Welcome to the Native Indian Teacher
Education Program
NITEP is a UBC Bachelor of Education Program (Elementary or Secondary)
guided by an advisory council of Aboriginal educators and community
members, UBC faculty, a coordinator representative, a BCTF representative,
and NITEP teacher candidates. NITEP builds upon Aboriginal identity and cultural
heritage while preparing and challenging persons of Aboriginal ancestry
to be effective educators for public, band and independent schools
in BC.
The Elementary and Secondary Options are designed to incorporate
Aboriginal cultural resources and knowledge in preparation for teaching
positions. Both options are five-year concurrent programs. They
include similar requirements for both liberal education and pedagogical
preparation to those prescribed for teacher candidates in the Elementary 2-year
option or the Secondary 12-month option but offer them in a different
sequence. Persons of Aboriginal ancestry who qualify for university
admission complete two years of studies at one of the NITEP field
centres where the program consists of arts and science courses,
pedagogical courses, First Nations studies courses, and structured
education placements. Teacher candidates attend the UBC campus to complete
remaining degree requirements. The locations of NITEP centres are
agreed upon jointly by the representatives of the Aboriginal communities,
university-colleges, colleges, UBC and cooperating school districts.
Presently, field centres are located in Duncan, Kamloops and on
the UBC Vancouver campus (urban focus). Field centre locations
are subject to change.
NITEP graduates are awarded the Bachelor of Education degree (Elementary
or Secondary) and apply to the British Columbia College of Teachers
for a Professional Teaching Certificate when they have completed
all program requirements. Normally, five years of full time study
and one or more spring or summer sessions are necessary to complete
all degree requirements.
