Future Teachers (Associate Degree)
DOMESTIC APPLICATIONS
Fall 2025: Applications Open October 1, 2024
Summer 2025: Apply Now!
Winter 2025: Apply Now!
On Education Planner BC select the program "Arts for Future Teachers - Associate Degree"
Overview
Take the first step to becoming a primary- or secondary-school teacher with the Associate of Arts Degree for Future Teachers program. You'll take courses and learn the essential skills that will help you meet the requirements for admission to teacher training programs at various B.C. universities. At the same time, you'll also complete two years of university transfer courses that can be used toward a Bachelor of Arts Degree.
Get paid, full-time work experience during your studies
Put your skills to work by joining the optional Co-operative Education Program, which alternates semesters of study with paid, full-time work in your field. You’ll earn money while gaining experience, building your resume and getting an employer reference, all before you graduate.
NOTE: International students are not currently eligible for this program. For more information, contact Douglas College International.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:
Cost
Calculate your tuition and see the approximate cost of taking your program at Douglas College with the tuition & fee estimator. See costs broken down into categories including tuition fees, textbooks, student activity fees, U-Pass and more.
For more information, refer to the tuition fee charts.
Program Requirements
Graduation Requirements For Students Completing By Summer 2023:
- Successful completion of 60 University Transfer credits
- Require a minimum program GPA of 2.00
- Time limit to complete program graduation requirements: seven (7) years
Graduation Requirements For Students Completing After Summer 2023:
- Successful completion of 60 University Transfer credits
- Require a minimum program GPA of 2.00
- 50% (30 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College
- Time limit to complete program graduation requirements: seven (7) years
In addition to completing the general requirements for an Associate of Arts Degree, the courses outlined below are a guide to choosing courses that will assist students in meeting the admission requirements to SFU's PDP Program and are transferable to SFU.
A University Transferable course is a course that transfers to one of the Research Universities - SFU, UBC (UBCV or UBCO), UNBC, or UVIC in the BC Transfer Guide.
A second year Arts elective is an Arts course that transfers to the second year at one of the following research universities: SFU, UBC (UBCV or UBCO), UNBC, or UVic.
MATH 1191 is only required for students planning to teach elementary school. An Associate of Arts Degree requires students to take a math, statistics or computing science course.
Students are encouraged to take Education courses. Douglas College offers Education courses in History (HIST 2230), Philosophy (PHIL 2220), Psychology (PSYC 2207) and Sociology (SOCI 2245). These courses can be transfered to SFU as second-year education courses. Please check Program and Course Catalogue for prerequisites.
The following are the general requirements for an Associate of Arts Degree at any B.C. college:
6 credits first-year English* electives
6 credits Humanities** electives
6 credits Social Sciences** electives
6 credits Arts ** electives
18 credits second-year Arts** electives in 2 or more subject areas
3 credits Lab Science elective
3 credits Math, Statistics or Computing Science elective
3 credits Math, Statistics or Science elective
9 credits other University Transfer electives
Notes:
*English courses can include courses in written Communications and Creative Writing that transfer to one of the B.C. research universities (SFU, UBCV, UBCO, UNBC or UVic) as English credit. A maximum of 3 credits can come from such an equivalent; at least 3 credits must be earned in an actual ENGL course, so-named. For purposes of the Associate of Arts degree, English courses cannot be counted as Humanities courses.
** Arts courses are available in the Faculty of Languages, Literature, and Performing Arts, and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. To confirm whether a course is designated as "humanities" or "social sciences", check with a Student Success Advisor. Courses in Economics and Mathematics also may be used as Arts electives toward an Associate of Arts Degree.
Definitions
A course is defined by the subject for which it is granted transfer credit at one of the research universities (SFU, UBCV, UBCO, UNBC or UVic).
- An Arts course is defined as any course in a subject area for which there is a Baccalaureate of Arts Degree at one of the research universities.
- A Science course is defined as any course in a subject area for which there is a Baccalaureate of Science Degree or Baccalaureate of Applied Science Degree at one of the research universities.
The requirements specified above are intended to provide breadth of exposure to a variety of disciplines in both Arts and Sciences. In some instances there may be some ambiguity as to whether a course is in the Humanities or Social Sciences and is an Arts course or a Science course. Most Physical Geography and Mathematics would be designated as Science courses. - A course in an "other" area is defined as any course in a subject area for which there is a Baccalaureate Degree other than in Arts, Science or Applied Science at one of the research universities.
- A first-year course is defined as a course that has assigned or unassigned transfer credit at the 100-level at one of the research universities.
- A second-year course is defined as a course that has assigned or unassigned transfer credit at the 200-level or higher level at one of the research universities.
- A laboratory science course is one in which a substantial component of instruction involves the study of natural phenomena, either in the laboratory or possibly in the field.
For detailed information you may book an appointment with an Student Success Advisor.
Co-operative Education Option
Students enrolled in this program may be eligible for a Co-operative Education designation. Co-operative Education involves alternating full-time academic and work terms. For information contact the Co-operative Education Office.
Program Guidelines
Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.
Testimonials
![Student Quote](/sites/default/files/styles/medium_auto/public/images/department-humanities/terralynn-210.jpg)
More Information
Tuition Deposit
When offered a full-time seat in this program a non-refundable, non-transferable $350 tuition deposit is required.
Career Pathways
By continuing on to further education you can gain the qualifications to work as a teacher. If you seek work with your Future Teachers' credential only, these are just some of the career opportunities:
- Admissions Assistant
- Behavioural Interventionist
- Child and Youth Worker
- Client Liaison
- Assistant Community Support Worker
- Community Worker
- Daycare Provider
- Early Childhood Educator Assistant
- Educational Assistant
- Elementary School Assistant
- Humanitarian Worker
- Private Tutor
- Teacher’s Aide