Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education - Generalist Degree

Why take the Elementary Education program (Generalist major)?

All students in the Elementary degree program are enrolled in a Generalist program that prepares you to instruct all of the required elementary-school subjects. Unlike Secondary Education, you will not select a major in a specific area of study.

Why study Elementary Education at the University of Alberta?

Teaching is a calling, and elementary education is a truly special career. Our Bachelor of Education (Elementary) degree in the Faculty of Education prepares you to facilitate the learning of all children from Kindergarten to Grade 6 within our diverse and multicultural society.

The Elementary Education program includes a five-week Introductory Professional Term (IPT) and a nine-week Advanced Professional Term (APT). This degree can be taken as a four-year program or as an after-degree. Upon completion of this program, you will earn a Bachelor of Education degree (BEd) and be recommended for teacher certification in Alberta.

Aboriginal Teacher Education Program (ATEP)

ATEP is an elementary education cohort program, designed to improve the educational outcomes of Aboriginal children by increasing the number of Aboriginal teachers with an understanding of Aboriginal perspectives in communities across Alberta. While this program is intended for Aboriginal students, all students with the heart and commitment are encouraged to apply. ATEP offers on-campus, distance, and off-campus community-based cohorts. All of our incoming cohorts will be working toward a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degree specializing in elementary education. ATEP graduates are eligible to apply for Professional Certification as a teacher in the Province of Alberta.

ATEP features the following for all cohorts:

• Bachelor of Education degree with an Elementary specialization
• A focus on honouring and privileging Aboriginal ways of knowing and being
• A cohort model that fosters a sense of family and belonging
• A support network that includes mentors and educators who wholistically nurture students’ minds, bodies, hearts, and spirits
• Courses and programming that honour Aboriginal perspectives which include Elders, traditional knowledge keepers, ceremonialists, and community leaders
• The opportunity to be taught by professors who are leading scholars in Indigenous teacher-education