Dean James Sharpe, BSc (Mount Allison), MA (Columbia), EdD (Toronto)
Director of Teacher EducationMaryJane Harkins, BA (ST FX), BEd (Mount), MA (Kean), MEd (Kean), PhD (Dalhousie), Associate Professor
Director of Graduate EducationSusan Walsh, BEd, MEd, PhD (Alberta), Associate Professor
Doctoral Program Coordinator James Sharpe, BSc (Mount Allison), MA (Columbia), EdD (Toronto)
Mount Saint Vincent University offers comprehensive Bachelor of Education programs at the elementary and secondary levels. Admission to the programs is on a competitive basis and is determined conjointly by the Admissions Office and the Faculty of Education. The University reserves the right: a) to require an extended program (pre-education courses) for candidates whose preliminary scholastic record is deemed inadequate, and b) to refuse admission to candidates lacking the necessary academic and/or personal qualifications for the teaching profession.
Mount Saint Vincent University Faculty of Education encourages applications from candidates who are from groups traditionally under-represented in the school system.
Fellowships and Assistantships
Some assistantships are offered to students in the Bachelor of Education program each year. Contact the Faculty of Education for details.
Elementary Education
Admission Requirements
Decisions regarding admissibility are based on the following evidence provided by the applicant.
- Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with at least 7.5 units (45 semester hours) in subjects taught in the schools of Nova Scotia.
- Candidates should have completed at least 1.0 unit (six semester hours) in each of English, Canadian or local history, a pure science (with a laboratory component) and at least 0.5 unit (three semester hours) in mathematics including the investigation of fundamental concepts and ideas of mathematics; and a further 0.5 unit (three semester hours) in one of either history, geography, economics, political science or Canadian Studies; and should have courses in a range of disciplines in the humanities and sciences.
- Candidates must have completed a minimum of 0.5 unit in developmental psychology, child psychology, or educational psychology (EDUC 3452)
These requirements include current Nova Scotia teacher certification requirements. Students missing some components may be considered for admission but these courses must be completed prior to graduation.
- Candidates must normally have achieved a minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 10 units of undergraduate coursework relevant to admission.
- Candidates should have demonstrable competence in educational technologies such as word processing, e-mail and the Internet.
- Candidates should have experience working with children in schools or other public, institutional or group settings.
- Candidates must complete an application form, and must also include two official transcripts of all previous university courses, three letters of reference, a resumé including a statement of relevant experiences, and a two-page (500 word) essay written by the applicant in response to a set question. This documentation must be forwarded to the Admissions Office.
- Selected candidates may be invited for an interview with members of the Faculty of Education. At the time of the interview, candidates for elementary education may be required to write a competency test in basic mathematics.
Degree Requirements (10 units)
| Required Courses (5.5 units) |
| ❏ | EDUC 5002/NSCAD EDAR 5050 | 0.5 unit |
| ❏ | EDUC 5321 | 0.5 unit |
| ❏ | EDUC 5443 | 1.0 unit |
| ❏ | EDUC 5451 | 0.5 unit |
| ❏ | EDUC 5452 | 0.5 unit |
| ❏ | EDUC 5461 | 0.5 unit |
| ❏ | EDUC 5462 | 0.5 unit |
| ❏ | EDUC 5471 | 0.5 unit |
| ❏ | EDUC 5472 | 0.5 unit |
| ❏ | EDUC 5481 | 0.5 unit |
| ❏ | 0.5 unit of Education Foundations elective
chosen from the following: | 0.5 unit
|
| EDUC 5326
EDUC 5329
EDUC 5421
EDUC 5424
EDUC 5425
EDUC 5426
| 0.5 unit
0.5 unit
0.5 unit
0.5 unit
0.5 unit
0.5 unit | |
| ❏ | 1.0 unit chosen from the following:
(selected in consultation with an advisor) | 1.0 unit |
| EDUC 5403
EDUC 5412
EDUC 5413
EDUC 5414
EDUC 5415
EDUC 5427
EDUC 5432
EDUC 5442
EDUC 5454
or other approved elective | 0.5 unit
0.5 unit
0.5 unit
0.5 unit
0.5 unit
0.5 unit
0.5 unit
0.5 unit
0.5 unit
0.5 unit | |
| Practicum and Associated Seminars (Required 3.0 units) |
| ❏ | EDUC 5490 | | 1.0 unit |
| ❏ | EDUC 5491 | | 0.5 unit |
| ❏ | EDUC 5492 | | 1.5 units |
Continuation of Study
A B.Ed. Student who receives a final grade of “F” in any practicum course (EDUC 5390, EDUC 5393, EDUC 5490, EDUC 5492, EDUC 5504, EDUC 5505, EDUC 5604, or EDUC 5605) will not be permitted to continue in the program.
Practicum Placement
Registration in a practicum course does not guarantee a school placement. Good standing in all academic coursework is a prerequisite to any practicum experience. Students who have not successfully completed prior academic coursework may experience a delay or be denied a practicum placement.
Secondary Education
Admission Requirements
Decisions regarding admissibility are based on the following evidence provided by the applicant.
- Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with a concentration (30 semester hours/5.0 units minimum) in a subject taught in the schools of Nova Scotia.
- Candidates must have a separate second concentration (18 semester hours/3.0 units minimum) in a subject taught in the schools of Nova Scotia.
- Candidates should also have completed 1.0 unit of English (if undergraduate degree is delivered in English) or 1.0 unit of French (if undergraduate degree is delivered in French); 1.0 unit from among math, science (excluding psychology) or computer studies; and 1.0 unit from among Canadian Studies, history, geography, economics, political science, African Canadian Studies, Mi’kmaq Studies and philosophy.
- Candidates must have completed a minimum of 0.5 unit in developmental psychology, adolescent psychology or educational psychology (EDUC 3453).
These requirements include current Nova Scotia teacher certification requirements. Students missing some components may be considered for admission but these courses must be completed prior to graduation.
- Candidates must normally have achieved a minimum GPA of 3.0 in either their major area of study or in the last 10 units of undergraduate coursework relevant to admission
- Candidates should have demonstrable competence in educational technologies such as word processing, e-mail and the Internet.
- Candidates should have experience working with adolescents in schools or other public, institutional or group settings.
- Candidates must complete an application form, and must also include two official transcripts of all previous university courses, three letters of reference, a resume including a statement of relevant experiences, and a two page (500 word) essay written by the applicant in response to a set question. This documentation must be forwarded to the Admissions Office.
- Selected candidates may be invited for an interview with members of the Faculty of Education.
Background for Teachable Subjects
All students in the program take methods courses in two teaching areas which normally correspond to their major and minor disciplines. Adequate background in a subject area is an essential component of teacher preparation. Major and minor methods courses include business education, English, family studies, French, mathematics, science, social studies, and visual arts.
Degree Requirements (10 units)
| Curriculum Practices (2.5 units) |
| ❏ | Major methods area | 1.0 unit |
| ❏ | Minor methods area | 1.0 unit |
| ❏ | Advanced Curriculum Practice | 0.5 unit |
| Required Courses (3.5 units) |
| ❏ | EDUC 5321 | 0.5 unit |
| ❏ | EDUC 5327 | 0.5 unit |
| ❏ | EDUC 5328 | 0.5 unit |
| ❏ | EDUC 5350 | 0.5 unit |
| ❏ | EDUC 5352 | 0.5 unit |
| ❏ | EDUC 5354 | 0.5 unit |
| ❏ | EDUC 5452 | 0.5 unit |
| ❏ | 0.5 unit of Education Foundations elective
chosen from the following: | 0.5 unit
|
| EDUC 5326
EDUC 5329
EDUC 5421
EDUC 5425
EDUC 5426
| 0.5 unit
0.5 unit
0.5 unit
0.5 unit
0.5 unit | |
| ❏ | 0.5 unit of EDUC elective at the 5000 level or above
(chosen in consultation with an advisor)
| 0.5 unit |
| Practicum and Practicum Seminars (Required 3.0 units) |
| ❏ | EDUC 5390 | | 1.0 unit |
| ❏ | EDUC 5392 | | 0.5 unit |
| ❏ | EDUC 5393 | | 1.5 units |
Continuation of Study
A B.Ed. Student who receives a final grade of “F” in any practicum course (EDUC 5390, EDUC 5393, EDUC 5490, EDUC 5492, EDUC 5504, EDUC 5505, EDUC 5604, or EDUC 5605) will not be permitted to continue in the program.
Practicum Placement
Registration in a practicum course does not guarantee a school placement. Good standing in all academic coursework is a prerequisite to any practicum experience. Students who have not successfully completed prior academic coursework may experience a delay or be denied a practicum placement.
Bachelor of Education in Association with Nova Scotia Teachers College
This program is available to graduates of the Nova Scotia Teachers College who have the three-year Associate of Education or its equivalent as affirmed by the college.
Program Requirements (5.0 units)
| This program consists of 5.0 units: |
| ❏ | 3.0 units of arts and science courses at the 2000 level or above |
| ❏ | 2.0 units of electives at any level |