SASKATOON — The College of Education at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) is increasing pathways for Bachelor of Education (BEd) students to complete training in practical and applied arts (PAA) subjects.
“The practical and applied arts are an integral part of a child’s elementary and high school education and provide opportunities that build confidence and transferable life skills,” said Dr. Julia Paulson (PhD), dean, College of Education. “The College of Education is dedicated to examining and rebuilding the options available for our BEd students to engage in training that prepares them for teaching in this area.”
The college will reopen the technical vocational stream of the Bachelor of Education (BEd) program in the 2025-26 academic year. Students with a journeyperson certificate can begin this stream of the BEd program with advanced standing, reducing a four-year program to three years. Upon completion, graduates are eligible to receive a Professional A teaching certificate from the Saskatchewan Professional Teachers Regulatory Board (SPTRB).
In addition, there are plans to add practical and applied arts as a second teaching area option for BEd students in the Secondary program route as early as the 2025-26 academic year. The practical and applied arts teaching area will offer course options that fall under the Ministry of Education’s practical and applied arts subject areas, including agriculture, business and management, financial literacy, and communication, media and design. The college will also explore options for offering practical and applied arts as a first teaching area in the future.
Beginning in 2026-27, the Certificate in Secondary Technical Vocational Education (CSTVE) will once again accept applications. This certificate provides training for tradespeople holding a journeyperson certificate to teach their craft at the secondary level. For those holding a CSTVE, their trade is the only subject they will be certified to teach in Saskatchewan.
“We hope that these options will provide opportunities to support and foster the development of teachers trained in the wide variety of subjects that encompass the practical and applied arts," said Paulson. “We are hearing from our sector partners that this is an important opportunity for growth and we encourage everyone to stay tuned as we develop our Bachelor of Education program in this area.”
For more information on the BEd – Technical Vocation stream or CSTVE programs, visit .
— Submitted by USask Media Relations
