This program leads to a Red Seal certification. Visit our <a href="/go/plan/trades">Trades page</a>.

Get certified as a teacher in B.C. while continuing to work in your paraprofessional role. The flexible Professional Linking Program (PLP) enables student support workers, education assistants, counselors and other paraprofessionals employed by the school district and working in K-12 classrooms transition to a teaching career.

Professional Linking Program (PLP)

Simon Fraser University

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**All applicants**

1. All PLP applicants must be admissible to SFU at the undergraduate level
2. All PLP applicants must meet SFU's English Language requirement. Visit the SFU Undergraduate Admissions [English Language requirement](https://www.sfu.ca/students/admission/admission-requirements/english-language-requirement.html) website for more information.



**Elementary admission requirements**&#x20;

Option 1

1. Completion of a recognized Bachelor's Degree with a GPA of 2.5 or above in the last 60 units of coursework
2. Completion of the English and Elementary prerequisite courses:
 * 6 units of English (including a minimum 3 units of English Literature)
 * 3 units of Canadian History
 * 3 units of Canadian Geography
 * MATH 190 (Principles of Mathematics for Teachers) or equivalent with a recommended minimum C- final grade
 * 3 units of Laboratory Science

Option 2

1. Completion of 90 units of acceptable coursework toward a Bachelor's Degree at SFU with a GPA of 2.5 or above in the last 60 units of coursework
2. Completion of the English and Elementary prerequisite courses
 * 6 units of English (including a minimum 3 units of English Literature)
 * 3 units of Canadian History
 * 3 units of Canadian Geography
 * MATH 190 (Principles of Mathematics for Teachers) or equivalent with a recommended minimum C- final grade
 * 3 units of Laboratory Science

**Secondary admission requirements**

1. Completion of a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 120 units, and with a GPA of 2.5 or above in the last 60 units of coursework
2. Two English courses (see acceptable course chart [here](https://www.sfu.ca/education/programs/teacher-ed/chart-of-acceptable-courses.html))
3. One or two teachable subjects - see the program page for details

**Work Experience** 

Applicants must:

1. Have a minimum of two years of paraprofessional experience in their current role (in the B.C. school setting) and be working a minimum of three days per week at the time of application. Paraprofessionals include student support workers, para-educators (e.g., education assistants, child and youth care workers, counselors, settlement workers), independent schools educators and teachers working on a letter of permission;
2. Ideally be working with children and youth at the age level they are applying to teach (i.e. elementary or secondary);
3. Meet the minimum academic admission requirements for the age level they wish to teach; and
4. If accepted into the program, must continue to be employed a minimum of three days a week (in B.C. K-12 classrooms) working with children and youth at the age level they have been accepted to teach.
5. To teach K-12 in B.C. schools, student teachers must meet the teacher certification requirements set out by the Teacher Regulation Branch (TRB) of the B.C. Ministry of Education
6. Once accepted into the program, you must clear a [Criminal Records Check](https://www.sfu.ca/students/enrolment-services/records/criminal-record-check.html) with Vulnerable Sector Search. This must be done directly through [the ]()[BC Services Card app](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/government-id/bcservicescardapp/download-app). Instructions on how to submit the CRC are outlined on the [Student Services website](https://www.sfu.ca/students/enrolment-services/records/criminal-record-check/process.html).

Applications can be submitted between early July and early October. Application close early September for SFU Applications. Application close early October for PPS Broad-based Application.
You may start the online application and work on it over time. However, late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. When you are ready to apply, use our [pre-application checklist](https://www.educationplannerbc.ca/go/resources) to make sure you have everything you need, and visit our [How-to guides page](https://www.educationplannerbc.ca/help) for more information.

Professional Linking Program (PLP)

Simon Fraser University

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