The Government of Ontario passed new legislation, Bill 101 – the Putting Students First Act, which changed the structure and length of teacher education programs.
Along with a shorter time of study — one year instead of two — Bill 101 will also lower costs for incoming students. Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, backs this notion, stating “these changes would allow our pipeline of exceptional, passionate teachers to start their careers sooner and at a lower cost to support growing communities for generations to come.”
The Government of Ontario is anticipating the rollout of this structure to bridge the gap between incoming and retiring teachers. With costs lowering, savings for students could be as high as $3,000 for Ontario University students.
More information will be coming on the structure of the new program at Brock University as the year progresses.
Brock University has made a significant change to its teacher education program following the new legislation.
In Ontario, teacher education programs are shifting from a two-year, four-term model towards a three-term, 12-month model. Brock University has adapted this structure with teacher education applicants beginning in May 2027.
The teacher candidates beginning the program in May 2027 will be in session until April 2028, allowing for a quicker path into the workforce.
According to an update sent to Concurrent Education students, those currently in years one to four as of September are expected to see one year shaved off the current six-year program. This brings the time of study to five years in total, with the fifth year in session for 12 months.
Brock University students entering years five or six this September, however, are expected to complete the original six-year structure.
This also means students entering years one to four will have no summer break between years four and five. Importantly, students will no longer have the spring term, April to September, following the fourth year to complete outstanding undergraduate credits. In order to proceed into the BEd, or fifth year, all credits must be completed by the end of the winter term in fourth year.
Although the provincial government has confirmed the shift to this new teacher education model, Brock University — along with all Ontario universities — is still determining how these changes will affect the structure of the Concurrent Education program. More information about the structure and implementation of this legislation is expected to be available as Brock continues to prepare for the 2027 transition.
For more information as it comes, continue to check the Brock University Teacher Education program page.