Expand Menu 
Hide Menu 
Graduate Studies
Programs > Education
Contact Information
Programs Offered
Graduate Programs Overview
Admission
Admission Deadlines
Financial Support
Regulations
Part-time Study
Programs
Curriculum Studies
Counselling
Inclusive Education
Leadership
Learning and Technology
Courses
Courses offered through Open Acadia
Course Completion Policy
Faculty and Research Interests
Seminary House and Emmerson Hall
Phone: (902) 585-1229
Fax: (902) 585-1071
Email: graded@acadiau.ca
Web: http://education.acadiau.ca/
Director of School: Dr. Ann Vibert
Graduate Program Coordinator: Dr. Lynn Aylward
Credit Program Coordinator, Open Acadia (Division of Distance and Continuing Education): Ms. Katie MacKay
The School of Education offers five programs leading to graduate degrees.
1) The Master of Education in Curriculum Studies is designed for teachers and administrators who wish to engage in research and advanced study in curriculum. In addition to the general program in curriculum studies, concentrations are available in science, math and technology; learning and technology; and inclusive education.
2) The Master of Education in Counselling is intended for teachers pursuing a career in school counselling and others pursuing a career in counselling through various agencies. Full-time students begin the program in July and generally study for 14 months if following the non-thesis route. Thesis students should expect to spend additional time in their program.
3) The Master of Education in Inclusive Education is intended for individuals possessing some background in inclusive schooling and wishing to prepare for leadership roles in the area of inclusive education.
4) The Master of Education in Leadership - In addition to the concepts of leadership and organization, the concepts of social justice, democratic action, equity, empowerment and change pervade the program.
5) The Master of Education in Learning and Technology supports the interwoven development of theoretical and practical understanding of learning and technology. The program takes advantage of the technologically enriched learning environment at Acadia to allow students to gain expertise in the use of a variety of applications.
Master of Education programs are offered on a full-time and part-time basis. Both the full-time counselling and inclusive education programs begin with a summer session. Graduate students in Education should be aware that their degree will normally include a combination of face-to-face and on-line courses. Full time students will take a majority of courses face-to-face, but as the School of Education is a leader in learning and technology, they will normally be expected to take at least one course on-line so that they have direct distributed learning experiences. Face-to-face courses are offered through a variety of models including: three hours once a week over 12 weeks, 4 weekends (Friday night and Saturday), 6 Saturdays, and two- and three-week intensive courses in the summer.
A Bachelor of Education degree or its equivalent (NS Teachers College plus an undergraduate degree) with a B (73 - 76%) average in the BEd program or in the final two years of study.
1. Two years of successful teaching or related experience. Related experience for the MEd Counselling includes work with agencies.
2. Two references: One reference is to be of an academic nature; the other should relate to professional competence.
Applicants to the MEd (Counselling) program are subject to the following additional requirements and/or procedures:
a. Applicants who do not hold a Bachelor of Education degree or its equivalent and seek admission to the MEd (Counselling) program for purposes other than school counselling must hold a four-year undergraduate degree with a B (73-76%) average in the final two years of study and fulfill all other requirements.
b. Applicants must successfully complete an interview prior to admission.
c. Applicants must provide a letter outlining their motivations and expectations in reference to the counselling program.
Applicants to the MEd (Inclusive Education) program are subject to the following additional requirement and/or procedure:
Applicants must submit a letter of intent describing the nature and focus of study within Inclusive Education they wish to pursue. This letter should include a discussion of relevant academic study and professional experience related to the applicant's program interests.
Applicants to the MEd (Leadership) program are subject to the following additional requirements and/or procedures:
a. Applicants to the MEd (Leadership) who do not hold a Bachelor of Education degree or its equivalent must hold a four-year (20 full credit) undergraduate degree.
b. Applicants must submit a letter of intent describing the nature and focus of study which they wish to pursue. This letter should include a discussion of relevant academic study and professional experience related to the applicant's program interests.
Applicants to the MEd (Curriculum Studies) program are subject to the following additional requirement and/or procedure:
Applicants must submit a letter of intent describing the nature and focus of study which they wish to pursue. This letter should include a discussion of relevant academic study and professional experience related to the applicant's program interests.
February 1 is the deadline for application to the MEd (Counselling) program. Applications that arrive after this deadline will not be considered. Assessment of applications will only begin once the deadline has passed.
March 15 is the deadline for applications to all other graduate degree programs in the School of Education (Curriculum Studies, Inclusive Education, Leadership, and Learning and Technology). Applications that arrive after this deadline will be considered if space is available. Assessment of applications will only begin once the deadline has passed.
Given space availability, it is not possible to guarantee admission to all candidates who meet basic requirements.
The School of Education may defer approval of M.Ed. program entry to the following year for programs other than the Counselling program. Requests to defer approval of program entry must be made within 30 days of the date of the applicant's current offer of admission. Prior to March 15 of the year in which they wish to enroll, applicants will be required to supply an admission application form, an updated resume, and transcripts of any coursework taken during the previous year.
A limited number of Acadia Graduate Awards are available to qualified candidates. An application form is included with the application materials. The form should be completed and returned by February 1 for MEd Counseling applications and March 15 for all other programs. Only full-time Master of Education students are eligible for support.
1. Course requirements differ according to program. Detailed information is presented below. All course selections must be made in consultation with and have the approval of the Director or the Director's designate.
2. The minimum time required for completion of degree requirements is one academic year and one summer session. The full-time Counselling program begins in summer session (July) each year.
3. Full-time students may enrol in a maximum of 12 credit hours during fall term and 12 credit hours during winter term. Full-time or part-time graduate students may take a maximum of 6 credit hours during any three-week intersession.
4. Students may, with approval of the Director or the Graduate Coordinator, transfer a maximum of 12 credit hours from other institutions. Normally, courses must be approved in advance. Requests to transfer courses must be made, in writing, to the Registrar of Acadia University and must include a copy of the official course description.
5. A maximum of 6 graduate credit hours may be taken as electives from other Acadia University departments or schools with prior approval of the Director.
6. Students in a Master of Education program may take a maximum of three (3) courses from the same instructor without permission from the Director, School of Education.
Candidates may complete requirements for Master of Education programs through part-time study. Selected graduate courses in education are offered on a five-year rotation through Open Acadia (Division of Distance and Continuing Education). It is the student's responsibility to consult the rotation and plan programs so that all requirements are completed. Students interested in part-time study should obtain a copy of the rotation from Open Acadia and request to be placed on the mailing list for calendars. Part-time students enrolled in the Counselling program should plan one year in advance for the required 500-hour block practicum.
Students in part-time programs are requested to notify the school of their intention to register in the project or thesis course six months prior to registration.
Students not yet registered in a Master of Education program ("independent students") may apply to take a maximum of 12 credit hours at the graduate level - this does not guarantee acceptance into a MEd program. Core required courses in counselling are not available to independent students. Such students must meet the academic admission requirements of the MEd. program. Specifically, they must have, prior to course registration, a B average in the BEd program or, for those claiming BEd equivalency, a B average in the final two years of the undergraduate degree. Official undergraduate transcripts must be attached to course registration forms. Registration will not be accepted without transcripts.
Full-time/Part-time student status
A student's full-time or part-time status is determined by the number of credit hours in which they are registered per term. Registration in 9 or more credit hours in a given term is automatically considered full-time status.
Students who enrol as full-time Counselling students are expected to register in those course sections designated for full-time students. They may enrol in course sections designated for part-time students only with the permission of the instructor and only if there is available space.
Students may complete the Master of Education by a course route or by including a thesis or project as well as courses. Students intending to pursue doctoral studies in education are urged to check with the institution(s) to which they plan to apply to see whether there is a prerequisite of a masters level thesis. Those choosing the thesis route will take EDUC 5966 (Thesis) in place of 6h elective courses. Those choosing the project route will take EDUC 5713 in place of a 3h elective course.
Some courses have prerequisite courses. These are listed in the course descriptions following the program requirements.
Candidates in MEd programs may select electives from other graduate courses within the school with the prior approval of the director. A maximum of 6 graduate credit hours may be taken as electives from other Acadia University departments or schools with prior approval of the Director.
PLEASE NOTE: Not all elective courses are available annually.
Master of Education (Curriculum Studies) (30h)
Students may follow a general program or a concentration in one of the following:
1. Science, Math, and Technology - This program is designed for teachers at any grade level with an interest in mathematics, or science teaching in the context of a society that has been transformed by technology.
2. Learning and Technology - this program focuses on the application of information and communication technologies to teaching and learning in schools and other educational contexts. The emphasis of the program is on gaining an appreciation of the potential that technology holds for education as well as a critical understanding of the impact and implications of its application.
General Program: Required courses (9h): EDUC 50G3 (for non-thesis students) or 5513, EDUC 5633, 5643. Required for Thesis route (9h): EDUC 5113 or 5523, 5966.
Science, Math and Technology: Required courses (9h): EDUC 50G3 (for non-thesis students) or 5513, EDUC 5633, 5643. Required for Thesis route (9h): EDUC 5113 or 5523, 5966. Concentration courses (9h): EDUC 5053, 5153, 5673, 5753, 5843, 5863, 5873, 5883.
Learning and Technology: Required courses (9h): EDUC 50G3 (for non-thesis students) or 5513, EDUC 5633, 5603 (recommended) or 5643. Required for Thesis route (9h): EDUC 5113 or 5523, 5966. Concentration courses (9h): EDUC 50A3, 50B3, 5053, 5153, 5163, 5173, 5643, 5673, 5753, 5773, 5843, 5853.
Note: For the courses 5053, 5153, and 5673 the focus of the course is required to be in the student's concentration area.
Non-thesis students may substitute EDUC 50G3 - Research Literacy for EDUC 5513 - Research Design as their required research course.
Program Electives - Program electives are selected from graduate courses offered by the School of Education or from approved graduate courses offered by other departments or schools.
Master of Education (Counselling) (48h non-thesis / 51h thesis)
Note: Only students accepted into the Counselling Program are eligible to take core courses. The Director, School of Education, in consultation with the course instructor may give special permission to take a core course to those students who possess a relevant counselling background.
Overall requirements for all students: (36h)
EDUC 5513, or 50G3; EDUC 5003, 50D3, 5033, 5066, 5133, 5303, 50F3, 5543, 5583, 5623.
Additional Recommended Courses for School Counselling Stream (6h): EDUC 50C3, 50E3
Additional Recommended Courses for Agency Stream (6h): EDUC 5233, 5553
Non-thesis students: Additional Requirements: 6h electives selected from graduate courses offered by the School or approved graduate courses offered by other departments or schools.
Non-thesis students may substitute EDUC 50G3 - Research Literacy for EDUC 5513 - Research Design as their required research course.
Thesis students: Additional Requirements (9h): EDUC 5966 and 5113 or 5523.
Master of Education (Inclusive Education) (30h)
Core required courses (15h)
EDUC 50H3, 5063, 5123, 5303; EDUC 5513 or 50G3
Non-thesis students may substitute EDUC 50G3 - Research Literacy for EDUC 5513 - Research Design as their required research course.
Program Elective (15h course route, 6h thesis route)
Program electives are selected from graduate courses offered by the School of Education or from approved graduate courses offered by other departments or schools.
Students doing the thesis MEd will choose EDUC 5966 and 5113 or 5523.
Master of Education in Leadership (30h)
Core required courses (12h)
EDUC 5213, 5913, 5933; EDUC 5513 or 50G3
Non-thesis students may substitute EDUC 50G3 - Research Literacy for EDUC 5513 - Research Design as their required research course.
Electives (18h course route, 9h thesis route)
Program electives are selected from graduate courses offered by the School of Education or from approved graduate courses offered by other departments or schools.
Students doing the thesis MEd will choose EDUC 5966 and 5113 or 5523.
Master of Education in Learning and Technology (30h)
Students in part-time programs are requested to notify the School of their intention to register in the project course six months prior to registration.
Core required course (18h)
EDUC 50A3, 50B3, 5053, 5303, 5603; EDUC 5513 or 50G3
Core elective courses (6h)
EDUC 5153, 5843, 5853
Students doing the thesis MEd will choose EDUC 5966 and 5113 or 5523.
Non-thesis students may substitute EDUC 50G3 - Research Literacy for EDUC 5513 - Research Design as their required research course.
Elective courses (6h)
Program electives are selected from graduate courses offered by the School of Education or from approved graduate courses offered by other departments or schools.
Required course
EDUC 5063, 5073, 5083, 5106
EDUC 5063 or permission of the Director is prerequisite for each of the courses in the certificate program.
When circumstances warrant, individual faculty may grant extensions on course assignments; however, the maximum time allowed for submission of overdue assignments will be 30 days past the last day of the school term. Faculty will submit the grade earned by the student in the course by the appropriate deadlines set by the Registrar each term and, if necessary, complete a mark change form upon evaluation of any assignments students complete through contracted extensions.
