Yukon College and University of Regina offer new Bachelor of Education After-Degree pathway

WHITEHORSE-Yukon College and the University of Regina have expanded the Bachelor of Education/Yukon Native Teacher Education program (YNTEP) to include an after-degree pathway.

Qualified applicants who already possess a Bachelor’s degree in another subject may now apply to enter the Education program in the third year.

“This has been something potential applicants to the program have wanted for some time and we are pleased that our request to the University of Regina Senate to create a more flexible and diverse program has been approved,” said Dr. Andrew Richardson, Dean of Applied Arts at Yukon College.

"We deeply value our longstanding relationship with Yukon College in teacher education and are thrilled to partner with them on the delivery of the after degree program.  We are proud of the many ways our education grads are and will contribute positively to the communities across Yukon in which they work," said Dr. Jennifer Tupper, Dean of the Faculty of Education at University of Regina.

The number of places available in the program overall remains unchanged. There are 15 places available to new students each year, with nine earmarked for students who identify as Aboriginal.

There are currently 22 students in the program – eight of those are in their first year. The Bachelor of Education After Degree (BEAD) will enable the program to fill open spaces in years three and four created by lower-than-expected enrolment and students who shift from full-time to part-time status or elect not to continue in the program.

The Bachelor of Education program has also made some credit courses available to students outside the program to better allow them to get a feel for the program and consider teaching as a career.

Tina Jules, program coordinator and YNTEP alumnus, believes the program has made a significant impact on teaching in Yukon over the past 25 years.

“Many YNTEP graduates are teaching elementary students directly, but others are making a difference in other parts of the education system, such as here at Yukon College, as school principals across Yukon, and within the Yukon Department of Education,” said Jules.

Potential applicants to the Bachelor of Education or After Degree pathway can find out more at an information session to be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday March 17th, in room A2605 or by emailing hehs@yukoncollege.yk.ca.

The deadline for applications is April 29th, 2016.Late applications may be considered if program space is available.