Bachelor of Professional Studies in Education (BPS)
Niagara University in Ontario’s Bachelor of Professional Studies in Education (BPS) Program is Accredited by the Ontario College of Teachers.
Elementary certification (Primary/Junior)
Primary: Junior Kindergarten – grade 3
Junior: grade 4 – grade 6
Secondary certification (Intermediate/Senior)
Intermediate: grade 7 – grade 10
Senior: grade 11 – grade 12
Upon completion of either program, graduates will hold a bachelor of professional studies degree in teacher education.
Niagara University inOntario is conveniently located in the heart of the City of Vaughan, just north of Toronto. We are located two blocks from the Toronto subway station at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, which is quickly becoming a major transportation hub for the northern Greater Toronto Area. Our Vaughan location offers modern amenities and a comfortable learning environment for students.
Niagara University
2904 Hwy 7 West, Unit 113
Vaughan, ON L4K 0K4
Yes, all coursework, field experiences, and practica will be completed in Ontario.
Yes, Niagara University in Ontario holds written consent under the Ontario Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development.
Yes, Niagara University in Ontario is accredited by the Ontario College of Teachers.
Niagara University in Ontario holds written consent under the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and is accredited by the Ontario College of Teachers. Upon completion of Niagara University in Ontario’s program, official transcripts of coursework will be sent to the Ontario College of Teachers by the Niagara University College of Education. As with all Ontario universities, teacher candidates apply to the Ontario College of Teachers for a Certification of Qualifications.
Niagara University has a rolling admissions policy. Applications are considered as they are received and evaluated in a holistic fashion in keeping with the mission of the university. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application will be considered. Qualified students will continue to be accepted until the program is full. Please note programs may fill up without advance notice.
Please visit the Tuition and Fees page for more information.
Please visit the Tuition and Fees page for more information.
Along with your official transcripts, you will also need to submit a statement of intent, two references and a resume or experience profile is required. All can be uploaded in your application as a Word or PDF document.
Individuals who are still students and currently “in progress” with a graduation date planned before the start of Niagara University’s program need to indicate this on their application.Also, an official letter form the college/university should be submitted to verify your planned graduation date. The “in progress” letter is provided by the registrar or academic department.
Please submit with your application the “in progress” letter and current transcript showing classes you are currently enrolled in. A Final Transcript will be required once your degree is conferred and posted.
Niagara University in Ontario highly recommends engaging in experiences with children and adolescents but does not require it. Any time spent working with children and adolescents is valuable and certainly a great way to gain classroom experience. Please note any experience on your resume and/or experience profile.
Since the program is cohort-based, your schedule is assigned.
Cohort-based programs are programs in which candidates attend courses and field experiences as a specific group earning their degree together in a professional learning community. A cohort approach takes a diverse group of students and builds them into a community of teacher-learners by structuring their class schedules together and by teaching them in a way that emphasizes collegiality. The learning of each individual will assist the learning of others; the accomplishments of one should help all. This adds to the peer support that candidates experience within their group while at Niagara university, in field experiences, student teaching, and later as alumni.
Both the elementary and secondary programs will be four semesters long and will take approximately two years to complete. In-person classes will be held 2.5 times per week, not including field experiences. There is only one intake starting in Fall.
Semester1: Fall (September – December)
Semester 2: Spring (January – May)
SummerOff
Semester3: Fall(September – December)
Semester 4: Spring (January – May)
(Practicum placements are not available in the summer, therefore, you do not attend in the summer).
Semester 1: Foundations
Semester 2: Methods/Pedagogy
Semester 3: Practicum
Semester 4: Practicum
Field experiences are designed to provide practical experience in various types of schools, learning environments, grade levels (as they apply to the certificate), and in diversity of the population in classrooms. Field experiences can be completed in Public or Catholic school boards or a combination of both.Niagara University in Ontario field experiences exceed those that are required by The Ontario Ministry of Education. The following field experiences are embedded into the program:
1st Semester: Pre-service Field Experiences (10 days, plus 3 community service days)
2nd Semester: Teaching Assistantship (10 days, plus 3 community service days)
3rd Semester: Practicum (40 days)
4th Semester: Practicum (40 days)
Secondary students will have placements in the content areas of their two teachable.
Niagara University in Ontario is on the three credit-hour system. Three credit hours equal .5 credit per half-year course. Many Canadian courses are full year, which would equate to six credit hours. Five full-year courses (or 10 half credits) would equate to 30 college/university credit hours.
The first specific teachable area requires six full year courses (36 credits/units). The second teachable area requires three full year courses (18 credits/units). Two teachables are required for the Niagara University in Ontario program.
Niagara University in Ontario holds written consent under the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and is accredited by the Ontario College of Teachers. Upon completion of Niagara University in Ontario’s program, official transcripts of coursework will be sent to the Ontario College of Teachers by the Niagara University College of Education. As with all Ontario universities, teacher candidates apply to the Ontario College of Teachers for a Certification of Qualifications.
More information pertaining to Niagara’s Teacher Education program can be found at BPS Admission Requirements. It is highly recommended that you attend an informational session. Informational sessions, both in Ontario and on the NU campus, will be coming up soon times, dates, and registration information can be found at Upcoming Events.
Niagara University is located in the Town of Lewiston, N.Y. It stands atop the picturesque Niagara River Gorge, four miles from the world-famous Niagara Falls and overlooks the Province of Ontario, Canada. The Queenston-Lewiston Bridge is only one mile from Niagara University. Niagara University was founded in 1856.
Students are required to have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum overall GPA of 70%. Individuals applying to the secondary program also need a minimum of 70% average in both teachable areas. Please note that we review all aspects of the application from grades to references to the statement of intent to an individual’s background and experience to deter-mine a person’s suitability to become a teacher and complete the Teacher Education program at Niagara University. Consistent with our Vincentian Mission,Niagara University encourages all men and women whose aptitude and demonstrated achievement in university or college give evidence of their ability to successfully complete the program to apply for admission. We welcome all students, regardless of race, gender, national origin, religious preference, sexual orientation, status as a veteran, or disability.
No! Your place on the grid is determined by outside agencies that assess your overall qualifications. Both the BPS and M.S.Ed degrees are considered initial teacher certification programs. To move up on the grid, you need additional degrees, credentials and coursework on top of the initial teacher education program.Note as well that initial teacher certification in Ontario has moved to a 4-semester program, thus graduates of Niagara’s program in Ontario will have more credits, which may be looked upon favorably with the agencies that assess a teacher’s qualifications and placement on the salary grid.
Niagara University offers rolling admissions,therefore, there is no specific deadline to apply.Admission will be offered to qualified students on a first-come-first-served basis, so interested students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Please note that in previous years,Niagara University has had a waitlist of qualified applicants to enter our popular program. Students should submit all of their documents as soon as they can. Classes begin the last week of August.
Remember to submit ALL application materials.
Materials marked “Mailed” can be sent to:
Niagara University
2904 Hwy 7 West, Unit 113
Vaughan, ON L4K 0K4
Niagara University reserves the right to make revisions on any or all specifications contained here-in and to apply such revisions to current and new students alike. The provisions in this document are to be considered directive in character and not as an irrevocable contract between the student and university.
This program is intended for full-time permanent employees (i.e., early childhood educators and educational assistants) in an Ontario school board or candidates who work in an accredited private school teaching an Ontario curriculum in primary/junior. In order to be eligible for the paraprofessional cohort, students must meet the admission requirements for the BPS in Teacher Education program and show proof of employment as a teacher in a private school, or as an ECE/EA in a public or Catholic school board in the province of Ontario.
The first two semesters of the program consist of coursework.These courses are typically taken on Wednesday and Friday evenings (6pm-9pm) and Saturdays (9am-5pm). Semesters 3 and 4 are designated as Practicum terms. In addition, students in Semesters 3 and 4 will take courses and participate in seminars as part of their learning. These courses are designed with the working student in mind and offered outside of normal school hours.
Students will need to plan to take a leave of absence to complete the practicum requirement. The practicum will require 40 days in semester three and 40 days in semester four. Students will still graduate in their second year.
Yes! The Bachelor of Professional Studies in Teacher Education is accredited by the Ontario College of Teachers.
Yes, there is no need to cross the border! You will complete all aspects of the program – from coursework to practicum – right here in the Greater Toronto Area. Your practicum placement will be arranged by NU staff at locations that take your preferences into account.