Teaching Courses in Canada: Eligibility, Jobs and more

Teaching courses in Canada are the gateway to a satisfying career ahead. With more than 52,100 job openings projected for teachers by 2031, the profession offers several growth opportunities. 

Teachers in Canada can obtain employment as primary school teachers, secondary school teachers, and university and college lecturers. The vast scope of this field, along with excellent work-life balance, has made pursuing teaching courses in Canada a popular choice among study abroad students. 

Careers in teaching in Canada usually require bachelor’s/master’s degrees or certifications in subject/educational teaching. Preschool teachers and childcare workers also require training in child development. Special education teachers may need specialized training and degrees. Those aspiring to be lecturers will need postgraduate degrees and must demonstrate research prowess in their field.

Let’s further discuss teaching courses in Canada in detail.

Why Pursue Teaching Courses in Canada

Some of the reasons why students should pursue teaching courses in Canada are:

• World-Renowned Universities: Canadian universities are consistently deemed amongst the best worldwide for providing exceptional training in the field of education. More than 25 universities in Canada are ranked in THE World University Rankings 2024: Education.
• Professional Development Opportunities: The teaching courses in Canada emphasize hands-on education learning with several internships and practicum opportunities. Students work alongside experienced teachers in real classroom settings and observe daily classroom activities.
• Valued Degrees: After completing a BEd from a reputed university in Canada, graduates are eligible to apply for teacher certifications in various Canadian provinces and territories, allowing them to pursue a career in teaching.

Hence, Canada is a hub for international students to seek exciting opportunities in teaching. 

Types of Teaching Courses in Canada

Canada offers various types of teaching courses for international students. Here are some major teaching courses in Canada for Indian students:

1. Master of Education (MEd) Programs

Master of Education program in Canada is suitable for candidates looking to boost their teaching career and knowledge in the field of school improvement and leadership. Typically, these programs last for 2 years when completed full-time. However, if you decide to pursue an MEd part-time, it will take around 3–5 years to finish the program. Sometimes, universities may hold classes in the evenings to accommodate working students.

The program aims to build a solid foundation in educational theory, practice, and research. Usually, students will engage in advanced coursework in multiple areas, such as curriculum development and policy analysis.

Some of the common specializations for this program include a Master of Education in Language & Literacies and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership.

2. Bachelor of Education (BEd) Programs

The BEd is an undergraduate program that nurtures highly skilled and qualified teachers. Upon completing this program, you will be prepared to teach in diverse classroom settings including an elementary or secondary school classroom.

The span of a Bachelor of Education program in Canada is around two to four years, and such programs contain a combination of general education courses, professional education, and more.

After completing this course, students can apply for a teaching certificate in the respective province, allowing them to teach at various school levels.  These courses also offer placements in middle or elementary schools for hands-on learning.

3. Certification Courses

Apart from the MEd and BEd education programs, various other teaching certification and diploma courses can be considered in Canada. Students can pursue such courses after completing their Bachelor of Education to enhance their teaching portfolio or to master a particular teaching field.

Here is a list of some well-known teaching courses in Canada for Indian students.

• Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership: Concordia University of Edmonton 
• Graduate Certificate in Library and Information Studies: McGill University
• Diploma in Early Childhood Education:  Conestoga College 
• Graduate Certificate in Educational Technology and Design: The University of British Columbia 
• Diploma in Education (Curriculum Studies): Cape Breton University

These short-term teaching courses in Canada can help you gain specialized skills at a fast pace and enter the workforce. 

Top Universities & Colleges for Teaching Courses in Canada

There are many other teacher training courses in Canada for international students that ensure quality training, a cutting-edge curriculum, and ample exposure to new-age educational concepts. 

Eligibility for Teacher Training Courses in Canada for International Students 

The eligibility guidelines vary across educational institutions. Some of the general guidelines are listed below: 

Master of Education- 

• MEd aspirants require a BEd (bachelor of education) degree or a four-year undergraduate degree equivalent to the bachelor’s degree in the country. 
• English language proficiency scores are required for international students. The acceptable scores for various tests are IELTS Academic: 6.5 and TOEFL iBT: 92
• GRE scores may sometimes be required along with work experience, although these are not mandatory. 

Bachelor of Education- 

• Universities in Canada require a relevant undergraduate degree that must be equivalent to a Canadian 120-credit, 4-year bachelor’s degree.
• Some universities may also ask for relevant work experience. You may have to demonstrate a practical experience of a minimum of 100 hours, where you must have taught a group of 10 or more students. 
• You have to demonstrate English language proficiency. The minimum acceptable scores for various tests are IELTS academic 6.5 and TOEFL iBT 98. 

Know more about: Statement of Purpose Format | SOP for Canada

Specializations

There are various specializations offered by Canadian universities related to teaching.  Some of the popular specializations are: 

• Master of Education in Curriculum and Teaching
• Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy - University of Toronto
• Master of Education in Counseling Psychology  - University of British Columbia
• Master of Education in Adult Education - University of New Brunswick
• Master of Education in Indigenous Education - University of Victoria

Scholarships to Study Teaching Courses in Canada 

Various universities offer scholarships for teacher training courses in Canada. Some of the major scholarship programs are:

• Joseph W. Atkinson Scholarship for Excellence in Teacher Education: This scholarship is awarded to a teaching student in Ontario pursuing a concurrent or consecutive teaching course. The recipient is awarded $1500 and is selected based on impressive academic and professional performance. 
• Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award: This award recognizes deserving international students with financial needs entering the University of British Columbia for their undergraduate studies. Students are selected based on financial need and academic merit. 
• The Lester B Pearson International Student Scholarship: This award is given to exceptional international students pursuing their undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto. The scholarship covers incidental expenses, books, accommodation support for four years, and tuition. 

Teaching Practicum and Internship Opportunities

Here are some teaching practicum and internship opportunities for students pursuing a teaching course in Canada:

• UBC Centre for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) Teaching Practicum: In this practicum, the student interacts with an experienced mentor in their discipline to gain experience in teaching university-level courses. The trainee will observe their mentors during this internship and give guest lectures. They also get valuable feedback on their performance and engage in group discussions.
• University of Toronto OISE Teaching Practicum: The OISE teaching practicum at the University of Toronto gives you a full-time teaching experience under an Associate Teacher. As part of your hands-on learning experience, you get to manage a small group of students. You are also evaluated on a number of parameters and given more responsibilities gradually.
• York University Faculty of Education Practicum: The York University Teaching Practicum allows aspiring teachers to collaborate with experienced mentors and gain practical learning experience.

Jobs and Career Pathways After Pursuing Teaching Courses in Canada

Some of the common career paths that can be pursued by students after successfully completing a teaching course in Canada are:

• Elementary and Secondary School Teacher: 

This role entails teaching at primary and secondary schools and demands a bachelor’s degree in education and a provincial certification. The average annual salary for an elementary teacher in Canada is around $67,063 as per Glassdoor.

• Lecturer/University Professor: 

Pursuing a career as a lecturer or a university professor can be another potential career to consider. However, such jobs are quite competitive and demand a master’s degree with a strong publication record. A lecturer can make anywhere around $86,209 per annum in Canada as per Glassdoor.

• Educational Consultant: 

Being an educational consultant involves advising schools, parents, students, and teachers on various educational strategies. This is another potential job option to consider and involves being associated with consulting firms and school boards with an average salary of $68,970 per year as per Glassdoor.

• Special Education Teacher: 

This job demands teaching specially-abled students. Such jobs are in great demand in Canada. It can be a rewarding career option with an average yearly salary of $65,048 as per Glassdoor.

• Corporate Trainer: 

As a corporate trainer, you will be involved in conducting training programs in various industries. Thereby contributing to the professional development of employees. A bachelor's or master's degree in education is required to pursue such a career in Canada. The average salary of a corporate trainer can be $50,818 per year as per Glassdoor.

Conclusion

Teaching is a noble profession with several lucrative opportunities in Canada. By pursuing a education courses in Canada, international students can benefit from a robust educational system and professional development opportunities.