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Bachelor of General Studies

Method of Delivery:
in-person and/or online
 Applications open:
October 1, 2023 (high school applicants)

March 1, 2024 (transfer applicants)		 Applications close:
January 31, 2024 (high school applicants)

April 15, 2024 (transfer applicants)		 Next start date:
Fall 2024

Application and Tuition

Designed with the non-specialist in mind, the Bachelor of General Studies in Education (BGS) gives you the freedom, flexibility and support to explore a wide variety of subjects and develop the skills you'll need to chart your career course.  

Whether or not you decide to become a teacher, the BGS in Education is a great program for anyone who's interested in learning more about educational theories, research and practices, and how they apply both inside and outside of the classroom. 

Students leave this program as curious, passionate and versatile life-long learners.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Designed for

The Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) in Education is an ideal program for anyone who's interested in learning more about educational theories, research and practice while also enjoying the freedom and flexibility to explore other faculties and fields of study.

Planning to Become a Teacher?

The Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) in Education is a great route for students pursuing teaching at the elementary level. To prepare to apply to the Professional Development Program (PDP – our 16 month full-time teacher education program), you should enroll in the pre-requisite courses listed on PDP Admissions.

Planning to teach at the secondary level? You will need to complete either a major or two minors in teachable subject areas in order to apply to the Professional Development Program at the secondary level. See specific academic requirements on PDP Admissions. You should apply directly from high school to the appropriate faculty and program for your teachable subject area(s).

Program Structure

The BGS in Education requires successful completion of 120 units, including 45 units of upper division (300-400 level) units. These units can come from a wide variety of courses and faculties. All students must complete three core courses:

Unlike other programs, the BGS in Education does not require students to declare a major area of study. Instead, students complete the General Education Option or the Double Minor Option. 

GENERAL EDUCATION OPTION

The General Education Option requires the completion of the three core courses (EDUC 100W, EDUC 252 and EDUC 352W) plus: 

  • 9 lower division units in EDUC courses; 

and

  • 15 upper division units in EDUC courses

A 2.00 graduation grade point average (GPA) and upper division GPA is required.

With the exception of EDUC 400/401/402/403/405/406, courses completed in any faculty may be used to satisfy degree requirements. Course admission is subject to the prerequisites set by various departments.

DOUBLE MINOR OPTION

The Double Minor Option requires the completion of the three core courses (EDUC 100W, EDUC 252 and EDUC 352W) plus:

  • Two minors or extended minors, including one from the Faculty of Education

Minor Themes of Study

Popular with students from a wide variety of disciplines, Education minors in the BGS are designed to complement nearly every major/minor area of study. Students can explore: 

Additional Options and Programs

Online Coursework

With careful course selection it may be possible for students to complete the Bachelor of General Studies through online coursework.

This may appeal to students who need even more flexibility due to work commitments, distance from campus, childcare, travel, and more. A blended model is also available should you wish to take a course on campus.

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM

It is also possible for students to add a co-op semester to gain important job experience while taking the BGS. 

INTAKE SCHEDULE

Students may apply for admission to SFU directly into the Bachelor of General Studies from high school or as transfer student three times a year in the Fall, Spring and Summer terms.

Current SFU students may request an internal transfer into the BGS in Education after completing the declaration requirements.

View Intake Schedule

LOCATIONS

Courses for the Bachelor of General Studies can be completed at one of SFU's campuses, and there's even opportunities to participate in field schools locally or abroad.

Burnaby

Perched atop Burnaby Mountain, Simon Fraser University's original Arthur Erickson-designed campus includes more than three dozen academic buildings and a flourishing sustainable residential community.

Simon Fraser University respectfully acknowledges the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations, on which SFU Burnaby is located.

Surrey

Our Surrey campus is a vibrant community hub in the heart of one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities. With easy access to transit, the modern campus is conveniently situated between Metro Vancouver and communities south of the Fraser River.

Simon Fraser University respectfully acknowledges the unceded traditional territories, including the Semiahmoo, Katzie, kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Kwantlen, Qayqayt and Tsawwassen Nations, on which SFU Surrey is located.

Vancouver

Our Vancouver campus transformed the landscape of urban education in downtown Vancouver. The campus comprises multiple facilities clustered in the core of one of the world’s most liveable cities.

Simon Fraser University respectfully acknowledges the unceded traditional territories including, the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations, on which SFU Vancouver is located.

Off-Campus Opportunities

Students in the Bachelor of General Studies have the opportunity to participate in Field Schools (as and when available). Past Field Schools have taken Education students to: Haida Gwaii, Indonesia and Hawaii.

FUTURE PATHWAYS

Where can this program take you? The world is changing rapidly and so is the full range of career and academic opportunities that await.

Occupations

Armed with the necessary knowledge and skills, graduates pursue careers in jobs such as:

  • Academic Advisor
  • Admissions Counsellor
  • Adult Educator
  • Consultant
  • Curriculum Coordinator
  • ESL Teacher
  • Program Planner
  • Public Lecturer
  • Researcher
  • School Administrator
  • School Psychologist
  • Social Worker
  • Student Affairs Administrator
  • Teacher

Further Studies

  • If you want to become an elementary school teacher, the BGS is a popular pathway to SFU's highly-regarded teacher education program, the Professional Development Program (PDP). The PDP is a 16-month, post-degree program that helps aspiring educators get a B.C. teaching certificate.
  • Graduates from the BGS may also be interested in furthering their studies in one of our diploma (PBD or GDE) or master programs.

 

STUDENT EXPERIENCES

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BACHELOR OF GENERAL STUDIES IN EDUCATION 

Curious to know more about the program?

Application and Tuition

QUESTIONS?

Future Student Advising

If you are not currently an SFU student, contact one of the Education advisors below:

General Inquiries

For general program questions, contact the Undergraduate Studies office at educuga@sfu.ca.

Current Student Advising

Schedule a time to speak with one of our advisors through Advisor Link.

Note: Only students declared in an Education program will be able to book with an Education advisor through Advisor Link. For non-Education students, continue to email one of our three advisors directly.

Disclaimer: The information provided for this program is to be used as a reference. Should any discrepancies occur between the information found on this page and the SFU Calendar, the information found in the SFU Calendar shall be deemed correct.

Go to the SFU Calendar

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