Practicum & Field Experience

Practicum and Field Experience

B.Ed. Program Police Information Check (PIC) and Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) Requirements

Incoming year one B.Ed. students and B.Ed. students entering year three:

A current PIC/VSC is required for all field experience and practicum placements. 

Year one B.Ed. students are expected to pay the full fee for this first PIC/VSC. 

The Department of Education extends ONE unpaid practicum letter prior to year three of the program. 

Please apply for your PIC/VSC as soon as possible. 

If applying through the CPS, make contact using the following email or phone number:

cps-picunit@calgarypolice.ca or 403.420.2052

You will receive an explanation of how to apply. Ensure you are applying for a PIC as the Department of Education does not accept EPICs. 

If you are located outside Calgary, contact your local RCMP or local police detachment for instructions on how to apply. 

When you begin your program in the fall, you will be required to show your original PIC/VSC to the Field Experience and Practicum Coordinator (FEPC). 

Year three B.Ed. students are expected to apply for a new PIC/VSC after receiving the year three unpaid practicum letter in the winter semester of year two. Review the instructions above for the application process.

Year two and year four B.Ed. students may use their existing PIC/VSC provided there is no change to the information.

Our mentor teachers and administrators are from:

  • Calgary Board of Education
  • Calgary Catholic School District
  • Calgary Charter Schools
  • Foothills School Division
  • Rocky View Schools

Our mentor teachers are typically K–6 Generalists in one of the above school divisions.

In order to mentor Year 1 or 2 field experience, teachers must have a minimum of two years of teaching experience and a recommendation from an administrator.

To mentor Year 3 or 4 practicum, teachers require a minimum of three years of teaching experience plus a recommendation from an administrator.

Integrated Practicum

Year 4 teacher candidates participate in an integrated final practicum. Rather than taking compacted courses in the weeks preceding practicum, courses are taught at the practicum schools throughout the semester to foster rich theory-practice integration. Teacher candidates are placed in cohorts to meet for weekly seminars.

After Graduation

Professional Standards Branch of Alberta Education certifies teachers in Alberta. Graduates of Mount Royal University are issued their initial Interim Professional Certificate at the recommendation of the Dean of the Faculty of Health, Community and Education. Graduating students should apply to Alberta Education for certification one to two months prior to the completion of their degree program. Please visit the Teacher Education website for further details.

The Teaching Qualification Services (TQS) of the Alberta Teachers Association evaluates all post-secondary education for salary purposes. It is recommended that you apply to TQS for assessment two to three months before the anticipated completion of your program. TQS will require your teacher certification number assigned to you by Alberta Education, as well as official copies of transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended to complete your program. Please visit the Teacher Qualification Services website for further details.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Education — Elementary are qualified to seek admission to a Master of Education or a Master of Arts program at institutions across Canada.

 

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