Teacher Certification Programming

This information is NOT intended for pre-service teachers in the Faculty of Education. If you are a pre-service teacher in the Faculty of Education, you can find information on applying for certification here.

Please note: This information is for those who have already completed teacher education/certification outside of Alberta or Alberta teachers who are seeking re-certification through Alberta Education. 

Teachers interested in fulfilling requirements towards Alberta interim certification have various options to do so in the Faculty of Education, depending on the requirements outlined in their Alberta Education assessment letter. Teachers must have completed the process of applying for interim certification through
Alberta Education and be in possession of an assessment letter before advisors can discuss the best fit among the options below.

All courses require pre-approval by Alberta Education.

Supervised Teaching Placement/Field Experience Required (Two Options)

Diploma Program for Internationally Educated Teachers

Please see eligibility and program description details below. 

If you are interested in applying for Fall 2024/Winter 2025, please complete and submit this form.

UPDATE: In 2024/2025 an online pilot of the diploma program will be offered, pending sufficient enrolment. We encourage those interested in the online pilot, to submit the Google form linked above so that we can remain in touch regarding the application process and provide updates as they are available.

To be eligible for the Diploma Program for Internationally Educated Teachers, you must present the following:

  • Completion of a teacher preparation program (focused on teaching children and youth in schools) in a country other than Canada where the cultural, professional and organizational dimensions of teaching differ significantly from the Canadian context.
  • A letter of assessment from Alberta Education indicating the requirements needed for interim teacher certification.
  • Please check in with Alberta Education on possibilities for extension if your letter of assessment will expire before May 2025. If not possible to extend, please contact educinfo@ualberta.ca to explore completion of your requirements outside of the diploma.
  • Documentation that you have met the language proficiency requirements for undergraduate admission to the UAlberta Faculty of Education by the application deadline of June 1 in the year the program commences. Requirements include criteria for both written English proficiency (ELP) and spoken English proficiency (SEP). Be aware that the requirements for admission to the UAlberta Faculty of Education are different from the requirements listed by Alberta Education for interim certification. 
    PLEASE NOTE:  Language proficiency results expire after two years.
  • Canadian citizen or permanent resident status. 
  • Availability for full-time study at the University of Alberta, for the Fall and Winter academic terms.

In 2024/2025 the Faculty of Education will pilot online delivery of the diploma program, pending sufficient enrolment. Further details are below.

  • This program is offered every other year with the next offering commencing in Fall 2024. The deadline to apply is by June 1 of the year in which the program commences, but we strongly recommend completing and/or submitting all pre-application requirements well before this deadline. These include, but are not limited to:
    • Your letter of assessment from Alberta Education;
    • Results of your academic language proficiency exams, if required;
    • Interview meeting with and invitation to apply from the program coordinator.
  • The full-time 24-credit program is to be taken over the course of Fall and Winter Terms (September through April). It includes a seminar and other activities specific to the internationally educated teacher cohort and classes alongside Bachelor of Education students in the UAlberta Faculty of Education.
  • Programming consists of 15 credits of prescribed coursework in Education and a 9-week (45 days) supervised teaching placement/field experience in schools. Coursework and the field experience are prescribed according to participants’ backgrounds (age levels and subjects taught) and fit with the context of Alberta schools. 
  • The program/credential is eligible for consideration for student loans.
  • Specialized academic and peer support is a part of the diploma through the seminar and partial cohort focus.
  • The supervised teaching placement/field experience is a mandatory component of the program, regardless of whether it is a requirement on your Alberta Education assessment letter 
  • Internationally educated teachers requiring more than 24 credits for interim certification, or coursework outside of Education are supported by an advisor to discuss possibilities for completing these requirements prior to the diploma. Note: The diploma does not include any coursework requirements outside of Education.
UAlberta Faculty of Education Special Student (Maximum Enrolment of *15 Credits/Term)
  • Intake takes place each Fall Term with an earlier application deadline of July 1 in the year you intend to begin studies. (We highly recommend applying as early as possible before the deadline.)
  • Subject to availability, special students have full access to Faculty of Education undergraduate courses, but courses outside of Education may have restrictions preventing enrolment. 
  • The supervised teaching placement/field experience must be a requirement in your letter of assessment from Alberta Education to be eligible for a placement. 
  • 9 credits of prerequisite coursework in the Ualberta Faculty of Education must be completed before the supervised teaching placement/field experience can be scheduled.
  • Schedule flexibility, with the exception of the full time placement in schools, is possible. Note: There is a maximum of 15 credits in Fall and/or Winter term.

If required, applicants will need to demonstrate that they have met the language proficiency requirements for undergraduate admission to the UAlberta Faculty of Education by the application deadline. Requirements include criteria for both written English proficiency (ELP) and spoken English proficiency (SEP). Be aware that the requirements for admission to the UAlberta Faculty of Education are different from the requirements listed by Alberta Education for interim certification. 
PLEASE NOTE:  Language proficiency results expire after two years.

If interested in applying to be a special student in the UAlberta Faculty of Education, please submit this form

Supervised Teaching Placement/Field Experience Not Required (Four Options)

Diploma Program for Internationally Educated Teachers

Please see eligibility and program description details below. 

If you are interested in applying for Fall 2024/Winter 2025, please complete and submit this form.

UPDATE: In 2024/2025 an online pilot of the diploma program will be offered, pending sufficient enrolment. We encourage those interested in the online pilot, to submit the Google form linked above so that we can remain in touch regarding the application process and provide updates as they are available.

To be eligible for the Diploma Program for Internationally Educated Teachers, you must present the following:

  • Completion of a teacher preparation program (focused on teaching children and youth in schools) in a country other than Canada where the cultural, professional and organizational dimensions of teaching differ significantly from the Canadian context.
  • A letter of assessment from Alberta Education indicating the requirements needed for interim teacher certification.
  • Please check in with Alberta Education on possibilities for extension if your letter of assessment will expire before May 2025. If not possible to extend, please contact educinfo@ualberta.ca to explore completion of your requirements outside of the diploma.
  • Documentation that you have met the language proficiency requirements for undergraduate admission to the UAlberta Faculty of Education by the application deadline of June 1 in the year the program commences. Requirements include criteria for both written English proficiency (ELP) and spoken English proficiency (SEP). Be aware that the requirements for admission to the UAlberta Faculty of Education are different from the requirements listed by Alberta Education for interim certification. 
    PLEASE NOTE:  Language proficiency results expire after two years.
  • Canadian citizen or permanent resident status. 
  • Availability for full-time study at the University of Alberta, for the Fall and Winter academic terms.

In 2024/2025 the Faculty of Education will pilot online delivery of the diploma program, pending sufficient enrolment. Further details are below.

  • This program is offered every other year with the next offering commencing in Fall 2024. The deadline to apply is by June 1 of the year in which the program commences, but we strongly recommend completing and/or submitting all pre-application requirements well before this deadline. These include, but are not limited to:
    • Your letter of assessment from Alberta Education;
    • Results of your academic language proficiency exams, if required;
    • Interview meeting with and invitation to apply from the program coordinator.
  • The full-time 24-credit program is to be taken over the course of Fall and Winter Terms (September through April). It includes a seminar and other activities specific to the internationally educated teacher cohort and classes alongside Bachelor of Education students in the UAlberta Faculty of Education.
  • Programming consists of 15 credits of prescribed coursework in Education and a 9-week (45 days) supervised teaching placement/field experience in schools. Coursework and the field experience are prescribed according to participants’ backgrounds (age levels and subjects taught) and fit with the context of Alberta schools. 
  • The program/credential is eligible for consideration for student loans.
  • Specialized academic and peer support is a part of the diploma through the seminar and partial cohort focus.
  • The supervised teaching placement/field experience is a mandatory component of the program, regardless of whether it is a requirement on your Alberta Education assessment letter 
  • Internationally educated teachers requiring more than 24 credits for interim certification, or coursework outside of Education are supported by an advisor to discuss possibilities for completing these requirements prior to the diploma. Note: The diploma does not include any coursework requirements outside of Education.
UAlberta Faculty of Education Special Student (Maximum Enrolment of *15 Credits/Term)
  • Intake takes place each Fall Term with an earlier application deadline of July 1 in the year you intend to begin studies. (We highly recommend applying as early as possible before the deadline.)
  • Subject to availability, special students have full access to Faculty of Education undergraduate courses, but courses outside of Education may have restrictions preventing enrolment. 
  • Schedule flexibility, with the exception of the full time placement in schools, is possible. Note: There is a maximum of 15 credits in Fall and/or Winter term.

If required, applicants will need to demonstrate that they have met the language proficiency requirements for undergraduate admission to the UAlberta Faculty of Education by the application deadline. Requirements include criteria for both written English proficiency (ELP) and spoken English proficiency (SEP). Be aware that the requirements for admission to the UAlberta Faculty of Education are different from the requirements listed by Alberta Education for interim certification. 
PLEASE NOTE:  Language proficiency results expire after two years.

If interested in applying to be a special student in the UAlberta Faculty of Education, please submit this form.

Open Studies (Maximum Enrolment of *6 Credits/Term)
  • Internationally Educated Teachers can register as Open Studies students to take courses, however availability of certain courses in Education and other faculties is sometimes restricted.
  • Intake takes place each term according to these deadlines. (We highly recommend applying as early as possible before the deadline.)
Explore other Alberta Postsecondary Institutions
  • Please note we cannot advise on other institutions and their course offerings please contact the school directly for information.

Tuition and Fees

Please consult the cost calculator for information about tuition. Please note, the Faculty of Education diploma selection automatically calculates for 30 credits. Pro-rate this estimate to 24 credits for the diploma or to the correct credit count for your specific term registration. Further information on tuition and non-instructional fees can also be found here.  

Financial Support

Student loans are only accessible to students in the diploma program.