FAQ
CONCURRENT EDUCATION
"FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS"
QUALIFICATIONS
1) I am Primary/Junior student. How do I become qualified to teach in the Intermediate division?
To become qualified to teach in the Intermediate division, you must complete an Additional Basic Qualifications (ABQ) course: Education in the Intermediate Division (Grades 7-10). You will be eligible to take ABQ courses upon completion of your BA/Bed, and successful application to the Ontario College of Teachers. “Applicants must hold or be deemed to hold an Ontario Certificate of Qualification or an Interim Certificate of Qualification; and hold an approved undergraduate degree from an accredited University, and subject prerequisites” (http://nipissingu.ca/educationcalendar/aq_g1.asp). The subject prerequisite for the Intermediate division is completion of 3.0 University credits in a teachable subject area.
2) I am a Junior/Intermediate student. How do I become qualified to teach in the Primary division?
To become qualified to teach in the Primary division, you must complete an Additional Basic Qualifications (ABQ) course: Education in the Primary Division (K-6). You will be eligible to take ABQ courses upon completion of your BA/BEd, and successful application to the Ontario College of Teachers. ”Applicants must hold or be deemed to hold an Ontario Certificate of Qualification or an Interim Certificate of Qualification; and hold an approved undergraduate degree from an accredited University” (http://nipissingu.ca/educationcalendar/aq_g1.asp).
3) I am a Junior/Intermediate student. How do I become qualified to teach in the Senior division?
To become qualified to teach in the Senior division, you must complete an Additional Basic Qualifications (ABQ) course: Education in the Senior Division (Grades 11-12). You will be eligible to take ABQ courses upon completion of your BA/BEd, and successful application to the Ontario College of Teachers. “Applicants must hold or be deemed to hold an Ontario Certificate of Qualification or an Interim Certificate of Qualification; and hold an approved undergraduate degree from an accredited University, and subject prerequisites” (http://nipissingu.ca/educationcalendar/aq_g1.asp ). The subject prerequisite for the Senior division is completion of 5.0 University credits in a teachable subject area. For each additional elective, you must complete 3.0 University credits in a teachable subject area.
4) Is Contemporary Studies a teachable subject?
No, Contemporary Studies is not recognized as a teachable subject for the Junior/Intermediate division, but the courses offered through the Contemporary Studies program could be used towards a teachable in Social Sciences in the Senior division(see below).At Nipissing University’s Brantford Campus we currently offer 5 teachable subjects: English, History, Geography, Math, and Religious Education. If you are a Junior/Intermediate student you are required to complete one teachable from one of these subject areas (3.0 credits in a teachable subject area). Contemporary Studies provides a broad education in that it covers a wide variety of topics. While Contemporary Studies itself isn't a teachable subject, many of the courses under this discipline can count towards other teachable subjects. For example, many Contemporary Studies courses count towards a Senior Social Sciences teachable. Because this subject area is a Senior teachable (Grades 11 and 12), students who are interested in pursuing it must have 5.0 credits in the subject area. If students have 5 credits from courses that qualify for the Social Sciences teachable, then upon graduation, graduates would then register in the Additional Basic Qualifications course titled, “Education in the Senior Division”, and would choose Social Sciences as their teachable. Additional information including a list of Contemporary Studies and other courses that count towards Social Sciences, please visit: (Link not yet posted).
5) If I am a student in the Primary/Junior division, can I switch to the Junior/Intermediate division or vice versa?
Students who wish to switch divisions are allowed to do so only in rare cases. The specific request must be put in writing, supported by a rationale explaining why you wish to switch divisions. Each request will be reviewed by the Director and Faculty on a case by case basis. It should be noted that a switch from the Primary/Junior division to the Junior/Intermediate division is more difficult, as students are required to have a teachable subject. Students who wish to switch to the Junior/Intermediate division should ensure they have 3.0 credits in a teachable subject (Math, English, History, Geography and Religious Education).
ACADEMIC PROGRESSION
6) I received notification that I am on academic probation. What does this mean?
Academic regulations for the Concurrent Education program state that “Students must maintain a 70% average in their Arts (WLU and NU) courses as well as a 70% average in their Education courses, and ‘pass’ their practicum to continue in the Concurrent Education program. Students who receive an average of 67% to 69% (or GPA of 6 in Laurier) are placed on probation and are given one year to raise their academic average to 70% in order to proceed in the Concurrent Education program” (http://www.nipissingu.ca/brantford/as_policies.asp). “If a student is placed on probation, the student is able to return to the concurrent program, on probation. In order to clear probation, a student must raise the Laurier Arts GPA to 70% (7.0 GPA) and the Education average to 70% by the end of the following academic year (April 30). A student must also at least receive’ Adequate’ (pass) in the practicum report. If a student retakes courses between May and August and successfully raises their GPA to 70%, then the transcripts must be cleared by the Director and this information will be shared with the Nipissing Registrar’s Office to remove the probation designation” (http://www.nipissingu.ca/brantford/as_policies.asp).
7) What if I am not successful in clearing my probation status?
If you are not successful in clearing your probation status you may appeal to the Director of the Concurrent Education program. “ If you receive less than a 7.0 GPA in the year of probation, only in extenuating circumstances, you may appeal to the Director of the Concurrent Program and if denied an appeal, can seek a probation period from Nipissing Brantford’s Student Academic Standing Appeals and Petitions Committee providing grounds and written documentation for an appeal” (http://www.nipissingu.ca/brantford/as_policies.asp). If you do not successfully raise your GPA to a 7.0 or higher by the end of the Winter term, you have the option to enrol in a summer course. This grade will be calculated into your overall GPA and may provide you with the opportunity to clear your probation status.
GRADES AND GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA)
8) How is my GPA calculated?
As a student in the Concurrent Education program, you will achieve a GPA at Wilfrid Laurier University for your Arts (BA) courses, as well as a GPA at Nipissing University for your Education (BEd) courses. Nipissing and Laurier courses are calculated in separate GPAs with the exception of NU2020 (Developmental Psychology for Educators), NU2091 (Sociology for Educators 1) and NU2092 (Sociology for Educators II) , which are considered Nipissing Arts courses and are calculated into your Laurier GPA. “Nipissing averages are stated in ‘My Nipissing Web Advisor’ as percentages. Laurier averages are stated in ‘Loris’ as Grade Point Averages. A GPA from Laurier must state 7 to continue in the program. The GPA is calculated from the beginning of entry into the university and is adjusted with each course and each semester, i.e. accumulative” (http://www.nipissingu.ca/brantford/as_policies.asp). For more information regarding the Laurier GPA system, please visit: http://www.wlu.ca/calendars/section.php?cal=1&s=268&sp=799&ss=1142&y=33.
9) I did not agree with a grade I received from an instructor. What can I do?
If you do not agree with a grade you receive from an instructor, the first step is to approach the instructor and discuss the grade. This will include reviewing the assignment expectations, as well as the marking scheme. If you are still not satisfied with the grade, the next step is to bring your concern to the attention of the Academic Advisor. An appointment will be arranged to review and discuss the assignment. You also have the option to submit a grade appeal to the Director of the Concurrent Education Program. The Director may make a decision or forward the appeal to the Student Academic Standing Appeals and Petitions Committee.
APPEALS
10) What is an appeal?
“An appeal to the Director is a request that a grade on a particular piece of work or final standing in a course or program be changed on grounds related to the accuracy or fairness of the mark assigned. These grounds must be provided by the individual making the appeal. An appeal to the Committee is a request that a decision of the Director regarding an appeal or petition to the Director be changed or a request that a decision with regard to academic dishonesty be changed”(http://nipissingu.ca/brantford/downloads/StudentAppeals_2007.pdf).
11) I want to submit an appeal to the Director. What do I do?
If you would like to submit an appeal to the Director it is recommended that you arrange a meeting with the Academic Advisor to discuss the concern. The advisor will provide further guidance, explain the procedures and provide you with the necessary forms. You must date and sign the completed appeal form and return it (along with supporting documentation) to the Academic Advisor. A meeting with the Director will then be arranged to discuss the Appeal request. The Director has 30 days to make a decision. “If you decide to appeal the Director’s decision you must launch the appeal to the Student Academic Standing, Appeals and Petitions Committee, within 14 calendar days from the time the Director’s decision was rendered. The Chair of the Student Academic Standing, Appeals and Petitions Committee has 10 calendar days to call a meeting. The student and Director should be given at least 5 calendar days notice of the meeting date” (http://nipissingu.ca/brantford/downloads/StudentAppeals_2007.pdf). You may choose to attend the meeting with the Director, but you will not be permitted to attend the Committee meeting.
STUDENT SUPPORT
12) What kind of support is offered by the Academic Advisor?
An Academic Advisor offers support in a variety of areas. He or she will advise you on the best methods and means to achieve your academic goals. An advisor can answer your questions about degree requirements, majors, minors and teachables, as well as Additional Qualifications and Additional Basic Qualifications. He or she can also clarify academic regulations and procedures. Learning resources and strategies are also provided by the Academic Advisor. If you have any questions or concerns about assignments, courses, and University procedures, it is recommended that you arrange a meeting with Kelly Wilkin, the Academic Advisor for the Concurrent Education Program, (kellyw@nipissingu.ca).
WITHDRAWAL
13) I am considering withdrawing from the Concurrent Education Program. What do I do?
If you are considering withdrawing from the Concurrent Education Program you should arrange an appointment with the Academic Advisor. You may choose to continue your studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, or you can withdraw from the program in its entirety (NU and WLU). You must complete a “Notice of Withdrawal from the Concurrent Education Program.” This completed form must be submitted to the Academic Advisor, and it will then be signed by the Director for verification. In addition to the notice of withdrawal form, you must also withdraw from your Education courses on Web Advisor (Nipissing’s registration system), and LORIS (Laurier’s registration system). Upon withdrawal, you must also return your Nipissing University Student ID card.
14) What if I am asked to withdraw from the Concurrent Education Program?
If you are asked to withdraw from the Concurrent Education program you may be permitted to remain in the Bachelor of Arts (Contemporary Studies) program at Wilfrid Laurier, Brantford. You also have the option to submit an appeal to the Student Academic Standing Appeals and Petitions Committee. You must “present documents of extenuating circumstances” (http://www.nipissingu.ca/brantford/as_policies.asp).
