York University has signed agreements with seven Ontario colleges to enable college graduates trained in technology-related fields to earn teaching degrees at York.
The pathway agreements allow college students with work experience and three-year advanced diplomas in programs ranging from animation to industrial design to enter York’s Consecutive Bachelor of Education (BEd) in Technological Education program. They must complete 60 credits over four terms to earn a professional teaching degree, which makes them eligible to be certified as a Teacher of Technological Education in an Ontario secondary school.
“Ensuring access to post-secondary education is one of our cornerstone commitments,” said Rhonda Lenton, president and vice-chancellor of York. “York University is deeply committed to creating pathways from colleges to university degree studies to improve access and mobility for students.”
York has finalized agreements with seven colleges ─ Algonquin, Cambrian, Fleming, George Brown, Humber, Loyalist and Seneca ─ and has reached out to even more. Each agreement is tailored to the college programs York has identified as aligning with Ontario’s Technological Education Curriculum for high school students, which includes sectors such as Communications Technology and Green Industries.
“We are proud to partner with the colleges to ensure that students are able to achieve their dreams and to help meet the demand for teachers of technology-related subjects that align with Ontario’s curriculum,” said Lisa Philipps, interim vice-president academic and provost at York.
The university has had informal arrangements in place with a few colleges in the past. However, the new formal agreements with seven colleges have greatly expanded access to York’s BEd in Technological Education program, which is the only one of its kind in the Greater Toronto Area and one of only a few in Ontario.
With significant financial support from the Ontario government, the Faculty of Education at York reached out to stakeholders in education and industry, including the Ontario College of Teachers and Ontario College of Trades, to discuss how to improve teacher education for those who want to teach technology-related subjects in high school.
York’s BEd program includes school and community practicum placements, and a modern curriculum with a broad-based approach to technological education, said Chloë Brushwood Rose, associate dean, academic programs, in the Faculty of Education.
“We recognize the value of an advanced college diploma in computer engineering technology or graphic design in providing these teacher candidates with a high level of technological competence” said Brushwood Rose. “These pathway agreements will prepare highly-qualified teachers, to meet the growing demand for technological education teachers in high schools across Ontario.”