General Information

The Bachelor of Education - Elementary is a four-year baccalaureate degree program that prepares its graduates for certification from Alberta Education. The program is both course and experience-based, with courses deliberately arranged to generate synergy among them. The curriculum is designed to create a holistic experience for education students in their understanding of teaching, learning and assessment. Our program includes three semesters (Winter term of year 2, Fall term of year 3, and Winter term of year 4) that require students to enrol in co-requisite courses in order to maximize the opportunity for the integration of courses and field experience/practicum components. Students graduate with an evolving teaching philosophy based on opportunities to research, discuss and critically analyze aspects of education and schooling throughout the program. Several courses, both core and elective, require students to participate in relevant classroom experiences in the community. In addition, two practicum experiences are featured in the final years of study. Students must complete a minor from the approved list. Each year, the Bachelor of Education program responds to recurrent calls for an increase in Indigenous teachers by reserving seats in the Bachelor of Education program for Indigenous applicants through an Indigenous admission target.  

Reading Break

All students must be available full-time for the entire four-month semester during practicum term(s) to accommodate varied placement schedules within school districts/divisions/boards. Students registered in EDUC 4020  or EDUC 4030  should be aware the winter reading week will not likely be the same as the scheduled Mount Royal Reading Week. These students will be informed of when the winter reading week will occur before the beginning of the winter semester. All other students in the program will have reading weeks congruent with the Mount Royal scheduled reading weeks.

Computer Needs

Bachelor of Education - Elementary students will require access to a portable computer with sufficient power, capacity and internet access during regular classroom activities. Students will be using widely available and free-for-use open-source software that generally needs to be downloaded and stored. It is advised that students check with computer suppliers to ensure that their computer will function effectively under these circumstances.

Program Continuance

A student who remains in Good Standing is eligible to continue in their program of studies.

Note: See the ‘Additional Curriculum Requirements’ section for possible restrictions.

Student Conduct

The Code of Student Conduct is intended to establish the general obligation to maintain the highest standards of academic honesty and personal conduct according to community standards of respectful and responsible behaviour. Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Education - Elementary program are bound by, and shall comply with, the Alberta Teacher’s Association Professional Code of Conduct and the Department of Education Field Experience and Practicum Handbooks. Refer to the Field Experience and Practicum Handbooks for details. Issues of non-compliance will warrant the student being required to withdraw from the program. This would apply to egregious issues such as situations of abuse of professional power or potential breaches of the Criminal Code. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the policies and procedures of Mount Royal University as outlined in the Calendar, Code of Student Conduct and the Student Handbook: Bachelor of Education program. Refer to the Student Handbook for details.

Police Information Check

All students in the Education program are required to have a current Police Information Check and Vulnerable Sector Check prior to commencing classes, at their own expense. Schools require the presentation of these checks for participation in-field experience and practicum. Students may be required to complete more than one Police Information Check during their program. Since completion of course requirements and eventual employment is dependent upon the results of such checks, students who have concerns should discuss the matter with the department chair.

General Admission Requirements

All students must meet the general admission requirements for Mount Royal University programs, as indicated in the Admission  section of this calendar.

Additional Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the general admission requirements indicated in the Admission  section of this calendar, applicants must also satisfy the following criteria:

Academic Course Requirements

The following specific courses (or equivalencies) with the specified minimum grades are required for admission into the Bachelor of Education program:

• English Language Arts 30-1 - 65%
• Mathematics 30-1 or 30-2 or a second language 30

Minimum Overall Average Required for Final Admission

To be eligible for admission on the basis of High School, applicants must present a minimum admission average of 70% on their five appropriate Grade 12 subjects. To be eligible for admission on the basis of Postsecondary standing, the applicant must present a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.50 on the eight most recently completed post-secondary courses (minimum 24 credits).

Although conditional admission may be granted before final/official transcripts are available, confirmation of the achievement of specified minimum grades will take place after all final/official transcripts have been received.

Application Deadline: February 1

The application for admission and all supporting documents (required for admission assessment) must be received by this date.

Indigenous Student Admission

Each year up to 7% of the seats in the Bachelor of Education - Elementary program will be reserved for Indigenous applications through an Indigenous admission target. To be considered for admission under the Indigenous admission target, the applicant must:

1. self-identify as an Indigenous applicant on the Application for Admission
2. meet the definition of an Indigenous Applicant
3. meet the minimum admission requirements as indicated in the general admission requirements for Mount Royal University as well as any program level admission requirements

Designated seats for this special consideration target will be filled by Indigenous applicants on a competitive basis. Applicants are encouraged to apply during Early Admission. Any unfilled designated seats will be released on June 15 to students applying under the general admission requirements.

See general admission requirements in the Admission  section of this calendar for further information.