About
The Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education (SUNTEP) program is a four-year, fully accredited Bachelor of Education program offered by the Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI) in partnership with the University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Education and the Ministry of Education. In SUNTEP, you'll be able to focus on either early/middle years education or secondary (high school) education.
- Four-year degree
- Full- or part-time program
- You can enter this program directly from high school
What you will learn
The SUNTEP program, offered both in Prince Albert and at the main USask campus in Saskatoon, has a strong emphasis on Métis history, Michif language, and social justice, anti-racist/anti-oppressive education. The program combines superior academic education with extensive classroom experience and a thorough knowledge of current educational issues.
The primary goals of the program are to ensure people of Métis ancestry are equitably represented in the teaching profession and to ensure that graduates are educated to be responsive to the individual needs of all students.
A first-year schedule sample
There is a lot of flexibility in your Education degree. You will pick two different teaching areas and you'll have electives to enhance your program.
This is an example of what your first year might look like for an early/middle years program student in Saskatoon:
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
Fall Term |
|
| EDLC 101.0 | Education Learning Community On Campus |
| EFDT 101.3 | Introduction to Education |
| INDG 107.3 | Introduction to Canadian Indigenous Studies |
| DRAM 118.3 | Acting I |
| ENG 113.3 | Literature and Composition Reading Narrative |
| KIN 146.3 | Physical Activity and School Aged Children and Youth |
Winter Term |
|
| EDLC 102.0 | Education Learning Community in Our City |
| ENG 114.3 | Literature and Composition Reading Culture |
| HIST 193.3 | Turtle Island: A History of North America's Ancient Civilizations |
| EFDT 265.3 | Foundations for First Nations Metis and Inuit Teaching and Learning |
| ECUR 235.3 | Michif Language Learning and Epistemology |
The Course and Program Catalogue has the complete and official listing of required classes and their descriptions for this program.
Here are just a few of the classes you might take while you complete this degree:
INDG 280.6: Metis History in Western Canada
Through lectures and seminar readings, the origin and development of the Metis is analyzed. Emphasizes the historical significance of the Metis in the development of Western Canada. Discusses contemporary issues of the Metis.
ECUR 435.3: Michif Language Learning and Epistemology
This is an introductory course on Michif/Metis Language, Learning and Epistemology. The purpose of the course is to develop basic competency in the Michif Language and to acquaint students with the interrelationship of Michif culture and traditions. Students will develop concepts, tools, and resources to integrate cultural learning with the Social Studies/Native Studies curriculum.
EXPR 422.15: Professional Internship Field Experience
The extended practicum is a period of intensive field study experience where teacher candidates are expected to develop and demonstrate program outcomes in the categories of professional, knowledge, instructional and curricular competency. Teacher candidates will work with one or more collaborating teachers and will function as professionals-in-training, engaging with students and their families, and working alongside colleagues on a regular and in-depth basis, team-teaching, planning units, lessons and other school-based programs, and progressing toward a full teaching load within their school context. Assessment for the extended practicum will address Saskatchewan Professional Teachers Regulatory Board (SPTRB) teacher competency goals within the framework of the Professional Growth Portfolio (PGP).
This program is available to students in both Prince Albert and Saskatoon, making access to classes easier for potential students.
Because the program is direct-entry, students have several opportunities for field experience in both traditional and holistic approaches, ensuring that Indigenous culture is present throughout the training.
Careers
The skills you develop in the College of Education can take you not only to the classroom, but out into the community or around the world. Just a few of the careers our graduates pursue include:
- Pre-K to Grade 12 teacher
- Adult educator
- Advocate
- Youth worker
- Community program coordinator
- Library services
- Politician
- Educational administrator
- Curriculum developer
- Instructional designer
- High school counsellor
- Academic advisor
- Writer
- Artist
- Musician
- Business administrator
- Entrepreneur
- Health and recreation staff
Once you graduate and after you receive your teaching certificate from the province of Saskatchewan, you will be certified to teach any grade from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
A Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) is just the beginning of a long career in education, academia, community, business, politics or government.
Graduate programs in the College of Education offer opportunities to advance your skills and expertise in the areas of educational administration, educational foundations, educational psychology and special education, and curriculum studies.
Tuition estimates
| Canadian students | International students | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $7,797 | $37,738 |
| Student fees | $1,121 | $1,121 |
| Books | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Total | $10,418 | $40,359 |
Tuition will vary depending on the type and number of classes you take in a year. This estimate reflects a typical amount you could expect to pay in your first year if you enroll in a full course load, the maximum number of courses allowed (2024-2025 Canadian dollar rates).
Student fees are used to fund specific student benefits, including health, vision and dental coverage, a bus pass, recreational programs and fitness centre access.
The cost of books and supplies varies widely depending on the courses you choose. It is recommended that you budget between $1,500-$2,500 per year.
Program options
The Bachelor of Education degree is offered by the College of Education. You have two options when completing this program:
Early/Middle Years: Saskatoon and Prince Albert
Choose this if you want to teach students in Kindergarten through Grade 8. The curriculum offers a general approach to various subjects to provide a wide exposure to the subjects and teaching methods you will use in early and middle years classrooms.
Secondary: Saskatoon
Choose this if you want to teach students in Grades 9 through 12. You will specialize further in two teaching areas to concentrate your expertise in specific high school subjects.
As part of your Education degree, you'll choose two teaching areas to specialize in. These subject areas are closely aligned with Saskatchewan pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 curriculum areas:
- Arts education
- English language arts
- Indigenous studies*
- Mathematics
- Modern languages
- Physical education
- Science
- Social sciences/social studies*
* Typically the Teaching Area 1 offered by SUNTEP
As part of your Education degree, you'll choose two teaching areas to specialize in. These subject areas are closely aligned with Saskatchewan pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 curriculum areas:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Drama
- English language arts
- Indigenous studies*
- Mathematics
- Modern languages
- Physics
- Social sciences/social studies*
- Visual arts
* Typically the Teaching Area 1 offered by SUNTEP
Admission requirements and deadlines
Ready to apply?
SUNTEP is offered by the Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI) in partnership with the College of Education at the University of Saskatchewan, the Ministry of Advanced Education and the University of Regina. In addition to submitting your application to USask, please ensure you also submit an application to Gabriel Dumont Institute.
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