Admission & Program Requirements

2024-2025 Academic Year

UndergraduateAcademic Calendar information header

Dean
Antony Card, EdD (University of Southampton)

Director of Teacher Education
Cornelia Schneider, PhD (Université Paris Descartes- Sorbonne), Associate Professor

Bachelor of Education

Mount Saint Vincent University offers comprehensive Bachelor of Education programs at the elementary and secondary levels. Admission to the programs 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.

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.
  • Candidates should have completed:
    • 1.0 unit in university social studies coursework from any one or combination of the following disciplines – History (with a preference for local and Canadian History), Geography, Political Science, Anthropology, Sociology, Economics, Law, Classics, African Canadian Studies, Mi’kmaw Studies, Acadian Studies and/or Philosophy
    • 1.0 unit in university science coursework from any one or combination of the following disciplines – Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geology/Earth Sciences, Oceanography, interdisciplinary study in science and Environmental Studies
    • 1.0 unit in university Mathematics coursework with a preference for a course in fundamental concepts
    • 1.0 unit in university English coursework if undergraduate degree is delivered in English or 1.0 unit in university French coursework if undergraduate degree is delivered in French
    • a maximum of 1.0 unit of cognate coursework may be recognized in fulfilment of the individual subject field requirements identified above.
  • 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 10.0 units of undergraduate coursework relevant to admission.
  • Candidates should have demonstrable competence in informational technologies and digital literacies.
  • 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 official transcripts of all previous university courses, three letters of reference, a résumé 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.
  • Pathway to Education for MSVU French Major Students
    The Faculty of Education will guarantee entry into the BEd program for students who successfully complete the French major program at MSVU with a GPA of 3.2 or above and fulfil all other requirements for admission to the BEd program. Students may choose this pathway to Education as soon as they declare their major in French. This pathway to Education will involve monitoring/mentoring the students while they complete their major.

Program Requirements (10.0 units)

Required Courses (6.5 units)
❏ EDUC 5002/NSCAD EDAR 5050
❏ EDUC 5201 0.5 unit
❏ EDUC 5202 0.5 unit
❏ EDUC 5204 0.5 unit
❏ EDUC 5206 0.5 unit
❏ EDUC 5207 0.5 unit
❏ EDUC 5441 0.5 unit
❏ EDUC 5444 0.5 unit
❏ EDUC 5450 0.5 unit
❏ EDUC 5461 0.5 unit
❏ EDUC 5462 0.5 unit
❏ EDUC 5471 0.5 unit
❏ EDUC 5481 0.5 unit

❏ 0.5 unit EDUC elective (selected from the following or other approved elective):
EDUC 5211 0.5 unit
EDUC 5213 0.5 unit
EDUC 5214 0.5 unit
EDUC 5215 0.5 unit
EDUC 5216 0.5 unit
EDUC 5220 0.5 unit
EDUC 5221 0.5 unit
EDUC 5325 0.5 unit
EDUC 5326 0.5 unit
EDUC 5396 0.5 unit
EDUC 5404 0.5 unit
EDUC 5412 0.5 unit
EDUC 5413 0.5 unit
EDUC 5414 0.5 unit
EDUC 5415 0.5 unit
EDUC 5421 0.5 unit
EDUC 5424 0.5 unit
EDUC 5429 0.5 unit
EDUC 5432 0.5 unit
EDUC 5463 0.5 unit
EDUC 5501 0.5 unit
EDUC 5502 0.5 unit
EDUC 5503 0.5 unit
EDUC 5504 0.5 unit
EDUC 5506 0.5 unit
EDUC 5507 0.5 unit
EDUC 5508 0.5 unit
EDUC 5509 0.5 unit

Practicum and Associated Seminars (required 3.0 units)
❏ EDUC 5490 1.0 unit
❏ EDUC 5495 2.0 units

Continuation of Study
A B.Ed. Student who receives a final grade of “F” in any practicum course (EDUC 5390, EDUC 5393,  EDUC 5395, EDUC 5490, EDUC 5492, EDUC 5495, 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.

Child Abuse Register and Vulnerable Sector Check
In accordance with government and school board/district requirements, students admitted to the B.Ed. program must undergo a Criminal Records Check (with Vulnerable Sector Search) and a Child Abuse Register Search as and when directed by the Faculty of Education in preparation for the field experience courses. Students who do not produce the required documentation will not be permitted to proceed with the field placement courses. Students who obtain unfavourable search results may not be permitted to proceed with the field experiences courses.

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 (5.0 units minimum) in a discipline, taught in Nova Scotia secondary schools as outlined in the Public School Program; a maximum of 1.0 unit of cognate university coursework may be included in fulfilment of this requirement.
  • Candidates must have a concentration of at least 3.0 units of university coursework in a second discipline, taught in Nova Scotia secondary schools as outlined in the Public School Program; a maximum of 1.0 unit of cognate university coursework may be included in fulfilment of this requirement.

* Cognate Coursework refers to work in a credited course that is significantly similar, or analogous, in its content to the discipline for which credit is allocated, for example Classics as History, Communications as English, etc. Cognate courses must meet the approval of the Registrar-Teacher Certification.

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 informational technologies and digital literacies.
  • 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 official transcripts of all previous university courses, three letters of reference, a résumé 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.
  • Pathway to Education for MSVU French Major Students
    The Faculty of Education will guarantee entry into the BEd program for students who successfully complete the French major program at MSVU with a GPA of 3.2 or above and fulfil all other requirements for admission to the BEd program. Students may choose this pathway to Education as soon as they declare their major in French. This pathway to Education will involve monitoring/mentoring the students while they complete their major.

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.

Program Requirements (10.0 units)

Curriculum Practices (2.0 units)
❏ Major methods area 1.0 unit
❏ Minor methods area 1.0 unit

Required Courses (4.0 units)
❏ EDUC 5321 0.5 unit
❏ EDUC 5327 0.5 unit
❏ EDUC 5350 0.5 unit
❏ EDUC 5352 0.5 unit
❏ EDUC 5354 0.5 unit
❏ EDUC 5355 0.5 unit

❏1.0 unit of EDUC elective (selected from the following or other approved elective):
EDUC 5211 0.5 unit
EDUC 5214 0.5 unit
EDUC 5215 0.5 unit
EDUC 5216 0.5 unit
EDUC 5220 0.5 unit
EDUC 5221 0.5 unit
EDUC 5325 0.5 unit
EDUC 5326 0.5 unit
EDUC 5396 0.5 unit
EDUC 5404 0.5 unit
EDUC 5412 0.5 unit
EDUC 5413 0.5 unit
EDUC 5414 0.5 unit
EDUC 5415 0.5 unit
EDUC 5421 0.5 unit
EDUC 5424 0.5 unit
EDUC 5429 0.5 unit
EDUC 5463 0.5 unit
EDUC 5493 0.5 unit
EDUC 5494 0.5 unit
EDUC 5581 0.5 unit
EDUC 5601 0.5 unit
EDUC 5602 0.5 unit
EDUC 5603 0.5 unit
EDUC 5604 0.5 unit
EDUC 5606 0.5 unit
EDUC 5607 0.5 unit
EDUC 5608 0.5 unit
EDUC 5609 0.5 unit

Practicum and Practicum Seminars (required 3.0 units)
❏ EDUC 5390 1.0 unit
❏ EDUC 5395 2.0 units

Continuation of Study
A B.Ed. Student who receives a final grade of “F” in any practicum course (EDUC 5390, EDUC 5393, EDUC 5395, EDUC 5490, EDUC 5492, EDUC 5495, 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.

Child Abuse Register and Vulnerable Sector Check
In accordance with government and school board/district requirements, students admitted to the B.Ed. program must undergo a Criminal Records Check (with Vulnerable Sector Search) and a Child Abuse Register Search as and when directed by the Faculty of Education in preparation for the field experience courses. Students who do not produce the required documentation will not be permitted to proceed with the field placement courses. Students who obtain unfavourable search results may not be permitted to proceed with the field experiences courses.

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

Academic Note: This web-based calendar information is applicable for the 2024-2025 academic year which runs from September 01, 2024 to August 31, 2025.

For information on previous years, please consult the University Academic Calendars web page.

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