Bachelor of education (primary/elementary) as a second degree

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Faculty: Education Campus: St. John's
Length: Two years (Five semesters)
Practical experience: School visit days and one-semester internship 
Prospective students: Fill out our student inquiry form to receive updates from Memorial.
Program website University Calendar


The bachelor of education (primary/elementary) as a second degree is a full-time 72 credit hour, professional program, which includes a number of integrated field experiences throughout the program as well as a 12 credit hour teaching internship. It is intended for candidates who have already completed an appropriate bachelor’s degree. This program is available at the St. John’s campus and will run for fall, winter and intersession in the first year, followed by a break during the summer session and concluding with fall and winter semesters in the second year. A 75 credit hour French as a second language option is also available and commences in August each year.

The Grenfell campus offering of this program is currently under review and is not available for intake at this time. For further information please contact the Faculty of Education's Office of Academic Programs.

French as a second language option is available only at the St. John’s campus.

Admission requirements

IntakeApplication deadlineDocument deadline
Fall (September) semester Jan. 15 Jan. 31 Feb. 1 Feb. 14


To apply for admission into the Faculty of Education, indicate your desired degree option in the appropriate place on the undergraduate application for admission

To be considered for admission to the bachelor of education (primary/elementary) as a second degree program, you must have been awarded an approved bachelor’s degree or been approved (prior to the program start) for the award of a bachelor’s degree from a university recognized by Memorial University and achieved a cumulative average of at least 65% or an average of at least 65% on the last attempted 30 credit hours (10 courses).

You must also have completed a minimum of:

  • six credit hours in English (English as a second language courses cannot be used to satisfy this requirement)
  • six credit hours in mathematics or three credit hours in calculus
  • six credit hours in psychology
  • six credit hours from two separate science areas, three credit hours must have a laboratory component. Chemistry 1900 may be used to satisfy three credit hours of the laboratory requirement.
    The science areas are: biochemistry, biology, chemistry, earth sciences, environmental science, ocean sciences, physics
  • six credit hours in any combination to be chosen from: anthropology, archaeology, economics, folklore, gender studies, geography, history, indigenous studies, linguistics, philosophy, political science, religious studies or sociology
  • 24 credit hours in any one focus area as outlined in the Calendar. No more than six credit hours at the 1000 level can be used to fulfill this requirement

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French focus area applicants

If you intend for French to be your focus area, you must apply under the French as a second language option. This option begins with a three-week institute in August. Under this option you must have:

  • completed the DELF Tout Public (Level B2) and achieved an overall grade of at least 70%, with no less than 60% in any one skill area of the exam;
  • completed at least eight weeks at an approved Francophone institution or have acquired equivalent work experience in a Francophone environment; and
  • completed at least 36 credit hours in French with an average of at least 65% in the 36 credit hours.

For further information on this option please contact the Faculty of Education's Office of Academic Programs.

Additional documents required for admission

Your application to the bachelor of education (primary/elementary) as a second degree will require you to submit the following:

  • personal statement (included as part of the online application)
  • academic and non-academic references
  • official transcript(s)

The Faculty of Education provides full details on supporting documents required for admission.

Sample courses

ED 3273 - Science in the Primary/Elementary Grades
ED 3951 - Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in the Primary/Elementary School I
ED 4425 - Introduction to Educational Administration

Career opportunities

Our graduates teach in schools worldwide, where they enjoy considerable success in their chosen profession. The skills developed during this program will open up many other career paths. Our graduates also occupy leadership positions in other educational (non-school), business and industry settings.