Bachelor of Primary Education Studies - Ontario

Frequently asked questions

When does the program start and finish?
The program will commence on Monday, August 22, 2011 and conclude on May 9, 2012. There will be holidays consistent with school breaks in December and March. During each session, candidates will be in schools two days a week, in class two days a week, and in class on selected Fridays. The graduation ceremony will be held on Friday, June 15, 2012 at the Burlington Convention Centre.

Are there any exceptions to these timelines?
This program is only available full-time with all candidates enrolled in the same courses each session and all candidates commencing and concluding their program on the dates indicated above.

Will I be able to work part-time?
It is very difficult to complete an intensive professional education program within one year while doing part-time work. Course assignments, and especially the practicum, require candidates to prepare many evenings and weekends.

How do I apply for this program and what is the deadline for applications?
Information regarding the application process is available online at the CSU Ontario website.

Are there any courses that are prerequisites for this program?
Since elementary teachers (JK-Grade 6) are required to teach all subjects, no specific subjects are considered prerequisites. Applicants will be given preference who demonstrate comprehensiveness in their undergraduate courses. Eligible applicants must hold either a three- or four-year Bachelor degree.

I don't complete my undergraduate degree until after June, will my application still be assessed?
Applicants are expected to hold a Bachelor degree from an accredited degree-granting institution conferred no later than June of the year of application. If you complete your undergraduate degree after June (but before August 1), assessment of your undergraduate studies would be based on courses completed by the previous December. If you then qualify for an interview and are successful, you would be accepted provisionally, contingent on providing us with the official degree-granting transcript.

Some universities, especially those outside Ontario, calculate marks in a different way. How will you calculate my average?
Your average is calculated based on your last 10 full university course equivalents. Assessment of applicants who are in the process of completing their final year of undergraduate studies will be based on courses completed by the previous December.

Why do I need a police records check?
Without a satisfactory police record check the schools will not allow candidates to participate in practice teaching.

Please note that the police records check is not required with your application but will be necessary if you are selected to commence the program.

What does the fee cover?
The fee will cover all your tuition for the program (i.e. the 10 courses). No other fees apply. However, candidates need to purchase textbooks and possibly an inexpensive musical instrument, e.g. recorder, glockenspiel (totalling approximately CAD$900).

When will fees be payable?
Fees for the 2011/12 year will be CAD$17,500, paid in two instalments: the first in June when you accept your offer of admission to the program; and the second in December, prior to the beginning of second term.

Is financial assistance available for this program?
Yes, CSU Ontario has OSAP designation for the Bachelor of Primary Education Studies. Please see information on the School website, or contact Heather Bell, Financial Aid Administrator, by email to hbell@csu.edu.au

What practicum and in-school experiences are there in this program? Where will these practicums be completed?
The CSU Ontario program is based on strong links between the theoretical and practical components of the program. Candidates will be placed in schools from the first week of school in each term , and then two days a week thereafter. Both public and Catholic schools in Halton and surrounding boards will be used. In addition, there will be teaching blocks in Fall (late November/early December for three weeks) and Spring (late April/early May for four weeks.) Each term will be spent in a different division (Primary or Junior). This intensive practice teaching experience allows candidates, who are grouped in schools in teams of four-six, to make a significant contribution to, as well as learning from, the school community.

Can I arrange a practicum in a school close to my home?
No. CSU places Teacher Candidates in schools in group of four-six from the first week of September onward. Candidates remain in the school for an entire term to learn as much from being part of the school culture as they will from the specific classroom in which they do their practicum. This requires CSU to arrange partnerships with specific schools in school boards with whom we have an established partnership.

In which school boards does CSU place candidates?
CSU currently places candidates in Halton, Halton Catholic, Hamilton-Wentworth, Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic, Peel , Dufferin-Peel Catholic, Upper Grand, Toronto Catholic, York Region, Wellington Catholic, Waterloo Catholic and Toronto District School Boards.

Why can't candidates pick a particular school in these boards in which to do their practicum?
Schools apply to CSU to be considered as Host Schools and are specifically selected for the opportunities they can provide for CSU Teacher Candidates. For this reason, the school that is closest to your home may not be one of the CSU Host Schools. Host Schools must also be within reasonable driving distance of CSU Ontario to facilitate supervision and evaluation by Faculty Supervisors.

Do I have to be Catholic to do a placement in a Catholic School?
Yes. Catholic Boards prefer that all candidates doing placements in their schools are Catholic.

What options will there be for candidates who want to teach in Catholic schools?
Students will have the opportunity to take a Catholic Education religion course. This would be in addition to the core program and a supplementary fee would apply. The fee will be approximately $440 for 2011/12.

Will there be another intake into the program in the second term?
There is only one intake each school year,  in the fall.

I completed my degree outside Canada. Am I eligible to apply?
Yes, you can apply, but your qualifications will need to be assessed by our Admissions Office to ensure that they are equivalent to a Canadian Bachelor degree, and you may need to provide evidence of your English Language Proficiency.  It is each student's responsibility to ensure that they meet all other requirements for registration with of the Ontario College of Teachers.

Will I be required to have a laptop computer?
A laptop computer with the capacity for wireless connectivity and internet access is a requirement for acceptance into this program. You will need to bring your laptop on the days you have classes.

More about the Laptop requirement

Will information sessions be held for this program?
Dates for information sessions about the program and the application process will be posted on the Information Sessions webpage.

Is there an academic requirement or minimum grade point average (GPA) to get into the program?
Yes, selection for the program is based on (a) 60% academic achievement, typically with a minimum grade point average of 70%;  and (b) 40% experience.

Do I need a TB test?
Yes. Proof of freedom from active tuberculosis is required to participate in practice teaching.
Please note that TB test results are not required with your application, but will be necessary if you are selected for the program. Information regarding the TB test will be included in your offer from the Admissions Office, if your application is successful.