Scores of potential students have called to inquire about the new Memorial University/Dalhousie University partnership to offer Memorial’s Bachelor of Education degree at Dalhousie’s campus in Halifax.
“Dalhousie University wants to serve its students and benefit society,” says Alan Shaver, vice president, academic, at Dalhousie. “Many of our students want to enter a B.Ed. program in Nova Scotia but they are unable to do so due to restricted capacity.”
“We have heard from dozens of would-be teachers who would prefer to earn their education degree here in Halifax rather than relocate to Newfoundland or Maine,” adds Dalhousie’s Andrew Cochrane, Dean of the College of Continuing Education.
Last week, the two Atlantic universities confirmed plans to partner on a 16-month program. In its first year, up to 60 students will be admitted. Officials on both campuses say this is an exceptional program for the preparation of teachers in the intermediate and senior high school system. Graduates from this program will be eligible for teacher certification in Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia.
The new arrangement is a four-semester consecutive program which will begin in May 2008 and continue to completion the following August. Students will be admitted to the program in teachable areas such as science, mathematics, social studies, and other areas.
But the partnership has attracted controversy. Education Minister Karen Casey says she’s “disappointed” because student teachers are already having a tough time finding placements.
It was called into question in a Mount Saint Vincent University news release issued last Wednesday. And Acadia University’s student union president Kyle Steele called it an “unwelcome surprise.”
The deadline for applications is Friday, May 9. Prospective students should request an application package by phoning the College of Continuing Education at 494.6079 or 1.800.565.1179.
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