2 years at RDP (or other accredited program) - 2 years at RDP as a University of Alberta collaborative student
The University of Alberta Bachelor of Education program, in collaboration with Red Deer Polytechnic, offers two years of study for degree completion and teacher certification with a focus in middle years education. The program is available to students who have completed either the first two years of the BEd Elementary program or an approved degree.
During the program, you will prepare to teach children and young adolescents in the middle years of schooling (grades 4 through 9). You will study curriculum and teaching methods appropriate for this age group, classroom management, middle school philosophy and organization, adolescent psychology and learning, philosophy, policy and social issues relevant for middle school teachers.
Each year, forty (40) students are selected on a competitive basis for admission into the program. As you progress through the program you will form lasting relationships and become part of a professional learning community. Because all students take the same sequence of courses over a two-year period, the program is designed specifically for full-time study. The program includes two practicum experiences. The first experience will be for five weeks during the Fall Term of the 3rd year (includes a one week observation period). You will be paired with another student and placed in a middle school in or near Red Deer. The second experience will be for nine weeks in the Winter Term of the final year. Placement will be in Red Deer and Central Alberta area schools in classes ranging from Grades 4 through 9.
Although all courses are taught on the campus of Red Deer Polytechnic, application for this program must be made to the University of Alberta. Students may choose to use the University of Alberta’s on-line application process or they can mail in completed application forms to the University of Alberta. Although the application deadline is March 1, students are strongly advised to apply earlier. Because there are more applicants to the program than there are places, enrollment management is in effect. Under enrollment management, an overall target of 40 new admissions is set for the program. A minimum AGPA for application is set each year; all admissions are competitive, and the actual admission AGPA may be higher.