Master of Education in Elementary and Middle School Education

at Mount Saint Vincent University Canada

Political Studies looks at socio-political change, conflict and governance at all levels of society, from the local to the global stage. Political ideas and values mold our society and shape the way we see and think. Political Studies helps you understand why governments make the decisions they do, teaches you to critically evaluate these decisions and allows you to be an informed, active citizen.

Students are also provided with tools essential to creating and implementing policy change. As a Political Studies student, you’ll educate yourself in how political systems work, look at the sources of local, national and international conflict and grapple with current issues in political life. As an example, take a look at some of the work our students have done in the POLS 3310 – American Politics in the Age of Trump – course:

• Pre-Election Predictions Blog POLS 3310 (PDF)
• Presidential Election Results overview POLS 3310 (PDF)
• Elections Post-mortem blog POLS 3310 (PDF)

In our program, we emphasize three important areas of the discipline of political science: Canadian politics (both national and regional), political thought (both classical and contemporary) and international affairs. We encourage our students to sample from all these areas, to help them understand the political significance of globalization.

A Master’s degree in Curriculum Studies will help you to develop the advanced skills to address different student needs and interests by examining how curriculum affects student success.

This program is designed to accommodate different student needs and interests related to the curriculum of schools and other educational institutions. A student may choose to focus upon curriculum theory and practice or, alternatively, on the pedagogy of a particular discipline or subject field. Concentrations in the education of young adolescents, teaching English as a second language and supporting learners with diverse needs and exceptionalities are also offered. Programs are developed in consultation with the faculty advisor, who must approve all course selections.

As well, cohort groups of interested participants have been organized in a variety of focus areas including teaching learners with diverse learners, technology integration, curriculum leadership, teaching English as an additional language and rural education. All on campus programs are now treated as concentrations rather than cohort groups with the exception of technology integration.

Canadian Studies is an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary program that spans Canadian culture and society past, present and future. You’ll gain a greater understanding of our country, our place in the international community. You’ll study Canadian values, politics, history, art, economics and literature. You’ll explore and debate a variety of topics such as the art of the Group of Seven, First Nations Governance and  the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

You’ll be inspired to participate in shaping the future of Canada. You’ll have a wide range of career options to choose from, including: teaching, journalism, foreign affairs, library science, social activism, law, public administration, politics, cultural arts coordination, public relations and business.

The Family Studies and Gerontology program offers studies in two areas: (1) Gerontology, which focuses study on issues related to aging, and (2) Family Studies, which encompasses a study of individuals and families across the life course. Students are prepared for a variety of careers in the social welfare, aging policy and family support sectors that focus on prevention, support and community development. For example, graduates of this program are employed in family resource centres, transition houses, senior centres, long-term care facilities, and government departments that develop programs and policies related to issues associated with aging individuals and families across the life course.

The combined major degree is intended for those students who wish to gain in-depth knowledge of two disciplines. Students must declare a major or combined major before registering for their sixth unit of coursework. Students who do not make this declaration within this time frame will not be permitted to register for further coursework.

The Communication Major is a multidisciplinary program which draws from a variety of approaches, theories, methods and other resources to analyze communication in social, political and cultural environments that are rapidly changing and increasingly complex.  This program is designed to meet the needs of students interested in an undergraduate degree in Communication, grounded in a foundation of communication and media theory, research and ethics.  Students who have an interest in media literacy, interpersonal, small group and organizational communication as well as the sociopolitical aspects of communication within today's society are well-suited for this program.

Program Objectives
Students enrolled in the COMM Major program (having selected Communication as their major) will complement core strengths in Communication with required courses from a number of related disciplines as well as elective courses.  Together, these elements work to provide students with an introduction to the dynamic context in which communication occurs

The objectives of this program are to:

• Encourage students to develop a broad understanding of communication theory;
• Contribute to the advancement of communication as both a field and a discipline;
• Provide enhanced opportunities for students to study the contextual nature of communication in its various forms;
• Develop within students an appreciation of the processes which define human communication;
• Develop within students an appreciation for and awareness of ethical communication.

If you want to change things in the present, it helps to know how people changed things in the past. History examines all aspects of recorded human experience (social relations, cultural expressions, political events, economic activities) and seeks to understand how the thoughts, actions, emotions and habits of people have changed over time.

History courses are designed to meet the needs and interests of various students: those who choose to take one or two courses as electives or as part of their program in another course of study; those who decide to minor in the field of history; and those who register to do a concentration, major, or honours degree in history. Courses are offered primarily in the areas of European, North American, and World history with an emphasis on the theme of women’s history. Certain courses adopt a comparative perspective. Many may be taken to fulfill requirements in women’s studies, Canadian studies, cultural studies, peace and conflict studies, and child and youth studies.

English is not just a language we speak; it is an art form, a history, and an expression of thought and being. By studying English you gain a comprehensive understanding of its language and literature, while exploring its connection to other areas of study and everyday life. Through developing invaluable skills in critical reading, writing, analysis, and research, you become more flexible and creative in your thinking as well as improving your abilities as a communicator -- abilities that are an asset for any future career.

Our courses appeal to a wide variety of students-from those who are interested in a particular genre of literature and want to take one or two courses, to those who want to explore a certain theme in more detail, to those wishing to take a minor, concentration, combined major, major or honours in English. In addition, the department offers a minor in Writing. Courses designated ENGL/WRIT may be counted toward either the Writing minor or the English honours, major, combined major, concentration, or minor. Courses designated WRIT can be counted only toward the Writing minor.

Experiential or hands-on learning is integrated into all ENGL/WRIT courses. All courses include activities that are directly relevant to the type of work undertaken by English graduates in their later careers.

Any student wishing to do a major, combined major, or concentration in English, or who wish to minor in English or Writing must consult with the department Chair, who will assign the student to an advisor. The student’s program should be planned in consultation with the advisor. Students wishing to take honours may apply after completing 10.0 units of university study.

At the Mount, we are aware that the business world is both thought-provoking and diverse. Our program will equip you with the essential leadership skills. These skills will prepare you for your career in business, whether you choose to become an entrepreneur or work in a large corporation, a small business, or a not-for profit organization.

The objective of the certificate is to give the student a basic introduction to the concepts of business administration.

The Mount's Cultural Studies program is the only degree program of its kind to be offered in Eastern Canada. In this program, you will study the nature and criticism of culture in its multiple forms and expressions, including literature, film, visual art, and popular culture. This interdisciplinary program fosters inquiry into the social and political conditions in which thought and expression take place. Forms of cultural expression such as films, literature, and paintings are thus analyzed both as texts and as practices in context. 

The degree with a major is intended for those students with a clearly focused interest who wish to gain knowledge in depth of a single discipline.

Students intending to complete the major degree must declare their intention to do so before registering for their sixth unit of coursework. Students who do not make this declaration within this time frame will not be permitted to register for further coursework. In order to complete the major in Economics it may be necessary to complete courses at another university.