Questions & Answers
Concerning the Bachelor of Education Program

• How do I become a teacher?
• What education programs are available at UNB?
• Who is eligible to apply?
• What are the courses like in the BEd program?
• Does it matter what I take in my non-education degree?
• Can I obtain a BEd degree at UNBSJ?
• What are prospects for a job?
• What is the salary of a beginning teacher in New Brunswick?
• How do I apply? When is the deadline?
• How can I obtain more information?
  

All new teachers in NB must obtain 2 degrees, one of which is a Bachelor or Education (BEd). You can complete your non-education degree first (eg. BA, BSc, BBA), then proceed to the BEd. This is called the Consecutive Route. Another option is to begin the non-education degree and after 1 or 2 years, apply to the Concurrent BEd Program. You then take both education and non-education courses until the requirements for both degrees are complete.
 

What Education Programs are available at UNB?

If you want to be a public school teacher, you must choost one of three programmes:

• early years    (grades K-5)
• middle years  (grades 6-8)
• young adult   (grades 9-12)

If you are interested in teaching outside the public system (eg. community college, business, armed forces, etc.), you should select the young adult ducation option.

Four criteria are considered by the application committee:

1. the extent and quality of previous experiences with children or youth
2. cumulative grade point average at university must be equal to or greater than 2.7 (B- average)
3. personal statement of intent and purpose in teaching
4. strength of 2 references
   

• 15 credit hours of core courses (5 courses common to all teachers)
• 30 credit hours of methods courses (10 courses on how to teach your own area of specialization)
• 2 one week observation periods in a regular classroom
• 15 credit hours of student teaching (15 weeks practice teaching in the public school system)

If you plan to teach at the middle or senior high school level then at least 48 credit hours must be in two subjects taught in high school (eg. Math, Biology) This total can consist of 30 ch in one and 18 ch in the other or 24 ch in each. Elementary teachers are required to take a minimum of 30 ch of teachable courses spread over four different disciplines (i.e. English, Math, Science and Social Studies)

Can I obtain a BEd degree at UNBSJ?

UNBSJ offers a concurrent BEd degree in elementary (early years) education in conjunction with a Bachelor of Arts degree. All programs are available on the Fredericton Campus.

The prospects for full-time employment have improved dramatically in the last 5 years. many teachers are expected to retire in the next 4 years. Approximately 260 new Anglophone teachers were hired in New Brunswick in 2002. There is more demand for teachers in some specialized areas (eg. French Immersion, Math) and in other parts of North America.

In 2003 a beginning teacher on a "B" (permanent) contract received $37,132. With 11 years of experience, a teacher with Certificate Level 5 earns $55,999 per year. Short-term supply teachers earn $105 per day.

Application booklets may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar on either campus.(or from the Education Office 206 Hazen Hall)

• UNBSJ - (506) 648-5670 or email: sjreg@unbsj.ca
• UNBF - (506) 453-4864 or email: registrar@unb.ca

January 31 is the normal application deadline.