Applicants must present an undergraduate degree with an academic major or a minimum of ten half-course equivalents (five full-course equivalents) in the specialization the applicant chooses, except for specializations in Fine Arts, French, Physical Education, and second language, where a degree in the academic major is required.
All applicants must complete one half-course equivalent in English or French literature prior to entering the program, in order to be eligible for admission.
To be eligible for the following specializations, applicants are required to meet the degree requirements listed below:
Art Education (Fine Arts)
Applicants must present a degree with a major in art.
Drama Education (Fine Arts)
Applicants must present a degree with a major in drama.
English Language Arts
Applicants must present a degree with a major in English. Applicants who do not have a degree with a major in English must present a minimum of five full-course equivalents in a range of areas that may include: historical surveys of English literature; critical reading and writing; Canadian literature; popular genres of literature; children's literature; and, world literature.
French
Applicants must present a degree taught in French in one or more of the following areas: French literature, science, mathematics, history, or the equivalent. If the degree was not taught in French, applicants must have a major in French. Applicants must be fully competent in oral and written French and demonstrate this competency in an interview.
Mathematics
Applicants must present a degree with a major in mathematics, or a degree with a minimum of five full-course equivalents demonstrating proficiency in at least five of the following areas: calculus, number systems, number theory, linear algebra, geometry, probability, statistics, applied mathematics, discrete mathematics, or history of mathematics.
Music (Fine Arts)
Applicants must present a degree with a major in music. Secondary music teachers need to be proficient on an instrument, have a coherent understanding of music theory and history, sophisticated conducting and aural skills in a choral/instrumental environment, plus a working knowledge of appropriate repertoire and musical concepts. Applicants should be prepared to instruct in a beginner band/choral environment.
Physical Education
Applicants must present a degree from a CCUPEKA PE accredited undergraduate program and/or graduate from a KNES/PE undergraduate program. Applicants who do not have a degree with a major in kinesiology, or a degree that is not from an accredited program, must present a minimum of five full-course equivalents, in a range of the following areas that include: anatomy, human physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor learning/control, sport or health psychology, growth and development, health education, physical education for special populations, and activity-based courses. Students should have prior experience and be prepared to instruct activity-based courses in a Physical Education environment.
Second Languages
Applicants must present a degree taught in a second language. If the degree was not taught in a second language, applicants must have a major in a second language. The major must include a minimum five full-course equivalents, in one or more of the following areas: literature, history, or the equivalent.
Biology (Science)
Applicants must present a degree with a major in biology. Applicants who do not have a degree with a major in biology must present a minimum of five full-course equivalents in five of the following areas: biochemistry, botany, cellular microbiology, molecular microbiology, ecology, evolutionary theory, genetics, human anatomy, physiology, and zoology. Other areas of knowledge which are important for secondary biology teachers include biological conservation, genetic engineering, and immunology.
Chemistry (Science)
Applicants must present a degree with a major in chemistry. Applicants who do not have a degree with a major in chemistry must present a minimum of five full-course equivalents in five of the following areas: inorganic, organic, physical, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics. Other areas of knowledge which are important for secondary chemistry teachers include electrochemistry, industrial chemistry, and spectroscopy.
Physics (Science)
Applicants must present a degree with a major in physics. Applicants who do not have a degree with a major in physics must present a minimum of five full-course equivalents in five of the following areas: classical mechanics, electromagnetism, modern physics, optics, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, relativity theory, and thermodynamics. Other areas of knowledge which are important for secondary physics teachers include acoustics, atmospheric physics, biophysics, and environmental physics.
Social Studies
Applicants must have completed a minimum of five full-course equivalents across the following three areas with at least one half-course equivalent per area:
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History
Applicants must present course work in Canadian history, European history, and world history. Courses with a major focus on history, although not designated as history courses, may be considered as suitable background. In these cases, a course outline must be submitted for review.
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Geography
Applicants must present course work in physical geography, human geography, or other courses with a focus on human interaction with physical and cultural environments.
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Social Sciences
Applicants must present course work in the social sciences. Suitable courses may include: political science, sociology, economics, anthropology, and archaeology, cultural studies, women's studies, native studies, religious studies, Canadian studies, globalization, indigenous studies, international relations, philosophy and psychology.
Werklund School of Education