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Elementary Teaching Prerequisites

Prerequisites (Kindergarten to Grade 7)

This document outlines approved VIU courses that will satisfy BC Teacher Certification Branch (TCB) requirements for academic preparation for teaching at the elementary level. As noted on the Bachelor of Education calendar page, graduates hoping to gain employment in BC public schools are advised to check with the local school district(s) for any additional required qualifications and/or teaching restrictions. Credential/course review is available via an appointment with a Faculty of Education Advisor. VIU advises on program entry requirements and teacher certification following BC Teacher Certification policies. To schedule an appointment, please telephone the office.

Initial Teacher Education Program Specific Notes

Year 1 Bachelor of Education (BEd)

Applicants apply upon high school completion and must complete the requirements listed below during the pre-professional years of the program. BA or BSc minors can also be pursued during this 5-year program.

Year 3 Bachelor of Education (BEd)

Applicants do not need to complete all requirements listed below prior to application, however, progression into the professional years of the program (year 4 and 5) requires completion of all requirements.

Post Baccalaureate (PB) Elementary

Applicants must have completed all the requirements below prior to beginning the program and have a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution acceptable in content to the Faculty of Education and BC Teacher Regulation Branch. Applicants may also meet Secondary teachable requirements.

Post Baccalaureate (PB) Secondary

Applicants need to complete the English requirement only and have a degree from a recognized post- secondary institution acceptable in content to the Faculty of Education and BC Teacher Regulation Branch supporting the Secondary teachable requirements. However, as teacher certification in BC is ‘unrestricted’ applicants are strongly encourage to complete all the Elementary requirements outlined below.

English Literature and Composition Requirement

6 credit/semester hours or equivalent of undergraduate English course work with a minimum of 3 credit/semester hours in literature. 6 credit/semester hours in literature is acceptable, 6 credit/semester hours in composition is not acceptable. At VIU, some Liberal Studies (LBST) courses are also accepted, or any two of the following courses:

  • ENGL 115 University Writing and Research or ENGL 117 University Writing and Research: Indigenous Focus
  • ENGL 125 Literature and Culture or ENGL 127 Literature and Culture: Indigenous Focus
  • ENGL 135 Literature and Criticism

Note: ENGL 204 Business and Technical Writing is not accepted

Mathematics Requirement

3 credit/semester hours or equivalent of undergraduate Mathematics for PB Elementary and current (pre Fall 2020) Year 1 and 3 BEd students, however we encourage the completion of 6 credits. Beginning Fall 2020: 6 credits of approved Mathematics will be required for all Year 1 and 3 Bachelor of Education students Generally courses characterized by the “MATH” prefix will be accepted. Statistics taught by the Math Department may be used, however, the goal is for the course content to support BC Elementary Mathematics curriculum and not research in other disciplines, etc. Sample suggested courses at VIU that meet this requirement are:

  • MATH 131 Mathematics for Elementary Education I
  • MATH 132 Mathematics for Elementary Education II

Note: MATH 135 “From Puzzles to the Poetry of Patterns” is subject to Education Advisor approval

Science Requirement

3 credit/semester hours or equivalent of undergraduate Science. Disciplines recognized towards this fulfillment included Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physical Geography, Geology/Earth Science, Ocean Science, Environmental Science and Astronomy. Sample suggested courses at VIU that meet this requirement are:

  • ASTR 111 Introductory Astronomy I: The Solar System
  • ASTR 112 Introductory Astronomy II: Stars and Galaxies
  • ASTR 311 Exploring the Universe
  • GEOG 101 Environmental Geography (* meets the GEOG requirement for a Social Studies teachable)
  • GEOG 211 Atmospheric Environments (* meets the GEOG requirement for a Social Studies teachable)
  • GEOG 212 Earth Environments (* meets the GEOG requirement for a Social Studies teachable)
  • GEOL 111 or 111A Discovering Planet Earth
  • GEOL 112 or 112A Understanding Earth’s History
  • INTR 111 Indigenous Science and Western Science of the Human Body
  • INTR 211 Indigenous and Western Sciences of Plants and the Environment KIN 201 Human Anatomy
  • KIN 220 Introduction to Human Physiology II

Note: ASTR 312 “History of Astronomy and Cosmology” is not accepted

Canadian Studies Requirement

3 credit/semester hours or equivalent of undergraduate Canadian Studies in support of BC Elementary Social Studies curriculum. Typically, “Canada” occurs in the course title. Sample suggested courses at VIU that meet this requirement are:

  • ANTH 121 Aboriginal Peoples and Cultures in Canada
  • ANTH 221 Indigenous Cultures of BC
  • ECON 214 Canadian Economic Institutions and Problems
  • GEOG 290 Regions of Canada
  • HIST – VIU offers an extensive range of HISTORY courses, including:
    • HIST 111, HIST 112, HIST 113, HIST 114, HIST 115, HIST 116
    • HIST 205, HIST 206, HIST 210, HIST 211, HIST 230, HIST 231
    • HIST 330, HIST 331, HIST 339, HIST 340, HIST 342, amongst others
  • INDG 101 Exploring Indigenous Identities
  • INDG 102Exploring Indigenous Communities
  • INDG 103 Introduction to Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies I
  • INDG 104 Introduction to Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies II
  • INDG 203 Indigenous and Settler Relations
  • INDG 204 Indigenous Perspectives on the Environment
  • INDG 380 Special Topics in Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies (* upon course outline approval)
  • KIN 260 Foundations of Canadian Sport, Health and Physical Activity
  • POLI 151 Law and Politics in Canada
  • POLI 221 Canadian Politics and Government
  • POLI 321 Canadian Foreign Policy
  • POLI 328 First Nations, Municipal, Regional Government and Politics
  • POLI 370 Canadian Provincial Politics
  • SOCI 112 Canadian Society in the Contemporary World (*not acceptable if taken prior to March 2014)
  • SOCI 215 Issues in Canadian Society

Additional support for course planning and teacher education degree completion