Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Educational Studies

Our Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Educational Studies offers a number of opportunities:

• K-12 Teacher: If you enrol in our Concurrent Education Program and meet the requirements, you will be automatically accepted into our 16-month Bachelor of Education Program to become a certified teacher in Ontario. 
• Instructional Designer: Upon completing our program you will be well-qualified to lead in-person/online training and design digital learning modules.
• College Professor: If you maintain a B average, you will receive priority consideration for our Master of Education Program which will provide you with the credential to become a college professor.
• Professional Trainer
• Multimedia and E-Learning Specialist
• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant

Other Career Opportunities:

• Aboriginal child care programs
• Adult learning specialist
• Advertising, marketing and public relations managers
• Administrators – post-secondary education and vocational training 
• Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants
• E-Learning and Interactive Media 
• College and other vocational instructors
• Education counsellors 
• Education policy researchers, consultants and program officers 
• Human resources managers and professionals 
• Managers in public administration 
• Manager Child Case Centre
• Social policy researchers consultants and program officers 
• Web designers and developers

Can I take the entire degree online?

Yes! With careful planning, you can plan a program that will allow you to take the entire degree online (see Program Maps). While all EDST courses are available online, the electives you choose from other faculties may or may not have an online option. Meeting with an Academic Advisor is highly recommended to help you design a program that suits your needs! 

How many courses are online?

You are required to take 22 (out of 40 courses) in the Faculty of Education, all of which are offered online in virtual classrooms.  The format of the remaining 18 courses is up to you! You can select in-person or online courses to fit your schedule and needs.

What is the online course structure?

The structure of online courses will vary across the university but online courses offered in the Faculty of Education are carefully drafted to maximize interaction, collaboration, and community building. A typical 36-hour (three-credit) course is 12 weeks long and includes:

• Two to three video clips per week, each of them six to eight minutes long, and associated readings available online.
• Online synchronous tutorials in virtual classrooms (60+ minutes) moderated by a teaching assistant or instructor and drawing on the analysis and synthesis questions posed in the video clip as the starting point for discussion.
• Online discussions in a learning management system (e.g., Canvas) or other asynchronous tools.
• Work on problem-based learning (PBL) with a collaborative team.

Each student is expected to actively participate in the tutorial sessions by using their webcam and microphone, since it is easier to understand the ideas communicated by others when their facial expressions and body language can be seen, rather than just listening to them.

What technology do I need?

Students require access to a computer, preferably a laptop, with these minimum characteristics:

• A combination headset/microphone. External speakers are not acceptable as they tend to cause feedback noise.
• Good quality Internet access (download speed should be greater than 20 Mbps and upload speed should be greater than 2 Mbps).
• Video capabilities with either a built-in or external compatible webcam.

What software do I need?

Your courses will make use of open-source software packages as much as possible. Please consult our Technologies Webpage offering a list of key software that we use.

The basic software required includes:

• Operating system: Windows 10 or newer, or MacOS X 10.6x or newer.
• Web browser: Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari or Microsoft Edge.
• Office software: Microsoft Office, Open Office, or Google Suite (i.e., presentation application, spreadsheet capability and word processing).

How do I participate in the online virtual classroom?

Classes will take place on Zoom or Google Meet; a link to the virtual classroom will be provided in the syllabus for each course. 

What computer skills do I need?

Some comfort with technology is needed for this program, but just as important is a growth mindset toward learning new digital technologies. If a specific tool is new to you, use the situation as the basis for an independent problem-based learning opportunity to try to figure it out for yourself or work collaboratively with your peers. Peers and instructors are great supports for learning technology.

You can also find many helpful resources on the Internet including our Student Support Web Page.

What teaching approach do you use?

Classes in the Mitch and Leslie Frazer Faculty of Education are highly interactive and collaborative, incorporating an inquiry or problem-based approach where "students, working in small teams, examine a problem, situation and, through this exploration, are expected to locate the gaps in their own knowledge and skills in order to decide what information they need to acquire in order to resolve or manage the situation".

Integral to our courses will be the application of foundational educational principles to workplace/K-12/community-specific contexts and problems to ensure depth and breadth of understanding. Understanding is further enhanced through exposure to contexts beyond students' own intended work/life environments.

What courses do you offer?

Check out the Courses tab to explore our rich course selection.

How can I fund my degree? 

We have compiled a list of possible funding sources that may be available to you to support your education. 

Faculty of Education courses (online)

• View a full list of course descriptions, or click on the links for each individual course below. 
• To review courses from other faculties, please go to the Academic Calendar and Course Catalogue.
• Finally, you can select online courses (needs to be approved) from outside the university at Contact North (Ontario Online Learning Portal).

If you have a particular career destination in mind, you may choose to refine your studies by enrolling in courses related to one of our five specializations: 

• Adult Learning with Technology
• Digital Technologies
• Early Childhood Studies
• Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
• Special Education

For a specialization to appear on your transcript, you must submit a Change of Specialization form and successfully complete a minimum of four courses in your desired specialization area.* 

Adult Learning with Technology Specialization: 

EDST 3120U – Workplace Learning
EDST 3460U – Working with Clients and Partners
and at least two of the following: 
EDST 3440U – Managing and Developing eLearning Projects
EDST 2410U – Foundations of Adult Learning
EDST 4470U – Trends and Issues in Educational Technology

Digital Technologies Specialization: 

EDST 2120U – Culture and Digital Technologies
EDST 2160U – Online Learning
EDST 3140U – Digital Communication Technologies
EDST 3440U – Managing and Developing eLearning Projects
EDST 4120U – Games and Simulations for Learning
EDST 4470U – Trends and Issues in Educational Technology

Early Childhood Studies Specialization: 

EDST 2170U – Designing Inclusive Learning Environments
EDST 3160U – Developing Literacy
EDST 3170U – Developing Numeracy
EDST 3610U – Child Development and Health
EDST 4150U – Holistic Learning in Early Childhood
EDST 4610U – Coding and Maker Pedagogies for Young Children

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Specialization: 

EDST 2170U – Designing Inclusive Learning Environments
EDST 3500U – Unlearning and the Inclusive Curriculum
EDST 3700U – Models of Inclusion
EDST 4500U – Enabling Learning through Technology
EDST 4530U – Social Justice Issues in Education

Special Education 

EDST 2700U – Foundations of Special Education
EDST 3700U – Models of Inclusion
EDST 3710U – Understanding the Diversity of Educational Needs
EDST 4700U – Technology and Assistive Tools for Special Education

^*Note: Lists subject to change. Please refer to the Academic Calendar for the most up-to-date course listings for specializations.

If you are interested in becoming a K-12 teacher the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Educational Studies provides several pathways through Ontario Tech's Concurrent Education program. 

Concurrent Education: Primary/Junior (PJ)

The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Educational Studies provides an exceptional foundation for students wishing to become a K-6 (Primary/Junior) teacher. Since you do not need to declare teachable subjects as a Primary/Junior teacher, you may apply to any specialization (including the General - No Specialization program) and the Concurrent Education program at the same time! See Program Maps for more details. 

Concurrent Education: Intermediate/Senior (IS) 

If you are interested in teaching Grades 7-12 (Intermediate/Senior), you must declare two teachable subjects.

• You must take 10 single-term courses in your first teachable. 
• You must take 6 single-term courses in your second teachable. 

Our faculty has established partnerships with other programs in the university to offer access to courses that can contribute to the following teachable subject areas: 

• English (first or second teachable) - see Program Map
• History (second teachable only) - see Program Map
• Physical Education (first or second teachable) - must meet entrance requirements for Kinesiology 
• General Science or Biology (first or second teachable) - must meet entrance requirements for Kinesiology

We are actively collaborating with other faculties to expand and create access to additional teachable subject areas, ensuring a diverse and comprehensive educational experience for our students. Stay tuned for updates as we continue to develop these opportunities. 

When do I start the BEd program?

When you are admitted to Concurrent Education, a place is held for you in our Bachelor of Education (BEd) program. You will be eligible to begin the BEd program in the Fall semester following the successful completion of your undergraduate program requirements and receipt of your undergraduate degree.

• If you complete your undergraduate program requirements in the Winter semester and graduate in the Summer, you are eligible to begin the BEd program that Fall. 
• If you complete your undergraduate program requirements in the Spring/Summer semester and don't graduate until the Fall, you will not be eligible to begin the BEd program until the following Fall intake. 

However, you must maintain a competitive GPA in the Bachelor of Arts program to secure your place in the BEd. 

How to apply?

Apply through OUAC 

The OUAC application form for the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Educational Studies allows you to select whether you wish to apply to the Six Year* Concurrent Education Program (BEd). Select either the Primary/Junior (P/J) or Intermediate/Senior (I/S) option to apply for Concurrent Education. 

Apply once you are enrolled

If you are already enrolled as a student in the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Educational Studies program, contact your Academic Advisor for information on how to apply for Concurrent Education. Applications can be submitted following your second year (attainment of 60 credit hours) in the program. 

^* "Six Year" refers to the combined four-year undergraduate degree (earned through the Educational Studies pathway program) and two year BEd program. 

We offer several program maps to help you customize our program to your specific needs.

Primary-Junior (PJ) Teacher (Kindergarten to Grade 6)

• PJ Education Program Map

Intermediate-Senior (IS) Teacher (Grades 7-12) 

• English and History Teacher Program Map

Instructional Design & Adult Learning

• Instructional Design Program Map

In the Faculty of Education, fees are assessed by course, not by semester. 

Course fees

Each course in the Faculty of Education costs approximately $600. 

Mandatory ancillary fees

Ancillary fees are charged to every student each semester, though the exact amount depends on whether you are registered for full-time or part-time. These fees are used to provide important services and resources for students, both on campus and online, such as career services, health and dental, student safety and accessibility, and more. Ancillary fees are approved by both the Ontario Tech Student Union (OTSU) and the Board of Governors. View the full ancillary fee breakdown, including when each fee is charged. 

Non-mandatory ancillary fees

These fees are only charged once per academic year, and you have the ability to opt-out under certain circumstances: 

• Health and dental: Provides coverage to supplement the provincial health plan. You can opt-out of a portion of the health and dental insurance fees by providing proof of pre-existing coverage. Find out more about the health and dental insurance opt-out process. 
• Legal protection: Provides access to legal representation for housing, employment, and academic discipline disputes and a legal hotline for all areas of law. Find out more about the legal protection opt-out process. 

For more information about fees and tuition, please see the Office of the Registrar's website. 

How can I fund my degree? 

We have compiled a list of possible funding sources that may be available to support your education. 

How do I apply to the BA Educational Studies program?

Please go to Ontario Tech University's Application site to apply. Here you will find: 

• What type of applicant you are;
• Admission requirements;
• How to apply;
  • Short video on how to apply through the OUAC website.
• Important dates;
• English Language Proficiency;
• Information about transfer credits;
• More useful links.

Documents

• 4-year BA in Educational Studies - Overview
• 4-year BA in Educational Studies program postcards:
  • Adult Learning with Technology specialization
  • Digital Technologies specialization
  • Early Childhood Studies specialization
  • Equity, Diversity & Inclusion specialization
• 4-year BA in Educational Studies - Course Descriptions

Websites

• BA in Educational Studies Student Support Site (very useful)
• Our Faculty and Staff
• Journal of Educational Informatics (JEI)
• Journal of Digital Life and Learning (JDLL)
• Student Life (a great resource for new students)