Bachelor of Education

About the Bachelor of Education

Our four-semester program integrates teaching, research, and service within an innovative learning environment. You’ll learn from professors who are themselves accomplished educators. During the program students have four practice teaching assignments totalling 21 weeks. This is three more weeks than the licensure requirement and allows students to apply for alternative placements in their final practicum. This alternative placement can include the opportunity for students to get hands-on experience teaching abroad in their second year. Our students have done their final practicum in destinations including Norway, Australia, Kenya, Iceland, and Scotland. 

Why Choose StFX for a Bachelor of Education?

St. Francis Xavier University is located in the picturesque town of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, and is home to the top ranked Faculty of Education in Atlantic Canada in the 2025 MacLean's University rankings. We offer a robust program that is a personalized and relational approach to education based upon the foundations of community, relationships, and critical ways of knowing and being. 

The StFX Faculty of Education is dedicated to molding those with a passion for teaching by combining theory and practice to ensure our students are job-ready for the classroom. Preparing students for future employment is a key priority of our program. Faculty provide exemplary instruction and support with CV/resume and portfolio making and mock job interviews. Students graduate our program ready to take on careers in education. Our graduates are presently employed in teaching and administrative positions across Canada and around the world. Our reputation for producing excellent educators and leaders is known and respected throughout Canada and abroad. 

StFX has numerous on-campus residential options for students of all ages, and the town offers plenty of varying accommodations for those who prefer to live off campus. The university also provides a selection of support services such as the Tramble Centre for Accessible Learning, and the Academic Success Centre.

Program at a glance:

The Bachelor of Education is a four-semester program following completion of an undergraduate degree. The program has two streams:  

Elementary (primary to grade 6) – Elementary education students must prepare to teach a wide range of subject fields due to the nature of the public elementary schools of Nova Scotia. 

Secondary (grades 7 to 12) – Secondary Education teachers are prepared to teach at least two subject fields normally taught in the public secondary schools of Nova Scotia (English, French, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education/Health Education, Gaelic, Spanish, Business, Family Studies, Art, Music, Drama). 

Specialist programs in Physical Education and French are also available in both streams. 

Program specializations:

The Faculty of Education offers some unique specializations which are responsive to the specific talents of faculty and to the needs of the public education system. These programs provide prospective teachers with the necessary training and experience to qualify for teaching positions in areas which are currently in demand.  

These specializations include: 

• Family Studies 
• Français 
• Gaelic 
• Mi’kmaq 
• Physical Education  
• Spanish  

Future Opportunities