Academic Requirements

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

Applicants require a minimum of 60 credits in undergraduate level academic courses that are acceptable to the TRU BEd Elementary (ELEM) program.

High school graduates can obtain the undergraduate credits needed to meet program admission requirements by starting their studies in a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science program.

The minimum 60 credits include:

• Thirty credits in academic coursework at any level in any subject area.
  • Excluding credits earned in:
  • Education courses
  • Internship/work term courses

  • Practicum/field work courses

• 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/ocean 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 indicated below:
  • English
  • History
  • Geography
  • Social Studies
  • Mathematics
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Earth Sciences
  • Environmental Sciences
  • French (Core)
  • German
  • Japanese
  • Spanish
  • First Nations Languages
  • Korean
  • Mandarin
  • Punjabi
  • Russian
  • Art
  • Drama
  • Music
  • Dance
  • First Nations Studies
  • Computing Science
  • Physical Education

All courses needed to meet admission requirements must be completed no later than the end of April prior to the Fall intake being applied to. There is no option to complete courses needed to meet admission requirements after the end of April.

Admission GPA

A cumulative minimum GPA of 2.67 calculated on the most recent 60 academic credits completed is required for an application to be reviewed, but does not guarantee admission.

Experience with elementary-aged children requirement

A recommended minimum 15 hours of relevant experience working with groups of elementary-aged (grades K-7) children, ideally in an elementary school classroom setting.

Submission deadline

The program application remains open until all seats are full. Submit your application and complete the required admission documentation as soon as possible to increase your chances of securing a seat.

Application documentation

The Admissions Office will provide links to the following mandatory online forms after you have submitted an application to the program.

• Application questionnaire — a link to the online questionnaire will be provided to you by the Admissions Office after you have applied.
• Statement of hours of experience (if applicable) — online form
• Two reference reports submitted online by your two referees who have directly observed your interactions with groups of elementary (grades K-7) school students (preferably from teachers and not from a relative or close friend) — 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 and 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 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 BEd Student Attendance policy