Terrace and Quesnel B.C. – Students across northern British Columbia will soon have more options to pursue an undergraduate elementary stream education degree closer to home. 

The revitalized Bachelor of Education program, including an updated regional delivery model, will be available through UNBC’s South-Central campus in Quesnel for the first time and builds on more than a decade of success delivering the program at the Northwest campus in Terrace. The delivery model is still pending approval from the UNBC Senate. 

Based jointly out of UNBC’s regional campuses in Terrace and Quesnel, the expanded regional delivery will offer UNBC’s renewed BEd program with a focus on its signature pedagogy of People, Place and Land. Pending approval from the UNBC Senate, students will embark on a 60-credit hour, five-semester program that allows elementary school teacher candidates to complete their education in either community through a combination of face-to-face instruction, blended learning and immersive sessions. 

“The design of the Bachelor of Education program reflects northern British Columbia’s rich cultural diversity, especially concerning Aboriginal and Indigenous populations,” says UNBC Interim President Dr. Geoff Payne. “Offering this program in both Terrace and Quesnel highlights our commitment and value that our northern communities play in UNBC’s vision and mission. This commitment ensures we are giving students the chance to complete their studies and practicum placements closer to home and at the same time meeting the need to train qualified teachers across the north.” 

The program will consist of one cohort, a combined group of students based at the Northwest campus in Terrace and at the South-Central campus in Quesnel. 

"We are very happy to continue our working relationship with UNBC, and the local cohort will help us to address our future needs for teachers with knowledge of best teaching practices and the ability to meet the diverse individual needs of our students," says Sue-Ellen Miller, Superintendent of Schools, School District #28 (Quesnel). 

Students will attend classes in-person at their home campus. Video-conferencing software connects the two campuses, so students will take the same classes at the same time. In addition, students will come together for immersive sessions in either Terrace, Quesnel or Prince George for two-week intensive block courses. Students will also complete four practica placements in elementary schools in their home communities. 

“Elementary school educators not only teach children fundamental literacy and numeracy skills, they also teach their students how to learn and how to interact with the world around them,” says UNBC Faculty of Human and Health Sciences Dean Dr. Shannon Wagner. “Our Bachelor of Education program emphasizes learner-centred strategies including inquiry-based learning, the inclusion of diverse learners’ perspectives and the development of caring and respectful learning communities.”

Intake for the program continues to be every two years, with the first shared cohort beginning in September 2021. Applications are open until June 1, with first consideration given to applications received by May 1.