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Bridge to Teaching is an eight-month intensive and accelerated teacher education program that helps prepare experienced teachers whose first language is not English and, who have obtained qualifications from outside of Canada, to teach in Alberta Schools. Bridge to Teaching provides participants with 18 advanced education course credits and 10 weeks of supervised practicum.

This is a full-time program, with classes during the day. All courses need to be taken in a prescribed sequence, over one school year (September to April). Courses including the practicums are offered face-to-face in Calgary. There is online support for each course.

Requirements for admission to the Bridge to Teaching Certificate include:

1. A four-year baccalaureate degree in Education or an equivalent degree from a recognized institution, with a grade point average of at least 3.00 or equivalent.

2. A letter from an evaluator at Alberta Education’s Professional Standards Branch. For further information, go to http://education.alberta.ca/teachers/certification.aspx

3. Language Proficiency Requirement:

1. An overall score of 93 with a minimum score of 27 in the speaking component on TOEFL (the Internet-Based Test of English as a Foreign Language); OR
2. A minimum overall band average of 8.0 with no band below 7.0 on the International English Language Test System (IELTS—Academic Module); OR
3. Graduation from Tier 3 of the English for Academic Purposes Program (EAP) at the University of Calgary.

4. One official transcript from all post-secondary institutions attended.

5. A successful interview with the Program Coordinator for Bridge to Teaching.

Note: Completion of English for Academic Purposes for Teachers is highly recommended prior to program start (http://www.ucalgary.ca/eap/). Exceptions may be granted by the Vice-Dean and the Program Coordinator.

The deadline for submission of complete applications is May 25 for September admission.

For program information and application procedures, please visit the Graduate Programs in Education website at: www.ucalgary.ca/gpe.

A total of 18 course credits including 10 weeks of practicum.

Required Courses:

Semester 1

• Historical, Cultural and Contemporary Issues in Canadian Education
  Teaching in Alberta Classrooms I
• Practicum I

Semester 2

• Teaching and Learning Across the Curriculum with Educational Technologies
  Teaching in Alberta Classrooms II
• Practicum II

Note: Failure to attend the term to which a student has been admitted will result in the admission being rescinded.

Failure to successfully complete the practicum component will result in withdrawal from the program.

General Notes
Completion of the Bridge to Teaching Certificate may not fulfill the requirements for teacher certification in Alberta.

The Bridge to Teaching courses are recognized by the Professional Standards Branch of Alberta Education as fulfilling the requirements for 18 credits in Education coursework at the advanced level, and 10 weeks of supervised student teaching placement (practicum) in an Alberta classroom.