In May 2009 Acadia University implemented a 16-month consecutive Bachelor of Education program option. The first group of students accepted into this unique program option graduated in August 2010. Teacher education programs offered by Nova Scotia universities normally include 16 months of instruction delivered over two years. By using spring and summer teaching terms, this program option compresses the two-year program into 16 consecutive months.
Students who have completed an undergraduate degree by May will be able to choose between the elementary or secondary school streams. Students enrolled in the 16-month program option will study alongside students enrolled in Acadia’s regular two-year program option. Each student will complete their in-school practicum during the public school year. Acadia has established a partnership with the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board to strengthen the quality of the classroom experience for Acadia’s B.Ed. students.
At Acadia You Have An Incredible Opportunity To Do Your Final 2nd Year (2 year program option) Field Experience in Shanghai, China!
If you are interested in a practicum experience in China, please be sure to indicate this on the last page of the supplemental forms. This option is available to students in their second year of the 2-year program but requires planning well in advance. Click here for more information.
If you wish to be considered for both programs please only submit ONE application. There is a place on the Supplemental form to indicate that you would like to be considered for both sessions. For online submissions, the Supplemental form will be available, as soon as your application is processed, by logging into the applicant portal at: https://central.acadiau.ca/my/applications.
For information on admission requirements or specific program details please click the buttons at the bottom of the page
Please Note: We are still accepting applications for 2017 admission. Applications will continue to be accepted until the program fills.
Supplemental Form-This will be available from central.acadiau.ca as soon as your application has been processed.
Referee Form-You should provide the electronic referee form link to each of your three referees, who may then complete and submit the form to us directly.
The forms required to apply for the Bachelor of Education program are also available in pdf format below to download, complete and submit. Reference forms are provided below as well, to print and give to your referees. Ask them to return the references to the Admissions Office directly by mail or fax. Have the Registrar’s Office from each post-secondary institution you attended (except Acadia) send copies of your official transcript to the Admissions Office by mail or fax.
APPLICATION FORMS - Printable PDF
Please note, you will require Adobe Acrobat Reader to access this form. If you do not have this program, click here to download a free copy.
Acadia University offers a 16 month consecutive Bachelor of Education program beginning in May and continues until August of the following year.
Teacher education programs offered by Nova Scotia universities are normally 16 months of instruction delivered over two years. By using spring and summer teaching terms, this program option compresses the two-year program into 16 consecutive months. The 16 month option will be offered alongside the two-year option; there has been no increase in overall enrolment.
Students who have completed their undergraduate degree by May and who choose the 16 month program option can enroll in either the elementary or secondary B.Ed. programs. During the fall and winter terms they study alongside students enrolled in Acadia’s two-year option. In the secondary program, all course offerings are dependent on sufficient enrolment. Music education and technology education are offered only in the two-year option.
Please refer to the frequently asked questions below for further information.
1. What B. Ed. program delivery options are available at Acadia?
There are 2 program delivery options:
a) the traditional two year program that follows two academic years with the summer months (May-August) away from classes
b) the 16 month consecutive program which begins in May and continues until August of the following year
2. When is the deadline for applying to the 16 month consecutive and two year programs?
Application to both programs has the same deadline - mid January.
The Acadia Admissions website offers all details regarding the application process to the program: (Acadia University - Admissions)
Please note that all offers of admission to either program are based upon successful completion of the first degree.
3. Do the fees differ for the 16 month consecutive program versus the two year program?
Both programs are 60 credit hours as required by the Nova Scotia Department of Education and, therefore, the fees remain the same for each.
4. May I apply to both the 16 month consecutive program and the two year program?
To be considered for both programs, you must indicate that you are applying to both **on page one of the Supplemental forms.
Students who apply to both programs and who are not accepted into the 16 month consecutive program will automatically be considered for the two year program.
We will notify such candidates of acceptance, wait list or denial at the same time as all other applicants to the two year program.
5. Can I switch from one program to another? (i.e. from the 16 month consecutive program to the two year program or vice versa)
Before undertaking courses it is possible to switch from the two-year program to the 16-month program.
After courses have been undertaken it is not possible to switch from the two-year program to the 16-month consecutive program due to the timing of course offerings. Students who need to switch from the 16-month to the two-year will be considered on a case by case basis.
Anytime there is a change to a student’s program, s/he is required to meet with the Director of the School of Education who will decide what program changes are possible.
6. What are the academic/teacher certification requirements for the two year program and the 16 month consecutive program?
All academic/teacher certification requirements remain the same for both B.Ed. program delivery options. The specifics for the elementary and secondary requirements are clearly outlined on the Acadia University School of Education Website. Applicants will need to read the appropriate section carefully:
In exceptional circumstances, applicants who are missing no more than three credit hours for certification purposes may be selected for the sixteen month program, given the following parameters:
For _elementary _applicants:
“If a candidate has met all but 3 credit hours of the admissions requirements and has justifiable reasons for requesting an academic exemption, he or she may be granted an exemption with the understanding that this credit will need to be completed to meet Nova Scotia teacher certification requirements. Each request for an exemption is evaluated on an individual basis by our B.Ed. Selection Committee.”
For secondary applicants:
“If a candidate has met all but 3 credit hours of the admissions requirements and has justifiable reasons for requesting an academic exemption, he or she may be granted an exemption with the understanding that this credit will need to be completed to meet Nova Scotia teacher certification requirements. Each request for an exemption is evaluated on an individual basis by our B.Ed. Selection Committee.”
7. How long after I submit my application will it take to be notified of acceptance, denial or wait list status?
We will begin advising students who have applied to the 16 month consecutive program of their acceptance in early March. This process may continue until the end of April.
We will begin advising those who have applied to the two year programby the end of March. The admission process may continue until the end of August.
Applicants on a wait list or not accepted to the program are normally notified by the end of June.
Calling to inquire about the status of your application does not speed up the process.
8. How does the 16 month consecutive program differ from the two year program?
The 16 month program begins in May and ends in August of the following year.
Some courses will be offered as Summer Institutes whereby classes may be held daily for two weeks rather than once a week for ten weeks.
The practicum placements will involve observation at the beginning of the school year, a 4-5 week practicum in the fall term (Nov-Dec) and 2 back to back practicum course experiences (March-April and May-June).
If you are accepted to the 16 month consecutive program all practice teaching for the first two practicum courses must take place in the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board (AVRSB). For the last two practicum courses you may request AVRSB, Halifax Regional School Board (HRSB), South Shore Regional School Board (SSRSB), or Tri-County Regional School Board (TCRSB).
9. How are courses delivered in the B.Ed. programs?
The School of Education at Acadia University regularly reviews and considers how courses are delivered. In either the 16 month consecutive program or two year program, classes within some courses may be delivered through:
face-to-face on campus,
on-line,
a hybrid combination.
For those in the 16 month consecutive program there may also be intensive Summer Institute classes whereby advance course work is completed prior to the beginning of classes and classes are offered 5 days a week, all day, every day, for two weeks.
10. I need to work full time. Is it possible to take the 16 month consecutive program?
The 16 month consecutive program is intensive and demanding. It may require students to be present in a class all day every day for two weeks to complete one course. This may be repeated for several courses. All practica require you to be at the school in which you are placed for any activities and times a professional educator is normally present. In the case of the 16 month consecutive program, the main practicum occurs for ten to twelve weeks, from March until June. Given these demands, we strongly discourage full time employment. The two year program offers more flexible timetabling.
11. When do graduates receive their teacher certification?
All decisions around teacher certification are established by the Nova Scotia Department of Education - Teacher Certification Branch. Sole authority to issue teaching certificates rests with the Nova Scotia Department of Education. The School of Education at Acadia University will send all required documents to the Nova Scotia Department of Education on your behalf prior to the completion of the program.
Students in the two year program normally receive their teacher certification documentation at Convocation in May.
Students in the 16 month consecutive program may receive their teacher certification shortly after the completion of the program.
12. Where can I do my practice teaching?
If you are accepted to the 16 month consecutive program all practice teaching for the first two practicum courses must take place in the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board (AVRSB). For the last two practicum courses you may request AVRSB, Halifax Regional School Board (HRSB), or South Shore Regional School Board (SSRSB).
If you are accepted to the two year program your first year of practice teaching is to be within an hour driving distance from the university in order to provide appropriate support during your initial practicum experiences. The school boards this applies to are:
Annapolis Valley Regional School Board (AVRSB),
Halifax Regional School Board (HRSB),
South Shore Regional School Board (SSRSB),
Chignecto Central Regional School Board (CCRSB) (specific families of schools).
In the second year of the two year program you may request a placement in any school board in Nova Scotia or in another province. Applications are reviewed and approved based on the successful completion of B.Ed. coursework and practicum experiences in the first year of the program.
13. Can students in either the two year program or 16 month consecutive program apply to practice teach in an international setting?
All international placement opportunities are currently limited to students in the two year program.
Students in the program are invited to attend an information session early in the fall term to obtain details of particular requirements for international placements. Students wishing to be considered for an international placement must submit an application to the International Placement committee. There is also an interview process.
While we normally accept second year students in the two year program for placements abroad, exceptional first year students are also considered.
14. Will I receive feedback as to why I was not successful with my application to either the 16 month consecutive program or the two year program?
Application to either B.Ed. program is highly competitive.
It will not be possible to provide individual feedback to everyone who was unsuccessful.
We encourage all applicants to consider and develop the areas of interest we identify on the application in order to enhance subsequent applications.
15. Is a Nova Scotia teaching license transferable within, and outside of, Canada?
Yes. Once you have received your Nova Scotia teaching license from the provincial Department of Education, you can then apply to other Departments of Education to transfer your credentials to that region. For further information, please contact the Department of Education governing the region you wish to have your certification transfered into.
1. What are the requirements to have Mathematics as a first teachable?
You need to have at least 30 credit hours in Mathematics. Courses taught in a mathematics department are obviously acceptable (except in cases where computer science courses are taught in a mathematics department). Courses with significant mathematical content taught in other departments might be acceptable, but no more than 6 credit hours can be from such “cognate” courses and the acceptability of the courses will be determined at the time of admissions.
2. What are the requirements to have Mathematics as a second teachable?
You need to have at least 18 credit hours in Mathematics. Courses taught in a mathematics department are obviously acceptable (except in cases where computer science courses are taught in a mathematics department). Courses with significant mathematical content taught in other departments might be acceptable, but no more that 6 credit hours can be from such “cognate” courses and the acceptability of the courses will be determined at the time of admissions.
3. What Math courses would be acceptable to fulfill the Math requirement for entering the Secondary B.Ed. program with Math as a second teachable?
Future mathematics teachers should have a wide range of mathematical experiences. Courses in Statistics (especially applications to the social sciences), Foundations (especially set theory, logic, and history), Algebra (especially matrices and graph theory), Numerical techniques, and Geometry are advised. Consult your Mathematics department for specific recommendations in these areas.
If you are not presently attending a university, you may be considering taking some courses by correspondence. The following Athabasca University courses are suitable:
Stats & Prob: MATH 215 Introduction to Statistics (3)
Foundations: MATH 209 Finite Mathematics (3), 309 Discrete Mathematics (3)
Algebra: MATH 270 Linear Algebra I (3), MATH 271 Linear Algebra II (3)
4. I am in high school and want to be a math teacher. Is the only way to do this a four year mathematics degree followed by a two year B.Ed.?
No. At Acadia you can do a five year combined B.Sc./B.Ed or a 4 year B.Sc. followed by a 16 month B.Ed.
B.Ed. Elementary Mathematics Requirements FAQs
1. What Math courses would be acceptable to fulfill the Math requirement for entering the Elementary B.Ed. program?
Acadia’s Math 1533 and/or Math 1543 or equivalent courses from another institution would be the best choices. If you are not at Acadia contact the Mathematics Department at your institution and ask if they have a course specifically intended for future Elementary school teachers. If not, ask what courses they would recommend from what they do offer. Another option you have is to take MSVU’s course Math 2243 which is often offered on-line.
2. I am planning on eventually becoming an Elementary School teacher, is it absolutely necessary to have math credits to gain entry into your Education Program?
Yes. All Elementary school teachers teach mathematics, and 6 credit hours in mathematics is a requirement for teacher certification.
3a. Does a correspondence math course at Athabasca University cover the Mathematics requirement for enrolment into the elementary program?
Yes, MATH 215 and MATH 209 are probably the best options. However a course specifically intended for future Elementary school teachers would be better. One option you have is to take MSVU’s course Math 2243 which is often offered on-line. As well, Open Acadia offers MATH 1533 and MATH 1543 online.
3b. Does Sociology Introduction to Statistics cover the Mathematics requirement for enrolment into the elementary program?
Maybe. There are two issues here: admission to Acadia and teacher certification.
Courses with mathematical content in departments other than Mathematics may or may not be accepted for admission to Acadia. They fall into a grey area. The Director of the School makes the final decision on acceptability at the time of application, and while such courses have sometimes been accepted in the past, this does not happen in every case.
The second issue is teacher certification. A requirement for teacher certification is 6 credit hours of undergraduate mathematics. The Registrar of Teacher Certification decides what is acceptable under this heading. You should contact the registrar directly to get a ruling on these courses.
3c. Does a statistics courses for Psychology cover the Mathematics requirement for enrolment into the elementary program?
Maybe. There are two issues here: admission to Acadia and teacher certification.
Courses with mathematical content in departments other than Mathematics may or may not be accepted for admission to Acadia. They fall into a grey area. The Director of the School makes the final decision on acceptability at the time of application, and while such courses have sometimes been accepted in the past, this does not happen in every case.
The second issue is teacher certification. A requirement for teacher certification is 6 credit hours of undergraduate mathematics. The Registrar of Teacher Certification decides what is acceptable under this heading. You should contact the registrar directly to get a ruling on these courses.
3d. Does calculus at CEGEP cover the Mathematics requirement for enrolment into the elementary program?
Yes, as it would count as a transfer credit. However, a course specifically intended for future Elementary school teachers would be better. You should also confirm with the Registrar of Teacher Certification that the course meets the requirement for teacher certification.
3e. Does Business Accounting cover the Mathematics requirement for enrolment into the elementary program?
Probably not. There are two issues here: admission to Acadia and teacher certification. Accounting courses might be considered for admission in combination with other mathematics related courses, but the Director of the School makes the final decision on acceptability at the time of application.
The second issue is teacher certification. A requirement for teacher certification is 6 credit hours of undergraduate mathematics. The Registrar of Teacher Certification decides what is acceptable under this heading. In the past such courses have not been accepted. If you feel your case is unusual, you should contact the registrar directly to get a ruling on these courses.
3f. Does Ontario grade 13 calculus, algebra and finite, cover the Mathematics requirement for enrolment into the elementary program?
Probably not, unless you can establish that they would be accepted as university transfer credits. Even so, a course specifically intended for future Elementary school teachers would be better. You should also confirm with the Registrar of Teacher Certification that the course meets the requirement for teacher certification.
4a. Can I take Math 1533/Math 1543 concurrently with my studies in the education program?
Not on the full-time timetable. Scheduling conflicts between B. Ed. courses and Math 1533/Math 1543 makes this impossible. However, both Math 1533 and Math 1543 are offered online through Open Acadia.
Yes. Please consult with Open Acadia. MSVU’s course Math 2243 is offered online.
4d. I cannot take Math 1533/Math 1543 (or an equivalent course elsewhere). What should I do?
These course are available online through Open Acadia. Or you could contact the Mathematics Department at your institution and ask what courses they would recommend from what they do offer. If you are not presently attending a university, you may want to consider taking some courses by correspondence. Athabasca University’s courses MATH 215 and MATH 209 are probably the best options. Another option you have is to take MSVU’s course Math 2243 which is often offered online.
5. Without any university math and without grade 12 math can I still be eligible for your B.Ed. program as a mature student?
No, and you also would not qualify for teacher certification. If you can find an institution that will recognize some of your life experience as equivalent to a university mathematics course, that would be the only way to avoid taking a university mathematics course.