Frequently asked Bachelor of Education questions
If your questions are not answered below in either the general or admissions process section please feel free to contact the appropriate program assistant.
Program Assistant to the B.Ed. Elementary program
Administrative Assistant to the Director of Teacher Education
Lynne Foley
Office: Seton Academic Center room 401A
Email: msvu.ca
Telephone 902.457.6580
Program Assistant to the BEd Secondary program
Professional Development & Faculty Assistant
Colleen Blacker
Office: Seton Academic Center room 401A
Email: msvu.ca
Telephone 902.457.6720
General Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a B.Ed. enable me to do?
- When I graduate can I teach in other provinces?
- What are the academic requirements of the program?
- How long is the program?
- Is there a part time program?
- Can I take classes through distance?
- How much does it cost?
- How do I apply?
- What is the deadline for admission?
- How many people are admitted?
- Is everyone offered an interview?
- How are applicants notified of status?
- Does the Mount accept late applications?
- Is it possible to deferral an acceptance?
- Who do I see for advising?
- Is it possible to be admitted to the program with academic conditions remaing?
- When and where will I complete my practicum?
- Am I able to transfer into the B.Ed. program at Mount Saint Vincent University from another institution?
- What if I already have some education classes? Waivers
- What assistantships & bursaries are available?
- What scholarships/Awards are available?
- How do I find a employment?
Admissions Process Frequently Asked Questions
- What happens to my B.Ed. application once it is submitted to The Admissions Office?
- Is everyone offered an interview?
- If I am not going to be offered a seat how will I be informed?
- When will the interviews take place?
- What happens on the interview day?
- What happens in the interview?
- How long is the interview?
- When are the applicants notified of their status following the interview?
- How are applicants notified of status following the interview?
- What are the academic requirements of the program?
- How do I apply?
- What is the deadline for admission?
- How many people are admitted?
- Does the Mount accept late applications?
- Is it possible to deferral an acceptance?
- Who do I see for advising?
- Is it possible to be admitted to the program with academic conditions remaining?
General Frequently Asked Questions
What does a B.Ed. enable me to do?
A Bachelor of Education is a good preparation for a number of career paths, from education and training work in business, public organizations, or the military. Many BEd graduates have taken the degree prior to continuing to careers or further study in law, journalism, social work or a variety of other professions. Most BEd graduates, however, intend to pursue a career in teaching, in public schools, independent schools, or even in teaching their own children at home.
A BEd degree with a teacher certification license enables you to teach in the public school system in Nova Scotia. It is the only degree that offers this qualification.
In order to teach in the public schools of Nova Scotia, you must first obtain your Teacher Certification from the Nova Scotia Department of Education. The BEd program at the Mount normally leads to provincial certification. Information about the application for certification will be passed on to you during the fall semester of your final year. You must complete your conditions of Admission in order to graduate and be certified. Your conditions must be met by the deadline on your Applicant Status Form. Convocation information will be sent to you from the Registrar’s office two months before convocation. Spring convocation usually takes place the second Thursday or Friday of May.
When I graduate can I teach in other provinces?
The Mount Saint Vincent University BEd degree and your Nova Scotia teaching license will allow to teach in all of the provinces and territories in Canada and many American states. Some jurisdictions may require the completion of additional course work to obtain full certification, but all provinces in Canada recognize the Nova Scotia license for initial certification.
Please visit the teacher certification websites for the to confirm certification requirements in other provinces.
What are the academic requirements of the program?
Undergraduate Calendar requirements for the Bachelor of Education Elementary and Secondary program.
Elementary basic information sheet
Secondary basic information sheet
How long is the program?
This is a two year full-time on-campus program. The academic year runs from September to April (practicum may run into May). The student will complete 10.0 units/60 credit hours over the two years.
Is there a part time program?
We do not offer the Bachelor of Education program on a part-time basis.
Can I take classes through distance?
We do not offer the Bachelor of Education program through distance learning.
How much does it cost?
For all financial information please visit the Financial Services Office.
How do I apply?
Generally the BEd application package is available after mid-October for the following year’s admissions.
Please apply on-line. You must also print the supplementary information package to complete and submit to the Admissions office. Call 457-6117 or email the Admissions office at msvu.ca with any questions.
What is the deadline for admission?
The deadline for admission is January 27 with a start date of the first week in September.
Return to top
How many people are admitted?
Mount Saint Vincent University admits approximately 60 students to the elementary program and approximately 75 students to the secondary program.
Is everyone offered an interview?
No, only a limited number of even those applicants who meet application requirements will be offered an interview. The interview is the last stage in the admissions process.
How are applicants notified of status?
If an applicant is going to be offered a seat in the program then a call will be placed from the program Assistant and an official letter will follow from the admissions office within three weeks of the phone call.
If an applicant is going to be placed on a waitlist an official letter will be mailed from the admissions office.
If an applicant is going to be refused, an official letter will be mailed from the admissions office.
Does the Mount accept late applications?
The Elementary stream receives many more applications than there are positions to be offered. For this reason, we do not accept late applications for this stream.
The Secondary stream also receives many more applications than there are seats to be offered but, there are methods areas that typically do not receive as many qualified applications as there are seats available. The first teachable methods areas of mathematics, French and visual arts typically have a lower enrollment then the other methods areas, and these areas may remain open for admission longer then the stated deadline.
Is it possible to deferral an acceptance?
We do not offer deferrals to students offered admission to either the Elementary or the Secondary stream.
Should you not be able to take up an offer admission, we suggest that you continue building your application; complete any outstanding academic course work, continue adding to your teaching-related experiences and reapply the following year. Due to the changing applicant pool we cannot guarantee an offer of admission will be made when you reapply but, if you were a strong applicant in one year, then there is a good chance that you will at least receive an interview at the time of a later application.
Who do I see for advising?
Those who are considering application to the B.Ed. program should seek general academic advice through the Academic Advising Office by phoning 902.457.6400 for an appointment or e-mail msvu.ca. Potential applicants may also wish to attend one of several public information sessions about the BEd program offered each year from November to January.
Students already admitted to the program should consult their Program Coordinator; by phone, by e-mail, or through office hours.
Elementary students: Bev Williams 902.457.5537 SAC 409 msvu.ca
Secondary students: Max Moulton 902.457.5522 SAC 415 msvu.ca
Is it possible to be admitted to the program with academic conditions remaining?
It is possible to be admitted to the program on condition that you complete additional course work stipulated in your offer of admission by the date specified in that offer.
It is the students’ responsibility to ensure these conditions are met and that final transcripts are submitted to the Registrar’s office.
When and where will I complete my practicum?
All students will participate in practicum experiences as part of their program. During the first year of the Bachelor of Education program at Mount Saint Vincent University you will be placed within the Halifax Regional Municipality. It is possible to apply for a practicum experience outside of the Halifax Regional Municipality in the second year. The final decision will rest on the ability of the the Mount Practicum Coordinator to find a suitable educational host environment and to secure a suitable university supervisor in the vicinity of the host school.
Am I able to transfer into the B.Ed. program at Mount Saint Vincent University from another institution?
Students may transfer into the B.Ed. at the Mount from another institution, but they must complete the same admissions process as new applicants. If the student is admitted, advanced standing may be given for some of the course work completed in another program. Potential transfers should be aware, however, that, as our program requirements may be different from those of other programs, not all completed course work will necessarily be eligible for transfer credit. A maximum of 5.0 units (30 credits) can be transferred from another program, and all practicum requirements must be completed through Mount Saint Vincent University.
Return to top
What if I already have some education classes? Waivers
If you are admitted to the program and you think you have already taken a course in the BEd program, consult with the Director about the possibility for a waiver and its replacement by an additional elective. The course contents will be checked before a decision is made. Normally, waivers will have been considered during the admission process, but occasionally students identify other courses. All waivers must be requested before the end of September of the student’s first term in the program.
What assistantships & bursaries are available?
There are a limited number of scholarships or bursaries available for BEd students at the Mount. You may apply for the scholarships that are designated for second year students after completing the first year of the program. There are also a few departmental assistantships. Students may apply for these. They will include a variety of jobs such as assisting in research, leading computer workshops, and working in the Curriculum Resource Center (CRC). Assistantships may be available during the academic year and during the summer months.
The university’s tuition-driven bursaries are open for application in October with a November deadline. Bursaries will be awarded in January. At this time, all students registered in a program at the Mount can apply for awards ranging from $100 to $1,500. Awards are bestowed on the basis of documented financial need.
For more information visit the Financial Aid Office.
What Scholarships/Awards are available?
Entrance Scholarships:
John Frederick Knodell Award
(Recipient must be a graduate of Dalhousie University)Awarded to a female, Year I student in the BEd Elementary program, who has completed her pre-university education in Nova Scotia schools and who is a graduate of Dalhousie University. The award is determined, on the basis of the student’s undergraduate record at Dalhousie.
Heather Jackson Scholarship
Entrance scholarship, awarded to one Year I student in the BEd program (Elementary or Secondary) based on assessment of the student’s application file.
In-Course Scholarships:
Sister M. Olga McKenna Award
Awarded to a student with a Prince Edward Island heritage, who is enrolled in the final year of the Bachelor of Education program.
Mary-Lou Redmond Award
Awarded to a mature student enrolled in the final year of the Bachelor of Education program who has demonstrated both a commitment to the advancement of women and consistently high academic standards.
10 In-course Merit Scholarships
Awarded to students enrolled in the final year of the Bachelor of Education program who have combined excellence in academic work with outstanding performance in practicum.
Convocation Awards:
Michael and Madeleine Merrigan Award (often shared Elem, Sec)
Awarded to the BEd student who exhibits strong leadership qualities in the program and in the wider community
Senate Medals (3) Elementary, Secondary, Visual Arts
Awarded to graduating students who exhibit academic excellence (average A-, or better), superior performance in practice teaching and leadership skills.
Faculty of Education Awards (4)
Awarded to graduating students who did not win a Senate Medal but who exhibit academic excellence (average A-, or better) superior performance in practice teaching and leadership skills.
President’s Prize
(determined by the University Convocation Awards Committee)
Awarded to a graduating students from any university program who have given evidence of best fulfilling the university ideals of self-sacrifice and all round co-operation and who give promise of continued loyalty to the alma mater.
Kappa Gamma Pi
(determined by University Convocation Awards Committee)
Membership awarded to a graduating BEd student who exhibits scholarship, leadership and service. Members are selected for recognition of past accomplishments and anticipation of future service.
How do I find employment?
Although the Mount does not guarantee employment success, the Faculty of Education at the Mount is well regarded by schools within the region and throughout the country. We regularly receive notices of openings for teachers and pass the opportunities along to our graduating students via email.
The BEd National-International Job Search was held at the Mount this year. This job fair was organised for graduating and recently graduated B.Ed. students of the Mount, Acadia and St FX. and Université Sainte Anne. School boards, independent schools, and hiring agencies for teachers from across Canada and a variety of international locations were on hand to greet, recruit and interview students and B.Ed. alumni of the four participating teacher education institutions.
Return to top
Admissions Process Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my B.Ed. application once it is submitted to The Admissions Office?
- The admissions office checks for the completeness of your application and application fee payment.
- The application information is logged into the university information system and the application is reviewed in Admissions for minimum admission standards.
- If these criteria are not met the Admissions Office will send to you a letter of refusal.
- If the application meets the university's minimum standard a copy of the university application is made and sent, along with your supplementary application material and transcripts, to the Faculty of Education.
- The Faculty of Education prepares your file, enters pertinent information into its database, and arranges for distribution of your file to reviewers for rating.
- On the basis of the file's rating the Admission Committee will determine if an interview will be offered.
- At this point you could receive a call for an interview or have your application placed in a hold position for further review.
- If an interview is going to be offered, the applicant will be contacted via telephone by the appropriate Program Assistant. If you cannot be reached via telephone then you will be contacted by email.
- After the interview your file is returned to the Admissions Committee which determines from interview and file ratings if you will:
- be offered a seat in the program immediately, or
- pending the results of other interviews, potentially be offered a seat in the
program, put on a waitlist for the program, or refused from the program.
Is everyone offered an interview?
No, only a limited number of even those applicants who meet application requirements will be offered an interview. The interview is the last stage in the admissions process.
If I am not going to be offered an interview how will I be informed?
Once the final decision has been made on your file you will receive written notification of our inability to offer you a seat in the program.
When will the interviews take place?
This year, as in previous years, the bulk - but not all of the interviews will take place on five days.
The tentative initial interview dates for 2012 have not been decided at this time.
If an applicant does not receive a call for an interview before these dates it does not mean that the applicant will not receive an interview. Any number of things could be delaying your telephone call.
What happens on the interview day?
Applicants arrive at the location indicated during the telephone conversation with the Program Assistant. Applicants congregate in a general meeting area, much like a job fair. Here you are greeted by support staff and/or current B.Ed. students. Applicants have a chance to ask questions of the greeters and converse with the other applicants while they are waiting to meet the interviewers. Every effort is made to make applicants feel comfortable.
What happens in the interview?
There will normally be two interviewers. For secondary applicants at least one of the interviewers will have a background in your main teachable area. Interviews are open ended but you may be asked questions about:
- your teachable methods areas
- your experiences
- your motivation/purposes
- your professional knowledge and sensibility
- your general knowledge and potential contribution to teaching
How long is the interview?
The interviews are scheduled 30 minutes apart with the intention of each interview lasting 20 minutes.
When are applicants notified of their status following the interview?
The Faculty of Education makes every reasonable effort to notify the applicants as soon as possible after the interview is complete. This stated, not all decisions can be made before all interviews have taken place. Program admission is an on-going process with the bulk of the decisions made after April 9.
Return to top
How are applicants notified of status following the interview?
If you are going to be offered a seat in the program then you will receive a call from the appropriate Program Assistant and an official letter will follow from the Admissions Office within three weeks of the call.
If you are going to be placed on a waitlist an official letter to this effect will be mailed from the admissions office after the completion of interviews.
If you are not going to be offered a seat in the program, an official letter to this effect will be mailed from the Admissions Office.
What are the academic requirements of the program?
Requirements for the Elementary and Secondary programs are listed in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Elementary basic information sheet
Secondary basic information sheet
How do I apply?
Generally the BEd application package is available after mid-October for the following year’s admissions.
Please apply on-line. You must also print the supplementary information package to complete and submit to the Admissions office. Call 457-6117 or email the Admissions office at msvu.ca with any questions.
What is the deadline for admission?
The deadline for admission is January 27 with a start date of the first week in September.
Be prepared to be in attendance from September to December inclusive.
How many people are admitted?
Mount Saint Vincent University admits approximately 60 students to its elementary program and approximately 75 students to its secondary program.
Does the Mount accept late applications?
The Elementary program receives many more applications than there are positions to be offered. For this reason, we do not accept late applications for this program.
The Secondary program also receives many more applications than there are seats to be offered, but there are methods areas that typically do not receive as many qualified applications as there are seats available. The first teachable methods areas of family studies, French, mathematics and visual arts typically have a lower enrollment then the other methods areas, and these areas may remain open for applications longer then the stated deadline.
Is it possible to defer an acceptance?
We do not offer deferrals to students offered admission to either the Elementary or the Secondary stream.
Should you not be able to take up an offer admission, we suggest that you continue building your application; complete any outstanding academic course work, continue adding to your teaching-related experiences and reapply the following year. Due to the changing applicant pool we cannot guarantee an offer of admission will be made when you reapply but, if you were a strong applicant in one year, then there is a good chance that you will at least receive an interview at the time of a later application.
Who do I see for advising?
Those who are considering application to the B.Ed. program should seek general academic advice through the Academic Advising Office by phoning 902.457.6400 for an appointment or e-mail msvu.ca. Potential applicants may also wish to attend one of several public information sessions about the B.Ed. program offered each year from November to January.
Students already admitted to the program should consult their Program Coordinator; by phone, by e-mail, or through office hours.
Elementary students: Bev Williams 902.457.5537 SAC 409 msvu.ca
Secondary students: Max Moulton 902.457.5522 SAC 415 msvu.ca
Is it possible to be admitted to the program with academic conditions remaining?
It is possible to be admitted to the program on condition that you complete additional course work stipulated in your offer of admission by the date specified in that offer.
It is the student's responsibility to ensure these academic conditions are met and that final transcripts are submitted to the Faculty of Education and the Registrar’s office.
Return to top