Rural and Remote Teacher Education Program (RRED)

UBC’s Rural and Remote Teacher Education Program (RRED) is a two-year, part-time hybrid teacher education program. The first of its kind in BC, RRED blends online coursework and in-person classes and practicum focused on the elementary & middle years option of the UBC Bachelor of Education (BEd). RRED allows students to live and work in their rural and remote communities while earning their education degree and certification by the BC Teacher Regulation Branch.

This high quality teacher education program helps address the acute teacher shortage in rural and remote places. Teacher candidates can learn while they work in schools through the year, and as certified teachers, they continue to serve in their rural communities. The program meets the need for high quality certified teachers. Students in the inaugural 2022-2024 cohort and the 2024-2026 cohort have shared rave reviews about the RRED program. They love the quality of instructors and professors in online and in-person learning and they value the learning community. Importantly, RRED provides an equitable and quality pathway to a BEd degree and teacher certification.

The next RRED cohort (Cohort 3) begins with full time in-person classes in Nelson (southern cohort) and in Vanderhoof (northern cohort) during the month of August 2026. Online learning takes place September to June of the first year of the program, practicum placements and online courses are in the second year, and BEd graduation will be in July 2028.

To be eligible for the BEd degree, individuals must have completed a Bachelor degree including relevant academic preparation for elementary & middle years teacher education and volunteer or work experience in a group setting with children or youth, preferably in elementary or middle years.

Check out how to apply to the RRED program. UBC admissions will be hosting information webinars in the fall 2027. Watch archived recordings of past RRED webinars here.

Program Highlights
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Program Highlights

Total program credits: 60

  • In-person learning – 16 courses (36 credits)
  • Online – 9 courses (24 credits)

All practica to be completed in person and supervised by certified teachers in rural and remote areas. Applications processed through UBC Vancouver.

Calendar
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2-Year Program Calendar | August 2026 – July 2028

Click the accordions below to reveal dates

Year 1 | August 2026 – June 2027

TermDatesCreditsIn-person or Online
Summer Term 2
August 4–21, 2026
8 creditsIn-person – Includes RRED HUB classes
Winter Term 1September 8 – December 18, 2026 7 creditsOnline – Includes 4 RRED HUB classes
Winter Term 2

January 5 – April 16, 20274 creditsOnline – Includes 4 RRED HUB classes
Summer Term 1April 26 – June 25, 20274 creditsOnline – Includes 2 RRED HUB classes

Year 2 | August 2027 – July 2028

TermDatesCreditsIn-person or Online
Summer Term 2
August 3–20, 20276 creditsIn-person – Includes 4 RRED HUB classes
Winter Term 1September 7 – December 17, 20277 creditsOnline and In-person (2-week practicum dates TBD) – Includes 4 RRED HUB classes
Winter Term 2

January 4 – March 24, 20275 creditsOnline and in-person (practicum) – Includes lesson and unit planning prep
Summer Term 1March 27 – June 23, 202713 creditsIn-person (10-week practicum: March 27–June 2; CFE: June 5–23, 2027)
Summer Term 2July 4–28, 20276 creditsOnline
Contact
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Contact

For more information, please contact rred.educ@ubc.ca

Dr. Terry Taylor, RRED Program Coordinator and Lecturer
terry.taylor@ubc.ca

Dr. Leyton Schnellert, RRED Academic Lead (on leave)
leyton.schnellert@ubc.ca

John Yamamoto, Director, Teacher Education Office
john.yamamoto@ubc.ca

Funding
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Funding Information for Students

Part-time Funding:

The RRED program is eligible for students to apply for part-time government funding during the first 18 months of the program. Part-time loans help to cover the cost of tuition, books, and supplies. This funding can include student loans and grants. For more information, please visit this page for BC residents and this page for residents of other provinces .


Full-time Funding:

During the final four months of the RRED program, students can apply for full-time government funding which will help to cover tuition, books, supplies, and living costs. This funding also includes student loans and grants. For more information please visit this page for BC residents and this page for residents of other provinces. 


UBC Bursary:

In addition to full-time funding, students can also apply for the UBC bursary which helps to cover unmet need above what a full-time loan covers. More information about the UBC bursary can be found here.


For further questions, please contact UBC Enrolment Services at es.edusupport@ubc.ca.

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