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Bachelor of Arts (College-to-University Pathway), Educational Studies

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Overview

The Faculty of Education offers a college-to-university pathway program leading to a four-year Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Educational Studies with 5 options for specialization: 

  1. General - No Specialization
  2. Adult Learning with Technology
  3. Digital Technologies
  4. Early Childhood Studies
  5. Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
  6. Special Education

This fully online pathway program is designed for students who have completed a two-year Ontario college diploma or equivalent. Our unique online format uses virtual classrooms to maximize interaction, collaboration, and community building. You may pursue this program on a part-time or full-time basis.

As a graduate of our program, you will 

  • Be eligible to apply for our 16-month Bachelor of Education Program to become a K-6 teacher.
  • Receive priority status to enter our Master of Education Program.
  • Develop specialized knowledge and competency in the use of digital technology to support lifelong learning. 
  • Apply theoretical and practical knowledge of educational planning, delivery, and assessment.
  • Design learning strategies that focus on authentic, meaningful, and workplace-applicable activities. 
  • Analyze the social and psychological issues that shape learning in a digital era.
The college-to-university pathway into the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Educational Studies: 

  • Allows you to convert your two- or three-year diploma into a four-year university degree.
  • Is conducted entirely online, using virtual classrooms to maximize interaction, collaboration, and community building.
  • Offers flexible scheduling allowing you to study from anywhere in the world and to pursue your studies part-time or full-time.
  • Prepares graduates for a wide range of future careers in administration, management, education, and technology.
  • Offers the option to transfer to our 16-month Bachelor of Education Program to become a K-6 teacher.
  • Offers you priority status to enter our Master of Education Program.

Below is a non-exhaustive list of future careers that are possible with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Educational Studies. 

What is the online course structure?

The college-to-university pathway into the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Educational Studies is offered fully online using virtual classrooms to maximize interaction, collaboration, and community building. At least one of the required courses will be offered each semester. A typical 36-hour (three-credit) course is 12 weeks long and generally 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 Zoom or Google Meet (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 Canvas (a learning management system) 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.

How many courses do I need to complete the program?

If you are granted 60 credits from your previous diploma program, you will need to complete an additional 60 credits (20 courses) to obtain your Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree. You may complete these courses on a part- or full-time basis. Courses are scheduled to allow students to work and pursue their degrees.

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 (i.e., download speed greater than 20 Mbps and upload speed 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 page for a list of commonly used software.

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: Presentation, spreadsheet, and word processing applications. Note that students will be granted access to Microsoft Office and Google Suite through their Ontario Tech accounts. 
How do I participate in the online virtual classroom?

Currently, we use Zoom for most of our classes and Google Meet for group and individual meetings among students. These video conferencing applications will allow you to actively participate in a real-time virtual classroom.

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?

Faculty of Education classes are highly interactive, collaborative, and use 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. 

 

To be eligible for the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Educational Studies through the college-to-university pathway, students typically complete 20 courses (60 credits): 
  • 9 core courses (required)
  • 11 courses selected from optional courses listed below
    • If you wish to declare a specialization on your transcript, you must take at least four courses from a specific area of focus. See the Specializations tab for more information. 

View a full list of course descriptions, or click on the links for each individual course below. 

Core courses (required)

EDST 1000U – Foundations of Learning
EDST 1100U – Problem and Inquiry-Based Learning
EDST 1130U – Writing & Digital Literacy
EDST 1230U – Design Thinking and Visual Design for Educational Contexts
EDST 2110U – Assessment and Evaluation
EDST 2140U – Creating Digital Tools
EDST 2150U – Teaching to Facilitate Learning 
EDST 2500U – Foundations of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
EDST 3000U – Instructional Design

Additional courses
EDST 3120U – Workplace Learning
EDST 3160U – Developing Literacy
EDST 3170U – Developing Numeracy
EDST 3999U – Special Topics Courses (varies from year to year)
EDST 4120U – Gaming and Simulations
EDST 4901U – Research Project
EDST 4981U – Work Integrated Learning II
EDST 4999U – Directed Studies (design your own course with a professor)

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 four 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 2410U – Foundations of Adult Learning
EDST 3120U – Workplace Learning
EDST 3440U – Managing and Developing eLearning Projects
EDST 3460U – Working with Clients and Partners
EDST 4470U – Trends and Issues in Educational Technology

Digital Technologies Specialization

EDST 2120U – Culture and Digital Technologies
EDST 2160U – Online Learning: Theory and Research
EDST 3110U – Critical Digital Literacies
EDST 3140U – Digital Communication Technologies
EDST 4120U – Gaming and Simulations
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 4510U – 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 teacher, the college-to-university pathway for the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Educational Studies can offer a path towards being certified to teach in Kindergarten to Grade 6 (Primary/Junior). 

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!  

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 (Advanced Entry) allows you to select whether you wish to apply to the Concurrent Education Program (BEd). Select the P/J option to apply for Concurrent Education. 

Apply during your first year of study

If you are already enrolled as a student in the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Educational Studies (Advanced Entry) program, contact your Academic Advisor during your first year for information on how to apply for Concurrent Education.

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. 

Documents:
  • BA - Educational Studies (College to University Pathway) - Brochure
  • BA - Educational Studies (College to University Pathway) - Course Descriptions
Websites:
College-to-University applications website

Please go to the College-to-University Transfer Application site for information about: 

  • Admission requirements 
  • How to apply (short video [4:29] on how to apply through OUAC website)
  • Important dates
  • English Language Proficiency
  • Transfer credits
  • Useful links
Application deadlines
Start Term Applications Due Transcripts Due
Winter (January) November 1 November 15
Spring/Summer (May) March 1 March 15
Fall (September) June 30 July 15

For general inquiries, contact edstudies@ontariotechu.ca 

Susan Snelling
Senior Academic Advisor
905.721.8668 ext. 2703
FEDadvising@ontariotechu.ca 

Anna Rodrigues, PhD
Program Director
905.721.8668 ext. 2876
anna.rodrigues@ontariotechu.ca