East Kootenay Teacher Education Programs

If you have already completed at least a year of courses at a college or university (UVic, College of the Rockies, or elsewhere), you may qualify for admission to year two of the program.

These year-one courses can be taken by students in UVic's Faculty of Education, in another Faculty at UVic, or at another university or college, and must be completed by April 30 for year two entry in September of the same year.

If you will be completing Year 1 at College of the Rockies, please see the program outline for the Pre-Education Certificate.

Note: 3.0 UVic units are equivalent to two half-year courses or 6 credits at most BC colleges and universities

English 

• two courses in approved English (total of 3.0 UVic units), including a minimum 1.5 units of approved literature. 
• Demonstrated competency in written English: a minimum C+ grade in each of your two approved English courses. 

Select two from:

• ATWP 135 Academic Reading and Writing or ENGL 135 Academic Reading and Writing or ENGL 215 The Writing of Expository Prose¹
• ENGL 146 Contemporary Literature (AWR)
• ENGL 147 Literary Traditions (AWR)
• ENGL 200A English Literature to 1660
• ENGL 200B English Literature, 1660-1800
• ENGL 200C English Literature, 1800-1914
• ENGL 201 Introduction to Modernist Literature
• ENGL 202 Introduction to Canadian Literature
• ENGL 203 Introduction to American Literature
• ENGL 207 Introduction to Cultural Studies
• ENGL 208 Introduction to Women's Writing
• ENGL 209 Foundations of Literary Criticism
• ENGL 260 The Bible as Literature

Written English competency
This will be satisfied with a grade of C+ or higher in each of two approved English courses (UVic 3.00 on a 9-point scale). 

Notes:

1. We can accept a maximum of 1.5 units of approved academic writing or composition.
2. We can't accept technical or creative writing courses.
3. Consult an Education adviser before taking a 'special topics' course. The adviser will need to see a course description or outline.

Canadian Studies

• two courses in approved Canadian Studies (total of 3.0 UVic units). 

We accept courses that focus on the Canadian experience and cover topics taught in the BC elementary social studies curriculum.

Select two from:

• CS 102 Introduction to Canadian Contemporary Issues
• CS 201 Issues and Ideas in Canadian Environmentalism
• ECON 100 The Canadian Economy - Problems and Policies
• HSTR 230A Canada to Confederation
• HSTR 230B Canada from Confederation - present  
• IS 101 Indigenous Foundations
• IS 201 Introduction to Indigenous Studies
• POLI 101 Canadian Politics
• POLI 201 Canadian Institutions of Government
• SOCI 103 Canadian Society

Notes:

1. We are not able to accept Canadian literature, art history courses or CS 101.
2. We normally are not able to accept courses that study one region or province of Canada.

Mathematics

• two courses in approved mathematics (total of 3.0 UVic units).
• Mathematics courses must be completed within ten years of entry to year two.

Select two from:

• MATH 100 Calculus I or MATH 102 Calculus for Students in the Social and Biological Sciences or MATH 109 Introduction to Calculus
• MATH 101 Calculus II
• MATH 151 Finite Mathematics
• MATH 161 Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers I 
• MATH 162 Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers II

Mathematics competency
This will be satisfied with a C+ average on two approved mathematics courses (UVic 3.00/9-point scale).

Notes:

1. We recommend MATH 161 and 162.
2. We are not able to accept pre-calculus or algebra topics.
3. We are not able to consider statistics courses from outside of a mathematics department.
4. Consult an Education adviser if you've completed a statistics course from a mathematics department.
5. We are not able to accept any math courses completed more than ten years ago.

Laboratory science

• two courses in approved laboratory science (total of 3.0 UVic units).
• Laboratory science courses must be completed within ten years of entry to year two.

Elementary teachers take a strong field-based, hands-on approach to teaching sciences; therefore, we check that the science courses you've taken include a significant lab component. Try to choose courses from two different subjects.

We require applicants to complete 3 units of approved laboratory science course work that includes 1.5 hours of face-to-face lab instruction per week for each course. 

The following UVic courses are examples of acceptable courses.

Choose two from:

• ASTR 101 Exploring the Night Sky
• ASTR 102 Exploring the Cosmos

• BIOL 184 (formerly BIOL 190B) Evolution and Biodiversity
• BIOL 186 (formerly BIOL 190A) Physiology and Cell Biology

• CHEM 101 Fundamentals of Chemistry from Atoms to Materials
• CHEM 102 Chemical Reactivity Fundamentals with Environmental Applications

• EOS 110 Oceans and Atmosphere
• EOS 120 The Dynamic Earth¹
• GEOG 103 Introduction to Physical Geography²

• EPHE 141 Human Anatomy³

• PHYS 102A General Physics I
• PHYS 102B General Physics II
• PHYS 120 Physics I

Notes:

1. Each year, the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences reserves an EOS 120 lab section for prospective elementary teachers. Registration is by permission. Questions regarding SEOS courses and labs can be directed to seos@uvic.ca or (250) 472-5133.
2. GEOG 103 cannot be taken for credit if you took EOS 110 or EOS 120 prior to May 2011.
3. We are not able to accept more than 1.5 units of approved human anatomy or physiology.
4. Social Science department courses, such as psychology, are not accepted in lieu of science courses.
5. Physical geography courses are the only social science courses that will be accepted as science. UVic's GEOG 103, for example.
6. We are not able to accept any laboratory science course completed more than ten years ago.

Electives 

• two courses of approved academic electives (total of 3.0 UVic units).
• Choose from subjects related to those taught in BC schools such as art, computer science, French, geography or physics. Courses from professional programs such as child and youth care, education and social work are not normally approved. Consult an Education adviser if you have questions.
• The electives are normally taken in your first year (year one) but may be taken in a summer session following year one or two.  

Sessional Grade-Point Average

• a minimum sessional average of 3.00 on a 9-point scale (UVic C+).
• If your most recent session is fewer than 12.0 units, you must have a grade-point average of at least 3.00 on a 9-point scale (equivalent to UVic's C+ grade) on your most recent consecutive 12.0 units.
• Learn how a GPA is calculated at UVic.

In addition to the academic requirements listed above, you'll be asked to provide evidence of your experience, ability, and interest in working with groups of children in educative ways. You will need to have at least 75 hours of relevant experience working with children of Elementary to Middle School age in one or two different settings (ages 5-14) One of these settings must be at least 50 hours and must involve working with small-medium groups of children. You’ll be asked to provide a Summary of Experience, Reflection on Experience, and two Reference Forms completed by individuals who have observed you working with children aged 5-14 in educative ways in one or two different settings.

You will find more information and all required forms - the Summary of Experience, Reflection on Experience, and the link to the confidential Reference Form on the September 2023 Application Instructions for Year 2 entry to the B.Ed Elementary Curriculum (EKTEP) Program. Please read all instructions carefully.

For September 2023 Entry, admission is based primarily on GPA as long as exerience requirements are met.

Conditional admission based on academic requirements

Applicants who apply, submit all transcripts, submit all other required items, and satisfy all academic requirements by the published deadlines, will be ranked by their sessional/12-unit grade point average and selected to the program (offered conditional admission), starting with the highest ranking GPA until all program seats are filled.

• The sessional/12-unit GPA is calculated on the most recent sessional GPA at April 30, 2023. If the most recent session is fewer than 12 units, previous session(s) averages will be included until a total of 12 units is reached. 
• 12 UVic units is equivalent to 8 typical, half-year courses
• While the minimum required GPA is 3.00 (9-point scale, UVic C+), admission is competitive and the actual GPA cut-off may be higher

Admission confirmed based on experience requirement

Applicants offered conditional admission as above must satisfy the East Kootenay Teacher Education Office’s experience requirement in order for their offer of admission to be confirmed. (See “Experience Requirement” above.)

Only applicants who have been conditionally admitted will have their experience reviewed.

Advising handouts

To help you choose courses, we’ve prepared advising handouts for several BC post-secondary institutions.

• Camosun College (updated September 2022)
• Capilano University (updated September 2021)
• College of the Rockies (updated September 2022)
• Douglas College (updated September 2021)
• Kwantlen Polytechnic University (updated September 2021)
• North Island College (updated September 2022)
• Okanagan College (updated September 2020)
• Thompson Rivers University (updated September 2022)
• Vancouver Island University (updated September 2021)

If the college or university you're attending isn’t listed above:

1. Select courses that you think can be used to satisfy year one requirements.
2.  If you’re attending a BC post-secondary institution, use the BC transfer guide to find out if the courses transfer to UVic.
3. Send your course selection to Advising at the Faculty of Education. An adviser will review your course selection and let you know if your courses are approved. If you’ve already completed post-secondary studies, be sure to provide the adviser with copies of your transcript.

Eligibility for admission requires:

• a bachelor's degree from an accredited university that is acceptable to the University of Victoria

Note: 3.0 UVic units are equivalent to two, half-year courses or 6 credits at most BC colleges and universities.

English 

• two courses in approved English (total of 3.0 UVic units), including a minimum 1.5 units of approved literature. 
• Demonstrated competency in written English: a minimum C+ grade in each of your two approved English courses. 

Select two from:

• ATWP 135 Academic Reading and Writing or ENGL 135 Academic Reading and Writing or ENGL 215 The Writing of Expository Prose¹
• ENGL 146 Contemporary Literature (AWR)
• ENGL 147 Literary Traditions (AWR)
• ENGL 200A English Literature to 1660
• ENGL 200B English Literature, 1660-1800
• ENGL 200C English Literature, 1800-1914
• ENGL 201 Introduction to Modernist Literature
• ENGL 202 Introduction to Canadian Literature
• ENGL 203 Introduction to American Literature
• ENGL 207 Introduction to Cultural Studies
• ENGL 208 Introduction to Women's Writing
• ENGL 209 Foundations of Literary Criticism
• ENGL 260 The Bible as Literature

Written English competency
This will be satisfied with a grade of C+ or higher in each of two approved English courses (UVic 3.00 on a 9-point scale). 

Notes:

1. We can accept a maximum of 1.5 units of approved academic writing or composition.
2. We can't accept technical or creative writing courses.
3. Consult an Education adviser before taking a 'special topics' course. The adviser will need to see a course description or outline.

Canadian Studies

• two courses in approved Canadian studies (total of 3.0 UVic units).

We accept courses that focus on the Canadian experience and cover topics taught in the BC elementary social studies curriculum.

Select two from:

• CS 102 Introduction to Canadian Contemporary Issues
• CS 201 Issues and Ideas in Canadian Environmentalism
• ECON 100 The Canadian Economy - Problems and Policies
• HSTR 230A Canada to Confederation
• HSTR 230B Canada from Confederation - present  
• IS 101 Indigenous Foundations
• IS 201 Introduction to Indigenous Studies
• POLI 101 Canadian Politics
• POLI 201 Canadian Institutions of Government
• SOCI 103 Canadian Society

Notes:

1. We are not able to accept Canadian literature, art history courses or CS 101.
2. We normally are not able to accept courses that study one region or province of Canada.

Mathematics

• two courses in approved Mathematics (total of 3.0 UVic units)
• Demonstrated competency in mathematics: a minimum C+ average grade in your two approved mathematics courses. 
• Mathematics courses must be completed within ten years of program entry.

Select two from:

• MATH 100 Calculus I or MATH 102 Calculus for Students in the Social and Biological Sciences or MATH 109 Introduction to Calculus
• MATH 101 Calculus II
• MATH 151 Finite Mathematics
• MATH 161 Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers I 
• MATH 162 Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers II

Mathematics competency
This will be satisfied with a C+ average on two approved mathematics courses (UVic 3.00/9-point scale).

Notes:

1. We recommend MATH 161 and 162.
2. We are not able to accept pre-calculus or algebra topics.
3. We are not able to consider statistics courses from outside of a mathematics department.
4. Consult an Education adviser if you've completed a statistics course from a mathematics department.
5. We are not able to accept any math courses completed more than ten years ago.

Laboratory science

• two courses in approved laboratory science (total of 3.0 UVic units).
• Each laboratory science course must include a minimum of 1.5 hours of in-person lab instruction each week (Note: Due to COVID-19, we have temporarily waived the face-to-face lab component for the September 2022 intake).
• Laboratory science courses must be completed within ten years of program entry.  

Elementary teachers take a strong field-based, hands-on approach to teaching sciences; therefore, we check that the science courses you've taken include a significant lab component. Try to choose courses from two different subjects.

We require applicants to complete 3 units of approved laboratory science course work that includes 1.5 hours of face-to-face lab instruction per week for each course. 

The following UVic courses are examples of acceptable courses.

Choose two from:

• ASTR 101 Exploring the Night Sky
• ASTR 102 Exploring the Cosmos

• BIOL 184 (formerly BIOL 190B) Evolution and Biodiversity
• BIOL 186 (formerly BIOL 190A) Physiology and Cell Biology

• CHEM 101 Fundamentals of Chemistry from Atoms to Materials
• CHEM 102 Chemical Reactivity Fundamentals with Environmental Applications

• EOS 110 Oceans and Atmosphere
• EOS 120 The Dynamic Earth¹
• GEOG 103 Introduction to Physical Geography²

• EPHE 141 Human Anatomy³

• PHYS 102A General Physics I
• PHYS 102B General Physics II
• PHYS 120 Physics I

Notes:

1. Each year, the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences reserves an EOS 120 lab section for prospective elementary teachers. Registration is by permission. Questions regarding SEOS courses and labs can be directed to seos@uvic.ca or (250) 472-5133.
2. GEOG 103 cannot be taken for credit if you took EOS 110 or EOS 120 prior to May 2011.
3. We are not able to accept more than 1.5 units of approved human anatomy or physiology.
4. Social Science department courses, such as psychology, are not accepted in lieu of science courses.
5. Physical geography courses are the only social science courses that will be accepted as science. UVic's GEOG 103, for example.
6. We are not able to accept any laboratory science course completed more than ten years ago.

Grade-Point Average

• a grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.00 on a 9-point scale (equivalent to UVic’s C+ grade) on: 
  • the most recently attempted session (minimum 12 units or 24 credits or eight half-year courses). If you took fewer than 12.0 units in the last session, you need a grade-point average of at least 3.00 (equivalent to UVic's C+ grade) on your most recent consecutive 12.0 units.
  • 30-units (equivalent to two years) of course work attempted to December 31.
• Learn how a GPA is calculated at UVic.

Consult an adviser in the Education Advising Office if you have any questions.

In addition to the academic requirements listed above, you'll be asked to provide evidence of your experience, ability, and interest in working with groups of children in educative ways. You will need to have at least 75 hours of relevant experience working with children of Elementary to Middle School age in one or two different settings (ages 5-14) One of these settings must be at least 50 hours and must involve working with small-medium groups of children. You’ll be asked to provide a Summary of Experience, Reflection on Experience, and two Reference Forms completed by individuals who have observed you working with children aged 5-14 in educative ways in one or two different settings.

You will find the Summary of Experience, Reflection on Experience, and the link to the confidential Reference Form on the Application instructions for September 2023 Entry for B.Ed. Post-Degree Professional Program (Elementary) at EKTEP.

Nestled directly against 2000 hectares of the Cranbrook Community Forest, and located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies of southeastern BC, the College of the Rockies campus offers you the lifestyle and learning opportunities to match the spectacular setting. 

See the College of the Rockies website for more information on the campus, culture, and location.

Yes! Our EKTEP teacher candidates can access free counselling, student service supports, workshops, an on-campus gym and weight room, along with help from our dedicated library liaison technician. On-campus housing and food services are also available.

The majority of our instructors are experienced local and/or retired teachers who are qualified to teach at the university level.

We also have a team of “fly in” instructors who travel from Victoria. This helps promote close links between the Victoria and Cranbrook campuses and to the emerging research from within the Faculty of Education. 

As our program is located within ʔamak̓is Ktunaxa, we consistently work to build strong relationships with the Ktunaxa Nation in order to have ongoing support for our Indigenous Education courses, workshops, and general coursework. We also offer an on-site partership with ʔaq̓amnik̓ School at ʔaq̓am, just outside of Cranbrook.