Bachelor of Education Elementary Years (Grades K-7) at University of Northern British Columbia

The Elementary Years stream prepares teacher candidates to work with the unique learning needs of children who are beginning their school years. This model reflects current thinking about optimizing the match between educational theory and children's levels of cognitive and social development. The Elementary Years stream is designed to educate teachers to combine pedagogical excellence across disciplinary areas with a learner-centered approach to practice. Philosophically, the stream is designed around constructivist principles. It emphasizes approaches to practice such as inquiry-based learning, strategies for instruction, integration of language across the curriculum, inclusion of diverse learners and perspectives, the development of caring and respectful communities of learners, and reflective practice. Successful applicants to the Elementary Years stream are assigned to a cohort group of students and normally take their Education courses with that cohort group over the two years.

Transfer credit for course work relating to the 90 credit hours that have been completed prior to UNBC registration shall not be subject to the ten-year provision in the University Calendar regulation regarding Time Limit for Transfer Credit but shall be determined by the School of Education. In addition to the admission requirements described above, the following requirements must be met (see note following):

• Successful completion, with a C+ average, of 6 credit hours of acceptable English literature and composition at any level (one of the following: (a) 3 credit hours of English literature and 3 credit hours of English composition or (b) 6 credit hours of acceptable English literature). Courses in linguistics, language study, grammar, technical or business writing, communication, or English as a Second Language are not acceptable to meet the English requirement.
• 3 credit hours in Mathematics (not including Statistics).
• 3 credit hours in a laboratory science. Laboratory science credit hours are normally selected from Biology, Chemistry, Physical Geography, or Physics.
• 3 credit  hours of Canadian History or 3 credit hours of Canadian Geography plus 3 credit hours of Canadian Studies (this course must contain significant Canadian content). Credit hours will normally be selected from Anthropology, First Nations Studies, Geography, History, Northern Studies, or Political Science courses that contain significant Canadian content (upon review, credit hours from other disciplines may be recognized as meeting the Canadian content requirement).
• Submission of the completed application forms including the Experience with Children and Youth statement (resumé format), three Confidential Reference Forms, and the Personal Statement.