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Teacher Education Programs

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Teachers with Young Students, Music Students, and Sports Students

Preparing to become a new teacher? Are you an experienced teacher looking to earn professional qualifications? McGill’s Faculty of Education offers multiple pathways into the teaching profession. Students learn from leading researchers, experienced educators, and one another while developing the professional competencies needed for today's classrooms.

Explore our three teacher education pathways and numerous professional development programs and find a program that best suits your needs:

  • The Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) prepares undergraduate students for the teaching profession through a combination of university coursework and progressively hands-on field experiences under the guidance of mentor teachers.
  • The Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning (MATL) is an accelerated pathway that combines coursework and school-based internships for individuals who already hold an undergraduate degree in a teachable discipline and wish to become certified teachers.
  • The Graduate Diploma (Gr. Dip.) in Teaching and Learning is a course-based program for experienced teachers who are already working in schools and wish to obtain a Quebec teaching licence while continuing to teach. 
  • In-community programs in teacher certification and professional development are offered through the Office of First Nations and Inuit Education (OFNIE) in select Indigenous communities in the province of Quebec.
  • Professional Development programs, including graduate certificates, allow in-service teachers to expand their knowledge, develop new areas of expertise, and earn additional qualifications throughout their careers, including pathways to school administration.


You can browse all our individual teacher education programs using the navigation menu.

 

Which Program is Best for Me?

Compare McGill's three main teacher education pathways to better understand their intended audiences, program structure, fieldwork component, certification pathways, and admission requirements:

Program Eligibility Comparison

 

Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)

Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning (MATL)

Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning

Level of Study:

 Bachelor's degree Master's degree (non-thesis) Graduate diploma

Designed for:

 Those pursuing an undergraduate degree that leads to teacher certification Those with an undergraduate degree seeking teacher certification Experienced teachers currently employed in schools with a Letter of Tolerance

Previous University degree required:

 No Yes, with a minimum 30 credits in the program’s teachable discipline Yes, with a minimum 30 credits in the program’s teachable discipline

Teaching experience required:

 No experience is required or requested. Some experience working or volunteering with youth is generally encouraged. No formal teaching experience is needed; however, you must have relevant experience working or volunteering with youth in formal or informal settings. Yes, a minimum 5 years’ full-time teaching experience or equivalent.

 

Program Details Comparison

  Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning (MATL) Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning
Teaching certification(s) Upon Successful Program Completion*
  • Provisional teaching licence, while studying
  • Teaching diploma, upon graduation
  • Provisional teaching licence, while studying
  • Teaching diploma, upon graduation
  • Provisional teaching licence, while studying
  • Probationary teaching permit, upon graduation
Part-Time Studies

Not Available

 Available Available
Credits & Typical Duration

120 credits

4 years (full-time)

45 credits

16 months (full-time) or

24+ months (part-time)

30 credits

16 months (full-time) or

24+ months (part-time)
Field Placements

4 placements; typically 1 per year

2 placements; 1 per term (Fall, Winter)

None. As in-service teachers, students do not complete placements.
Available Specializations

Kindergarten & Elementary (gr. K-6):

Secondary (gr. 7-11):

Music (gr. K-11)

Physical & Health Education (gr. K-11)

English Second Language (gr. K-11):

Secondary (gr. 7-11)

English or French Second Language (gr. K-11)

Secondary (gr. 7-11)

English or French Second Language (gr. K-11)
*Eligibility for any teaching licence identified on this page is subject to the successful completion of all applicable program requirements, satisfaction of the eligibility criteria established by the relevant certification authority, and the submission and approval of all required documentation.
Learn More about Quebec Teaching Licenses
 

Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) Programs

    In-Community First Nations and Inuit Education

    Programs are offered through the Office of First Nations and Inuit Education (OFNIE) in select Indigenous communities in the province of Quebec.

    Programs Leading to Teacher Certification:
    Teacher Education Professional Development:

    (Please note that these programs do not lead to Quebec teacher certification but are geared towards personal and professional development.)

    Professional Development Offering Additional Qualifications in Scholastic Settings

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