Frequently Asked Questions

What teacher training programs does Niagara University in Ontario offer?

Elementary certification: Primary-Junior

Primary: Junior Kindergarten - grade 3 / Junior: grade 4 - grade 6.

Upon completion of the program graduates will hold a Bachelor of Professional Studies degree in Teacher Education.

                                          &

Secondary certification: Intermediate-Senior   

Intermediate: grade 7 - grade 10 / Senior: grade 11 - grade 12

Upon completion of the program graduates will hold a Bachelor of Professional Studies degree in Teacher Education.

Where will the Niagara University in Ontario programs be located?

Primary-Junior

Toronto District Catholic School Board

St. Luke's Elementary School

319 Ossington Ave.

Toronto, Ontario, M6J 3A6

Intermediate-Senior   

York Catholic District School Board

Brother Andre Catholic High School

6160 Sixteenth Ave. East

Markham, ON  L3P 3K8

Is Niagara University in Ontario a recognized institution? 

Yes, Niagara University in Ontario holds written consent under the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Is Niagara University in Ontario accredited by the Ontario College of Teachers?

Yes, Niagara University in Ontario is accredited by the Ontario College of Teachers.

Is the entire program taken in Ontario?

Yes, all coursework and field experiences will be completed in Ontario.

How long is the Niagara University in Ontario program and when will it start?

Both the Elementary and Secondary programs are three semesters and will take

approximately 1 ½ years to complete.

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Fall 2008 Start Date

Semester 1:  Fall 2008 (August- December)

Semester 2:  Spring 2009 (January-May)

Summer Off

Semester 3:  Fall 2009 (August- December)

(Student teaching is not available in the summer; therefore you do not attend in the summer). 

Fall 2009 Start Date

Semester 1:  Fall 2009 (August- December)

Semester 2:  Spring 2010 (January-May)

Summer Off

Semester 3:  Fall 2010 (August- December)

(Student teaching is not available in the summer; therefore you do not attend in the summer). 

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When can I apply to the Fall 2009 program?

Applications for Fall 2009 will be accepted starting December 2008.

What is the curriculum design of the program?

Semester 1:  Foundations

Semester 2:  Methods / Pedagogy

Semester 3: Student Teaching

What is the field experience requirement of the program?

Field experiences are designed to provide extensive experience in various types of schools, learning environments, grade levels (as they apply to the certificate), and in the diversity of the student population in the classrooms.   Field experiences can be accomplished in Public or Catholic school boards or a combination of both.   Niagara University in Ontario field experiences exceed those that are required by The Ontario Ministry of Education.

The following field experiences are embedded into the program:

1st Semester:  75 hours Pre-service Field Experiences

2nd Semester:  75 hours Teaching Assistantship- Two placements of 37.5 hours each. 

3rd Semester:  Practice Teaching-  Two approximately seven-week placements.  Each placement will address a different grade level to provide students with a variety of experiences in areas of certification.  The Office of Student Teaching facilitates placement and works with numerous boards in Ontario.

Secondary students will have placements in the content areas of their two teachables. 

I have heard the program at Niagara University in Ontario is a cohort-based program.   What is a cohort-based program?

Cohort-based programs are programs in which candidates attend courses and field experiences as a specific group earning their degrees together in a professional learning community.  A cohort approach takes a diverse group of students and attempts to build them into a community of teacher-learners by structuring their class schedules together and by teaching them in a way that emphasizes collegiality.  It is extraordinarily non-competitive, and thus non-traditional.  The learning of each individual will assist the learning of others; the accomplishments of one should help all.  This adds to the peer support that candidates experience within their group while at Niagara University, in field experiences, student teaching and later as alumni. 

 
The model is based on a set of principles known as constructivism in which the program is built on the sound research base of cooperative learning and is consistent with recent findings on successful professional growth projects.  It provides a laboratory of meaningful interaction and offers the opportunity to develop professional dispositions and leadership skills on a daily basis. 

Further, the program utilizes team strategies drawn from the business and athletic worlds and fuses them into a collaborative school faculty.  Candidates and professors alike find cohort-based programs to be a positive and dynamic learning experience.

Simply put: to get ready to become a teacher in the collaborative, constructivist and reflective schools of tomorrow, the students work as a cohort in their pre-service studies today.

Do I get to pick my schedule?

Since the program is cohort-based, your schedule is assigned.

How many days a week is the program?

Classes will be four days per week, including field experiences.

How many credit hours is the program?

33 credit hours, which is the equivalent of 11 half (.5) year courses.

What is the cost of tuition for the program?

The program is 33 credit hours.  For the 2008 academic year cost per credit hour is $565 Canadian.  33 hours x $565  =  $18,645 CA.    Tuition is paid on semester-by-semester basis in Canadian funds.

Semester One- 12 hours x $565  = $6,780 CA. 

Semester Two- 15 hours x $565 = $8,475 CA.

Semester Three- 6 hours x $565  = $3,390 CA. 

Besides tuition, are there any additional fees?

There is a $25 registration fee for each of the three semesters.

What materials do I need to apply?

Niagara University in Ontario’s teacher education application process is self managed.  Please submit the application and ALL application materials (including official transcripts) enclosed in one packet.  Partial and incomplete packages will not be considered.

• Niagara University in Ontario Teacher Education Application (enclosed or on website- www.niagara.edu/teach).

• $30.00 CA application fee.

• Official transcripts of all colleges and universities attended in a sealed institution envelope included with your application. (If you have not yet graduated and/or your degree has not been conferred, please enclose an in-progress letter).

• Two references (academic or professional) in sealed envelopes with the referee’s signature across the seal included with your application. Please use the Niagara University reference form (www.niagara.edu/teach).

• Statement of Intent. Two-page, double-spaced, typewritten statement discussing your teacher education philosophy, professional goals, objectives, strengths and weaknesses.

***For applicants whose native language is not English, scores on the TOEFL are required.  For the Internet–based TOEFL iBT we require a total score of 103 with scores of at least 23 in listening, 24 in reading, 28 in writing and 28 in speaking***

A degree evaluation by WES - www.wes.org - is required for applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree outside of the U.S. or Canada.  Please select the comprehensive course-by-course report.

Remember to submit your application and ALL application materials in one packet to:           

                                          Teacher Education Admissions Office

                                          Academic Complex - Room 225, Box 1930

                                          Niagara University, New York 14109-1930

Is a Bachelor’s Degree required to apply?

Yes, a Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited college or university is required for admissions.  The degree conferred needs to be posted on the official transcript. 

What if I am “in progress” with a scheduled graduation date?

Individuals who are still students and currently “in progress” with a graduation date planned before the start of Niagara University in Ontario’s program need to indicate this on their application.  Also, an official letter from the college / university will be needed to verify your planned graduation date.   The “in progress” letter usually is provided by the registrar or academic department.

Please submit with your application the “in progress” letter and transcript along with a copy of any registrations for classes currently enrolled in if they do not appear on your transcript.  A second transcript will be required once your degree is conferred and posted. 

What average do I need to be considered for the program?

You need a minimum overall average of a 70 /B.  Individuals applying to the Secondary program also need a minimum average of a 70/ B in both teachable areas. 

Do I need prior volunteer experience to be considered for the program?

Niagara University in Ontario highly recommends experiences with children and adolescents but does not require it.   Any experiences working with children and adolescents are valuable and certainly a great way to find out if teaching is the right career for you. 

Preferred status is given to Primary / Junior applicants who have prepared for the diverse elementary school curriculum by having a college or university half credit or more in the following academic areas:

• English
• Math
• Science
• Social Studies (Canadian History / Geography)
• Fine Arts

What credit system does Niagara University in Ontario use?

Niagara University in Ontario is on the three credit hour system.   Three credit hours  equal .5 credit / half year course.   Many Canadian courses are full year, which would equate to 6 credit hours.  Six full year courses (or 12 half credits) would equate to 36 college / university credit hours.

Will I be certified to teach in Ontario after completing the program?

As with all Ontario universities, teacher candidates apply to the Ontario College of Teachers for a Certification of Qualifications.  Upon completion of Niagara University in Ontario’s program, official transcripts of coursework will be sent to the Ontario College of Teachers by the Niagara University College of Education.   Niagara University in Ontario holds written consent under the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and is accredited by the Ontario College of Teachers.

How many credits in my 1st teachable and 2nd teachable do I need if I want to teach Secondary?

The first specific teachable area requires 6 full year courses (36 credits / units).  The second teachable area requires 3 full year courses (18 credits / units).   Two teachables are required for the Niagara University in Ontario program. 

What Teachables for Secondary Education does Niagara University in Ontario offer?

Business Studies- Accounting

Business Studies- Entrepreneurship

Business Studies- General

Business Studies- Information and Communication Technology

Computer Studies

Economics

English

Francais

Geography

History

Social Sciences – General

International Languages

Mathematics

Politics

Religious Education

Science- General

Science- Biology

Science- Chemistry

Science- Physics

Visual Arts

Dramatic Arts

Philosophy

Program Outline

Attend an information session

to find out more!!!

Where is Niagara University New York campus located?

Niagara University’s New York campus is located in the Town of Lewiston, New York.  It stands atop the picturesque Niagara River Gorge five miles from the world famous Niagara Falls and overlooks the Province of Ontario, Canada.  The Queenston – Lewiston Bridge is only one mile from Niagara University. Niagara University was founded in 1856.

More information sessions, both in Ontario and on the NU Campus, will be coming up soon.  Check the web site for dates, times and locations. 

It is highly recommended that you attend an information session. 

Niagara University reserves the right to make revisions on any or all specifications contained herein and to apply such revisions to current and new students alike.  The provisions in this document are to be considered directive in character and not as an irrevocable contract between the student and graduate division.