Admissions

Non‑Academic Requirements for Health Sciences


Supplemental Information

Assessment of non-academic performance accounts for 20% of the applicant's overall total score. All supplementary information should be attached to the Application Portal.

Letter of intent

A letter of intent must be submitted with your supplementary application package. Your letter must address each of the following questions:

  1. Why did you choose this professional discipline as your area of study?
  2. What is your understanding of the duties and responsibilities of a person working in this profession? 
  3. How did you research this field before making your choice? 
  4. Why are you a good candidate for this health profession and this professional healthcare program? 

Please use the following instructions when drafting your letter:

  • Answer questions in paragraph form;
  • Organize your letter clearly and concisely, and demonstrate proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation;
  • Limit your answers to 250 words per question.

Applicants will be assessed on the following non-academic criteria:

  • Demonstrated knowledge of the selected health profession
  • Leadership
  • Community involvement
  • Teamwork

If you're applying to more than one professional discipline within the Bachelor of Health Science program, please write a separate letter for each discipline to which you are applying.

Resume

Please include a copy of your resume outlining your education, work, and volunteer experiences. Please include the names, addresses, and phone numbers of two references.

Requirements of the professions

Please review the following information and familiarize yourself with the performance expectations and requirements of each Health Sciences discipline before you apply:

Professional Demands – BHSc programs [PDF - 74KB]

Other considerations

Personal suitability

Since students in the BHSc program work with patients who trust them to provide safe and competent care, certain types of conduct or physical limitations may be considered unsuitable for admission. 

Examples of criteria used to assess unsuitability in aptitude and fitness include, but are not limited to:

  • Unethical behaviour
  • Any medical condition that affects an individual's ability to perform the duties expected of a practitioner in the selected profession
  • Persistent substance abuse
  • Conviction of criminal activity

Time requirement

In addition to courses taken in the regular academic year, there is there is a required 8-10 week clinical practicum between May and August at the end of years one, two and three.

During the clinical practicum, students may be required to work evenings, nights and weekends. Placements for clinical practicums are arranged by the Clinical Coordinator.

Additional costs

Students in each discipline of the School of Health Sciences can also expect the following approximate expenses in addition to tuition, student fees, and textbooks:

Basic Cardiac Life Support/ Standard First Aid

Course Approximate cost
Initial BCLS/SFA $119 CAD
Re-certification in 2nd year (BCLS) $65 CAD
Re-certification in 3rd year (BCLS/SFA) $119 CAD
Re-certification in 4th year (BCLS) $65 CAD

Immunizations (1st year)

Immunization Approximate Cost

Hepatitis B

 $35 CAD at Dal Heath
Mantoux Step 1 $40 CAD at Dal Health
Mantoux Step 2 $80 CAD at Dal Health
Rubella Titre $0 CAD

Other expenses

Expense Approximate Cost
N95 Mask-fit testing in 1st year $30 CAD
N95 Mask-fit testing in 3rd year $30 CAD
Criminal Record Check/ Vulnerable Sector Survey $30-50 CAD


Program specific expenses

Extra costs for uniforms, registry exams, and student membership in professional associations vary with each program. These amounts are all approximate:

Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound

  • Uniforms/lab coats: $80 CAD
  • Registry exam fees (3rd and 4th year): $825 (Does not include specialty certifications)

Nuclear Medicine Technology

  • Lab coats: $50
  • Membership in NSAMRT (1st year): $40
  • Registry exam (4th year): $1005 CAD (Does not include specialty certifications)
  • Other: $40 CAD

Radiological Technology

  • Uniforms/lab coats: $400
  • Membership in NSAMRT (1st year): $40
  • Registry exam (4th year): $1005 (Does not include specialty certifications)
  • Other: $20

Respiratory Therapy

  • Uniforms: $200
  • Membership in professional association (1st year): $100
  • Registry exam (3rd year): $1034
  • Stethoscope: $100

Clinical practicums

Students in all programs are responsible for living and travel costs related to their clinical practicums in May and June in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years. The clinical practicum is a full-time commitment and students are not able to work at other jobs during that period.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

The School of Health Sciences is committed to increasing the admission of and number of graduates from historically underrepresented groups: including persons of Indigenous ancestry (especially Mi’kmaq), members of racialized groups, persons of African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), Acadians, persons with (dis)Abilities, and persons belonging to minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

Applicants wishing to apply under the EDIA Policy must indicate on the self-identification section of the application form. Applicants must meet the admission requirements