Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) is strengthening Alberta's education workforce by creating new pathways for future teachers. Launching in Fall 2027, the Bachelor of Education After Degree will help qualified graduates transition into rewarding teaching careers, increase access to teacher education and support communities' need for skilled educators.
"Red Deer Polytechnic is proud to expand opportunities for future educators and help address the growing need for teachers across Alberta," says Dr. Robbie Halonen, Dean, School of Arts and Education, Red Deer Polytechnic. "The Bachelor of Education After Degree creates a new pathway into the profession for degree holders while building on RDP's longstanding leadership in education programming. Through high-quality, applied learning experiences, graduates will be well prepared to make a meaningful impact in classrooms and communities across the province."
Prospective students interested in the two-year Bachelor of Education After Degree must already hold a three- or four-year bachelor's degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
The Polytechnic's Bachelor of Education After Degree program focuses on building relationships, social responsibility and inclusion, foundational knowledge and bridging theory to practice. Students can specialize in Early Years (K-4), Middle Years (5-9) or Secondary (10-12) Education.
Early Years teachers focus on how children learn during their most formative years, exploring child development, literacy and numeracy foundations. Middle Years educators support students through a unique and exciting stage of growth, helping them transition from foundational skills to deeper critical thinking. Secondary teachers are subject specialists who want to inspire teens during their final years of school as they transition toward adulthood.
To complement the educational theory learned in class, students will participate in four work-integrated learning (WIL) experiences throughout the program, including a full practicum in the final year. Throughout these practicums, aspiring teachers will gain more than 700 hours of experience in a K-12 classroom, expanding their knowledge about planning, delivering engaging lessons and developing rapport with students.
RDP is expecting to admit approximately 15 students into the Bachelor of Education After Degree program annually. Applications for the new program will open October 1, 2026, to begin studies in Fall 2027 Term.
The new Bachelor of Education After Degree further strengthens RDP's comprehensive range of education programming, including the Bachelor of Education degree, Early Learning and Child Care Certificate and Diploma, and Educational Assistant Certificate.
For more information about RDP's Bachelor of Education After Degree program, including how to apply, please visit: rdpolytech.ca/programs/bachelor-education-after-degree.
