Professional Linking Program

Work Experience 

Applicants must:

• Have a minimum of two years of paraprofessional experience in their current role (in the B.C. school setting) and be working a minimum of three days per week at the time of application. Paraprofessionals include student support workers, para-educators (e.g., education assistants, child and youth care workers, counselors, settlement workers), independent schools educators and teachers working on a letter of permission;
• Ideally be working with children and youth at the age level they are applying to teach (i.e. elementary or secondary);
• Meet the minimum academic admission requirements for the age level they wish to teach; and
• If accepted into the program, must continue to be employed a minimum of three days a week (in B.C. K-12 classrooms) working with children and youth at the age level they have been accepted to teach.

SFU Undergraduate Admission Requirement

• All PLP applicants must be admissible to SFU at the undergraduate level.
  
• Applicants are required to apply for admission to SFU. See SFU Undergraduate Admissions for details.

SFU Literacy Requirement

• All PLP applicants must meet SFU's English Language requirement. Visit the SFU Undergraduate Admissions English Language requirement website for more information.
• To enroll in EDUC 402W or to declare the BEd 2nd degree you must meet the SFU Literacy (FAL) requirement. Direct enrollment in a W course requires a higher grade than SFU's English Language admission requirement. See options on the SFU Curriculum Development website.

SFU Quantitative Requirement

• All applicants to SFU degree programs must meet SFU's Quantitative/Analytical Skills requirement. There are many ways to meet the quantitative requirement. Visit the SFU Undergraduate Admissions Quantitative requirement website for more information.
• To declare the BEd 2nd degree, you must meet SFU's Foundations of Academic Numeracy (FAN) requirement for direct enrollment in a Quantitative (Q) course. Direct enrollment in a Q course requires a higher grade than SFU's Quantitative/Analytical Skills requirement for admission. See options on the SFU Curriculum Development website.
• If you do not meet the SFU English Language requirement or Quantitative/Analytical Skills requirement prior to application to the PLP, we strongly suggest you complete an acceptable university or college level W or Q course with a grade of C- or higher

French Language Requirement (Applicants Interested in Teaching French or in French Only)

Applicants who are interested in the French Module or completing their practicum in French and/or taking the EDUC 404 (summer) courses in French must send proof of French language proficiency. For more information, visit the French Language Requirement page.

Teacher Certification Requirement 

• To teach K-12 in B.C. schools, student teachers must meet the teacher certification requirements set out by the Teacher Regulation Branch (TRB) of the B.C. Ministry of Education
• In some cases, the PLP's requirements may be higher than the TRB's. This is because the PLP is designed to prepare teachers for the challenges of K-12 schooling in B.C., while the TRB’s must also consider inter-provincial certification.

Criminal Record Check

• Once accepted into the program, you must clear a Criminal Records Check with Vulnerable Sector Search.
• This must be done directly through the BC Services Card app. Instructions on how to submit the CRC are outlined on the Student Services website.

DEADLINES 

• Submit PLP applications online between October 1 and January 31 at 4 pm
• Applicants may start the online application form and work on it over time. However, late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Option 1

1. A completed, recognized Bachelor's degree
2. Completion of the English and Elementary prerequisite courses prior to the program start

Option  2

1. At the time of application, a minimum of 90 units of coursework acceptable toward a Bachelor’s degree at SFU
2. Completion of the English and elementary prerequisite courses prior to the program start

PLP applicants must also have a GPA of 2.5+ (approximately the last 60 units of undergraduate coursework) at the time of application.

• 6 units of English (including a minimum 3 units of English Literature)
• 3 units of Canadian History
• 3 units of Canadian Geography
• MATH 190 (Principles of Mathematics for Teachers) or equivalent with a recommended minimum C- final grade
  
• 3 units of Laboratory Science

The above prerequisite course requirements must be complete or in-progress at the time of application. For the Fall intakes of the PLP they must be completed by May 31 and for Spring intakes September 30.

For a list of accepted prerequisite courses offered at SFU and other B.C. post-secondary institutions, refer to the Chart of Acceptable Courses.

Prerequisite Courses 

• All prerequisite courses must be completed at least one term before starting the PLP.
• Fall intake applicants must submit their official transcripts by January 31 showing prerequisite courses complete or in-progress (must be complete by May 31). 
• Spring intake applicants have until September 30 to provide official transcripts showing prerequisite courses complete. 
• For a list of accepted prerequisite courses offered at SFU and other B.C. post-secondary institutions, refer to the Chart of Acceptable Courses

Completed before applying to the PLP (January 31):

• GPA 2.5+ (approximately last 60 units of undergraduate coursework)

Must be in-progress or completed at the time of application (January). If in-progress, courses must be completed by May 31 for Fall intake or September 30 for Spring intake:

• 2 English or French* courses (minimum 6 units with 3 units of literature)

For more information, see the Chart of Acceptable Courses

Completed before starting the PLP (by August 31 for Fall intake or December 31 for Spring intake):

Completion of a 4-year bachelor's degree, including the following:

• Bachelor's degree (minimum 120-unit degree)
• One or two teachable subjects (see list below)
• French language requirement (French module only)

*Applicants may substitute French literature and composition for English courses if applying for the French Module. This may prohibit completion of a BEd as a second degree during the PLP.

PREREQUISITE COURSES

• Prerequisite courses must be completed at least one term before starting the PLP
• Fall applicants may apply providing official transcripts by January 31 showing their English prerequisite courses still in-progress (must be completed by May 31). Spring applicants must submit their official transcript by September 30 showing completion of English courses.  

For a list of accepted prerequisite courses offered at SFU and other B.C. post-secondary institutions, refer to the Chart of Acceptable Courses to ensure you meet the English requirement.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY TEACHABLE SUBJECTS 

Applicants who plan to teach at the secondary level must fulfil the requirements of a 120-unit bachelor's degree with 30 units in a teachable subject (24 of which must be upper division) or have 30 units each in two teachable subjects (with 15 units of upper division in each subject), prior to starting the PLP.

A second teachable subject is required for: Computer Science, Dance, and Drama. Teachable subjects that require a second teachable must have 30 units with 15 upper division units.

Review the admission requirements, deadlines, and application samples

• 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

Request academic transcripts

Submit an official transcript from every college and university that you've attended, including withdrawals, incomplete, failed, repeated studies and attendance as an exchange student.

We cannot review your application if any transcripts are missing.

• 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.
• Order ALL transcript(s) to be sent directly from the issuing institution to the SFU Undergraduate Admissions office to be received by JANUARY 31

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. Please note 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.

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.

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.

Write your essay

Choose one or two experiences from your resume and explain:

• What you learned from these experiences that will help you as a future educator
• What they show about your interest in and potential for a career in education
• What questions they raise for you related to teaching and learning
• Why you chose these examples

Your essay should be 500–1000 words and fit on two single-sided pages. Use 12-point font, single spacing and 1" margins on all sides.

If you refer to other people in your essay—especially children or youth with whom you have worked—change their names and describe your experience with them in such a way that you guard their right to privacy.

Proofread your paper carefully. It will be evaluated based on:

• The overall quality of the writing
• The evidence it shows of critical reflection upon your part
• How well you demonstrate your potential for and interest in education

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

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 essay in English and French. Combine the English essay and French essay into one PDF. The online application has only one document upload button for the essay.

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 considering who to ask, keep in mind that:

• We reserve the right to contact recommenders to verify the information they provide; and 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 render the application ineligible for consideration.

Examples of inappropriate recommenders include:

• Family members, including in-law, step-family, etc. 
• Friends and co-workers

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.

You will not be able to submit your application until all three of your recommenders have submitted their recommendation forms.  For this reason, it is important to give each recommender a deadline (and as much notice as possible) to submit their application.

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

INSTRUCTIONS FOR STUDENTS NEW TO SFU

• New students to SFU must apply online through EducationPlannerBC. The SFU Undergraduate Admissions deadline is January 31 for Fall and September 15 for Spring.
  
• Students accepted to the PLP who do not submit an application to SFU Undergraduate Admissions by the deadline will not be able to start the PLP.  Therefore, all applicants MUST submit their application to the SFU Undergraduate Admissions office BEFORE the application deadline. If you do not submit an application to the SFU Undergraduate Admissions office, your PLP application may be cancelled.
• SFU Undergraduate Admissions requires a different application with a different set of admission requirements. Review SFU Admissions requirements and make certain you are prepared to meet them.

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

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 Simon Fraser University and other BC 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 (Fall intake)/September 30 (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.