Our Indigenous Education Programs provide multiple pathways for individuals to earn academic and professional credentials as classroom assistants or provincially-certified elementary or Indigenous language teachers. Our on-campus programs are designed for the working professional by scheduling classes in July with online courses and practicum being held during the school year.
ICADP Application Deadline: June 2, 2025
Who can apply for Indigenous Education Programs?
The Schulich School of Education at Nipissing University offers three professional education programs designed for First Nation, Métis and Inuit students. Programs are offered on our beautiful natural campus, which sits on the traditional territory of Nipissing First Nation, within the Robinson-Huron Treaty of 1850, and amid a stunning 720 acres of Canadian Shield forest in North Bay, Ontario.
Why apply for an Indigenous Education Program?
Our teaching approach blends traditional Indigenous culture, knowledge, and worldviews with contemporary understandings of educational theory and practice. Classes are delivered in an inclusive environment where students have access to holistic academic, personal and cultural supports, Elder support as well as a designated student success co-ordinator.
All programs offer supports to provide students the opportunity to pursue their educational goals with minimal interruptions to their family and employment responsibilities.
If you want to become a qualified teacher, give back to your community, or further your employment or academic goals, apply to one of the Indigenous Education programs below.
On-Campus Program Options:
Indigenous Classroom Assistant Diploma Program (ICADP)
Become qualified to work as a classroom assistant with Indigenous and non-Indigenous school children under the professional direction of the classroom teacher and school administration.
Applications are now open for July 2025 on-campus programming. Click here to learn more.
Indigenous Teacher Education Program (ITEP)
Earn a Certificate of Qualification and Registration from the Ontario College of Teachers in the Primary and Junior Divisions and become a provincially certified elementary school teacher to build strong and culturally-relevant learning environments for Indigenous and non-Indigenous children.
NEW START DATE - MAY 5, 2025. Begin the program online and then join us for on-campus courses in July! Applications are open! Click here to learn more.
Teacher of Indigenous Language as a Second Language (TILSL)
Earn a Certificate of Qualification and Registration from the Ontario College of Teachers as an Indigenous language teacher for grades Kindergarten to Grade 12.
Stay in Residence
Each fully-furnished suite accommodates up to four people and features a kitchen with fridge and a stove (pots, pans and dishes not included), living room, dining area and two full bathrooms. Amenities include: local telephone, cable television, wireless and wired high-speed internet access, laundry rooms, common areas and lounges. All residences are smoke-free environments.
Residence applications are due by June 1. At this time, Residence applications are being finalized so please return to this site by end of March for access to the link to the application.
Bring your Family
Students enrolled in the summer programs are invited to bring their families with them into residence and children have access to summer camp while their parents attend class. Children will have access to summer camp options: