Faculty of Education

Dr. Esther E. Enns, Associate Vice President Teaching & Learning
Brett Woodbury, Education Advisor

The study of Education has been part of the curriculum of Saint Mary’s University for well over sixty years. General courses on education were offered as early as 1936. A number of broad shifts in the focus of studies in Education have occurred from those early years through to present times. Today Education at Saint Mary’s University is interdisciplinary in orientation. Students enrolled in B.A., B.Comm., B.E.S, and B.Sc. degrees can select Education courses as part of their academic programs. The courses can be used as Humanities or Social Science electives, giving students many opportunities for critical examination of education as a major cultural institution throughout the world.

Students who are new to university, or who are new to the Canadian university experience, can benefit from a selection of unique 1000-level courses that provide an introduction to the nature, scope, and meaning of university education in the Canadian setting. Taken as electives, these courses support students in their transition to academic study in the university context.

Scope of Course Offerings in Education

The Faculty of Education has five strategic areas that structure its course offerings and Faculty curriculum, five of which are specific to its courses at the undergraduate level.

Liberal Study of Education
These studies focus on the liberal study of education from the perspective of many disciplines –anthropology, history, philosophy, interdisciplinary studies, linguistics, literature, political science, psychology, religious studies and sociology - to name a few. These disciplines enable students to explore how education operates in, influences and is influenced by people and cultures. These disciplines enable students to explore how education operates in, influences and is influenced by people and cultures. These studies tend to be grounded in analytic, critical and interpretive approaches, where the curriculum engages students in interdisciplinary inquiry into wide ranging manifestations of Education in its broadest sense.
To the extent provided within each of the undergraduate degrees offered within the Faculty of Arts, the Sobey School of Business and the Faculty of Science, these undergraduate courses can be taken as electives to fulfill Humanities or Social Science requirements.
University Transitions
In recognition of the importance of international students to the life, success and future of Saint Mary’s University, the university offers a series of innovative courses that support students in their integration into the intellectual culture and values of the university with an emphasis on the development of critical reflection. This occurs in an English Language intensive environment.
Education and International Development
Educational systems are a critical component of the social, political and economic structures of societies worldwide. Through critical examination of national education policies in the developing world, students come to understand differing views regarding the role of education. Analysis of education for purposes of economic advancement, for development of national citizenship, or for social integration and cohesion of citizens are areas of focus.
These studies reflect the importance of the university’s role in Education and International Development by providing students with a foundation in international comparative education, education and development, comparative educational reforms and comparative innovations in education.
Peace Education
The goal of peace education is to transform cultures of violence in society to cultures of peace. It promotes the development of values such as cultural understanding, active citizenship, and non-violence. Courses in peace education give students the opportunity to experience and critically examine educational approaches such as global education, multicultural education, or sustainable development education, that teachers can use for awakening learners to strategies for developing humanity and world community.
Professional Development for Teachers
Mindful of its history in teacher education, Saint Mary’s University currently offers two Continuing Service Education certificates for teachers:
- Certificate in Linguistics
- Certificate in the Mathematical Sciences for Education
  For more detailed information on each of these certificates, prospective students should visit Section 4 of this calendar for the information under Linguistics and Mathematics. Teachers should note that while these programs have been generally approved for teacher certification upgrading purposes by the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, they must seek approval of these programs from the Registrar of Teacher Certification at the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development for specific teacher certification upgrades. Students interested in pursuing a career in teaching in the public schools should visit the teacher certification website at the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development for information on current academic content requirements. Undergraduate professional teacher education programs leading to teacher certification are offered at the following Nova Scotia universities - Acadia, Mount Saint Vincent, Cape Breton, St. Francis Xavier and Université Sainte Anne.
  Students also have the opportunity of studying at the University of Maine at Presque Isle under the terms of an agreement between the universities that has been in place for almost two decades. Further information is available from the Education Advisor at Saint Mary’s or by contacting the Admissions Office at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.

Graduate Studies

The Faculty of Education offers a graduate program in the teaching of English as a second/additional language: the International Master of Teaching English (IMTE). Details on graduate courses can be found in the Graduate Academic Calendar.