SFU’s Professional Development Program prepares aspiring elementary and secondary teachers through professional coursework and school-based experience. Students develop their practice in learning communities and complete a supervised teaching practicum. Graduates who meet certification requirements can qualify for a B.C. teaching certificate. Eligible students may also complete an optional Bachelor of Education as a second degree without extending the program.
- Program
- Professional Development Program (PDP)
- Credential
- Professional Development Program, with an optional Bachelor of Education as a second degree
- Location
- Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- Casper
- Not required
- Next deadline
- November 30, 2026 (Early supplemental submission)
- Length
- 16 months, full-time
Casper Requirement for Simon Fraser University Professional Development Program (Bachelor of Education, Post-Baccalaureate)
Simon Fraser University Professional Development Program (Bachelor of Education, Post-Baccalaureate) does not require Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
SFU’s published PDP admissions and application requirements do not list Casper or another Acuity assessment. No Casper test name, code, language, test date or distribution deadline is specified.
Simon Fraser University Professional Development Program (Bachelor of Education, Post-Baccalaureate) Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- EducationPlannerBC for SFU Undergraduate Admissions, followed by SFU’s PDP Broad-based Supplemental Application via the goSFU Checklist
- Applications open
- October 1, 2026
- Application fee
- SFU undergraduate application fee, $86 domestic or $130 international, non-refundable; no separate PDP supplemental fee amount is stated on its application page.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Early supplemental submission | November 30, 2026upcoming |
| SFU undergraduate application | January 31, 2027upcoming 4:00 p.m. PT |
| PDP supplemental application | February 8, 2027upcoming 4:00 p.m. PT |
| Official transcripts | February 8, 2027upcoming |
| Degree-confirmation letter | April 1, 2027upcoming |
Apply through EducationPlannerBC before starting the supplemental application; current SFU students must also apply.
Simon Fraser University Professional Development Program (Bachelor of Education, Post-Baccalaureate) Admissions Statistics
Period: Annual average; years not specified
- Applicants: 900-1,100 applications per year
- Admitted: 350-425 student teachers per year
No exact seat count is published; seats vary by teachable subject.
Eligibility Requirements for Simon Fraser University Professional Development Program (Bachelor of Education, Post-Baccalaureate)
- Degree / credits
Bachelor’s degree completed before entry; applicants with a degree in progress need 90 units completed when applying, must finish by 2027-08-31, and need 30 transferable non-EDUC units when applying.
- Citizenship
International applicants may apply.
- Language proficiency
Meet SFU’s English-language requirement; French Module applicants must submit proof of appropriate French competency.
Admission pathways
- Elementary: K-7 applicants complete elementary prerequisites
- Secondary: Grades 8-12 applicants qualify in one or two accepted teachable subjects
- French Module: Bilingual teacher preparation with proof of French competency
- Indigenous Perspectives Teacher Education Module: Applicants submit a letter of intent
Applicants may indicate two grade-level preferences if eligible for both.
Other requirements
- SFU admission: Be admissible to SFU as an undergraduate and meet its quantitative and analytical skills requirement
- Official transcripts: Send transcripts from every post-secondary institution attended
- Criminal record check: After acceptance, complete a check with Vulnerable Sector Search through the BC Services Card app
Selection Factors Simon Fraser University Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| English | Two courses totaling at least 6 units, including 3 units of literature |
| French, French Module alternative | Two courses totaling at least 6 units, including 3 units of literature; French and English courses cannot be mixed French courses used instead of English may preclude the optional second BEd. |
| Canadian History, elementary | One course Elementary prerequisites must be completed by 2027-05-31; transcripts must show completion or registration. |
| Canadian Geography, elementary | One course Elementary prerequisites must be completed by 2027-05-31; transcripts must show completion or registration. |
| Laboratory Science, elementary | One course Elementary prerequisites must be completed by 2027-05-31; transcripts must show completion or registration. |
| Principles of Mathematics, elementary | One course, SFU MATH 190 or equivalent Elementary prerequisites must be completed by 2027-05-31; transcripts must show completion or registration. |
| Secondary teachable subjects | One accepted subject with 30 units, 24 upper-division, OR two accepted subjects with 30 units each, 15 upper-division in each Secondary coursework must be completed by 2027-08-31. SFU lists Art, English Literature, French Literature and Language, Mathematics, Music, Physical and Health Education, Science and Social Studies; Computer Science, Dance and Drama must be paired with another subject. |
GPA
- How it is calculated
Most recent 60 or more undergraduate units, including every course in the term that reaches 60 units; for a repeated course, SFU uses the higher grade.
- Minimum
- 2.50/4.33
Experience and volunteer hours
Recommended.
Demonstrable paid or volunteer work with children or youth at the intended teaching level is recommended, especially observation or work in a B.C. classroom. There is no minimum number of hours.
Supplementary application
Submit a résumé of no more than two single-sided pages, short essay answers of up to 300 words each, and three online recommendations. Two recommenders must be professionals experienced with children or youth who have observed the applicant working with groups at the intended age level. An IPTEM applicant also submits a one-page letter of intent of no more than 500 words.
How applicants are ranked
SFU checks academic eligibility, has two Faculty Associates review application materials, combines reviewer and recommender ratings into a composite score, and ranks eligible applicants within grade-level, teachable-subject and specialty-module competitions.
Interview Format at Simon Fraser University
SFU’s calendar says applicants may be interviewed, but does not publish a format, invitation rule or interview dates.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Simon Fraser University Professional Development Program (Bachelor of Education, Post-Baccalaureate)
- Program length
- 16 months, full-time
- Structure
Four in-person terms combining coursework, field experiences and a supervised teaching practicum
- Campuses
- SFU Burnaby, SFU Surrey, SFU Vancouver
EDUC 400 foundations; EDUC 401W/402W with a five-week school experience and one-week observation; EDUC 404 with at least 15 upper-division Education units; and EDUC 405 with a 13-week full-time practicum.
Campus and facilities
"First-term learning communities meet in Burnaby, Surrey or Vancouver; school placements span the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, and placement in a requested community or module is not guaranteed."},{
Tuition and Funding at Simon Fraser University
- Estimated total PDP tuition: $13,000 (2026/27)
Estimate excludes SFU supplementary fees; fees may change.
How to Prepare Your Simon Fraser University Professional Development Program (Bachelor of Education, Post-Baccalaureate) Application
- Check the prerequisites for your intended grade level or teachable subject
- Confirm your degree, recent-unit GPA and SFU admission requirements
- Seek classroom experience with the age group you hope to teach
- Ask three eligible recommenders early
- Prepare a concise résumé and reflective essay answers
- Apply through EducationPlannerBC before completing the PDP supplemental application
Frequently Asked Questions About Simon Fraser University Professional Development Program (Bachelor of Education, Post-Baccalaureate)
Is Casper required?
SFU does not list Casper among its PDP application requirements.
Is the BEd required for certification?
No; the second BEd is optional.
Can international students apply?
Yes.
Can I apply before finishing my degree?
Yes, with at least 90 units completed when applying and the degree finished before entry.
What GPA is required?
At least 2.50/4.33 on the most recent 60 or more undergraduate units.
Are volunteer hours mandatory?
No minimum is set, but relevant classroom experience is strongly recommended.
Is a part-time or distance option available?
No; the PDP is full-time and in person.
Who provides recommendations?
Three recommenders; two must have observed relevant group work with children or youth.
Sources
Last updated: September 26, 2026