Trent University and Fleming College have signed an agreement that provides a pathway for Fleming students into Trent’s new Indigenous Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) program, a unique, new five year concurrent degree that puts Aboriginal knowledge and perspectives at the forefront of teacher training.

“Our important partnership with Fleming College is growing even deeper through this new transfer agreement,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, dean of the School of Education and Professional Learning at Trent University. “Through this pathway, we will support Indigenous learners who are looking to fast-track from College into this specialized Bachelor of Education degree.”

Eligible graduates of Fleming’s General Arts and Science – University Transfer (UT) program will be given advanced standing in the new Indigenous B.Ed. program at Trent, which will welcome its first group of students in fall 2016. Trent will grant successful candidates four credits toward the 25-credit, five-year degree program. Students applying for admission to the Indigenous B.Ed. program will be required to self-identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit.

Reflecting Trent's groundbreaking leadership in Indigenous Studies, the new Indigenous Bachelor of Education will put graduates of the new program in a unique position to teach non-Indigenous students, and to further their understanding of Indigenous issues. Offered in partnership by Trent's School of Education and Professional Learning and the department of Indigenous Studies, the program is the first of its kind in North America.

The General Arts and Science – University Transfer program is a two-semester Ontario certificate program which enables students to experience university-level general arts and social sciences courses while earning credits toward a university degree. Fleming and Trent have an existing agreement that provides a pathway for qualified graduates of the UT program into bachelor’s degree programs at Trent.