UofC

Certification

To be eligible to teach in Alberta, a valid teaching certificate issued by the Province of Alberta is required. After the successful completion of the BEd program, a student may be recommended for an Alberta Interim Professional Certificate by the Werklund School of Education.

Note: In order to meet certification requirements students who are in the Two-Year After-Degree BEd program are required to present 3 units in English Literature or French Literature in addition to the courses taken as a part of the BEd.

Typically, this course is taken as a part of the student’s first degree, or it can be taken following the completion of the first degree, as they are required for admission into the BEd After-Degree program.

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.

Eligibility to Teach Outside of Alberta

Graduates of the Werklund School of Education’s Bachelor of Education wishing to teach in other jurisdictions should refer to the certifying body or equivalent in their intended locale for further information.

All enquiries concerning certification should be directed to Alberta Education.

Students mandated by Alberta Education to complete practicum hours for the purposes of teacher re-certification, may be eligible to take Education 570.

Students wishing to take this course must:

• Have completed and provide evidence that all other Alberta Education evaluation-directed coursework, if mandated, prior to the Education 570 term
• Contact the Field Experience team
• Provide a copy of their Alberta Education evaluation letter
• Successfully be admitted to Open Studies for the term in which Education 570 is being offered
• After successful admission to Open Studies and approval by the Field Experience team, contact the Undergraduate Programs in Education to have registration in Education 570 facilitated
• Be aware that Education 570 is not offered every academic year
• Be aware that regardless of Alberta Education-requested hours, Education 570 comprises a non-negotiable minimum 9 weeks of practicum experience
• Be aware that dates of the practicum experience are non-negotiable
  
• Be aware that successful completion of required coursework and/or admission into Open Studies does not guarantee a placement can be secured
• Be aware that no placement requests can be guaranteed
• Adhere to all field experience regulations and required codes of conduct
• Obtain a current, clear Police Information Check, including Vulnerable Section Check, as directed by the Field Experience Team

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 refer to the Teacher Qualifications Service website.

The majority of teacher education graduates can expect to work in the K-12 system. 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 engage in continued professional learning.

Alternative careers in education that may also be considered:

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 development
• Author/editor of instructional resources
• Educational consultant
• Community/youth instructor
• Staff training
• Specialist in a department of education or school district