Alberta provincial teaching certification is a two-stage process and it requires separate evaluations by separate governing bodies.
- Alberta Education issues teaching certificates.
- The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA), through the Teacher Qualifications Service (TQS), determines salary.
Both evaluations are required be eligible to teach in Alberta public schools.
Certification
After the successful completion of the BEd, a student may be recommended for an Alberta Interim Professional Certificate by the Werklund School of Education.
For certification, students must successfully complete a BEd degree. In addition, students must meet the following requirements within their overall post-secondary studies:
a) Prior to certification, elementary teachers are required to present a minimum of 24 units (4.0 full-course equivalents) in academic coursework that MUST include:
- 3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) in Canadian Studies
- 3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) in Mathematics
- 3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) in Science
- 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) in English/French Literature and Composition
With the exception of 3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) in English/French literature, the elementary certification requirements are completed within the BEd program.
For students in the Four-Year BEd (Community-Based) program all of the requirements for elementary certification are completed within the BEd program.
b) Prior to certification, secondary teachers are required to present a minimum of 24 units (4.0 full-course equivalents) in a Teachable Subject Area. Additionally, secondary teachers are required to present 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) in English/French Literature and Composition.
Notes:
- For students in the Four-Year BEd (Community-Based) program all of the requirements for secondary certification are completed within the BEd program.
- For students in the Five-Year BEd (Concurrent) program all of the requirements for secondary certification are completed between the BEd and the student’s non-education degree.
- For students in the Two-Year BEd (Consecutive ) program applicants are required to present 24 units (4.0 full-course equivalents) in their Teachable Subject Area AND 3 units 0.5 full-course equivalent) in English/French Literature as a part of their first degree.