Mar 17, 2026  
University of Alberta Calendar 2026-2027 
    
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University of Alberta Calendar 2026-2027

Bachelor of Education in Secondary Education

General Information

Underlying Principles

The following principles underlie all teacher preparation programs:

  1. The education of a teacher is a continuous, life-long process. In addition to emphasizing basic or fundamental preparation, the initial pre-service experience should aid the development of attitudes that encourage self-evaluation and improvement, and the acquisition of knowledge and skills that facilitate life-long learning.
  2. All teacher preparation degree programs provide intending teachers with essential practical skills, a knowledge of theory and its relationship to practice, liberal studies, and subject-matter competence.
  3. The Faculty of Education is committed to providing quality teacher preparation programs and recognizes the importance of continuously monitoring, evaluating and refining its offerings to adequately reflect changes in society and advances in knowledge.
  4. The Bachelor of Education degree consists of a minimum of 120 units.

Program Planning

Students are responsible for being acquainted with all applicable regulations and meeting the requirements for the degree as outlined. Any exceptions to the requirements must be approved in writing by the Associate Dean with one copy to be placed in the student’s file and one to be given to the student.

Note: Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Education (After Degree) should consult Bachelor of Education in Secondary Education - After Degree  for program details.

Secondary Education

Secondary Education prepares teachers to teach in a major and minor curricular area at the secondary school level (Grades 7-12). Teaching proficiency depends on knowledge of subject matter, pedagogy, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, professional ethics, sensitivity to and respect for students and the sociocultural contexts in which they live, and an understanding of schooling in their social/political/economic environment.

Components of the Program

All students in the Secondary Route must choose a Major teaching subject (30-36 units) and Minor teaching subject (12-18 units). Available Majors are listed in Requirements for Major Teaching Subject, and available Minors are listed in Requirements for Minor Teaching Subject. Students may also complete a second Minor teaching subject (12 units) and the Requirements for Optional Second Minor Teaching Subject may differ.

Students pursuing the Secondary Route are strongly encouraged to take the following components as early as possible in their program: 6 units in English Literature and Composition, EDU 100 , EDU 210 , EDU 211 , EDFX 200 , at least 9 units in the Major teaching subject, at least 9 units in the Minor teaching subject all of which are required for later professional terms.

The Secondary Education route includes work integrated learning (WIL) of one week (10 half-days) of classroom observation and 14 weeks of student teaching. Students enrol in the Introductory Professional Term (5 weeks of student teaching) and the Advanced Professional Term (9 weeks of student teaching). 

Program Requirements (120 units)

Years 1, 2 and 3

Introductory Education Courses (15 units)

Note: Introductory Education Courses should be taken in Years 1, 2, and 3 prior to the Introductory Professional Term.

English Literature and Composition (6 units)

3 units chosen from
  • ENGL
  • C LIT
3 units chosen from
  • ENGL
  • WRS
Note

No more than 6 units in junior English, or equivalent, may be taken for credit in a Bachelor of Education degree program.

Major Teaching Subject (30-36 units)

Minor Teaching Subject (12-18 units)

Careful planning of course selections may allow students to complete more than one minor.

Open Options (Up to 15 units) (Education Coursework Recommended)

Note

Options may be taken in Years 1 to 4 and can be used to complete a second minor, further develop teaching interests, and/or create areas of specialization (Complementary Teaching Areas).

Note

Courses may be listed as requirements for more than one subject area. Double-counting can fulfill a course requirement in more than one subject area of a degree program, but double-counted courses can only be counted towards the required number of units in one subject area and must be substituted with another course.

Years 3 and 4

Advanced Education Courses (27 units)

  • EDSE 3XX (3 units) Curriculum and Teaching for Secondary School Majors I
  • EDSE 3XX (3 units) Curriculum and Teaching for Secondary School Minors (see Note 1a)
  • EDSE 4XX (6 units) Curriculum and Teaching for Secondary School Majors II
3 units chosen from courses that explore Social Foundations and International Studies in Education (SFISE)

Field Experience (15 units)

Notes

  1. Notes on courses for major and minor teaching subject:
    1. 9 units in the minor teaching subject is a prerequisite for EDSE 3XX. See Requirements for Minor Teaching Subject for the specific EDSE 3XX course required.
    2. 24 units in the major teaching subject and the Introductory Professional Term are prerequisites for the Advanced Professional Term. See Requirements for Major Teaching Subject for the specific EDSE 4XX course required.
    3. Some Majors may be completed more efficiently by taking specific courses in the first year(s) of study. Students should examine the specific course requirements of each Major when considering their choices. Students should complete the remaining required courses for their Major teaching subject as outlined in Requirements for Major Teaching Subject.
    4. In addition to the 30-36 units of courses that comprise the Major, 9 units of Curriculum and Teaching courses are associated with the Major which address the program of studies and the processes that facilitate students’ learning.
    5. Some Minors may be completed more efficiently by taking specific courses in the first year(s) of study. Students should examine the specific course requirements of each Minor when considering their choices. Students should complete the remaining required courses for their Minor teaching subject as outlined in Requirements for Minor Teaching Subject.
    6. In addition to the 12-18 units of courses that comprise the Minor, 3 units of Curriculum and Teaching courses are associated with the Minor which also address the program of studies and the processes that facilitate students’ learning.
  2. Students who fulfil the requirement for 6 units in English Literature and Composition as part of their Major or Minor (e.g., in English Language Arts) may take 6 units of open options in lieu of the English Literature and Composition requirement.
  3. Students enrolled in Introductory and Advanced Professional Terms should note the following:
    1. Non-standard dates and deadlines apply - please see important dates and deadlines for these terms.
    2. Courses are offered in a condensed format.
    3. Please check important dates and deadlines on the Education Student Services website.

Requirements for Major Teaching Subject (30 units)

(Education Chart 1)

Requirements for Minor Teaching Subject

(Education Chart 2)

Suspended Minors

Effective September 2025, there will be no further admission to the following minors:

  • Career and Technology Studies: Business, Administration, Finance (BIT)
  • Career and Technology Studies: Communication Arts (MDC)
  • Career and Technology Studies: Computing Science (BIT) 
  • Career and Technology Studies: Design (MDC) 
  • Career and Technology Studies: Health (HRH) 
  • Career and Technology Studies: Human Sciences (HRH) 
  • Career and Technology Studies: Media (MDC) 
  • Career and Technology Studies: Natural Resources (NAT) 
  • Career and Technology Studies: Recreation (HRH) 
  • Career and Technology Studies: Trades, Manufacturing, and Transportation (TMT)

Students who entered these prior to September 2025 must complete all program requirements by September 1, 2030. The last degree with these specific minors will be granted at Fall Convocation 2030. Continuing students must refer to the Calendar under which they were admitted for program, promotion and graduation requirements.

Requirements for Optional Second Minor Teaching Subject

With careful planning, students may be able to complete a second minor teaching subject. The second minor teaching subject should normally be in a different teaching area (STEM, Humanities, Fine Arts, Second Languages, etc.) to allow for greater teaching flexibility in schools. Students with majors and minors in areas of science should NOT do a second minor in a science area. Please contact Education Student Services for help with program planning and second minor options.