Alberta's Ministry of Advanced Education has approved a new round of Targeted Enrolment Expansion (TEE) funding, with five programs at Mount Royal University set to grow by a total of 600 students at full implementation.
With this funding investment, MRU is expanding capacity in five of its most in-demand programs, including the Bachelor of Education Elementary, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Science Chemistry, Bachelor of Science Geology, and Bachelor of Social Work.
Through this third round of TEE, the provincial government is providing more than $148 million to expand access to programs in areas such as health care, education, and technology, where skilled professionals are needed to support Alberta's growing economy, public services and communities.
"Mount Royal University is helping prepare the next generation of nurses, educators, social workers and other skilled professionals Alberta needs. Through this investment, more students will have the opportunity to access high-demand programs and build the skills that will support communities across the province for years to come," said Myles McDougall, minister of Advanced Education.
To receive the funding, postsecondaries had to demonstrate student demand, work-integrated learning opportunities in the programs, and the university's capacity to take on more students in those areas of study. The funding advances MRU's strategic priority of sustainably growing enrolment to meet the increasing demand for a university education in Alberta, and will ensure MRU continues to provide the high quality of education and student-centred approach for which it is known.
The investment comes at a time when MRU is looking ahead to a proposed Health Science Innovation Centre that will enhance the University's ability to educate critically needed health workforce and science professionals by fostering seamless collaboration among frontline workers, data analysts and researchers.
"This funding will allow Mount Royal to expand high-demand programs that our students want and Alberta needs," said Dr. Chad London, PhD, provost and vice-president, Academic. "It covers a broad range of programs in science, technology, health and education, and we welcome the opportunity to continue growing in these areas of excellence."
Programs at MRU receiving new targeted enrolment expansion funding
Bachelor of Nursing
Enrolment growth at full implementation 160 students
The Bachelor of Nursing continues to attract strong demand among learners and remains one of MRU's most competitive degree programs. Demand for the program far exceeds available capacity. Application pressure has intensified in recent years due to heightened awareness of nursing shortages, strong employment outcomes for nursing graduates, and growing interest in health-care careers. Alberta continues to face significant, sustained shortages of nursing staff, as underscored by the latest provincial workforce planning efforts.
Bachelor of Science Chemistry
Enrolment growth at full implementation 72 students
The BSc in chemistry has among the highest applicant pressures of any program in science and technology at Mount Royal. This funding enables MRU to admit additional qualified domestic students into a program that prepares graduates for direct entry to the workforce, graduate studies, professional programs and science teaching pathways. Demand is expected to be sustained because chemistry graduates bring transferable laboratory, analytical, quality control, regulatory and problem-solving skills that are used across multiple in-demand sectors and industries.
Bachelor of Science Geology
Enrolment growth at full implementation 48 students
This funding paves the way for sustainable expansion of an existing high-quality program with demonstrated student demand and new laboratory capacity. The expansion allows Mount Royal to admit additional qualified domestic students into a program with demonstrated demand and clear alignment with Alberta's workforce needs. The timing is also appropriate, given new laboratory capacity designed with growth potential in mind. Demand is expected to be sustained since geoscience capacity is required across both established in-demand sectors and emerging areas of provincial priority.
Bachelor of Social Work
Enrolment growth at full implementation 160 students
Demand for the program has grown substantially since implementation and now far exceeds available capacity. This investment enables the institution to increase seat capacity, strengthen practicum and community-based learning supports, and accelerate the preparation of highly qualified graduates to meet growing provincial and regional workforce needs. As the only first-year entry BSW in Alberta, the program offers students immediate immersion in progressively advanced social work education, integrating theory, practice and intensive skill development from the beginning of the degree. This distinctive model, combined with a strong focus on mental health, addictions and child intervention, has contributed to significant student interest from across Alberta.
Bachelor of Education Elementary
Enrolment growth at full implementation 160 students
The BEd continues to experience exceptional and sustained learner demand, with application pressure increasing consistently over the past three admission cycles. This sustained growth reflects significant unmet demand for access to the program and demonstrates the need for expanded capacity in a priority workforce sector. MRU's BEd has established a strong reputation for delivering high-quality, research-informed teacher education that prepares graduates for the complex realities of Alberta classrooms and contributes to strong early-career retention within the profession. The program also maintains strong partnerships across the education sector.
Other programs at MRU that have received TEE funding (with enrolment growth at full implementation in brackets) in previous rounds include:
