer applicant (see Transfer from a Postsecondary Institution  and High School Applicants ).

Admission of Indigenous Applicants

The Faculty of Education encourages Indigenous students’ study toward the Bachelor of Education degree. The Faculty recognizes that Indigenous applicants (including status and non-status Indians, Inuit, and Métis) have traditionally been under-represented in the teaching field. To assist more Indigenous students to achieve education degrees, the Admissions Committee will consider additional qualified applicants over and above the Indigenous students who may be admitted in the regular competition for places in the Faculty. Until the Indigenous enrolment of the Faculty reaches 10% of total enrolment, up to 5% of admissions to the Faculty will be allocated to Indigenous applicants. Indigenous students who wish to be considered for these places must attain the minimum admission requirements of their chosen route. Also see Admission of Indigenous Applicants .

Readmission After an Absence of 12 Months or Longer

A candidate returning to the Faculty of Education after a break of 12 months or longer must apply and compete for readmission unless prior approval to stop out was granted, in which case only application for readmission is necessary.

Special Students

See Special Students .

To be considered for admission as a Special Student in the Faculty of Education, applicants must normally

1. Possess a Bachelor of Education degree from an accredited postsecondary institution;
2. Present a minimum AGPA of 2.0;
3. Be in satisfactory standing in their previous postsecondary institution;
4. Meet the English Language proficiency requirements as specified in Language Proficiency Requirements .

In certain circumstances, practising teachers from outside Alberta may be admitted as Special Students to meet the certification requirements specified by Alberta Education. Students in these cases must be recommended by the Teacher Certification and Development Branch of Alberta Education.

Priority in admissions is given to applicants to degree programs.

Priority in course registrations is given to students who have been admitted to degree programs.

Visiting Students

Students from other postsecondary institutions are eligible to be considered for admission to the Faculty of Education as Visiting Students if

1. They are registered in an Education degree/transfer program at their home institution;
2. They have completed a minimum of 24 units of course weight at their home institution;
3. They present a minimum AGPA of 2.0;
4. Their academic record shows satisfactory standing;
5. Their home institution provides a letter of permission.

Notes

1. Normally, Visiting Students are not permitted to register for Field Experience courses. To arrange for a school placement, students must ask their home institution to contact the Assistant Dean, Field Experiences, before they apply.
2. A Visiting Student applicant who has had two or more unsuccessful attempts in any previous Field Experience course(s), at any institution(s), will not be allowed to register in EDFX courses.

Applicants Who Have Previously Been Required to Withdraw

Applicants who have been twice required to withdraw from any postsecondary program(s) or institution(s) will not normally be considered for admission or readmission to the Faculty of Education.

Bachelor of Science (Specialization in Science and Education)/Bachelor of Education (Secondary) Combined Degrees

Application to the first or second year of the BSc (Specialization in Science and Education)/BEd (Secondary) Combined Degrees Program is made through the Faculty of Science. See Bachelor of Science (Specialization in Science and Education)/Bachelor of Education (Secondary) Combined Degrees .

Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education (BMus/BEd) Combined Degrees Program

See Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education (Elementary) Combined Degrees and Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education (Secondary) Combined Degrees  for admission requirements to Years 1, 2 and 3.

Students apply for admission to the Faculty of Arts and are registered in that Faculty for the first three years of the program. All qualified Year 3 BMus/BEd students will be promoted to Year 4 in the Faculty of Education provided that

1. A minimum AGPA of 2.3 has been achieved, and
2. A minimum of 99 units of course weight applicable to this program has been successfully completed.

Note: Students in Year 3 who have completed less than 99 units of course weight toward the BMus/BEd Combined Degrees but who have achieved an AGPA of at least 2.3, may select one of two alternatives:

1. Remain in Year 3 of this program in the Faculty of Arts for one additional year; or
2. Apply to enter one of the other Bachelor of Music routes.

Bachelor of Kinesiology/Bachelor of Education (BKin/BEd) Combined Degrees-Elementary and Secondary Routes

See Kinesiology  for admission requirements to Years 1, 2 and 3.

Students apply for admission to the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation and are registered in that Faculty for the first three years of the program. All qualified Year 3 BKin/BEd students will be promoted to Year 4 in the Faculty of Education provided that

1. A minimum AGPA of 2.0 has been achieved, and
2. A minimum of 90 units of course weight applicable to the BKin/BEd program has been successfully completed.

Note: Students in Year 3 who have completed less than 90 units of course weight toward the BKin/BEd program but who have an AGPA of at least 2.0 may select one of two alternatives:

1. Remain in Year 3 of the BKin/BEd program in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation for one additional year; or
2. Apply to enter the BKin degree program and complete a modified Individualized Concentration.

Bachelor of Arts (Native Studies)/Bachelor of Education Combined Degrees

See BA (Native Studies)/BEd Combined Degrees  for admission requirements to Years 1, 2 and 3.

Students apply for admission to the Faculty of Native Studies and are registered in that Faculty for the first three years of the program. All qualified Year 3 BA (Native Studies)/BEd students will be promoted to Year 4 in the Faculty of Education provided that

1. A minimum AGPA of 2.0 has been achieved, and
2. A minimum of 90 units of course weight applicable to the BA (Native Studies)/BEd program has been successfully completed.

Note: Students in Year 3 who have completed less than 90 units of course weight toward the BA (Native Studies)/BEd program, but who have an AGPA of at least 2.0, may remain in Year 3 of that program in the Faculty of Native Studies for one additional year.

Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology/Bachelor of Education (Secondary) Combined Degrees

See BSc in Human Ecology and BSc in Human Ecology/BEd (Secondary) Combined Degrees  for admission requirements to Years 1, 2, and 3.

Students apply for admission to the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences and are registered in that Faculty for the first three years of the program. All qualified Year 3 BSc in Human Ecology/BEd (Secondary) students will be promoted to Year 4 in the Faculty of Education providing that

1. A minimum AGPA of 2.0 has been achieved, and
2. A minimum of 90 units of course weight applicable to the BSc in Human Ecology/BEd (Secondary) program has been successfully completed.

Note: Students in Year 3 who have completed less than 90 units of course weight towards the BSc in Human Ecology/BEd (Secondary) program, but who have a GPA of at least 2.0, may remain in the BSc in Human Ecology/BEd (Secondary) program in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences for one additional year.

Bachelor of Arts (Drama)/Bachelor of Education (Secondary) Combined Degrees

See Bachelor of Arts (Drama)/BEd (Secondary) Combined Degrees  for admission requirements to Years 1, 2 and 3.

Students apply for admission to the Faculty of Arts and are registered in that Faculty for the first three years of the program. All qualified Year 3 BA (Drama)/BEd students will be promoted to Year 4 in the Faculty of Education provided that

1. A minimum AGPA of 2.3 has been achieved, and
2. A minimum of 90 units of course weight applicable to this program has been successfully completed.

Note: Students in Year 3 who have completed less than 90 units of course weight toward the BA (Drama)/BEd Combined Degrees but who have achieved an AGPA of at least 2.3, may select one of two alternatives:

1. Remain in Year 3 of this program in the Faculty of Arts for one additional year; or
2. Apply to enter a different degree program.

Bachelor of Science (BSc)/Bachelor of Education (BEd) (Secondary) Combined Degrees Program (Augustana)

See Bachelor of Science (BSc)/Bachelor of Education (BEd) (Secondary) Combined Degrees Program (Augustana)  for admission requirements to Years 1, 2 and 3.

Students apply for admission to the Augustana Faculty and are registered in that Faculty for the first three years of the program. All qualified Year 3 Bachelor of Science BSc/Bachelor of Education BEd (Secondary) Combined Degrees Program (Augustana) students will be promoted to Year 4 in the Faculty of Education provided that:

1. An AGPA of at least 2.3 has been achieved. (See Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) Calculation regarding the definition and calculation of the AGPA.)
2. A minimum of 90 units of course weight applicable to this program has been successfully completed.
3. A major GPA of at least 2.3 has been achieved, calculated over all courses in the major subject (but not including prerequisite and supporting courses).
4. Spoken English Requirement: Applicants must also meet a spoken English requirement. See “English Language Requirements” Language Proficiency Requirements  for specific score requirements.

Note: Students in Year 3 who have completed less than 90 units of course weight toward the Bachelor of Science BSc/Bachelor of Education BEd (Secondary) Combined Degrees Program (Augustana) but who have an AGPA and major GPA of at least 2.3 may select one of two alternatives:

1. Remain in Year 3 of the Bachelor of Science BSc/Bachelor of Education BEd (Secondary) Combined Degrees Program (Augustana) program in the Augustana Faculty for one additional year; or
2. Apply to enter the Augustana BA or BSc degree program.

Free-Standing University Certificates

The Faculty of Education offers free-standing for-credit University Certificates for postsecondary degree holders in the following areas:  

• Advancing Adolescent Literacy
    
• Digital Learning
    
• Early Childhood Education
    
• Teaching Students with Complex Communication Needs   

For information on the certificates offered, see Certificates .

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to University Certificate programs applicants must:

1. Present a three- or four-year degree from an accredited postsecondary institution.
2. Meet the Language Proficiency Requirements  as specified.

Supporting Documents  

1. ​Official postsecondary degree transcripts demonstrating that the degree has been awarded.  
2. Most recent postsecondary transcripts, if they are from a different institution than listed in (1.). (Optional)
3. Letter of intent.