Education · 1 of 4
The path
Outside Quebec: a degree in something, then a degree in teaching. Quebec has its own route: tap Quebec route to add it.
- 1
High school
Grades 11 and 12
Any path. For high school teaching, focus on the subjects you want to teach.
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Bachelor's degree
3 to 4 years
For elementary, any subject. For secondary, you need enough courses in two teachable subjects, for example math and physics, or English and history.
- 3
Bachelor of Education (B.Ed)
1 to 2 years
In Ontario it takes two years today. For students starting from May 2027, most Ontario programs move to about 12 months, three terms in a row, though some still wait for their university's approval and a few, such as Lakehead's, still list two years. Most other provinces take 1 to 2 years. Includes practicum placements in real classrooms.
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Provincial certification
A few weeks
Register with your provincial regulator, for example the Ontario College of Teachers or the BC (British Columbia) Teacher Regulation Branch.
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Supply list, then a contract
Varies
Most new teachers supply-teach first. Time to a permanent contract varies from months to years depending on region and subject.