Mar 17, 2026

University of Alberta Calendar 2026-2027

HELP

University of Alberta Calendar 2026-2027

Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education

General Information

Underlying Principles

The following principles underlie all teacher preparation programs:

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.
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.
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.
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 Elementary Education - After Degree for program details.

Elementary Education

Elementary Education prepares teachers to teach all subjects and to facilitate the learning of all children at the elementary school level within our multicultural society. Teaching proficiency depends on knowledge of subject matter, pedagogy, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, professional ethics, sensitivity to and respect for children 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 Elementary Route are enrolled in a program an Elementary Generalist Major (30 units) that prepares prospective teachers in the required elementary school subjects. Students will also select one curricular area as a Minor (12 units). 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 Elementary 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 , EDPY 302 at least 9 units in the Minor teaching subject all of which are required for later professional terms.

The Elementary 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)

Introductory Education Courses (21 units)

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

6 units chosen from

Notes

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.
6 units chosen from the list above can be applied toward either the generalist major requirements or open options. Students who do not choose to complete up to 6 units from the list above to meet generalist major requirements will have their open options reduced by up to 6 units.

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.

Generalist Major Courses (30 units)

Note: Generalist Major courses should be taken in Years 1 and 2, and chosen from the six areas below.

a. Aboriginal and Indigenous Histories and Culture (3 units)

3 units chosen from

b. Fine Arts (6 units)

6 units chosen from

ART
HADVC
DANCE
DES
DRAMA
MUSIC

c. Mathematics (6 units)

3 units chosen from

MATH (MATH 160 recommended for non-Math minors)

3 units chosen from

CMPUT
MATH (MATH 260 recommended for non-Math minors)
STAT

d. Natural Science (6 units)

A minimum of 3 units chosen from

ANAT
ASTRO
BIOL
BOT
CHEM
EAS
ENCS
ENT
GEOPHYS
GENET
MICRB
PHYS
PHYSL
PLSC
RENR
ZOOL

Note

Students may not take both PALEO 200 and PALEO 201 .

3 units chosen from the list above or from

e. Physical Education and Wellness (6 units)

3 units in

DAC
KIN (KIN 293 recommended)

EDEL 321 - Curriculum and Pedagogy in Elementary Physical Education and Wellness (recommended)

3 units chosen from

f. Social Science (3 units)

3 units in Canadian history chosen from

Minor Teaching Subject (12 units)

Students will select a minor teaching subject (not all students are guaranteed their first choice) from the Requirements for Minor Teaching Subject (below).

Careful planning of Generalist Major course selections may allow students to complete up to 6 units in required courses for the minor as well. This may allow some students to complete more than one minor.

Open Options (6-12 units)

Notes

To retain 12 units of open options, students must complete 6 units chosen from EDEL 302 , EDEL 321 , EDEL 325 , and EDES 345 to meet generalist major requirements.
Options may be taken in Years 1 to 4 and can be used to complete a second minor, further develop generalist teaching interests and/or create areas of specialization (Complementary Teaching Areas).

Years 3 and 4

Advanced Education Courses (30 units)

EDSE 3XX (3 units) Curriculum and Teaching for Secondary School Minors (see Note 1)
EDEL 4XX (3 units) (See Note 2)

3 units chosen from courses that explore Social Foundations and International Studies in Education (SFISE)

EDPS 360 - Society and Education
EDPS 491 - Special Topics in Educational Policy Studies (Topic must be: Anti-Oppression Education or Black Studies in Education)
EDPS 411 - Cross Cultural Studies in Education
EDPS 412 - Multicultural and Anti-Racism Education
EDPS 415 - Sexuality, Gender, and Culture in Education
EDPS 422 - International Development Education
EDPS 425 - Global Education

Notes

9 units in the minor teaching subject is a prerequisite for EDSE 3XX. See Requirements for Minor Teaching Subject (below) for the specific EDSE 3XX course required.
EDEL 400-level options may have prerequisites and are normally available in Years 3 and 4 only.

Field Experience (15 units)

Notes

EDEL 305 and EDEL 316 must be taken in Year 3 as pre/co-requisites to EDFX 325 .
The Introductory Professional Term is normally offered in Year 3 Winter Term only and the Advanced Professional Term is normally offered in Year 4 Fall Term only.
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.
Students should be aware of course prerequisites for the proper sequencing of courses.

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.