The Faculty of Education is growing, with the launch of new international programming and the broadening of existing educational offerings—moves that will strengthen its academic mission, expand revenue-generation opportunities, and deepen the faculty’s local and global impact.

“The global interest in our faculty’s programs has been growing steadily, with no signs of slowing down,” says Rebecca Luce-Kapler, Dean, Faculty of Education. “Our plan to grow and enhance our programming is an investment in our university’s academic mission and ability to contribute to society-wide efforts—whether it’s helping to alleviate teacher shortages, empowering Indigenous learners and communities, enhancing language learning, or expanding international, non-credit, and graduate programming.”

Among the many existing programs set to grow is the highly sought after Post-Graduate Certificate for Internationally Trained Teachers (ITT). Open to teachers trained in countries other than Canada, this unique program offers cultural, educational, and social opportunities designed to equip its students with the skills necessary to succeed as teachers in Ontario’s classrooms, advance their careers in Canada, and positively impact their pupils.

ITT is just one of several programs well positioned to help address Ontario’s teacher shortages, such as the Indigenous Teachers Education Program (ITEP), the Technological Education Multi-Session (TEMS) program, French language programming, and continuing education for teachers.

The faculty expects the planned expansion of programming will eventually produce revenue of approximately $28.5 million over the three-year period between 2025-2028, with an annual revenue of around $11 million by the third year. It also anticipates enrollment growth across the board, with a projected increase in the ITT program from 113 to 275 by 2027/28.

The faculty’s full range of new and developing programming will be supported by a refreshed Duncan McArthur Hall, which will undergo a renovation that includes the creation of five new classrooms and create 285 new active learning seats.

The university’s Board of Trustees recently approved the renovation project, scheduled for May 2024-Sept. 2025. Though scaled down from previous plans announced in 2021 due to budget constraints, the project will include new classrooms, a café, gallery, workstations, improved green spaces, and an Indigenous learning circle and medicine garden.

“Upgrading our student learning environment at the Faculty of Education will support our innovation and growth for years to come,” says Dean Luce-Kapler. “We expect this renovation to help boost enrollment growth across our wide range of programs, including our Bachelor of Education degree program.”

More details about the renovation will become available later in the Spring.