Prospective Students: FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Why is there a separate program for Aboriginal people?
- What can NITEP offer to teacher candidates enrolled in the basic teacher education program?
- How are the NITEP elementary option and the NITEP secondary option different from the basic 2-year elementary option and the basic secondary 12-month option?
- How are the NITEP elementary and secondary options similar to the basic 2-year elementary option and the basic secondary 12-month option?
1. Why is there a separate program for Aboriginal people?
Aboriginal people want a teacher education program that addresses educational issues pertinent to public and band schools settings where their children attend school. These issues include curriculum, teaching methodology, testing and assessment.
Aboriginal people want a teacher education program that honours and builds upon the individual's culture.
2. What can NITEP offer to teacher candidates enrolled in the basic teacher education program?
Three on-campus First Nations studies courses are open to all teacher education candidates:
- CUST 396D (3 credits): Curriculum Development and Evaluation
- EDUC 441 (3 credits): History of First Nations Schooling
- EDUC 442 (3 credits): Critical Issues in First Nations Education
3. How are the NITEP elementary option and the NITEP secondary option different from the basic 2-year elementary option and the basic secondary 12-month option?
NITEP students in both the elementary and secondary options are admitted to the Faculty of Education in the first year of university studies.
Students in the basic 2-year elementary option are admitted after completing at least 90 credits, including prerequisite coursework, or a first degree.
Students in the basic secondary 12-month option are admitted after completing a four year Bachelor of Arts or Science or its equivalent, majoring in a teachable subject.
NITEP includes the same course requirements as the basic elementary 2-year option and the basic secondary 12 month option program, but offers them in a different sequence. NITEP requires 12 credits of courses that focus on Aboriginal education theory, content and pedagogy. These courses take the place of some program electives.
NITEP requires additional educational seminars and educational field placements in three of the five academic years. The field placements give the students opportunities to observe and become involved in a variety of educational settings ranging from pre-school to adult education. In addition, the settings may focus on teaching, curriculum development, and program planning.
NITEP students in the elementary option take a combination of arts/science and education courses in each year of their degree program.
NITEP students in the secondary option take a combination of arts and education courses in four of the five years plus the required summer session of their degree program.
The first two-to-three years are offered through a regional field centre so that students can remain near their home community to maintain their family and cultural connections. The students establish their own type of extended family support at the field centre with their peers. A field centre coordinator provides advising, instructional and administrative services. The education courses are taught by locally hired instructors or UBC faculty who travel to the field centres. The arts and science courses are taken through community colleges, university-colleges, and Aboriginal post-secondary institutions.
4. How are the NITEP elementary and secondary options similar to the basic 2-year elementary option and the basic secondary 12-month option?
NITEP students take the same compulsory education courses as students in the basic 2-year basic elementary option or in the basic secondary 12-month option program.
The NITEP elementary option requires the same graduation requirements as the basic 2-year elementary option.
The NITEP secondary option requires the same program completion requirements as the basic secondary 12-month option.
NITEP graduates can seek employment in public, independent or band schools.
