Best Programs: Education

It used to be that those who wanted to be a teacher had to wait a while to get into a permanent classroom position. Boomers and Gen X held on to positions—which, in Canada, generally come with excellent pay, benefits and job security—fiercely. But things are starting to change, with many provinces expecting to see positions open up due to teacher retirements in the coming years. And the demand for teachers extends far beyond our borders. A recent United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization report found that millions of teachers are needed globally to make up for an international shortfall. 

But being an educator in 2024 is not as simple as teaching ABCs and 123s. Today’s teachers are also expected to be able to teach kids about social and emotional intelligence. A mathematics lesson might be followed by a session on mindfulness. It’s a job that may appeal to those who have a passion for helping children, and are able to turn their mind to many topics with ease. 

For a bright and adventurous teacher-to-be, the opportunities are endless. Because the demand is global, some graduates decide to teach abroad for a few years before settling down to teach in Canada. It’s a chance to see the world—and get paid for it. Not everyone who gets an education degree is bound for a traditional classroom, however. Educators are needed in every industry, whether they are coaching staff at tech companies, running United Nations education programs or designing training modules implemented by non-profits. 

For the most part, education is a post-graduate degree. Students first take an undergraduate degree in a field of their choice before applying to a bachelor of education degree program (often referred to as teacher’s college). That first degree could be in whatever discipline they choose: psychology, English, history, film, kinesiology—anything works. Students who want to teach Grades 4 to 12, however, should keep in mind they are required to take a certain number of classes in a “teachable” subject, like English, French, mathematics or science—during their undergrad. The specifics of this vary from program to program, so a student should spend some time thinking through their long-term plans when choosing their undergrad courses.

A number of universities now also offer concurrent degrees, where students get both a bachelor of education and an undergraduate degree in another discipline at the same time. This route takes five years, as opposed to a minimum of six years if the student does teacher’s college after their undergraduate education, and could be a good option for a student who knows with certainty that they want to be a teacher. 

When choosing an education program, students should also consider how much the school gets them out of the classroom and... into another classroom. Practicum experience—where students get the opportunity to shadow working educators, and try their hand at teaching—is often the most enriching experience for those attending teacher’s college. It’s also an opportunity to determine whether the profession really is for them. While all schools offer practicums, there are differences in the number of teaching hours students get in the classroom, and the types of teaching experiences offered.

Those who want to take their teaching talent abroad may want to consider a school that offers a certificate in international learning that will qualify students to teach in International Baccalaureate programs worldwide.

Standout Education Programs

Western University

Students in Western’s bachelor of education program get plenty of practical experience—more than 50 per cent of the time is spent teaching in schools and the community. Students can also take online advanced studies courses to gain specializations in topics like anti-Black racism, teaching low-vision/blind students, and Indigenous education. Current Western undergrads in certain programs—among them French, music, and math—can apply for direct admission, which guarantees admission to the education program once the undergraduate degree is completed.

University of Toronto

At the U of T’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), students work toward a master of teaching (rather than a bachelor’s degree) that prepares them for working in schools at all grade levels, while also providing advanced lessons in educational theory and an opportunity to conduct research. Students learn about Indigenous education, ethics, equity, diversity and inclusion, as well as human development, educational technology, lesson planning, instructional design and more.

University of British Columbia

UBC offers a number of education options, including the West Kootenay rural teacher education program, which offers the full bachelor of education program but is based in Nelson, B.C., and focuses on teaching in small and rural school settings. The Indigenous teacher education program prepares students to teach in First Nations communities. UBC also offers an international baccalaureate (IB) program stream. The bachelor of education can either be taken as a postgraduate degree, or completed concurrently with another bachelor degree. Students who are interested in education, but aren’t sure they want to teach, can minor in education in the bachelor of arts program (but would still need to do a teaching degree if they decided they want to be in a classroom).

University of Alberta

Unlike many programs, high school students can apply directly to the four-year bachelor of education program at U of A. Participants will spend at least 14 weeks in a classroom placement. Students can also apply after completing an undergraduate degree, or transfer mid-undergrad with required credits. U of A also offers an Aboriginal teacher education program on campus or online, full-time or part-time, which makes it more accessible for more people.

Queen’s University

At Queen’s, students can take the bachelor of education either consecutively (after their undergrad) or concurrently (at the same time as their bachelor’s degree). All students have to pick a concentration: a focus area for their particular interests. Those include at-risk adolescents and young adults, educational technology, Indigenous education and more. Students also have the option to pick a program track— a concentration that comes with additional special events and courses—in arts, Indigenous teacher education, outdoor education and French as a second language.