Requirements

Application and document submission deadlines:

• International students: Jan. 15
• Domestic students: May 15

This program is only available for in-person on-campus studies at the TRU campus in Kamloops, B.C.

Academic requirements

You must have a four-year bachelor’s degree (120 credits) or equivalent in a STEM discipline such as Science (biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences), Technology, Engineering or Mathematics with a minimum 2.33 GPA in the most recent 60 academic credits completed.

Within the degree, all applicants must have one teachable major or two teachable minors in course subjects taught in the BC secondary school curriculum.

• A teachable major consists of 30 credits at the 3000/4000 level
• A teachable minor consists of 18 credits at the 3000/4000 level

Also required are 6 credits of English at any level with at least 3 credits in Literature taken through a Canadian university. Courses in linguistics, language study, grammar, technical writing, business writing, communication or English as a Second Language are not eligible to fulfill the English requirement.

Teaching experience requirements

You must have at least 100 hours of relevant volunteer or paid teaching experience working with groups of middle or high school students. These hours must be completed by the application deadline. A minimum of 25 hours must be in a middle or secondary-school classroom in Canada (or equivalent environment).

If you are not able to complete all of the required 100 hours of experience by the Feb. 15 deadline, you can still apply to the program.

Spontaneous composition and personal interview

If you meet the basic requirements for the program, you will be interviewed by members of the faculty and practising classroom teachers. The interview is approximately 15 minutes; all candidates are asked the same questions. Immediately prior to the interview, you will be asked to write a spontaneous composition of approximately 500 words on a question pertinent to education. You can arrange to have your interview conducted virtually and you can complete your spontaneous composition remotely as well.

Mandatory application documentation requirements

After you have submitted an online application, you will be provided with links to the following online mandatory forms.

• Letter of Introduction Online Form
• Statement of 100 Hours of Experience Online Form
• Reference Report Online Form
• Official transcripts (not photocopies) from all post-secondary institutions (other than studies completed at TRU)

Registration and payment of fees

If you are accepted, the Registrar’s Office will notify you in writing. To reserve your place, you must pay a $500 tuition deposit fee by the date specified in your offer of admission letter.

Financial aid, entrance scholarships, bursaries and awards

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

Criminal record check

To participate in a practicum, teacher candidates must have completed and submitted a Consent to Criminal Record Check form.

Persons convicted of a criminal offense or who have been given an absolute or conditional discharge should contact the BC Teacher Certification Branch (TCB) for clarification of their status before undertaking a teacher education program.

Program schedule

The BEd STEM program is only available for on-campus studies and is full-time with courses scheduled Monday to Friday anywhere from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm and subject to the BEd Student Attendance policy