Bachelor of Education

Cape Breton University is pleased to offer two accelerated Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) programs to help meet the needs of growing communities in Nova Scotia, and in an effort get highly skilled, qualified teachers in the classroom quickly with proper education for the September 2024 school year.

Now open for admission, is an 8-month online B.Ed. pilot program beginning in January 2024 and concluding in August 2024 (applications pending). In addition CBU’s current 15-month B.Ed. program will transition to a 12-month on-campus program, beginning May 2024.

Students will complete the same requirements of the current 15-month B.Ed. program, which includes 48 credits of coursework and 12 credits of practicum work in both the 8-month and 12-month programs.

Application Dates to Consider

Bachelor of Education (Fully online, accelerated 8-month) 
Program Intake: January 2024
Application Deadline: December 15, 2023

Bachelor of Education (On-Campus, 12 month)
Program Intake: May 2024
Application Deadline: February 2, 2024

For a full list of application deadlines, please visit Canadian Application Deadlines.

The B.Ed. program is not accepting international applicants at this time. Please contact bed@cbu.ca with any questions or concerns.

Take On A Class Of Your Own

If your dream is having the opportunity to positively impact young lives and influence growing minds through education, the Bachelor of Education program at CBU will help you fulfil your true calling. In only 15 months, beginning each May, the 60-credit Bachelor of Education (BEd) program equips aspiring teachers with the critical skills, knowledge and experiences they need to become professional educators.

Ready to Apply?

Applicants may apply to either the Elementary Education or Secondary Education stream, with each stream providing opportunities to apply relevant curriculum, instructional theory and methods for a career in education. In addition to its focus on Education for Sustainability and Indigenous education, the program includes other unique opportunities, such as a service-learning project and a professionalism workshop series.

During the program, students receive hands-on teaching experiences through 18 weeks of practicum experiences. Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for a Nova Scotia teaching license, along with licensing and employment for any other province, territory or international opportunity they choose to pursue.

What is the tuition for this program?

These numbers are an estimate for planning purposes only. These numbers do not include lab or accommodation fees.

• Residents of Nova Scotia: $10,224 per year
• Residents of Canada: $11,507 per year
• International Residents: $20,735 per year
• For a complete breakdown, visit Undergraduate Tuition and Fees.

Sample Courses and Resources

BEd Concentrations

CBU’s BEd program not only offers you current teaching methodologies grounded in educational research to equip you for today’s classrooms, but also allows students wishing to take a deeper look into our embedded themes of L’nu/Indigenous Education and Education for Sustainability the option to complete their degree with a concentration area.

L’nu Education Concentration

L’nu or L’nuk, is the term the Mi’kmaq use to describe themselves as Indigenous people. It means “the people.” Designed in collaboration with Unama’ki College, the program’s L’nu Education concentration makes CBU’s BEd program one of a kind in Nova Scotia.

Students completing the BEd with the L’nu Education Concentration will complete all common core requirements for the elementary or secondary program and the following 6 credits within the ‘L’nu Focus Electives’.

· EDUC4133 Teaching English as an Additional Language (3 credits)

· EDUC4136 Teaching and Learning the L’nu Way (3 credits)

Education for Sustainability Concentration

The CBU BEd also has the distinction of being the only program in the province which offers an Education for Sustainability focus. This focus is woven in each of the courses offered throughout the program.

Students completing the BEd with the Education for Sustainability Concentration will complete all common core requirements for the elementary or secondary program and the following 6 credits within the ‘Sustainability Focus Electives’.

· EDUC4104 Sustainable Well-Being and Deep Learning (3 credits)

· EDUC4114 Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable Future (3 credits)

Why study at CBU?

There’s no feeling like helping shape young minds and giving students a great foundation for life. Come to Cape Breton and get the experience that makes a difference in the classroom. With this unique opportunity to sharpen your skills, you’ll fulfil your passion for inspiring a new generation through education. CBU’s 15-month Bachelor of Education delivery model allows students to fast track to career opportunities so you can start teaching – and never stop learning. Students who begin the program in May will be eligible to apply for a teaching license for September of the following year. This means our students have the advantage of entering the workforce a full year earlier than students in a two-year BEd program.

CBU BEd students have the benefit of personal student and faculty/staff relationships. These relationships are facilitated by a collegial atmosphere and sall classes taught by dedicated and experienced instructors. CBU BEd graduates also have experiences working one-on-one with faculty on a variety of research projects.

This BEd is the only Nova Scotian program offering an Education for Sustainability (EFS) focus. Each course integrates sustainability education, and specific courses are offered on the subject, including Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable Future and Sustainable Happiness.

Designed in collaboration with Unama’ki College, the program’s Indigenous concentration makes CBU’s BEd program one of a kind in Nova Scotia.

What skills will I gain from this program?

• Skills and knowledge needed to be a professional educator in either elementary or secondary education.
• Research
• Reflective practice
• Indigenous education
• Education for Sustainability (EFS)
• Inclusive education
• Culturally responsive pedagogy

Possible Career Paths

• Classroom teacher
• Adult educator
• Consultant
• Corporate trainer
• Education managers or recruiters
• Curriculum developer
• Attendance support worker
• Community outreach worker

Experiential Learning Opportunities

• The community action  service-learning action project (CASL project)
• 18-week teaching practicum
• Student research opportunities