Undergraduate
Indigenous Bachelor of Education
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- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
- Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)
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- Peterborough
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- Fall & Winter
- Indigenous Studies & Canadian Studies
- Teaching & Education
At a glance:
- Degree Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)
- Campus Peterborough
- Program is Offered Fall & Winter
- Study Options Full time
- OUAC Codes RTI - Peterborough
- Apply Now Stay in Touch
The Trent Advantage
This first-of-its kind four-year concurrent program is designed for Indigenous learners to become certified to teach at any school across Ontario while engaging in deep study of Indigenous languages, cultures, and knowledge.
Trent's Indigenous Bachelor of Education provides a platform for self-identified First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and Indigenous students to become exceptional future educators. Through land-based experiences, exploration of Indigenous languages, and classroom and community placements, you'll graduate ready to teach in First Nations, Métis, Inuit, urban, rural, and public-school environments while supporting the next generation of learners.
- Complete a three-year B.A. or B.Sc. and your B.Ed., all in this 12-month intensive program.
- Experience Indigenous learning firsthand through unique events and resources at Trent, such as the Elders and Traditional Peoples Gathering, medicine gardens, and cultural programming.
- Graduate with teaching experience gained through placements alongside Indigenous educators or within Indigenous communities and become certified by the Ontario College of Teachers.
- Expand your Indigenous-language skills through Nishinaabemowin courses with instruction in vocabulary and sentence patterns through classroom and language-lab practice. Trent's Nishinaabemowin programming draws on the Manitoulin/Wiikwemkoong dialect.
Program Possibilites
Add an Option to your Indigenous Bachelor of Education degree to explore an additional area of interest
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Languages
As the world becomes increasingly connected, knowing how to communicate in multiple languages can be a valuable asset, opening professional opportunities across the globe. Through this option, students can select a series of engaging courses within a wide variety of languages. Chinese, French, German, Spanish – at Trent you can study them all.
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Communications
Further develop your creative and logical thinking, project management, teamwork, problem analysis, and clear and persuasive communication skills. In this option, you’ll also have a chance to participate in the community-based capstone course.
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Theatre Studies
Do you have a love for theatre and the performing arts? Combining areas of study from Ancient Greek and Roman Studies, Cultural Studies, English Literature, Indigenous Studies and Modern Languages and Literatures, this multi-departmental emphasis offers you the opportunity to choose credits from a very diverse selection of courses, all rooted in the history of, theory and performance in theatre.
Career experience while you learn
Every Indigenous Bachelor of Education student has a guaranteed route to paid, credited experience before they graduate.
Field Schools and Hands-On Courses
- Expand your communication skills by learning Mohawk or Anishinaabemowin languages and use this knowledge to connect with students in Indigenous classrooms.
- Participate in a land-based learning camp in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island, where you can learn about traditional Indigenous teachings and practices directly from community Elders and Knowledge Keepers.
- Participate in field experiences, classroom practica and literacy support during the final professional year of the program.
Study Abroad
- Take your Trent education global. Spend a semester or year studying at one of Trent’s 50+ international partner universities, participate in a summer field course, or gain international experience through a placement or internship.
- With opportunities in more than 35 countries, you can broaden your academic perspective, experience new cultures, and build skills that prepare you for a global career.
Placements
- Gain approximately 90 days of hands-on teaching experience working alongside Indigenous educators or within an Indigenous community.
Career Paths
- Teacher
- School Counsellor
- Policy Officer
- Educational Consultant
- Indigenous Education Consultant
In Their Own Words
Seeing Indigenous teachers in their schools activates their potential as they vision themselves as teachers. This is all-the-more powerful when those Indigenous teachers are from the Indigenous learner's community.
Dr. Nicole Bell
Associate Professor
Admissions
Whether you're graduating from an Ontario high school, looking to study in Canada, or training for a second career, Trent has clear pathways for students to apply and be admitted to study at either of our campuses.
Requirements
If you are coming straight from high school in Ontario or are a recent grad, the general admission requirements are:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
- A minimum of six Grade 12 4U or 4M courses, including program-specific prerequisites
- ENG4U with a minimum of 60%
Program specific requirements:
- Self-identify as Indigenous and must have 70% average in six 4U/M credits including ENG4U (60% minimum for this course)
| Admission Requirements | Recommended Admission Requirements | Estimated Admission Average | Co-op Admission Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENG4U | 4U Math for B.Sc | 70-75% |
Requirements
Students from across Canada can use their grades from their home province to apply to Trent.
Requirements
International students from outside Canada can apply based on the curriculum of their home country.
Requirements
Mature students can apply to Trent based on previous education and professional or volunteer experience.
Requirements
With many transfer agreements and flexible pathway options, Trent University makes it easy for students to make the most of the credits you have already earned.
Tuition Estimate
Estimate your tuition, ancillary fees, and potential entrance scholarships based on your program, residency status, and academic average.
Tuition
Base Tuition Fee
$6,240.85
Ancillary Fees
Ancillary Fees (non-tuition costs supporting student services, such as athletics, campus safety, college fees, etc.)
$2,122.22
Total:
$ 8,363.07
* The tuition details and scholarships listed are for domestic students only. International applicants should contact the financial aid office directly for equivalent guidance.
Scholarships
If you’re a top scholar with an average of 80% or higher, you qualify to automatically receive an entrance scholarship to Trent. Scholars with 95% or higher? You earn free first-year tuition – no application required.
| Entrance Average | Maximum Scholarship Potential | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 95%+ | $18,241 | $6,241 first year Full Tuition + $4,000 x 3 years |
| 90-94.9% | $12,000 | $3,000 x 4 years |
| 85-89.9% | $8,000 | $2,000 x 4 years |
| 80-84.9% | $6,000 | $1,500 x 4 years |
* Available to Domestic students only. Based on 2026/27 tuition for a general arts and science program
Explore additional funding for domestic and international students
- Catherine Chiu Indigenous Bachelor of Education Award
- Harvey McCure Indigenous Student Support Fund