Requirements to teach grades 8 to 12
The BC Teachers’ Council (BCTC) sets the requirements for teaching at the secondary level (grades 8 to 12). In the Faculty of Education, these requirements apply to teacher education programs in various ways as outlined below.
Initial bachelor's degree and/or Red Seal requirement
At a minimum, applying to the Post Baccalaureate Secondary program requires completion of an initial bachelor's degree a major or minor (or equivalent) in preferably two teachable subject areas as articulated by the BC Teachers' Council and outlined in secondary teachable subjects below. Applicants with two or more teachable subjects and in subject areas that support field experience placements as arranged by the Faculty of Education, will be given priority consideration.
Red Seal credentials are applicable towards specific teachable subjects and Post Baccalaureate Secondary applicants are encouraged to have enough additional academic course work to support a second teachable as outlined in secondary teachable subjects below.
English literature and composition requirement
6 credit/semester hours or equivalent of undergraduate English course work with a minimum of 3 credit/semester hours in literature.
This is a program admission requirement in the following:
- Post Baccalaureate Secondary
Sample courses at VIU that meet the English Literature requirement include:
- ENGL 125 (3) Literature and Culture
- ENGL 127 (3) Literature and Culture: Indigenous Focus
- ENGL 135 (3) Literature and Criticism
Sample courses at VIU that meet the English Composition requirement include:
- ENGL 115 (3) University Writing and Research
- ENGL 117 (3) University Writing and Research: Indigenous Focus
Additional comments:
- Accepted is 6 credit/semester hours in English literature
- Not accepted is 6 credit/semester hours in English composition
- Accepted is completion of both
- Not accepted are any technical ENGL courses, such as:
- Not accepted are any creative writing or journalism courses, such as:
Secondary teachable subjects
BC Teachers' Council preparation for teaching assignments between grades 8 to 12 requires the completion of a minimum of 24 credits of academic coursework in support of a teachable subject. This coursework must be in fields of knowledge that are compatible with the BC curriculum at the secondary level and can be satisfied in various ways, including:
- degree major
- degree minor
- degree elective coursework
- Red Seal certification plus additional academic course work to meet the English literature and composition requirement and preferably a second teachable subject
Individual BC school districts or Independent schools may have additional academic preparation requirements and it is recommended that at least half the credits supporting a teachable subject be in upper-level coursework.
Teachable subjects generally supported in the Post Baccalaureate Secondary program are listed below but are subject to practicum placement availability. Although not an admission requirement for the Post Baccalaureate Secondary program, being qualified to teach two or more different subjects supports greater flexibility in securing practicum placements.
- art (at least 6 credits of theory)
- biology
- business
- chef Instruction
- chemistry
- computer science
- dance (at least 6 credits of theory)
- drama (at least 6 credits of theory)
- earth science
- English
- First Nations studies
- French
- general social studies
- general science
- geography
- history
- home economics
- mathematics
- music (at least 6 credits of theory)
- physical education
- physics
- Spanish
- technology (industrial education)
Red Seal preferences are:
- automotive
- carpentry
- chef and welding
- metal work
Teachable notes
General science
The following coursework is recommended as academic preparation within a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.):
- 12 credit/semester hours from a combination of at least three of the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Environmental Science
- Earth Science
- Additional 12 credit/semester hours in one or more of these areas, or in related science disciplines such as:
- Geology
- Physical Geography
- Science
- Astronomy
- Other coursework with a demonstrated science focus
General social studies
The following coursework is recommended as academic preparation:
- 3 credit/semester hours each in:
- Canadian Studies
- History
- Geography
- An additional 15 credit/semester hours in one or more of these areas, or in related science disciplines such as:
- Anthropology
- Economics
- Geography
- History
- Political Science
- Sociology
Additional comments:
- Canadian Studies coursework must focus on understanding the Canadian experience, with Canadian content central to the course and its relationship to the BC Social Studies curriculum. Courses typically include Canada in the title.
- Coursework in Classical, Environmental, First Nations/Indigenous, Urban, or Women’s Studies may also contribute to the requirement when the course description demonstrates a clear relationship to the BC Social Studies curriculum.
French
A major or minor in French, Languages and Culture (Romance Languages) at VIU, is required to teach French as a second language; a teachable subject at grade 8 or above level.
French immersion
To teach a subject in French at the levels of grade 8 and above, requires proof of French language proficiency in addition to the required academic preparation (i.e.: a minimum of 24 credit/semester hours). French proficiency can be demonstrated by one of the methods outlined by the Teacher Regulation Branch. Note that the Post Baccalaureate Secondary program is not a French immersion teacher education program. All coursework and most practicum placements are conducted in English.
Initial Teacher Education program notes
Post Baccalaureate (PB) Secondary applicants
Applicants must have completed the English prerequisite outline below and have a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution and/or a Red Seal in a trade acceptable in content to the Faculty of Education and the BC Teacher Certification Branch prior to beginning the program. Applicants should consider having two or more acceptable teachable areas. Additionally, as teacher certification in BC is “unrestricted”, we strongly encourage applicants also complete the Elementary Prerequisites.
Post Baccalaureate (PB) Elementary applicants
Applicants must have completed the Elementary Prerequisites. However, based on initial degree focus areas, applicants will also meet academic preparation for teaching assignments at the levels of Grade 8 and above outlined in Secondary Teachable Subjects below.
Year 1 Bachelor of Education (BEd) applicants
Students in this program are encouraged to consider elective course work and/or minors in academic disciplines that meet requirements for the preparation for teaching assignments at the levels of Grade 8 and above, outlined in Secondary Teachable Subjects below.
Year 3 Bachelor of Education (BEd) applicants
Students in this program are encouraged to consider elective course work in academic disciplines that meet requirements for the preparation for teaching assignments at the levels of Grade 8 and above, outlined in Secondary Teachable Subjects below.
Additional support for course planning and teacher education degree completion
- For general questions or support selecting VIU courses visit VIU Academic Advising.
- For specific support in teacher education degree completion visit Initial Teacher Education Advising.
- Formal assessment of meeting prerequisite requirements is made upon program application or program progression assessment.