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Review the admission requirements, application steps and deadlines.

• Review PLP Admission Requirements
• Review the application timeline and process as shown on the PLP Application Instructions to make sure you will have all your materials together in time
• Review the PLP Application Evaluation Process to understand how your application will be evaluated

Apply to SFU Undergraduate Admissions by JANUARY 31 to get an SFU student number. 

SFU UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS QUESTIONS

The PPS Admissions office does not handle SFU Undergraduate applications. For more information regarding admission to SFU, contact SFU Student Services:

Phone: 778-782-6930
Email: reginfo@sfu.ca
Website: sfu.ca/students/admission-requirements

• Request official academic transcripts from every college and university that you've attended, including withdrawals, incomplete, failed, repeated studies and attendance as an exchange student.
• SFU students do not need to order their SFU transcripts, as we have access to those records.
• You must include original transcript(s) for College Board - Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or any transfer credits (i.e. exchange program and college transfer) where applicable.
• Send ALL transcript(s) to the SFU Undergraduate Admissions office by OCTOBER 1 for a January start and FEBRUARY 15 for a September start.

NOTE: Due to high volumes, allow 4-6 weeks AƬ×ÊÔ´°É to indicate that we have received and processed your documents in your Student Centre. Your application will not be cancelled if your document was submitted by the deadline. 

Reminders:

• You must submit official transcripts from institutions where you are currently taking courses
• If your transcript does not show degree conferral, you must submit a letter from an academic advisor at your institution confirming the number of units (credits) you have completed towards your degree. For Secondary level this letter should confirm your degree will be completed prior to the start of PLP. The academic advisor must email the degree confirmation letter to pps_admissions@sfu.ca.

TIP: If you are requesting transcripts from institutions outside of B.C., you should start this step as far in advance of the deadline as possible.

The same system is used for several teacher education programs at SFU. You will need to do the following to complete your online application:

1. Create an account
2. Confirm the account  
   You will receive a confirmation email.
3. Select 'PLP' as the program you are applying to
4. Complete the online application form  
   You will need your SFU student number to complete this form.
5. Upload your resume
6. Complete the short answer questions
7. Enter the names and email addresses of your 3 recommenders  
   The application system will contact these people for their recommendations.
8. Pay the non-refundable $80 CAD application fee using PayPal  
   PayPal accepts debit and credit cards even if you do not have a PayPal account. We do not accept e-transfers.
9. Submit your application 
   This is only possible after all three of your recommendations have been received.

TIP: You can start your application early and work on it over time. This way you may review, edit or change your application at any time until you click the final submit button. After that time, you cannot change your application or any of your submitted materials. Your application form, resume, essay, and recommendation forms must all be complete before you can press the final "submit" button.

CREATE YOUR RESUME

Your resume should:

• Include your contact information, education, work and volunteer experiences and any honours, awards, special talents, skills or training. List the length of time/years you were in each position, the average number of hours per week you worked (or volunteered) and your duties
• Include a detailed summary of your duties in each paraprofessional position (CYCW, SEA, CCSW, EA, etc); the name of schools/districts and contact persons; the length of experience in each paraprofessional experience and the total years of experience as a paraprofessional
• Be no longer than four single-sided pages
• Be detailed, but in an outline rather than a narrative form

When evaluating resumes, we are looking for evidence of knowledge and experiences that will prove useful to you if you were to become a teacher, including evidence of experience:

1. Working with children/youth at the grade level you wish to teach
2. Engaging in work or activities in an instructional setting
3. Collaborating and working with others
4. Showing leadership and/or initiative
5. Demonstrating organization and time management skills
6. Engaging with a diverse range of learners
7. Engaging in novel situations and/or with a diverse range of individuals
8. Using skills or knowledge related to the subject(s) you wish to teach

It is important to highlight your experiences which relate to the above dimensions.

You will upload your resume to the online application system in PDF format.

NOTE: If you want to do your practicum in French and/or take the EDUC 404 (summer) courses in French, we encourage you to submit your resume in French and English. Combine the English resume and French resume into one PDF. The online application has only one document upload button for the resume.

COMPLETE THE SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

You will respond to the following short answer questions as part of your supplemental application via the online system. You will have a maximum of 300 words for each answer.

1. Teaching carries a serious responsibility, and it allows the influence of and access to children and youth in our province.  Why should you be a teacher? 
2. Describe two essential characteristics of effective teachers and outline examples from your resume of when you have embodied these qualities.  
3. What is your understanding of teaching and learning in B.C.'s current context?  How do you see yourself specifically contributing to the future of education in our province? 

NOTE: If you want to do your practicum in French and/or take the EDUC 404 (summer) courses in French, we encourage you to submit your answers in French.

TIP: Do not repeat information already stated in previous responses.

FIND THREE RECOMMENDATIONS

When submitting your online PLP application form, you will be asked to submit email addresses for three individuals who are willing to complete a recommendation for you. The system will then automatically send these individuals (recommenders) an email requesting they fill out an online recommendation form.

Recommendations may only be submitted via the online system. Paper recommendations are no longer accepted. Download the PPS Recommendation Form Questions to review most of the questions they will be asked.

One recommendation must come from a school administrator supporting your PLP application. The other recommendations must come from educators who have observed you interacting with children/adolescents in an educational setting (public and/or independent school).

When selecting recommenders, it’s important to remember:

• At least two professional recommendations must come from appropriate individuals who have experience working with youth or children.  
• At least two recommenders need to have observed you working in group settings with age-appropriate students or youth, preferably within the last two years. 
• Recommenders cannot be family, friends, or secondary teachers (unless applicant volunteered in the classroom post-graduation).

When considering who to ask, keep in mind that:

• We reserve the right to contact recommenders to verify the information they provide.
• Recommendations must be professional in nature.
• Recommendations from friends or relatives are not acceptable, even if those friends or relatives are educators.
• Inappropriate recommendations will make the application ineligible for consideration.

If the individual you ask is willing to complete a recommendation, ask them for an email address you can submit to the application system and explain how the system will send them an email request to complete the form. Inform them of the due date for their recommendation.

TIP: Provide your recommenders with a copy of your resume. They may find it useful for writing your recommendation.

The PLP is a teacher education program offered by the Faculty of Education's Preservice Professional Studies. It is for anyone who wants to teach K-12 and get their B.C. teaching certificate. Successful applicants who have completed a bachelor's degree before the start of the PLP may have the option of completing a Bachelor of Education as a second degree during the program—without adding extra time or cost.

Applicants with recognized degrees from outside of Canada can be considered for admission to the PLP. Applicants should refer to our admission requirements page for specific course/content requirements.

If you have specific questions about meeting the academic admission requirements you can send a copy of your transcripts to: pps_admissions@sfu.ca. 

Yes, Elementary PLP applicants can apply with a minimum of 90 units completed at the time of application toward a degree. All Secondary PLP applicants and Elementary PLP applicants who wish to be considered for the Bachelor of Education as a Second Degree can apply with their degree in progress, but it must be completed before starting the PLP (by the end of August for the September (Fall) intake and by the end of December for the January (Spring) intake.

All Secondary PLP applicants and Elementary PLP applicants who wish to be considered for the Bachelor of Education as a Second Degree, whose transcript does not show degree conferral at the time of application, must submit a Degree Confirmation Letter from an academic advisor at their post-secondary institution. This letter must confirm that your degree (major/minor) requirements will be complete by the end of August for the September (Fall) intake or by the end of December for the January (Spring) intake before the start of PLP. The academic advisor must email the degree confirmation letter to pps_admissions@sfu.ca.

The GPA is calculated on your most recent 60 units (minimum) of undergraduate-level coursework. To calculate the admission GPA, we:

• Use approximately the last 60 units of undergraduate coursework at the time of application (we do not stop in the middle of a term).
  
• Use the higher of the two grades if you repeat a course;
• Convert percentage grades from other universities to the SFU Standard Grade System for GPA calculation. 

Applicants are required to have a minimum 2.50 (on the 4.33 scale).

Yes, we have provided a Chart of Acceptable Courses offered by AƬ×ÊÔ´°É and other B.C. post-secondary level institutions. We also have a specific chart for Secondary - Social Studies Requirements. This chart lists SFU courses only. The equivalent courses can be completed at another institution.

NOTE: These charts do not include every eligible course at the institutions named. They provide a sampling of appropriate courses from British Columbia. These courses reflect current offerings. Other courses may previously have been acceptable in satisfying the prerequisites.

Email pps_admissions@sfu.ca with any questions about the charts.

You should be registered in, or have previously completed, the prerequisite course requirements prior to submitting your application for the PLP. This includes 6 units of English Literature (elementary and secondary), as well as 3 units of Canadian History, Canadian Geography, Mathematics for Teachers (SFU Math 190 or equivalent) and Lab Science (elementary only).

We require official transcripts showing registration in (or completion of) the required courses at the time of application. All prerequisites must be completed by MAY 31 for the Fall intake or OCTOBER 1 for the Spring intake.

No. If you have a declared math major or minor and are applying to teach at the elementary level you do not need to complete the Mathematics for Teachers pre-requisite course.

NOTE: The math major or minor must show on your transcript.

Yes, you will need to take the Mathematics for Teachers course. The only exception is if you are a declared math major or minor student (see question above for details). We do not accept pre-calculus, calculus, finite math or statistics courses to meet this requirement.

No, we do not accept kinesiology courses to meet the lab science requirement. Refer to the Elementary Chart of Acceptable Courses for acceptable lab science courses.

No, at the time of application applicants must be working a minimum of 3 days per week and have at least 2 years of experience at the time of application in a school setting as a paraprofessional, ideally working with students in the age range they wish to teach and at the level to which they will be applying. It is also a requirement that all PLP students be employed in a school setting working with students in the age range they wish to teach and at the level for which they have been accepted when the program starts.

The PLP is designed specifically for working paraprofessionals with extensive experience working with children in school settings. The PLP differs from PDP (the standard teacher education program) in that some of the more introductory aspects, especially those that pertain to orienting the student teacher to the public school system, are eliminated or tailored to the paraprofessional’s work activity in the school. In addition, PLP students are expected to apply their on-campus learning to their school-based employment, and vice versa.

You are eligible to apply to the PLP if you have worked at least 3 days per week (60%) over the past 2 years and will continue to work at least 3 days per week (60%) while in the program.

The PPS Admissions office does not require transcripts. All post-secondary transcripts (college, university, institutes, exchange programs) at the undergraduate and graduate level must be sent to the SFU Undergraduate Admissions office. We also require College Board Advanced Placement (AP) transcripts and International Baccalaureate (IB) transcripts if you have received post-secondary transfer credit for them. 

The SFU Undergraduate Admissions office may ask for secondary (high school) level transcripts if they cannot determine that you meet the SFU Literacy or Quantitative requirement with your post-secondary transcripts.

SFU will need an official transcript in the original language as well as an official English translation. Contact SFU Undergraduate Admissions with questions.