Laurier-Nipissing Concurrent Education Program
Laurier-Nipissing Concurrent Education Program at Laurier Brantford
The Laurier-Nipissing Concurrent Education program offers students a unique experience. Combining the strength of Laurier Brantford’s liberal arts programming with the quality of Nipissing’s Schulich School of Education, graduates of this program are well-prepared for a career in education. In five years, students achieve an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Studies and a Bachelor of Education.
Because it’s broad-based, the Contemporary Studies BA is the perfect degree to accompany a BEd. It is not a typical discipline-based program; instead, it looks at the problems, topics and issues relevant to our world from a variety of perspectives. Teachers at the primary, junior or intermediate levels are required to have an understanding of a wide range of subjects, and the broader your educational background, the better prepared, more knowledgeable and more successful you will be as a teacher.
You can combine the Contemporary Studies program with other honours programs, options or minors such as English, History, Human Rights & Human Diversity, Indigenous Studies or Psychology. Students will apply to either the Primary/Junior or Junior/Intermediate divisions. Upon graduation, many students pursue Additional Basic Qualification courses that certify them to teach a third division. All requirements of this program are completed at the Laurier-Nipissing campuses in Brantford, Ontario.
Program highlights
- Practicum placements
The Laurier-Nipissing concurrent education program gets you into the classroom sooner and for a longer period of time. By the time you graduate from the Laurier-Nipissing program, you will have over 20 weeks of practicum — almost double what you would receive in other education programs. Research shows that teacher candidates gain confidence from practical and varied learning experiences, which they bring to job interviews and to the classroom. In determining your practicum, you will have your choice of placements in public or Catholic schools in various surrounding boards in years one to three of the program. In fifth year, you can request a placement in any Ontario school board. Placements in different grades of Primary/Junior (JK–6) and Junior/Intermediate (4–10) ensure a variety of school and grade experiences by the time you graduate
- Alternative placements
The Concurrent Education program includes a variety of alternative practicum placements. All students will complete a placement in unique settings such as museums, hospitals and private schools. Students also have the opportunity to complete an International placement in countries such as Kenya or Italy.
- Technology in teaching
Technology in education is changing rapidly and employers expect our future teachers to be current in the latest software and equipment. The Laurier-Nipissing Concurrent Education program is offering students an exciting technological initiative called the iTeach Program that will prepare our students for the convergence of educational programs and computer technology. All iTeach Program participants are provided with ongoing professional learning during both on-campus activities (course work, workshops, drop-in centre support) and off-campus practicum experiences. Teacher candidates are provided with opportunities to acquire the skills, knowledge and perspectives required to successfully integrate educational technology to enhance teaching and learning experiences in 21st century classrooms. If a laptop is being purchased, it is highly recommended that students purchase an Apple MacBook* laptop computer. Exclusive discount prices are available for students via the My Nipissing portal (http://my.nipissingu.ca/); MacBooks may be new, refurbished or used.
Courses offered
Popular courses
- Developmental Psychology for Educators
- Sociology of Education
- Mathematics and Teaching
Admission requirements
| High School Admission Requirements | College Grad Admission Requirements |
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ENG4U at 70% One of Three 4U Maths at 60% * A minimum average of 75% in six 4U/4M courses *FSF 4U at 70% or equivalent is required to |
Contact the Recruitment office for more info. |
Faculty experience
Maria Cantalini-Williams attributes her respect for education, passion for learning and love of children to positive childhood experiences. She had an early desire to be a teacher, and remembers “playing school” with her younger brothers as a child. Her educational journey has involved a number of steps, including time as an elementary school teacher, a school board consultant, a university professor and now, as the associate dean (interim) of the Laurier-Nipissing Concurrent Education program, a leadership role in teacher education.
“With our outstanding teaching faculty, our current technology and our creative programming, we are committed to developing exemplary educators for the 21st century,” she says. Life at home is an extension of work for Cantalini-Williams. Her three children are in different educational systems, and her husband is a principal in an elementary school. She says her family “keeps her grounded and informed in the practical realities of education.”
Alumni experience
Sarah Innes enjoyed all aspects of the Concurrent Education program, but for her the practicum was what made the Laurier-Nipissing program stand out. “Students are able to build their experiences by having different placements each year,” she says. “You are able to find the areas that you enjoy the most, and how your teaching strategies can be improved or changed.”
She also learned a lot about the different roles within education and the diversity of opportunities available. “The program provided excellent preparation for a variety of classrooms,” she says. “I had the opportunity to complete a course in American sign language, I had a placement in a special needs classroom and I taught overseas in China, all of which helped me develop as a teacher.” Innes graduated from the program in 2009, and is currently an Academic Advisor at Laurier Brantford.
