Applying as a Canadian applicant
Domestic students should apply online or by phone at 1-888-892-2228.
Applying as an International applicant
Campus tours
Campus tours are one of the best ways to experience Conestoga. During this time, we are offering online guided tours to show you all Conestoga has to offer.
Book your tourVirtual tours
If you can't make an on-campus tour or attend one of our events, the virtual tour is a great way to visit us.
View our Virtual tourCourses - September 2025
Level 1
Course details
Conestoga 101
CON0101
- Hours: 1
- Credits: 0
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Human Growth and Development: The Early Years
ECE71000
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Pedagogy in the Early Years
ECE71015
This course will introduce students to the foundations of curriculum, pedagogy, and learning in the early years. Students will examine historical and contemporary theories of children and early childhood curricula.The role of play, responsive relationships and the environment will be explored. Through reflectiveclassroom experiences, observations, and discussion, student will connect the image of the child and the educator for the purpose of understanding designing responsive learning environments.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Health and Wellness in Early Learning Community Programs
ECE72050
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Academic Communications
ENGL71000
This course is intended to develop the communication skills required in academic studies, which will translate into useful writing and presentation skills in Canada’s increasingly intercultural professional and technical domains. Students will practice planning, drafting, and revising documents. The complex process of researching, creating, and revising arguments will encourage critical thinking, grammatical writing, and appropriate citation skills. Correct formatting of research papers and effective oral presentation skills will be emphasized.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Field Placement I (BA Early Learning Program Dev)
FPLT71025
This course provides an introduction to the early years sector and the range of professional practice opportunities within. Through a combination of reflective classroom experiences and field placement observations, students will document philosophical frameworks that shape programs and inform pedagogy in the early years. They will discuss, review, and connect these frameworks with course materials. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of understanding the foundations of professional and ethical practice in the early years. In addition, students will begin the creation of a learning portfolio that will chronicle their learning and reflections throughout the program to facilitate learning about the early years sector.
- Hours: 133
- Credits: 5
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Safety in the Workplace
OHS71320
- Hours: 14
- Credits: 1
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Level 2
Course details
Human Growth and Development: The Later Years
ECE71030
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites: ECE71000
- CoRequisites:
Play Based Pedagogy
ECE71050
This course is designed to engage students in framing play, learning and pedagogy through negotiated curriculum, curricular inquiries, and pedagogical conversations. Interweaving theory and practice, students will consider the foundational principles of early learning curriculum, the reciprocal role of play, the environment, and responsive relationships for children, educators, and communities.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites: ECE71015
- CoRequisites:
Field Placement II (BA Early Learning Program Dev)
FPLT71045
This course focuses on inquiry‐based understanding of observable practices, observable child development, and program and curriculum design. Situated in early years settings, this experience will provide students with an opportunity to observe, document and develop their capabilities working with children and families. They will continue to chronicle their learning and engagement through the professional learning portfolio. Emphasis will be placed on analyzing play‐based pedagogies and analyzing how philosophical principles contribute to curriculum practices and inform program design.
- Hours: 165
- Credits: 6
- Pre-Requisites: ECE71015 AND ECE71025 OR FPLT71025
- CoRequisites:
Child, Family and Society
SOCS71000
Family, school, and community environments are among the many factors that shape individual’s lives and are influenced by wider social, economic, and political factors. Through analysis of the diversity among children and families, students will discuss and review how these contexts shape, enhance, and/or limit opportunities for healthy development across the lifespan.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options
Interdisciplinary Elective Details
View Program Option Electives
Canadian Multiculturalism
SOC73140
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Level 3
Course details
Teamwork in Professional Practice
ECE72000
This course will evaluate professional and ethical practices in the early years sector, embracing acommitment to interprofessional cross-sectoral collaboration. Using an experiential model for learning, this course will focus on comprehensive theoretical understandings of group process, personal skill development and practical application to interprofessional practice in the early years. Students will critique and practice effective strategies for initiating and maintaining reciprocal and positive professional relationships. Through a process of self-reflection and examination of professional documents, students will analyze the scope of professional practice and the unique contributions of members of interprofessional teams to assess the impact of those practices on their emerging professional identity.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
History and Philosophy in Learning and Education
EDUC72010
This course introduces students to the historical and philosophical influences of early childhood education. Students will become acquainted with the history of childhood and the key philosophers and theorists that have influenced early learning and education. Through examinations of views of children through the centuries, students will review and discuss values and practices related to the education of children from ancient times to the present.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Field Placement III (BA Early Learning Program Dev)
FPLT72065
This professional engagement experience will provide students with an opportunity to relate theoryand practice to expand their capabilities by working with children and families in community basedearly years settings. Reflective classroom opportunities will emphasize engaging in pedagogicalconversations, exploring the nature of evidence that supports promising practices in settings whichpromote respect for diversity, equity, social justice, and inclusion. Emphasis will be placed ondocumenting and recording observable child development and practices using a variety ofstrategies and methodologies. Students will continue to chronicle their learning through theprofessional portfolio.
- Hours: 178
- Credits: 6
- Pre-Requisites: ECE71050 AND FPLT71045
- CoRequisites: SOCS71010
Diversity, Equity and Social Inclusion in Program Development
SOCS71010
This course will explore the concepts of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice within thebroad social context, and connect those concepts with early years programs. Through criticalanalysis and reflection, students will examine definitions of social, cultural, and linguisticdiversity and the enablers and barriers to inclusive pedagogical practices. Building on theprinciples of responsive curriculum design, students will create strategies that support diversity,equity, inclusion, and social justice in early years programs, policies, and practices. Specificattention will be given to Indigenous peoples’ worldviews and Francophone identities.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options
Interdisciplinary Elective Details
Level 4
Course details
Curriculum Studies and Program Design
EDUC72000
Building on the historical and philosophical influences in education, students will explore curriculum approaches in the field of early education and discuss the social values and research evidence that shapes them. Students will compare and contrast the philosophical and practical elements of the approaches and debate their values and limitations. Finally, students will illustrate the application of these curriculum approaches to program design.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Contemporary Perspectives in Early Learning Community Practice
EDUC72020
Students will explore contemporary perspectives of early learning and community practice within an interprofessional framework. Students will analyze current social, political, and economic trends and issues through national and international perspectives. Emphasis will be placed on chronicling how the language that frames our field has changed over time and the social influences that have contributed to these changes.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Field Placement IV (BA Early Learning Program Dev)
FPLT72085
Integrating learning throughout the program, this professional engagement experience will provide students with acontinued opportunity to expand their professional practice skills by contributing to the design and implementation ofinclusive, relational play-based curriculum in early years settings. Through reflective classroom opportunities, students willidentify and discuss the benefits and limitations of various approaches to planning, designing, and implementingcurriculum and early years programs. Students will continue to document their learning and engagement through theprofessional learning portfolio.
- Hours: 148
- Credits: 5
- Pre-Requisites: ECE71050 AND FPLT72065
- CoRequisites: EDUC72000
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options
View Program Option Electives
Why Normal Sucks
DIS71000
Are you normal? Who hasn't, for many reasons, asked themselves this question at some point, or many points, in their lives? “Am I normal?” seems to be a defining question in modern Western culture, across every area of human life and experience, in health and illness. But has this always been the case? And who gets to say what’s normal anyway? Psychiatrists, psychologists, sociologists and anthropologists have all been eager to have their say on this matter. This course will examine various Historical Approaches to People with Disabilities and the concepts of normal/abnormal that have emerged. We will challenge the whole idea of what is “normal” and we will attempt to demonstrate that normality is a problem to be struggled with, to be resisted, and ultimately, an idea to be rejected and replaced.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options
Interdisciplinary Elective Details
View Program Option Electives
Canadian Multiculturalism
SOC73140
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Level 5
Course details
Co-op and Career Preparation
CEPR71050
- Hours: 14
- Credits: 1
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Integrative Learning and Pedagogy
ECE73030
This course will challenge students to consider the integrated nature of pedagogy and curriculum design. Students will assess the benefits and limitations of teaching singular concepts and subjects in contrast to supporting integrative concept development through learning centres, experiences, and negotiated curriculum that reflect the active interests of children and educators. Recognizing observation as central to negotiated curriculum, students will critique co‐constructed strategies that guide children’s engagement and learning. Emphasis will be placed on analyzing differentiated practices and inquiry‐based pedagogical practices.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites: ECE71050 AND FPLT72065
- CoRequisites:
Field Placement V (BA Early Learning Program Dev)
FPLT73005
- Hours: 163
- Credits: 6
- Pre-Requisites: ECE72085 OR FPLT72085
- CoRequisites: SOCS71020
Understanding Research
RSCH73000
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Child, Family and Community Literacy
SOCS71020
This course will investigate the interdependent relationship between literacy and complex social variables. Students will identify and analyze the principles that support and hinder the development of literacy from both socio-political and program levels. Strategies and components of community based literacy programs will be compared and evaluated for effectiveness. Students will have opportunity to design and implement community based literacy experiences.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites: SOCS71000
- CoRequisites: ECE73005 OR FPLT73005
Level 6
Course details
Designing and Evaluating Responsive Programs
ECE73010
As an extension to the concepts discussed in Social Action and Program Leadership, this course will focus on designing and evaluating responsive programs that support individual and community capacity building. Students will explore models of program design and examine various elements that have an effect on designing responsive programs including social values, social policy, provincial and national directions, economic climate, and research evidence. In response to unique community needs, students will construct program designs and policies that promote diversity, equity and social inclusion.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites: EDUC72000
- CoRequisites: ECE73025 OR FPLT73025
Field Placement VI (BA Early Learning Program Dev)
FPLT73025
With a focus to expanding their practice settings of interest, students will strengthen their practice knowledge and capabilities by specializing in community based practice. As an extension to designing and evaluating responsive programs, students will work collaboratively with populations to enhance existing programs. Emphasis will be placed on engaging the populations with whom they are working as result of collaborative problem-solving, effective communication, program assessment and evaluation. Students will continue to chronicle their learning and engagement through the professional learning portfolio.
- Hours: 133
- Credits: 5
- Pre-Requisites: ECE73005 OR FPLT73005
- CoRequisites: ECE73010
Indigenous-Settler Relations in Canada
INDS73000
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Social Action and Program Leadership
SOCS73000
As the future leaders of community programs, students in this course will be challenged to evaluate how economic and social conditions change over time. With emphasis on collaboration with populations, students will identify and critique a variety of actions for relevance in meeting community needs. Students will deepen their understanding of the marginalization and inequities experienced by specific populations. With a focus on enhanced community development students will engage in collaborative interdisciplinary professional practice to support individual and community capacity building.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Applied Statistics
STAT73100
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites: NURS72050 OR RSCH73000
- CoRequisites:
Foundations of English Language Teaching and Practical Integration
TESL73000
This course consists of two parts: a theoretical portion which presents an overview of languageteaching methodology, and a field placement portion where students will observe and teach in an adult EASL classroom. Topics will include the four language skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking and the focus area of vocabulary development. The core techniques for teaching the four skills and for planning effective lessons in various contexts using a wide range of materials and resources will be covered. With a hands-on focus in the course delivery, students will analyze standardized tests and develop strategies for effective formative and summative assessment in their teaching of EASL practice. Learners in this course will have the opportunity to teach a skills-based lesson and develop an assessment tool to measure learning of the skill. Of the field placement hours, more than 50% of the time will be spent on observation, so students can examine and report on teaching techniques, classroom management practices, strategies for fostering and celebrating cultural diversity, and the relationship between curriculum context and learning practices. During the remainder hours of teaching (minimum 10) students will plan, select resources, and present lessons appropriate for the class, under the guidance of their mentor teacher, and reflect on their own teaching practice.
- Hours: 56
- Credits: 4
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Level 7
Course details
Co-op Work Term (BA Early Learning Program Development)
COOP73205
The co-op work term will provide students with college-approved work experience within an early learning program development environment. Students will be provided an opportunity to: build skills (physical and procedural skills including accuracy, precision, and efficiency); assist in the acquisition of knowledge in and application of knowledge gained in the academic setting (concepts and terminology in a discipline or field of study); develop critical, creative, and dialogical thinking (improved thinking and reasoning processes); cultivate problem solving and decision-making abilities (mental strategies for finding solutions and making choices); explore attitudes, feelings, and perspectives (awareness of attitudes, biases, and other perspectives, ability to collaborate); practice professional judgment (sound judgment and appropriate professional action in complex, context-dependent situations); and reflect on experience (self-discovery and personal growth from real-world experience).
- Hours: 420
- Credits: 14
- Pre-Requisites: CDEV71050 OR CEPR71050
- CoRequisites:
Level 8
Course details
Reconceptualizing Educational Theory in Practice
EDUC74030
This course is a critical examination of educational theory, research, policy, and practice that challenges universal experiences and the singularity of one perspective. Through multiple readings, students will be challenged to consider previously held theories and experiences, and critique them for discourses of power and privilege, universal prescriptions and binary oppositions. Students will debate and articulate educational practices from multiple perspectives to co-construct meaning of the plurality of lived human experience.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites: EDUC72010 AND EDUC72020 AND SOCS71000
- CoRequisites:
Field Placement VII (BA Early Learning Program Dev)
FPLT74005
- Hours: 163
- Credits: 6
- Pre-Requisites: ECE73025 OR FPLT73025 AND SOCS73000
- CoRequisites: SOCS74010
Professional Research Internship I
RSCH74040
Through a synthesis of knowledge, understanding and experiences gathered throughout theprogram, this course will provide students with an opportunity to conduct a culminating researchproject focused on contributions of research to the early years sector. Over the course of thesemester, students will sharpen their interest of study, identify the appropriate research design andcreate plans for carrying out the project.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites: RSCH73000
- CoRequisites:
Population and Developmental Health
SOCS74000
Building upon concepts introduced in Human Growth and Development and carried out throughout the program, students will integrate their knowledge of development, social factors, and developmental health. Within a multiple perspective framework, students will identify, analyze, and critique how early experiences, and community programs contribute to individual and community developmental health.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites: ECE71000 AND ECE71030
- CoRequisites:
Social Policy and Engaged Citizenship
SOCS74010
This course will focus on deepening an understanding of citizenship and citizenship participation within Canadian and global contexts. Students will examine and analyze dynamic social and political conditions which influence the development of policies relevant to child education and community programs. Students will identify, analyze, and critique policy and the policy development process for mitigating factors that affect the developmental health of individuals and communities. Emphasis will be placed on democratic citizenship, human rights, children’s rights, voice and active participation as engaged citizens in contemporary society.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites: ECE73010 AND SOCS71010 AND SOCS73000
- CoRequisites: ECE74005 OR FPLT74005
Level 9
Course details
Re-imaging Theory in Practice
ECE74020
This course provides expanded opportunity to synthesize learning gleaned throughout theprogram to re‐imagine pedagogical practice in the early years. Students will critically examinetheories and research through multiple lenses to deepen their understanding of how ideas shiftover time, influence, and inspire practice in the early years. Informed by narratives of social andcultural diversity, equity, and inclusion as the basis for reflection of self as educator, researcher,and pedagogical leader, students will create, defend, and critique pedagogical practices.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites: EDUC74030
- CoRequisites:
Professional Research Internship II
RSCH74050
As an extension to Professional Research Internship I, this course will focus on student’sengagement in a culminating research project relevant to the early years sector. Students will carryout research, demonstrate knowledge translation, and exchange ideas by presenting the findingsof their culminating experience with a relevant community of practice or within the broader collegecommunity. Through this experience, students will elevate awareness of relevant interests and theimportance of research to the early years sector.
- Hours: 163
- Credits: 11
- Pre-Requisites: RSCH74040
- CoRequisites:
Professional Identity and the Socio-political Context
SOCS74020
In considering the complexities involved in community practice, students will assess individual, social, economic, and political influences that contribute to the ongoing development of professional identity. Students will reflect on their Professional Engagement experiences to critically analyze their own socio- political context, and how this connects to their emerging professional identity.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites: EDUC72020 AND EDUC74030
- CoRequisites:
Mentoring and Leading Community Programs
SOCS74030
Personal and professional development is correlated with leadership and supportive mentoring relationships. Building on their knowledge of adult learning principles, students will define and critique the various leadership models and mentoring approaches that enhance community programs. In addition, students will deepen their professional capacity as leaders and mentors in community programs.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites: SOCS74010
- CoRequisites:
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options
Interdisciplinary Elective Details
View Program Option Electives
Canadian Multiculturalism
SOC73140
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Program outcomes
- Design population-based practices that are conducive to the creation and sustainability of healthy communities, at the individual and group level.
- Select and use current, appropriate technologies and resources to facilitate early years classroom and community program development.
- Interpret human development, growth, and change from multiple perspectives for the purpose of developing and operationalizing programs, policies and practices in the early years sector.
- Display professional commitments to ethical practice in working with children, families, and community populations, based on critical evaluation of issues related to human and children's rights, inclusion, diversity, equity, and social justice and their interrelationships.
- Conduct relevant research in the formation, implementation, and enhancement of responsive programs, policies, and practices.
- Evaluate effective engagement and information sharing techniques through collaborative, inter-professional population-focused practice.
- Use effective critical thinking and problem-solving skills to inform professional practices.
- Reflect on personal attitudes, knowledge, and performance in order to demonstrate self-awareness, professionalism and continuous professional learning.
- Evaluate the role, responsibility and impact of government policy and legislation on the early years sector.
- Analyze historical trends of, and theoretical approaches to, population-focused developmental health to inform early years programs, policies, and practices.
- Incorporate pedagogical approaches to develop socially, culturally, and developmentally responsive programs that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.