Bachelor of Education Program Overview – Elementary Stream
Program Overview
The Elementary Education program stream of Cape Breton University’s Bachelor of Education is a 12-month, 90-credit program designed for individuals aspiring to teach at the elementary level. Beginning each May, the program emphasizes inclusive education, reflective practice, curriculum integration, and instructional strategies for core subjects such as mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies. Course work also focuses on assessment methods and classroom management techniques. Students complete an extensive 15-week practicum, supported by seminars and professionalism workshops, and select their electives from areas such as visual arts, technology, Indigenous education, music, Gender Studies, and sustainability. Graduates are eligible to apply for Nova Scotia teacher certification and pursue teaching opportunities across Canada.
Major Requirements
**Effective Spring 2026 Intake (for students commencing in the Program May 2026)
Beginning with the Spring 2026 intake (for students applying in Fall 2025), all Bachelor of Education program concentrations will be discontinued. Applicants admitted for Spring 2026 and onward will follow a revised program structure without concentration options.
Optional Concentrations Available: L’nu/Indigenous Education and Education for Sustainability
L’nu Concentration:
Students completing the B.Ed. with the L’nu Education Concentration will complete all requirements as outlined above. Additionally, students will complete 6 of their credits of elective courses within the ‘L’nu Focus Electives’. The requirements for the Secondary and Elementary streams are outlined below:
EDUC-4133 Teaching English Language Learners (3 credits)
EDUC-4136 Teaching and Learning the L’nu Way
Education for Sustainability Concentration:
Students completing the BEd with the Education for Sustainability Concentration will complete all regular program requirements. Additionally, students will complete 6 credits of elective courses within the ‘Sustainability Focus Electives’. The requirements for the Secondary and Elementary streams are outlined below:
EDUC-4104 Sustainable Well-Being and Deep Learning (3 credits)
EDUC-4114 Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable Future (3 credits)
Program Requirement/Regulations: See document.
Electives
Students who are enrolled in this program can take between 9 (Elementary) and 12 (Secondary) credits of electives.
Certificate Regulations: See Teacher Certification.
ELEMENTARY STREAM:
Spring–9 Credits (All Core) and 48 hours of practicum
EDUC-4161 Inclusive Education I (3 credits)
EDUC-4109 Perspectives on Schooling (3 credits)
EDUC-4118 Principles and Practice of Elementary Education (3 credits)
EDUC-4891 Practicum Seminar I (1 credit)
EDUC-4895 Elementary Practicum I (3 credits)
Summer –9 Credits (All Core) and 48 hours of practicum
EDUC-4163 Inclusive Education II (3 credits)
EDUC-4119 Teaching and Learning in the Complex Classroom (3 credits)
EDUC-4167 Integration of Curriculum at the Elementary Level (3 credits)
EDUC-4891 Practicum Seminar I (1 credit)
EDUC-4895 Elementary Practicum I (3 credits)
Fall A – 9 Credits (All Core) and 80 hours of practicum
EDUC-4124 Curriculum and Instruction of Early Elementary Mathematics (3 credits)
EDUC-4107 Assessment of and For Learning (3 credits)
EDUC-4164 Curriculum and Instruction of Elementary English Language Arts I (3 credits)
EDUC-4891 Practicum Seminar I (1 credit)
EDUC-4895 Elementary Practicum I (3 credits)
Fall B – 6 Credits (All Core) and 48 hours of practicum
EDUC-4125 Curriculum and Instruction of Upper Elementary Mathematics (3 credits)
EDUC-4165 Curriculum and Instruction of Elementary English Language Arts II (3 credits)
EDUC-0401 Professionalism Series (Non-Credit, Mandatory Component)
EDUC-4893 Practicum Seminar I (1 credit)
EDUC-4896 Elementary Practicum I (3 credits)
Fall C – Practicum Block (Core) 200 hours
EDUC-4893 Practicum Seminar II (1 credit)
EDUC-4896 Elementary Practicum II (3 credits)
Winter A – 6 Credits Core and 48 hours of practicum
Core:
EDUC-4115 Teaching an Integrated Social Studies Curriculum (3 credits)
EDUC-4113 Curriculum and Instruction of Elementary Science (3 credits)
EDUC-4893 Practicum Seminar II (1 credit)
EDUC-4896 Elementary Practicum II (3 credits
Plus 3 credits in Education Electives from either:
EDUC-4171 Teaching Elementary Visual Art (3 credits)
EDUC-4108 Leveraging Technology for Learning (3 credits)
Winter B – 6 Credits and 48 hours of practicum
6 credits in Education Electives from:
EDUC-4123 Foundations of School Health Education and Wellness (3 credits)
EDUC-4213 Teaching Mathematics in Middle School (3 credits)
or from choosing part of all of a concentration:
For a concentration choose 6 credits in Electives from:
L’nu Education Concentration (Not offered to students commencing in May 2026)
Students completing the B.Ed. with the L’nu Education Concentration will complete all requirements as outlined above. Additionally, students will complete 6 of their credits of elective courses within the ‘L’nu Focus Electives’. The requirements for the Secondary and Elementary streams are outlined below:
EDUC-4133 Teaching English Language Learners (3 credits)
EDUC-4136 Teaching and Learning the L’nu Way (3 credits)
Education for Sustainability Concentration (Not offered to students commencing in May 2026)
Students completing the B.Ed. with the Education for Sustainability Concentration will complete all requirements as outlined above. Additionally, students will complete 6 of their credits of elective courses within the ‘in the ‘Sustainability Focus Electives’. The requirements for the Secondary and Elementary streams are outlined below:
EDUC-4114 Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable Future (3 credits)
EDUC-4104 Sustainable Well-Being and Deep Learning (3 credits)
PLUS:
EDUC-4894 Practicum Seminar III (1 credit)
EDUC-4897 Elementary Practicum III (3 credits)
*Additional electives may be offered depending on faculty availability
Spring – Practicum Block (core) 200 hours of practicum
EDUC-4894 Practicum Seminar III (1 credit)
EDUC-4897 Elementary Practicum III (3 credits)
Completion of Elementary Program (60 credits)
