Canada · Fall 2027 post-degree teacher education
SFU teacher education short essays
SFU's Professional Development Program is a post-degree route to teacher certification. Every applicant completes both an SFU undergraduate admissions application and a separate broad-based PDP supplement. Its short essays are assessed for writing quality, critical reflection, and potential for and interest in education; SFU does not publish the live questions on its instructions page.
Writing format
Short essay answers of at most 300 words each, résumé and three recommendations
Academic integrity
SFU says applications containing AI-written, ghost-written, plagiarized, falsified or misleading material are removed from the competition. Write the essays yourself.
What to prepare
- 1Use a concrete experience with children or youth to show what you noticed, how you acted and what you would change as a future teacher.
- 2Reflect critically on your preparation for education rather than claiming that enthusiasm alone makes you ready.
- 3Answer each live question on its own terms in no more than 300 words, preserving other people's privacy by changing identifying details.
How to approach the writing
- Apply through EducationPlannerBC first; its reference number is needed to start the PDP supplement in goSFU.
- Use the separate two-page résumé for dated work and volunteer roles, hours and duties. Arrange three eligible professional recommenders early because the supplement cannot be submitted until all three recommendations arrive.
Before you submit
SFU lists January 31 at 4 p.m. Pacific for the university application and February 8 at 4 p.m. Pacific for the Fall 2027 PDP supplement and transcripts. The site also lists a November 30 early supplement deadline. Confirm the live questions and dates in goSFU before final submission; the submitted supplement cannot be revised.
Read SFU PDP application instructions ↗Official source checked 2026-09-25.