Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

The Aboriginal Teacher Education Program (ATEP) has committed to offering two (s) Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition pathways—1) Experience in Educational Settings and 2) nêhiyawatisiw Indigenous Language and Cultural Helper/Bearer—for potential Indigenous student applicants for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Applicants are only eligible for PLAR upon admission to the Aboriginal Teacher Education Program (ATEP). Interested applicants must apply to the University of Alberta ATEP program (and include their required documentation, letter of interest, and high school and/or post-secondary transcripts) through the necessary and appropriate channels. Interested applicants must indicate in their Letter of Interest (LOI) their experience in either an educational or cultural bearer/helper setting.

Successful student applicants for the PLAR will be contacted directly by the Coordinator to complete the application after receiving acceptance. PLAR applications will not be provided to applicants before their acceptance into the program.

Below is more information on the following two

1) Experience in Educational Settings: The PLAR is guided by Indigenous ways of knowing and grounded in nehiyâw (Cree) values and those of ATEP. The ELCC/EA PLAR pathway aims to support Indigenous applicants who work with children, including in schools and early childhood education, in having their experience formally recognized as they pursue a Bachelor of Education degree.

2) nêhiyawâtisiw (one who upholds and lives by their Indigenous cultural tradition) Indigenous Language and Cultural Helper/Bearer: ATEP honours and recognizes the diversity and distinct knowledges of all Indigenous languages. ATEP recognizes that many Nations have similar principles and values, especially regarding cultural traditions and knowledge. ATEP's fourteen (14) guiding values are grounded in nêhiyaw Cree teachings, which reflect the lands in which ATEP is situated. All Indigenous languages are honoured and if these values are embodied by words in your own Indigenous language, applicants are encouraged to include values in their Indigenous language.

Applicants are only eligible for PLAR upon admission to the Aboriginal Teacher Education Program (ATEP). Interested applicants are required to apply to the ATEP program first (including their required documentation, letter of interest and high school and/or post-secondary transcripts) through the necessary and appropriate channels.

Successful applicants will be contacted directly by the PLAR Coordinator to complete the PLAR application after receiving acceptance. PLAR applications will not be provided to applicants prior to their acceptance into the program.

If interested applicants have additional questions or if you would like to book a meeting to discuss the process, please reach out to [email protected].