Elementary BEd post-degree professional program (PDPP)

Program Snapshot
- Full-time program over four terms (16 months)
- September entry
- Two practicum placements in elementary or middle schools
- Embedded in local classrooms for full days in the first term
- Application deadline: January 2 (Deadline Extension - Applications are open until January 31, 2023). (Late applications received after January 2 will be considered only if space remains in the quota after all on-time, eligible applicants have been admitted).
About our program
Do you already hold a degree and want to pass on your knowledge into the classroom? Designed for current degree holders, this post-degree professional program will provide you with an intensive introduction to the subjects taught in the elementary classrooms (Kindergarten to grade 7).
As a post-degree student, you will take methodology and pedagogy courses, experience first-hand the integrated teaching on Indigenous ways of knowing and learning, work closely with your colleagues in small groups, and apply your learning in a real-world setting through hands-on experiences in classrooms.
For a complete list of courses offered for the Elementary PDPP, visit the undergraduate calendar entry
If you have any questions about the Elementary PDPP, please contact Education Advising
The Faculty of Education is committed to increasing the number of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit teachers, and has reserved 5% of the placements in teacher education programs for applicants who meet the Faculty of Education's admission requirements.
Program delivery
The Elementary PDPP program is an intensive 30.0 unit program, designed to take place over 16 months.
For a complete list of the required courses, refer to the program calendar entry
Program delivery - Elementary PDPP | |
---|---|
September - December (Year 1) | |
Courses + field-based experience | 9.0 units |
January - May | |
Courses + 6-week practicum | 9.0 units |
July - August | |
Courses | 7.5 units |
September - December (Year 2) | |
Course + final practicum | 4.5 units |
French immersion opportunities
To learn more about French Immersion opportunities and necessary language requirements, please visit our French Immersion information page.
Questions? Please contact the Teacher Education Office.
Certification process
Upon completion of this program, you will receive a Bachelor of Education degree (BEd) and will be eligible to apply for a BC teaching certificate.
Admission Requirements
In order to be eligible for admission into this program, applicants must meet specific criteria, including academic and experience requirements.
Please ensure you pay careful attention to these requirements, as these are the basis upon which your application is evaluated.
Details on how to meet these criteria are explained below:
Academic requirements
- a bachelor's degree from an accredited university that is acceptable to the University of Victoria
- the course, grade, and degree requirements be completed by April 30 for program entry in September of the same year.
Note: 3.0 UVic units are equivalent to two, half-year courses or 6 credits at most BC colleges and universities.
Consult an adviser in the Education Advising Office if you have any questions.
English requirement
- 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: 3.00 (C+) on UVic's 9 point scale in each of your two approved English courses.
- We can accept a maximum of 1.5 units of approved academic writing or composition.
- We can't accept technical, communications, or creative writing courses.
- Consult an Education adviser before taking a 'special topics' course. The adviser will need to see a course description or outline.
Canadian studies requirement
- 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. For ideal teaching preparation, both courses should cover the whole of Canada.
Tips:
- We are not able to accept Canadian literature, art history courses, or Introduction to Canadian Culture (CS 101).
- Up to 1.5 units of studies covering only part of Canada might be acceptable depending on course content (For example, UVic Geog 309 "Geography of BC" or equivalent is acceptable.)
Mathematics requirement
- two courses in approved mathematics (total of 3.0 UVic units).
- Demonstrated competency in mathematics: 3.00 (C+) average on UVic's 9 point scale in your two approved mathematics courses.
- Mathematics courses must be completed within ten years of program entry.
Tips:
- We recommend MATH 161 and 162 (Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers).
- We are not able to accept pre-calculus or algebra topics.
- We are not able to consider math courses from outside of a mathematics department.
- Consult an Education adviser if you've completed a statistics course from a mathematics department.
Laboratory science requirement
- 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.
- 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.
Tips:
- GEOG 103 cannot be taken for credit if you took EOS 110 or EOS 120 prior to May 2011.
- We are not able to accept more than 1.5 units of approved human anatomy or physiology.
- Social Science department courses, such as psychology, are not accepted in lieu of science courses.
- Physical geography courses are the only social science courses that will be accepted as science. UVic's GEOG 103, for example.
Grade Point Averages
- a grade-point average of at least 3.0 on a 9-point scale (equivalent to UVic's C+ grade) on the most recent 30 units attempted to December 31 (equivalent to 20 half-year courses).
- a grade-point average of at least 3.0 on a 9-point scale (equivalent to UVic’s C+ grade) on your most recent session. If your most recent session is less than 12.0 units, you must have a grade-point average of at least 3.00 (equivalent to UVic’s C+ grade) on your most recent consecutive 12.0 units.
- Learn how a GPA is calculated at UVic.
Experience requirement
As part of the program admission requirements, you’ll need a minimum of 75 hours of practical experience working with children or youth from Kindergarten - Grade 8 in educative ways.
- These experiences must be in face to face settings, interacting with small groups of children or youth.
- Can be in either one or two settings, but at least 50 hours must be from a single, continuous experience.
- Experiences listed must be within the past four years, and at least 50 hours must be within the past two years.
- Experience in international settings is valuable, but we also require at least 50 hours of experience in domestic settings.
You must have completed these hours prior to your program application deadline. Hours that may occur in the future will not be considered. In the event of a GPA tie with other applicants, we will use experience to determine the successful candidate.
Types of experiences
What qualifies as experience with respect to your application? These can be either paid or volunteer experiences, or a combination of both.
Typical experiences for applicants include:
- coaching team sports
- working as a camp counsellor, summer program leader, or after school program leader
- group tutoring or teaching (e.g. teaching music classes, specialty extra-curricular activities, etc.)
- working with faith-based groups or other youth groups
- working in school classrooms as a volunteer or assistant
- cultural work in Indigenous communities
- cultural, social justice, and inclusion themed work
- organizing/co-organizing of cultural events
What does not qualify as experience with respect to your application?
- peer tutoring as a high school student
- teaching or being a TA at the college or university level
- parenting, babysitting or caregiving
You will need to submit the following forms when applying:
- Summary of Experience
- Reflection on Experience
- Confidential Reference form (x2)
For information and downloadable forms regarding these requirements, see Step 2: Experience requirement under the How to apply section
Questions?
Contact the Teacher Education Office
Selection criteria
For September 2023 Entry, admission is based primarily on GPA as long as experience requirements are met.
Selection critieria is currently under review and will be updated once it is finalized. Please check back.
Admission to this program is competitive. Please note that meeting the minimum admission requirements is not a guarantee of admission.
Course options
Below you will find a list of course options you could take at UVic, as well as at other institutions, that would satisfy the admission requirements listed above.
Self-assessment form
In order to help you meet the admission requirements for the Elementary PDP program, we have developed a self-assessment planning tool.
Use this form as a guide to help you prepare for the academic portion of your application.
Elementary PDPP self-assessment form
Please consult with Education Advising if you have questions.
Course options at UVic
English
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
Canadian studies
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
Mathematics
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
Laboratory science
As mentioned in the academic requirements section, elementary teachers take a strong field-based, hands-on approach to teaching sciences, so choose courses that have a strong lab component. Try to choose courses from two different subjects.
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
- EOS 130 Climate Change
- 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:
- 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.
Course options at other universities or colleges
Please refer to the handout provided below if you would like to take English, Canadian studies, mathematics and laboratory science at:
- Camosun College
- College of the Rockies
- North Island College
- Thompson Rivers University - Open Learning
If you are taking courses at another institution, be sure to have your course selections reviewed by an Education adviser.
Course options at Camosun College, College of the Rockies, North Island College, or Thompson Rivers University - Open Learning.
How to apply
In addition to the academic requirements, there is also an experience requirement in the application process.
The steps below have been developed to support your application for a September 2023 entry:
If you are preparing to apply for a September 2024 entry, please note that the updated experience requirements and forms will be posted beginning September 2023.
Before you apply
Before applying: See the admission requirements above for this full-time program
- Ensure you will have all course and grade requirements. Examples of approved courses are listed above under 'Admissions Requirements'.
- Ensure you will have met all the experience requirements listed above under 'Admission requirements'.
- All course and grade requirements must be completed by April 30 for entry in September of the same year
For applicants who have completed all or part of a teacher education program, please consult with Education Advising before submitting your application to determine if you are eligible to apply to the program. In this case, please email adve@uvic.ca at least one month before the program’s application deadline.
Not ready for this year? To attend UVic to complete the above admission requirements, please apply for the Faculty of Humanities or Social Sciences (or your previous faculty if you are returning to UVic), for “non-degree” studies.
Step 1: Online application
Start your application
New to UVic |
Continuing or returning student |
Apply now |
Please confirm your January-April 2022 course registration(s) before applying, and include this information in the in-progress courses section of the application.
When filling out your application:
(only applicable to continuing or returning UVic students)
- under 'Institution information' and specifically 'Acknowlegement of post-secondary institutions', be sure to list every college and university where you’ve registered. This includes exchange studies, studies transferred to another institution, Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) studies, if applicable. The IB declaration appears under “high schools attended.” The AP declaration appears as “College of Advanced Placement.”
- under the 'In-progress courses' section of the application, accurately include the January-April 2023 course information, as well as the Fall 2022 courses.
- Under 'Supporting documents' be sure to upload your Summary of Experience and Reflection on Experience in the required format at the time you submit your application. If you instead decide to apply early and then subsequently upload these items separately (by January 2), you must allow for a delay of 2-3 weeks before your uploaded documents will be attached to your application and viewable on your application checklist.
- for those interested in applying for the off-campus Elementary PDPP in Cranbrook, BC., please select East Kootenay Teacher Education program under 'Program of study'
Late applications (i.e. those received after January 2) will be considered only if space remains in the quota after all on-time, eligible applicants have been admitted. In 2022, we did not have space to consider late applicants.
Application questions? Contact us
- Undergraduate Admissions at adms6@uvic.ca.
Step 2: Experience requirement
Experience forms
Please ensure you have referred to the experience requirements listed above under Admission Requirements. There are specific criteria you will be asked to provide evidence for in the forms below. Failure to do so will result in applicants being ineligible for admission.
Summary of Experience
You will need to list the organization(s) where you acquired your experience, describe your duties and significant learning from these experiences. Please ensure your two references are directly linked to the experiences you list in your summary of experience. One must be a supervisor.
You must use the format provided in these application instructions or your application will be considered incomplete and ineligible.
Reflection on Experience
You will be asked to respond to the two provided prompts using examples from the experiences you included in your Summary of Experience. Your responses will be assessed on your ability to respond to the prompts using specific examples drawn from your experiences described in the Summary of Experience. This is not a list of accomplishments but rather an opportunity to reflect on what you have learned and how it will inform you as an educator.
You must use the format provided in these application instructions or your application will be considered incomplete and ineligible.
Confidential Reference forms (two)
The confidential reference forms must be from the two people who you have identified in the Summary of Experience. Ensure that those you ask to be referees can speak to your experience working with children and youth. One must be a supervisor.
Referees must use the form provided; reference letters are not acceptable. References must meet the described criteria or your application will be considered incomplete and ineligible.
Both references must recommend or highly recommend your application and results of references are not released to applicants.
Reference reports are due at the same time as your application, so it is beneficial for you to ask potential referees well in advance of the deadline. Late references will not be considered. Instructions to your referee are included with the reference form. You may wish to review them. It is your responsibility to follow up with referees to ensure they have submitted the Confidential reference form.
References cannot be:
- relatives or other family members (including in-laws, step family, etc.)
- a classroom teacher whose only relationship to you is as your teacher,
- friends or family friends,
- co-workers,
- someone you taught or tutored,
- someone you have supervised,
- somebody who is also applying to a UVic teacher education program.
Each referee to email directly to educapp@uvic.ca by January 2
Note: Applicants may also be invited to meet with the Teacher Education Office during their experience review. Only applicants who are conditionally admitted will have their experience reviewed. Please do not assume that you have satisfied this experience requirement based on applying or being wait-listed for program admission in a previous year.
Step 3: Official transcripts
Please remember that official transcripts are those sent directly from the issuing institution to UVic. Transcripts in languages other than English or French must be submitted together with notarized English translations.
Undergraduate Admissions & Records will now also accept official transcripts that have been emailed directly from the issuing institution to UVic. Please ask your post-secondary institution to email your official transcripts directly to admsscanning@uvic.ca.
Check with the issuing institution about how and when to place your transcript order to meet our transcript deadlines. Processing and mail delivery times will vary. Order as early as possible. Your application will be considered ‘late’ if any transcripts are received after the published deadlines.
Have your transcript mailed to: | Have your transcript couriered to: |
Undergraduate Admissions |
Undergraduate Admissions |
It's important to remember to submit an official transcript from every* college and university that you’ve attended, including withdrawals, incomplete, failed, repeated studies and attendance as an exchange student. We cannot review your application if any transcripts are missing.
* This includes College of Advanced Placement (AP) and/or International Baccalaureate (IB).
Please note:
- UVic students do not need to order UVic transcripts, as we have access to those records.
Transcript Deadlines
Deadline for official transcripts showing grades for courses attempted to December 2022: January 31
Deadline for official transcripts showing in-progress course registration in the January to April 2023 term: January 31
Deadline for official transcripts showing grades for courses attempted January to April 2023: May 31
At least one of your transcripts must indicate “degree granted/awarded.” If your degree won’t be conferred until May/June 2023 (based on grades to April 2023), an additional transcript showing proof of degree must be submitted by June 30 (if applicable).
Step 4: Graduate student status (if applicable)
You must not be registered in a graduate program, or any other program, concurrently with this program.
If you’re currently registered in a graduate program, provide a letter from your university’s graduate records or registrar’s office stating that your graduate program requirements will be completed by August 30, 2023, or that you’ll be taking a leave of absence from that program for the duration of this program (September 2023 to December 2024).
Submit this to the Admissions Clerk (adms6@uvic.ca).
Due: February 28 for entry in September of the same year
Step 5: First Nation, Métis, and Inuit applicants (Optional)
The Faculty of Education is committed to increasing the number of First Nations, Métis and Inuit teachers and has reserved 5% of the positions in teacher education programs for applicants who meet the Faculty of Education’s admission requirements.
If you have Indigenous ancestry, and would like to be considered for this quota, please email the supplementary form to iedlpa@uvic.ca.
Note: If you need help with the form or have questions, please call (250) 721-7824
Application checklist
Checklist
☐ Step 1: Submit your online application along with the Summary of Experience and Reflection on Experience (see Step 2)
Deadline: January 2
☐ Step 2: Submit the following four supporting documents for the experience requirement as follows:
- Upload your Summary of Experience (see required format) when you submit your application.
- Upload your Reflection on Experience (see required format) when you submit your application
- Ask two referees to email Reference Forms (using the required form) directly to educapp@uvic.ca
Deadline: January 2 for Elementary and Secondary PDPP applicants
Indigenous applicants may submit a supplementary form for Indigenous applicants by January 2
☐ Step 3: Order official transcripts in time for them to arrive by the following deadlines:
By January 31, we require transcript(s) that show:
- grades for all courses attempted to December 31, 2022
- in-progress course registrations January 1 to April 30, 2023, if applicable
By May 31, we require transcript(s) that show:
- grades for all courses attempted January 1 to April 30, 2023. Order the transcript(s) as soon as second-term grades are available.
At least one of your transcripts must include a ‘degree granted/awarded’ statement. If your degree won’t be conferred until May/June 2023 (based on grades to April), an additional transcript showing proof of degree must be submitted by June 30.
☐ Step 4: Submit a graduate student status letter, if applicable, by February 28
Next Steps
Now that you've submitted your application, you can expect a few things over the coming months:
Check your status
To check your status and application checklist log into My UVic Application. Use the checklist to see that all transcripts and other required items, including the two references, have been received.
Notes:
- If you are attending the same institution (other than UVic) in the January to April 2023 term as you are in the Fall 2022 term, you’ll see at least two entries for that institution on the checklist: one with a January 31 deadline and another with a May 31 deadline.
- It can take two to three weeks from the time an item is received at UVic for it to be recorded on the checklist.
- The date a transcript is received at UVic determines whether it is considered on time or late, not the date that UVic staff upload it to your checklist.
Decision timeline
Application status updates:
Education Advising will email you at least once by mid-June:
Decision Timeline | |
---|---|
Mid June | to make a conditional offer of admission, to explain why you are not eligible for admission, or to cancel your application if it is incomplete |
June-July | to confirm your offer of admission, to withdraw a conditional offer of admission, or to tell you that you have been placed on a waitlist. |
July-August | to offer you admissions if you are on the waitlist and a seat becomes available. |
Please be aware that Admission offers are time sensitive. If you will not have email access for more than one week, contact Education Advising.
Course registration
If you are accepted into one of the Teacher Education programs, you will receive an email from Education Advising outlining the next steps.
You will also receive specific information about which timetable courses to register in, based on which program cohort you are assigned.
Please wait to receive this email from Education Advising with your specific timetable information before registering for your courses.
Some students recieve an email from UVic with your registration date and time before you receive your timetable information, and that's ok! We will email you as soon as we can, as we finalize program offers
FAQs
What should I do if I decide not to proceed with my application?
Please notify Faculty of Education Advising at adve@uvic.ca and Undergraduate Admissions at adms6@uvic.ca (new UVic students)
Be sure to tell Admissions if you wish to apply to a different faculty for September 2023.
What do I do if I'm selected to this program?
Can I defer an offer of admission?
Which courses will I take in this program?
Is there a French Immersion option?
If you hope to complete one of both of your practicums in a French Immersion setting, contact the Teacher Education Office at teachered@uvic.ca for available options. We recommend accumulating some experience in a French language setting.
Is it my responsibility to apply for a teaching certificate after I complete this program?
Yes. Apply to the BC Ministry of Education's Teacher Certification Branch for a teaching certificate.
If you've been charged with, or convicted of, a criminal offense, you should write to the Teacher Certification Branch for clairification of your status before undertaking a teacher education program.
Will I qualify for a teaching certificate in another province?
If you qualify for a teaching certificate in British Columbia, you can expect to qualify for a teaching certificate in another province. Please consult the provincial teacher qualification service for additional details about this process.
Student Support
Information about tuition and budgeting |
Student Awards and Financial Aid Office
|
Student loans, bursaries, scholarships |
Student Awards and Financial Aid Office finaid@uvic.ca or 250-721-8423 |
Housing |
housing@uvic.ca or (250) 721-8395 |
Education Advising
If you have questions about the application process or the admission requirements
- by telephone at (250) 721-7877
- by email at adve@uvic.ca
Teacher Education Office
If you have questions about the experience requirements:
- by telephone at (250) 721-7870
- by email at teachered@uvic.ca