Program Overview

Bachelor of Education (Elementary)

The Bachelor of Education (Elementary) degree prepares students to teach in schools in British Columbia and in provinces and territories across Canada, as well as around the world wherever the BC School Curriculum is taught.

Program Philosophy, Vision, and Mission

The TRU B.Ed. elementary program, in collaboration with the wider educational community, is dedicated to developing exemplary teachers. Graduates of the program will be knowledgeable about effective pedagogies, critical and reflective about their own practice, guided by ethically responsible professional conduct, and become lifelong learners. Our graduates will have a rich teaching repertoire based on robust understanding of Indigenous perspectives, worldviews, and ways of knowing and being, as well as anti-oppressive, anti-racist education, and equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Program Structure

The Bachelor of Education (Elementary) program is 70 credits, extending over two academic years of two terms each. Courses and associated school practicum experiences are completed in a specified sequence.

• Year 1 (Fall and Winter)
  • Term 1 - September to December
    • EDPR 3100 Practicum 1 (24 hours)
    • EDCO 3100 Communications 1 (2,0,0)
    • EDIE 3100 Child Development and Teaching (3,0,0)
    • EDEF 3100 History of Education (3,0,0)
    • EDLL 3100 Language and Literacy 1 (3,0,0)
    • EDMA 3100 Mathematics 1 (3,0,0)
    • EDPE 3100 Physical Education Methods (2,0,2)
    • EDTL 3100 Foundations of Teaching and Assessment (3,0,0)
  • Term 2 - January to April
    • EDPR 3200 Practicum 2 (60 hours)
    • EDLL 3200 Learning through Reading and Writing: 4-7 Focus (3,0,0)
    • EDMA 3200 Mathematics 2 (3,0,0)
    • EDSC 3200 Science Methods (3,0,0)
    • EDSO 3200 Social Studies Methods (3,0,0)
    • EDTL 3200 Teaching and Learning: Focus on Unit Planning and Assessment (3,0,0)
    • EDEF 3200 Theoretical Frameworks of Education (3,0,0)
• Year 2 (Fall and Winter)
  • Term 1 - September to December
    • EDPR 4100 Practicum 3 (90 hours)
    • EDHC 4100 Health and Career Education (2,0,0)
    • EDIE 4100 Inclusive Education (3,0,0)
    • EDTL 4100 Assessment and Cross-Curricular Connections (3,0,0)
    • EDVP 4100 Drama (2,0,0)
    • EDVP 4110 Music (2,0,0)
    • EDVP 4120 Visual Arts (2,0,0)
    • EDSL 4200 Second Language with Focus on French or Secwepemctsin (2,0,0)
  • Term 2 - January to April
    • EDPR 4200 Practicum 4 (300 hours)
    • EDFN 4200 Indigenous Culture and Learning (3,0,0)
    • EDEF 4200 School Organization (1,0,0)
    • EDCO 4200 Communications 2 (1,0,0)

Admission Requirements

Applicants require a minimum of 60 credits in undergraduate-level academic courses that are acceptable to the TRU B.Ed. Elementary program. The minimum 60 credits include:

• Thirty credits in academic coursework at any level in any subject area.
• Fifteen credits must be in the following types of courses:
  • 6 credits in English, must include courses in both literature and composition
  • 3 credits in mathematics (not statistics)
  • 3 credits in science (astronomy, biology, chemistry, physics, physical geography, geology/earth science, environmental studies)
  • 3 credits in Canadian Studies (e.g., Canadian history or Canadian geography)
• Fifteen credits are required to be in subject areas directly related to the BC elementary curriculum.

Indigenous Cohort

The Indigenous Cohort is reserved for students who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis, with limited seats available. Students take two program courses with an Indigenous faculty member, where Indigenous worldviews and perspectives are honored, with support from Elders and the Indigenous community at TRU. There are opportunities for specializing experiential learning with practicum placements in Indigenous schools.

Practicum Information

The program includes four practicum experiences:

• Practicum 1 (EDPR 3100): An introductory practicum providing teacher candidates with an orientation to elementary schools and the opportunity to link their on-campus courses with teaching experiences in the classroom.
• Practicum 2 (EDPR 3200): A practicum experience emphasizing consecutive teaching and learning experiences, allowing teacher candidates to respond effectively to the needs of students.
• Practicum 3 (EDPR 4100): A practicum serving as an orientation for teacher candidates and teacher mentors for the certification practicum, where teacher candidates demonstrate positive relationships with the school community and establish classroom routines and behavior expectations.
• Practicum 4 (EDPR 4200): A 10-week practicum that serves as the major school experience, where teacher candidates undertake a capstone experience demonstrating the integration of program learning outcomes.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Applicants may apply for financial aid, entrance scholarships, and awards. To learn more, search the Awards Guide on the Student Awards and Financial Aid page.

Program Schedule

The ELEM program is only available for on-campus studies and is full-time, with courses scheduled Monday to Friday, anywhere from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and subject to the B.Ed. Student Attendance policy.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities for teachers are taking off, with more funding for teaching positions, stabilized student enrollment, and an exciting re-designed curriculum. Graduates of the program receive a Bachelor of Education (Elementary) degree and qualify for a professional teaching certificate issued by the BC Ministry of Education, Teacher Regulation Branch (TRB), enabling them to teach the BC School Curriculum for grades Kindergarten to 12 (K-12) in public and private schools.