Programs
Bachelor of Education for First Nations
The Bachelor of Education (BEd) for First Nations students began in 1977. The majority of licensed First Nations teachers in the Maritimes are graduates of this UNB program, which offers a separate admissions procedure and academic advice and support.
Students follow the BEd program in elementary, secondary, or adult education and may also choose a concentration in First Nations education. Many other areas of specialization are available, including the subject areas, special education, school counselling, and technology education.
For a complete description of all BEd programs, visit the Faculty of Education website.
Courses
| Number | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ED 3043 | Aboriginal Education | Compares traditional Aboriginal teaching and concepts of education with those of formal schooling. The course examines the roles and responsibilities of communities, teachers and schools in educating Aboriginal students |
| ED 4686 | Teaching the Aboriginal Learner | Focuses on teaching and learning strategies and curriculum planning, with an emphasis on successful classroom practices in Aboriginal education |
| ED 4688 | Teaching Aboriginal Children's Literature | Examines the teaching of literature by Aboriginal authors in an integrated curriculum |
Apply
Eligibility
Any Canadian status First Nations student is eligible to apply to the program. This includes mature students, who may or may not have completed high school, as well as recent high school graduates. Students with advanced standing are also welcome to apply, and persons holding BA or other undergraduate degrees. The transcripts of such students are individually assessed for transfer credit. Degree holders usually require between one-and-a-half and two-and-a-half years of study for the BEd elementary (4-year), as a second bachelor’s degree.
Academic Standing
Only candidates with good academic standing are considered. Candidates on academic probation or candidates having been asked to withdraw from university are not eligible.
The Competitive Nature of the Admissions Procedure
Admission is competitive and the number of spaces in the program is limited.
Required Documentation
Bachelor of Education application
Profile and personal interest form: Great care must be taken in the preparation of this document, which should be typed or neatly written.
Personal statement of intent and purpose: This statement must be carefully formulated and neatly written or typed. In approximately 200 words, candidates are asked to indicate why they are applying to the FNTEP, what they are expecting to gain from the program, and their future goals.
Reference: Applicants are advised to discuss their plans with potential referees before deciding which two people to ask for recommendations. Strong references can only help a file while poor references will weaken it. It is imperative to stress the importance of submitting the UNB Recommendation for Admission to Bridging
Year / BEd / FNTEP / FNBAC Forms on or before the May 31st deadline.
Official transcripts: Official transcripts are those forwarded directly to MMI from each post-secondary educational institution attended by the candidate. Please note the UNB transcripts are already on file.
Interview
All applicants are required to attend a scheduled interview. Expenses incurred will be the responsibility of the applicant.
Documents
Documents are kept on file for one year, and then they are destroyed. Documents are the property of UNB and cannot be returned to applicants or forwarded outside UNB.
Requirements for the BEd
The 4-year BEd program requires 138 credit hours to complete.
Deadline Date
The application forms and ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS must be forwarded to the Mi’kmaq-Maliseet Institute on or before May 31st.
