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Queen’s-Waterloo Concurrent Education

Queen’s-Waterloo Concurrent Education is a five-year program that prepares secondary school graduates to become Mathematics or Computer Science educators. Students study at Waterloo University, and they attend Queen's Faculty of Education from September to the end of April, following their third year.

Two Con Ed students facing the water.

Program Overview

  • two degrees at the same time: Bachelor’s in Mathematics or Computer Science (Waterloo) and a Bachelor of Education (Queen’s)
  • for Intermediate-Senior (Grades 7-12) in mathematics and a second subject (normally in Computer Studies, Science-Biology, Science-Chemistry, or Science- Physics)
  • approximately 10 students are selected to the program annually
  • teacher candidates complete 13 weeks of placement during at Queen’s.  This includes an alternative practicum that can be done outside a school setting and anywhere in the world as long as it is related to the program
  • the Elliott/Upitis/Bamji Travel Fellowships support education-related travel outside Canada such as for alternative practicum placements
  • graduates are viewed favourably by school boards and other prospective employers due to their additional experience in schools.

Courses

Queen’s-Waterloo Intermediate-Senior candidates take courses such as:

  • Schools, teaching and curriculum
  • Planning for learning
  • Assessment and evaluation
  • Professional teaching practice
  • Equity, inclusivity and special education
  • Psychology, philosophy and social justice

These courses will expand your perception of education as you know it, introduce you to new ideas and practices, and ask you to critically reflect on how you will practice as an educator. You can also select elective courses to tailor your program to your needs.

Brief descriptions of the courses offered in Queen’s-Waterloo Joint Program can be found in the Faculty of Education calendar.

Practica

Students complete 13 weeks of placements. There are 3 practicum components: two components in the fall (3 weeks each) and one component in the winter term (4 weeks). These practicum components are followed by an alternative practicum (3 weeks), which offers an opportunity to explore an area of educational interest within a context that is different from that experienced during the three regular practicum blocks. Candidates are encouraged to complete placements outside of a school setting, and they can do an alternative practicum anywhere in the world as long as it is related to the program.

The practicum portion of the final year program is longer at Queen’s than at many other faculties of education, and students therefore gain additional practical experience. Moreover, the Queen’s Elliott/Upitis/Bamji Travel Fellowships support education-related travel outside Canada such as for alternative practicum placements in an international setting.

Admission Requirements

Selection of applicants is based mainly on:

  • satisfying the University of Waterloo Joint Program application requirements (an interview and satisfactory academic and work-term performance)
  • the number of spaces available in the teaching subject requested
  • Practicum placement availability
  • the score from the Personal Statement of Experience (PSE)
  • the score based on the academic average

The scores from the Personal Statement of Experience and academic average have equal weight.

See How to Apply.

For additional information, please see the University of Waterloo’s Mathematics/Teaching program website.

Events and Extracurricular Activities

Events and extracurricular activities provide teacher candidates with further opportunities to initiate and experience projects and develop their professional network. For further information about annual Faculty of Education events and activities, see News & Events.

Career Opportunities

The Education Registrar will inform the Registrar of the Ontario College of Teachers when a teacher candidate has successfully completed the program. Graduating teacher candidates who plan to teach in Ontario must formally register to become members of the College and be awarded the Certificate of Qualification and Registration as a teacher.

Given the different curriculum taught in each province, teacher candidates interested in teaching in other provinces need to ensure they have the requisite background to teach in that province.

Graduates are engaged in a variety of careers ranging from full-time classroom teaching to work in other areas. For further information, see Education Career Services and our Alumni Spotlights.