Ontario
Frequently Asked Questions
What Grades does the Bachelor of Primary Education Studies qualify me to teach?
The Bachelor of Primary Education Studies prepares teachers to teach in primary–junior (JK–6) classrooms in Ontario.
Are there any plans to initiate an Intermediate Senior Program at this site?
At this stage, CSU Ontario has received approval to offer only the Bachelor of
Primary Education Studies in Burlington. For now we intend focusing on the
successful implementation of this program, but may explore the opportunity
to offer additional programs in the future.
When does the program start and finish?
The program will commence on Monday, August 25, 2008 and conclude on May 13,
2009. There will be holidays consistent with school breaks in December and
March. During each semester, candidates will be in schools two days a week,
in class two days a week, and in class on selected Fridays. The graduation
ceremony for the 2007/08 year will be held on June 5, 2008.
Are there any exceptions to these timelines?
This program is only available full–time with all candidates enrolled in the same courses each semester 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?
Application is made online.
Are there any courses that are prerequisites for this program?
Since elementary teachers (JK–Gr.
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 3 or 4 year Bachelor's
degree.
I don't complete my undergraduate degree until after June, will my application still be assessed?
Applicants are expected to hold a Bachelor's 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 of 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. Questions regarding this process should be directed to the Ontario Education Services Corporation:
Fax: 416–593–7858
Email: oesc–cseo@opsba.org
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
$900).
When will fees be payable?
Fees for the 2008/09 year will be $16,500 CAD, 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?
CSU Ontario must operate for a two year period before it can apply for OSAP designation. However, there are a number of Ontario banks that provide loans (as indicated in the following email extract from one of our students):
"I am not going through OSAP for a student loan, as I have heard they can be somewhat problematic when it comes to paying them back. Instead I am getting a student line of credit from TD Canada Bank. Just like a regular line of credit, only you have a very low interest rate (the same as a student loan) and you do not have to pay it back until one year after you graduate your program, and there is no time limit to pay it back. You can take as long as you want and the interest rate will never change. However, unlike OSAP you cannot get a different amount loaned to you for undergraduate and graduate studies, so the maximum amount you can borrow is $8,000, even for graduate studies."
The Ontario College of Teachers also offer a $2,000 scholarship for which students are eligible to apply . Go to the Joseph W Atkinson Scholarship Award for more information.
What practicum and in–school experiences are there in this program and 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 3 weeks) and Spring (late April/early May for 4 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 4–6, 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. Charles Sturt University places Teacher Candidates in schools in group of 4–6 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 Charles Sturt University place candidates?
CSU currently places candidates primarily in Halton Public, Halton Catholic, Dufferin-Peel Catholic and Hamilton-Wentworth District School Boards. Some candidates are also placed in Peel, Toronto and Upper Grand 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. This fee was $400 in 2007/08.
Will there be another intake into the program in the second session?
There will be only the one fall intake for the 2008/09 school year.
I completed my degree outside of Canada. Am I eligible to apply?
If you completed your studies outside of Canada you may need to provide evidence of your English Language Proficiency.
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. (Laptop Specifications) You will need to bring your laptop on the days you have classes.
Will information sessions be held for this program?
Yes, information sessions regarding application for the fall 2008 intake will be held in the spring. Dates will be advised on this website as soon as they have been scheduled.
Is there a graduation ceremony?
Yes, graduation is usually held in early June – this year’s date is Thursday,
June 5, 2008.
Is there an academic requirement or minimum grade point average (g.p.a.) to get into the program?
Yes, selection for the program is based on 60% academic achievement and 40% experience. You must have a minimum g.p.a. of 70 in your final ten full university degree credits.
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 posted on the website after offers to the program have been made.
This program is offered under the written consent of the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities for the period from 24 th December 2004 to 24 th December 2009 . Prospective students are responsible for satisfying themselves that the program and the degree will be appropriate to their needs (e.g., acceptable to potential employers, professional licensing bodies or other educational institutions).