Programs
Concurrent Education
Concurrent Education
Program description
Many students apply to Bachelor of Education programs to become a K-12 teacher after completion of their four-year university degree. The acceptance rate for this strategy is 10 to 30 per cent because teacher education programs are highly competitive.
However, there is a second strategy—apply to our Bachelor of Education program while you are completing your undergraduate degree. Also known as our Concurrent Education program, this option allows current and future Ontario Tech students to apply for guaranteed entry* into our Bachelor of Education (BEd).
*Provided that you maintain the requisite grades, a spot will be reserved for you in our BEd program upon completion of your undergraduate degree.
Options
As a future or current Ontario Tech Student (enrolled in your first, second or third year), you can apply to our:
- Primary/Junior division (teaching kindergarten to grade 6) or
- Intermediate/Senior division (teaching grades 7 to 12)
Educational Studies - Early Childhood Studies
Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Educational Studies - Early Childhood Studies
Our four-year Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Educational Studies is an innovative hybrid program (online and in-person courses) designed to provide maximum flexibility and choice. You will develop critical knowledge and skills in educational studies, including foundations of learning, creating digital tools for education, assessment for learning and foundations of equity, diversity and inclusion. Online courses from the Faculty of Education are supplemented with in-person or online electives from other faculties to create a custom program that will enable you to achieve your academic goals.
This specialization in Early Childhood Studies prepares educators with the flexibility to apply innovations in digital technology and inquiry-based learning while working with young children in various formal and informal settings. Learn more about developing early literacy and numeracy, creating holistic learning opportunities and exploring maker pedagogies (including digital coding) in the early years.
If you are interested in becoming a teacher after completing this degree, you should also apply to the Concurrent Education program (see Admissions below for details on the application process).
Specialization courses
To specialize in Early Childhood Studies during the Educational Studies program, you must complete four of the following courses in addition to other program requirements:
- EDST 2170U – Designing Inclusive Learning Environments
- EDST 3160U – Developing Literacy
- EDST 3170U – Developing Numeracy
- EDST 4150U – Holistic Learning in Early Childhood Education
- EDST 4610U – Coding and Maker Pedagogies for Young Children
Outcomes
After completing the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Educational Studies with a specialization in Early Childhood Studies, you will be prepared to:
- Provide leading-edge training and education for institutions and industries related to early childhood education.
- Pursue a Bachelor of Education program to teach K-12.
- Pursue graduate school in our Master of Education program.
Education, Consecutive, Intermediate/Senior
Bachelor of Education
Education, Consecutive, Intermediate/Senior
Mission
Our mission is to develop thoughtful, well-informed and socially responsible educational teachers, making optimal use of new and emerging digital technologies for learning. We graduate exceptional teachers who will truly make a difference and become educational leaders. We also pride ourselves in having a strong, supportive student and faculty community. We are committed to providing an inclusive and equitable learning environment, and our courses reflect these principles.
Intermediate-Senior division (grades 7 to 12)
Intermediate/Senior teachers are required to have two teachable subjects to apply.
- For your first teachable subject, you will need a minimum of ten one-semester undergraduate or graduate courses.
- For your second teachable subject, you will need a minimum of six one-semester undergraduate or graduate courses.
We currently offer the following teachable subject areas:
- Biology
- Chemistry or Physics
- English
- General Science
- Health and Physical Education
- History
- Mathematics
Why Ontario Tech?
- We develop exceptional teachers and leaders who make a difference.
- We offer a 16-month program that allows you to graduate and enter the workforce a full-term sooner than most other BEd programs.
- We masterfully integrate learning and technology to help you create leading-edge digital-age experiences.
- BEd graduates earn priority status to enter our Master of Education program.
- We are one of the only BEd programs to offer a Mental Health First Aid Certification in Canada.
- We offer Hearts & Minds Matter Training, a three-day workshop where you learn how to build community and experience a wide range of learning strategies.
- We offer multiple conferences focusing on equity, diversity and inclusion, mental health, Indigenous issues, STEAM and sustainability.
- We provide a fully-online semester using state-of-the-art virtual classrooms, increasing your expertise in online learning environments.
Educational Studies - General
Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Educational Studies - General
Our Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies is an innovative hybrid program (online and in-person courses) designed to provide maximum flexibility and choice. You will develop critical knowledge and skills in educational studies, leading to potential careers as teachers, instructional designers, trainers, learning specialists and education consultants.
We offer a wide range of online courses focusing on foundations of learning, digital technologies, early childhood education, instructional design and equity, diversity and inclusion. Elective courses from other faculties allow you to experience face-to-face learning while exploring various subjects of interest.
If you are interested in becoming a teacher after completing this degree, you should also apply to the Concurrent Education program (see the Admissions section below for details on the application process).
Outcomes
Upon graduation, this hybrid undergraduate degree program prepares you to:
- Provide leading-edge training for institutions and industries moving to hybrid or fully-online frameworks to meet evolving learning challenges.
- Pursue a Bachelor of Education program to teach K-12.
- Pursue graduate school (Master of Education).
Education, Consecutive, Primary/Junior
Bachelor of Education
Education, Consecutive, Primary/Junior
Mission
Our mission is to develop thoughtful, well-informed and socially responsible educational teachers, making optimal use of new and emerging digital technologies for learning. We graduate exceptional teachers who will truly make a difference and become educational leaders. We also pride ourselves in having a strong, supportive student and faculty community. We are committed to providing an inclusive and equitable learning environment, and our courses reflect these principles.
Primary-Junior division (kindergarten to grade 6)
We designed our Primary-Junior program to prepare you to be an extraordinary elementary school teacher who will change lives. We focus on helping you become a well-rounded, reflective practitioner with a growth mindset. We also emphasize critical areas desired by principals and school boards, including digital literacies, mathematics, coding, science, mental health and inclusion.
Why Ontario Tech?
- We develop exceptional teachers and leaders who make a difference.
- We offer a 16-month program that allows you to graduate and enter the workforce a full-term sooner than most other BEd programs.
- We masterfully integrate learning and technology to help you create leading-edge digital-age experiences.
- BEd graduates earn priority status to enter our Master of Education program.
- We are one of the only BEd programs to offer Mental Health First Aid Certification in Canada.
- We offer Hearts & Minds Matter Training, a 3-day workshop where you learn how to build community and experience a wide range of learning strategies.
- We offer multiple conferences focusing on equity, diversity and inclusion, mental health, Indigenous issues, STEAM and sustainability.
- We provide a fully-online semester using state-of-the-art virtual classrooms, increasing your expertise in online learning environment
Educational Studies - Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Educational Studies - Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Our four-year Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Educational Studies is an innovative hybrid program (online and in-person courses) designed to provide maximum flexibility and choice. You will develop critical knowledge and skills in educational studies, including foundations of learning, creating digital tools for education, assessment for learning and foundations of equity, diversity and inclusion. Online courses from the Faculty of Education are supplemented with in-person or online electives from other faculties to create a custom program that will enable you to achieve your academic goals.
This specialization in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion develops expertise with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to recognize systemic, historic and attitudinal barriers that contribute to discrimination and oppression in both workplace learning and classroom settings. Students will use problem-based learning and critical reflection to identify issues, evaluate resources and articulate solutions to EDI issues in Canadian education and society to counter bias and discrimination against under-represented and equity-deserving groups. Our EDI specialization focuses on creating pathways to full inclusion for everyone in education.
If you are interested in becoming a teacher after completing this degree, you should also apply to the Concurrent Education program (see Admissions below for details on the application process).
Specialization courses
To specialize in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion during the Educational Studies program, you must complete the following four courses in addition to other program requirements:
- EDST 2170U – Designing Inclusive Learning Environments
- EDST 3500U – Unlearning and The Inclusive Curriculum
- EDST 4500U – Enabling Learning through Technology
- EDST 4530U – Social Justice Issues in Education
Outcomes
After completing the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Educational Studies with a specialization in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, you will be prepared to:
- Challenge discriminatory practices in various educational contexts and design learning environments to promote full inclusion.
- Pursue a Bachelor of Education program to teach K-12.
- Pursue graduate school in our Master of Education program.
Educational Studies - Digital Technologies
Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Educational Studies - Digital Technologies
Our four-year Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Educational Studies is an innovative hybrid program (online and in-person courses) designed to provide maximum flexibility and choice. You will develop critical knowledge and skills in educational studies, including foundations of learning, creating digital tools for education, assessment for learning and foundations of equity, diversity and inclusion. Online courses from the Faculty of Education are supplemented with in-person or online electives from other faculties to create a custom program that will enable you to achieve your academic goals.
This specialization in Digital Technologies develops the skills and understanding that enable educators to apply meaningful and innovative technological solutions in both formal and informal learning environments. Learn more about the use of games and simulations for learning, strategies for teaching in digital contexts, developing critical digital literacies and trends, and issues in educational technologies.
If you are interested in becoming a teacher after completing this degree, you should also apply to the Concurrent Education program (see Admissions below for details on the application process).
Specialization courses
To specialize in Digital Technologies during the Educational Studies program, you must complete four of the following courses in addition to other program requirements:
- EDST 2120U – Culture and Digital Technologies
- EDST 2160U – Online Learning: Theory and Research
- EDST 3110U – Critical Digital Literacies
- EDST 3140U – Digital Communication Technologies
- EDST 4120U – Gaming and Simulations
- EDST 4470U – Trends and Issues in Educational Technology
Outcomes
After completing the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Educational Studies with a specialization in Digital Technologies, you will be prepared to:
- Provide leading-edge training and education for institutions and industries moving to hybrid or fully-online frameworks to meet evolving challenges.
- Pursue a Bachelor of Education program to teach K-12.
- Pursue graduate school in our Master of Education program.
Educational Studies - Adult Learning with Technology
Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Educational Studies - Adult Learning with Technology
Our four-year Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Educational Studies is an innovative hybrid program (online and in-person courses) designed to provide maximum flexibility and choice. You will develop critical knowledge and skills in educational studies, including foundations of learning, creating digital tools for education, assessment for learning and foundations of equity, diversity and inclusion. Online courses from the Faculty of Education are supplemented with in-person or online electives from other faculties to create a custom program that will enable you to achieve your academic goals.
This specialization in Adult Learning with Technology is a research-based and industry-responsive specialization that develops the understanding and skills to work in learning and development in various fields such as business, government and non-profit organizations. Students will learn to develop inclusive spaces for adult learning, with a focus on the meaningful use of digital technologies for education.
If you are interested in becoming a teacher after completing this degree, you should also apply to the Concurrent Education program (see the Admissions section below for details on the application process).
Specialization courses
To specialize in Adult Learning with Technology during the Educational Studies program, you must complete four of the following courses in addition to other program requirements:
- EDST 2410U – Foundations of Adult Learning
- EDST 3120U – Workplace Learning
- EDST 3440U – Managing and Developing eLearning Projects
- EDST 3460U – Working with Clients and Partners
- EDST 4470U – Trends and Issues in Educational Technology
Outcomes
After completing the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Educational Studies with a specialization in Adult Learning with Technology, you will be prepared to:
- Facilitate education for adults in various learning spaces, including the corporate workplace, non-profit organizations, government and higher education.
- Provide leading-edge training and education for institutions and industries moving to hybrid or fully-online frameworks to meet evolving challenges.
- Pursue graduate school in our Master of Education program.
Courses
Want to see the specific courses you’ll be taking in your program? Visit ontariotechu.ca/calendar.Do you see yourself as a(n)...
Completing the BA to BEd pathway program was the best decision I’ve ever made! The BA program gave me the tools and confidence I needed to use digital technology in the classroom, providing a smooth transition from BA to BEd. I now have a full-time, long-term occasional teaching position—en route to my dream job as a teacher thanks to Ontario Tech. Sevrina Fernandes Education, class of 2021 Elementary School Teacher, Durham Catholic District School Board
