UofC

Alberta provincial teaching certification is a two-stage process and it requires separate evaluations by separate governing bodies.

• Alberta Education issues teaching certificates.
• The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA), through the Teacher Qualifications Service (TQS), determines salary.

Both evaluations are required be eligible to teach in Alberta public schools.

Certification

After the successful completion of the BEd, a student may be recommended for an Alberta Interim Professional Certificate by the Werklund School of Education.

For certification, students must successfully complete a BEd degree. In addition, students must meet the following requirements within their overall post-secondary studies:

a) Prior to certification, elementary teachers are required to present a minimum of 24 units (4.0 full-course equivalents) in academic coursework that MUST include:

• 3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) in Canadian Studies
• 3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) in Mathematics
• 3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) in Science
• 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) in English/French Literature and Composition

With the exception of 3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) in English/French literature, the elementary certification requirements are completed within the BEd program.

For students in the Four-Year BEd (Community-Based) program all of the requirements for elementary certification are completed within the BEd program.

b) Prior to certification, secondary teachers are required to present a minimum of 24 units (4.0 full-course equivalents) in a Teachable Subject Area. Additionally, secondary teachers are required to present 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) in English/French Literature and Composition.

Notes:

• For students in the Four-Year BEd (Community-Based) program all of the requirements for secondary certification are completed within the BEd program.
• For students in the Five-Year BEd (Concurrent) program all of the requirements for secondary certification are completed between the BEd and the student’s non-education degree.
• For students in the Two-Year BEd (Consecutive ) program applicants are required to present 24 units (4.0 full-course equivalents) in their Teachable Subject Area AND 3 units 0.5 full-course equivalent) in English/French Literature as a part of their first degree.

Teachers who have been certified to teach in other jurisdictions (other provinces and other countries) and who wish to teach in Alberta must contact Alberta Education, Teacher Development and Certification Branch to have their credentials evaluated.

All enquiries concerning certification should be directed to Alberta Education:

Email: teacher.certification@gov.ab.ca
Phone: 780.427.2045 (for toll-free access anywhere in Alberta, first dial 310.0000)
Website: http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/k_12/teaching/Certification/

Evaluations for salary purposes are determined by the Teacher Qualification Service (TQS), Alberta Teachers’ Association, and not by Alberta Education or the University of Calgary.

For more information, please contact the Teacher Qualifications Service http://www.teachers.ab.ca/For%20Members/Salary%20Benefits%20and%20Pension/TeacherQualificationsService/Pages/Index.aspx.

Teacher Qualifications Service
The Alberta Teachers' Association
Barnett House, 11010 - 142 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T5N 2R1

The majority of teacher education graduates can expect to work as kindergarten/elementary and/or secondary teachers. Indeed, the role of classroom teacher is one that permits graduates to work most closely with young people and allows for the greatest direct service to educational communities. The modern context of education demands that graduates be prepared to go beyond the traditional role of classroom teacher. To teach successfully, graduates must be prepared to work closely and effectively with students, colleagues, parents, and the community in virtually every aspect of educational decision-making. Furthermore, graduates must understand and embrace that it is imperative to extend their formal education throughout their careers. The successful completion of a BEd program is only the beginning of a teacher's academic and professional learning.

Increasingly, education students are finding employment in community and workplace settings. Teachers develop numerous skills that are highly valued in community, government, and business organizations.

Many graduates will choose from one or more additional careers in education, nearly all of which require successful experience as a school-based practitioner, permanent professional certification, and a master's or doctoral degree in education:

• curriculum developer
• assessment designer
• administrator
• staff developer
• staff officer for a teachers' professional association
• author of instructional resources
• college instructor
• university professor