It is strongly recommended that prospective applicants make an appointment with the Education Advisor in TEP or attend one of the regulary scheduled information sessions.
In addition to the academic requirements, the Admissions Committee evaluates the following areas in reviewing student applications:
Written Assignment
Directions and details are enclosed in the TEP application package. Students must complete this written assignment on the UFV campus during the month of January. Applications can only be considered complete, once the written assignment has been processed during an on-campus writing session.
Work Experience, Talents and SkillsStudents are required to have related experience working with children. Classroom volunteer work is strongly recommended. Certificates such as coaching, music and first aid are reviewed in this area, along with languages spoken and travel experience. Please submit a brief résumé, two pages in length.
Reference LettersTwo confidential letters of reference are required to support the student's application. The student may submit an additional confidential reference, but no more than three references are permitted. These letters should be written on school/company letterhead, must be original and signed by the referee. One reference letter must come from an off-campus educator who has observed the student interacting with children/adolescents in a public educational setting. Referees may fill out the referee's Report instead of providing a reference letter, but the reference letter must answer questions 1-6 from the Referee's Report.
All references must be mailed directly by the referee to the TEP Admissions Office in a sealed envelope to:
Admissions and Records
Teacher Education Admissions
University of the Fraser Valley
33844 King Rd.
Abbotsford, B.C. V2S 7M8
Grade Point Average
UFV will calculate grade point average on the most recent two years (approximately 60 semester hours) of undergraduate coursework (Note: this may include post-degree coursework). Applicants with a grade point below a 2.8 on the 4.33 point scale in this calculation will not be considered.
Academic PreparationWe welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds. Elementary teachers have to be competent in many subject areas and we recommend that applicants have preparation in numeracy (e.g. Math 205), and literacy skills. You can further enhance your preparation by taking courses from disciplines such as Cultural Anthropology, Visual Arts, Music, Theatre, Sociology, Modern Languages, Kinesiology/Physical Education, Linguistics, etc. Computer literacy is also an asset.
Note: Criminal Record Check
Under the Criminal Records Review Act, students in a professional post-secondary program with a practicum component involving work with children and/or vulnerable adults must undergo a criminal records check. Applicants to the program who may have a criminal offence are advised to contact the Ministry of Public Safety and the Solicitor General.
Admitted students in the TEP and who have been convicted of a criminal offence and given a discharge are advised to contact the Commissioner of the BC Teacher Regulation Branch for clarification of their status before undertaking a teacher education program. The Criminal Records Check will be administered through the TEP office.