March 14, 2007

Educators in the Grande Prairie area now have the opportunity tocomplete a Master of Education degree through the expansion of apartnership between Grande Prairie Regional College (GPRC) and theUniversity of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). It will be the firstmaster's degree ever offered through Grande Prairie Regional College.

The first class in the new MEd will be offered starting on May 11 withplaces for approximately 25 students.  The focus is on EducationalLeadership for school administrators and teacher leaders.  Studieswill include core courses on research methods plus some electiveopportunities. The program, delivered on weekends to accommodateworking professionals, will take approximately three years to completeand will focus on the unique needs of educators and students innorthern and rural communities.

"In 2004, the Governments of BC and Alberta challenged us to worktogether to expand educational opportunities for the residents of ourregions,” says UNBC President Don Cozzetto. “This exceptionalarrangement is the outcome and it has been a pleasure to work with GPRCto bring our programming to Alberta for the first time.”

The courses in the program will be jointly taught by faculty from both UNBC and GPRC. Students will graduate with a UNBC degree.

“It is extremely gratifying that cooperation between our twoinstitutions has led to this program,” says Doug Hart, GPRC ActingPresident. “This clearly demonstrates that collaborative pathways work,and that our new approach to increase cross-border co-operation isbringing added opportunity for the people of our region.  GPRCcontinues to be impressed by UNBC’s flexible delivery mechanisms andspirit of collaboration.”

For more information about the Master of Education, see www.unbc.ca/education.

Contact:
Dr. Scott McAlpine, Dean of Arts, Science, and Education, GPRC – 250.539.2982
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC – 250.960.5622