Secondary Teaching Prerequisites

(Grades 8 to 12)

This document outlines requirements for Secondary teaching consideration to the Post Baccalaureate Secondary and Bachelor of Education Secondary Pathway programs. Additionally, the following will satisfy BC Teacher Certification Branch (TCB) requirements for academic preparation for teaching assignments at the Grade 8 to 12 levels. As noted in  the Bachelor of Education program, 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. This academic preparation applies to all “professionally certified” teachers, regardless of the Initial Teacher Education Program completed.

Initial Teacher Education Program-Specific Notes

Post Baccalaureate (PB) Secondary Applicants

Applicants must have completed the English prerequisite outline below and have a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution and/or a Red Seal in a trade acceptable in content to the Faculty of Education and the BC Teacher Certification Branch prior to beginning the program. Applicants should consider having two or more acceptable teachable areas. Additionally, as teacher certification in BC is “unrestricted”, we strongly encourage applicants also complete the Elementary Prerequisites.

Post Baccalaureate (PB) Elementary Applicants

Applicants must have completed the Elementary Prerequisites. However, based on initial degree focus areas, applicants will also meet academic preparation for teaching assignments at the levels of Grade 8 and above outlined in Secondary Teachable Subjects below.

Year 1 Bachelor of Education (BEd) Applicants

Students in this program are encouraged to consider elective course work and/or minors in academic disciplines that meet requirements for the preparation for teaching assignments at the levels of Grade 8 and above, outlined in Secondary Teachable Subjects below.

Year 3 Bachelor of Education (BEd) Applicants

Students in this program are encouraged to consider elective course work in academic disciplines that meet requirements for the preparation for teaching assignments at the levels of Grade 8 and above, outlined in Secondary Teachable Subjects below.

Initial Bachelor Degree and/or Red Seal Requirement

At a minimum, applicants to the Post Baccalaureate Secondary program must have completed an acceptable Red Seal trade and/or degree with a major or minor (or equivalent) in preferably two teachable subjects recognized by the Teacher Certification Branch (see list of subjects below). Applicants with two or more teachable subjects and in subject areas that support field experience placements as arranged by the Faculty of Education, will be given priority consideration. Red Seal applicants are encouraged to have enough additional academic course work to support a second teachable as outlined in Secondary Teachable Subjects 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 compositions 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

Secondary Teachable Subjects

TCB requirements for academic preparation for teaching assignments at the levels of Grade 8 and above must have completed a minimum of 24 credits of academic coursework to support a teachable. These studies must be in fields of knowledge that are compatible with BC Secondary curriculum expectations.

Applicants’ initial degree may include major, minors and/or 24 academic credits supporting the teachables below. Elective course work may also lead towards additional teachables. VIU advises on program entry requirements and teacher certification following BC Teacher Certification policies. Please note individual school districts in BC may have additional requirements. Teachables generally supported within the Post Bacc Secondary are listed below and are subject to availability within host field experience schools. It is recommended that at least half of your credits be in upper-level coursework.