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Ontario Tech acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

Learn more about Indigenous Education and Cultural Services

BA (Educational Studies) College to University Pathway

The faculty of Education offers a college-to-university pathway program leading to a four-year Bachelor of Arts degree in Educational Studies with 5 options for specialization including

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

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.   We invite you to explore our rich collection of courses. As a graduate of our program, you will learn how to

  • 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
  • critically evaluate how technology fits with modes of learning
  • develop specialized knowledge and competency in the use of digital technology to support lifelong learning
The BA in Educational Studies 

  • allows you to convert your two or three-year diploma into a four-year university degree
  • is conducted fully 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 Bachelor of Education program to become teachers
  • allows you to apply to our Master of Education program

Below is a list of future careers that are possible with a BA-Educational Studies Degree. 

What is the online course structure?

The Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies offers fully online using virtual classrooms to maximize interaction, collaboration and community building. In each semester, one of the required courses will be offered. A typical 36-hour (three-credit) course is 12 weeks long and typically 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 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).
  • High-speed 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. Each course instructor may also require the use of course-speaker 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: Microsoft Office or Google Workspace (presentation, spreadsheet and word processing applications).
How do I participate in the online virtual classroom?

You will use video conferencing software (e.g., Zoom, or Google Meet). These programs allow you to actively participate, in a real-time virtual classroom.

What computer skills do I need?

Students must possess a minimum technical skill set that allows them to use the necessary technology used in their courses. All students should be comfortable with the use of a computer and the basic software listed above.

Adopting a flexible attitude towards digital technologies is highly important for this program. If you don't know how to use a specific tool or affordance, 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. You should also be able to find many resources on the Internet.

What teaching approach do you use?

Classes are highly interactive, collaborative and Inquiry Learning/Problem-Based Learning. IL/PBL is an approach to learning in which "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/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 do I apply to the BA in Educational Studies program?

Please go to our College-to-University Transfer Application site to apply.

To be eligible for the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Educational Studies, students typically complete 20 courses (60 credits).
  • 9 core courses (required)
  • 11 courses selected from the specialization and optional courses listed below
    (4 courses from a specific specialization, if you wish to have a specific area of focus)
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 2500U - Foundations of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
EDST 2150U - Teaching Strategies 
EDST 2110U - Assessment for Learning 
EDST 2140U - Creating Digital Tools
EDST 4110U - Instructional Design

Digital Technologies Specialization

EDST 1120U – Foundations of Digital Teaching and Learning Technologies
EDST 1160U – Digital Communication Technologies
EDST 1170U – Psychological Foundations and Digital Technologies
EDST 2120U – Culture and Digital Technologies
EDST 2160U – Online Learning: Theory and Research
EDST 3110U – Information Literacy
EDST 4120U – Gaming and Simulations

Early Childhood Studies Specialization

EDST 2170U – Designing Inclusive Learning Environments
EDST 3160U – Developing Literacy
EDST 3170U – Developing Numeracy
EDST 4150U – Holistic Learning in Early Childhood

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Specialization

EDST 2500U – Foundations of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Education
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

Lifelong Learning with Technology Specialization

EDST 1110U – Foundations of Adult Learning
EDST 1120U – Foundations of Digital Teaching and Learning Technologies
EDST 3120U – Workplace Learning
EDST 3130U – Financial Management of Online Learning

Additional Options

EDST 3999U – Special Topics Courses (varies from year to year)
EDST 4200U – Thesis I
EDST 4201U – Thesis II
EDST 4300U – Engaged Educator Project I
EDST 4301U – Engaged Educator Project II
EDST 4999U – Directed Studies (design your own course with a professor)

Documents

Websites

College to University Applications Site

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

  • Admission Requirements 
  • How to Apply
  • Important Dates
  • English Language Proficiency
  • Transfer Credits
  • Useful Links
Applications Deadlines
  • Winter (Jan): Nov 30th for application; Dec 10th transcripts must be received
  • Spring/Summer (May): March 31st for application; April 15th transcripts  must be received
  • Fall (Sept): June 30th for application; Aug 12th transcripts  must be received

For general inquiries, contact BAESDTinfo@ontariotechu.ca

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

Diane Tepylo, PhD
Program Director
diane.tepylo@ontariotechu.ca