The Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD University) Visual Arts Certificate for Teachers has been designed specifically for teachers interested in strengthening their knowledge of visual arts theory, issues, history, methodologies and skills in order to enhance their teaching experiences. Approved by the Nova Scotia Department of Education, the Visual Arts Certificate for Teachers meets Nova Scotia provincial requirements for one level of Advanced Teacher Certification.
To reflect the breadth of visual arts subjects suitable for classroom teaching, the 30-credit Visual Arts Certificate for Teachers has been tailored from a wide variety of existing three- and six-credit studio and theoretical credit undergraduate and graduate courses. For a complete list and description of NSCAD’s credit courses, please see the timetables and calendars for credit students. Graduate course descriptions and credit course timetables are found on the timetables page.
For the purposes of the Visual Arts Certificate for Teachers, credit course selections have been grouped into the three study sections listed below. Nine-credit courses, independent study, internships and World Travel courses are not eligible for this program.
1) History, Theory and Contemporary Issues (LAS courses)
Teachers may select from most of NSCAD’s three-credit undergraduate liberal arts (L) courses, provided pre-requisites have been met. FNDN 1800 Writing for the Arts is not eligible as teachers are expected to have completed the course or an equivalent course during their undergraduate study.
2) Methodologies in Teaching Art
Teachers may select from most of NSCAD’s three-credit EDAR and MAED courses, provided pre-requisites have met. MAED 6400 and MAED 6800 are not eligible.
3) Studio Practice ("S" courses)
Teachers may select from NSCAD’s three-credit and six-credit undergraduate studio (S) courses, provided pre-requisites have been met. Nine-credit studio courses are not eligible for the credit certificate program.
To qualify for the Visual Arts Certificate for Teachers, a student must complete 30 credits of NSCAD University course work within five years of the initial date of enrollment. Course requirements must be met and a grade average of B or better must be maintained. Course work and credit requirements in each of the three sections of study vary for Art Specialist and Non-Art Specialist teachers as described below.
Art Specialist Teachers
For the purposes of the certificate program, an Art Specialist teacher is defined as a graduate of both a recognized Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program or equivalent and a recognized Bachelor of Education program with a first teachable in the visual arts. Applicants must have at least one full year of classroom visual arts teaching experience within a public or approved private school setting. Art Specialist teachers have the opportunity to upgrade their studio skills and pedagogical practices in the visual arts and to further their knowledge of contemporary visual arts issues. Art Specialist teachers are required to take a minimum of fifteen (15) out of the thirty (30) credits at the 3000 level or above. Of the thirty (30) credits:
- Six (6) credits must be selected from the History, Theory and Contemporary Issues Study section. AHIS 2020 Survey of Twentieth Century Art is required, unless taken under a previous program. FNDN 1200 Introduction to Visual Culture is required if the BFA or equivalent program was completed prior to 1996. Art Specialist teachers who are required to take FNDN 1200 may instead select one of the following three courses: AHIS 2120 Craft and Design History 1750-1950, AHIS 2800 Film History and Criticism 1890-1940, or, AHIS 2810 Film History and Criticism 1940 to Present. AHIS 2020 is required prior to taking AHIS 2800 or AHIS 2810.
- Eighteen (18) credits must be selected from the Studio Practice Study section.
- Six (6) Elective credits must be selected from any of the three study sections. If an art specialist teacher has not completed elementary and secondary art methods courses under a previous degree program, these courses must be taken in lieu of an elective course.
Non-Art Specialist Teachers
Non-Art Specialist teachers have the opportunity to develop their interest, knowledge and skills in the visual arts and enrich their understanding of the role of the visual arts in contemporary culture. Certificate requirements for Non-Art Specialist teachers are:
- Six (6) credits must be selected from the History, Theory and Contemporary Issues Study section. AHIS 2020 Survey of Twentieth Century Art is required, unless taken under a previous program. One course must be selected from the following list: FNDN 1200 Introduction to Visual Culture, AHIS 2120 Craft and Design History 1750-1950, AHIS 2800 Film History and Criticism 1890-1940, or, AHIS 2810 Film History and Criticism 1940 to Present. AHIS 2020 is required prior to taking AHIS 2800 or AHIS 2810.
- Nine (9) credits must be selected from the Methodologies in Teaching Art Study section. A secondary art methods course such as EDAR 5610 Secondary Art Methods 1 and an elementary art methods course such as EDAR 5510 Elementary Art Methods or EDAR 5050 Visual Arts in the Classroom are required, unless taken under a previous degree program. It is recommended, that the Foundation Introduction to Studio Practices and Foundation Draw 1 courses be completed prior to taking methods courses.
- Twelve (12) credits must be selected from Studio Practice Study section. FNDN 1010 Introduction to Studio Practices and FNDN 1100 Foundation Drawing 1 are required courses, unless taken under a previous program. For teachers with no formal art training, the Chair of Foundation recommends that a noncredit drawing course be completed prior to enrolling in FNDN 1100 Foundation Drawing 1.
- Three (3) elective credits must be selected from any of the three study sections.
Prior to program commencement, students will submit a letter of application for a change in teacher certification classification to the Registrar, Teacher Certification, at the NS Department of Education. Upon completion of the program, the student must submit an official NSCAD transcript that indicates proof of the certificate award and a fee, as required at that time. Application details and fees are found at certification.ednet.ns.ca
The Nova Scotia Department of Education does not permit double-counting courses to fulfill requirements of an upgrading program. Any course work credited towards previous post-secondary programs or to upgrade a teaching license may not be used to meet requirements of the Visual Arts Certificate for Teachers. Up to twelve (12) credits earned at NSCAD University with a grade of B or better will be considered for transfer to the certificate program provided that the credits meet certificate program requirements and have not been applied to any other program or certification at NSCAD University or elsewhere. To transfer credits from the NSCAD Master of Arts in Art Education program, a formal withdrawal from the graduate program is required. Course work completed at another institution is not transferable to the certificate program but may be considered to waive course requirements or meet pre-requisite requirements.
When a certificate candidate is accepted to a NSCAD University degree program prior to completion of the certificate program, s/he must formally withdraw from the certificate program. Credits earned in the certificate program may be considered for transfer to the degree program, provided the transfer conforms to established transfer of credit policies and program requirements.
Acceptance into the program presumes eligibility for the Initial Teachers Certificate with the Nova Scotia Department of Education or its equivalent and at least one year full-time teaching experience within a public or approved private school setting. Admission to the certificate program is based on the review of the application materials:
- A completed and signed application form.
- Proof of the Nova Scotia Department of Education Initial Teachers Certificate or its equivalent (Note to out-of-province applicants: Applicants are responsible for ascertaining the acceptance of this certificate in their province.)
- Letter of recommendation sent directly from a school principal where the applicant has taught.
- All official university transcripts received directly from issuing institutions.
- Resume of teaching experiences including years and subject areas taught.
- Candidate’s one-page personal statement that articulates program focus and how the visual arts will enhance one’s teaching practice.
- Proof of approval from Teacher Certification for Application for Approval - Upgrading Program. The application form is available at certification.ednet.ns.ca.
Application materials and a nonrefundable application fee of $35 must be received before an admission decision will be made. Do not submit samples of work. A portfolio or examples of work may be requested after admission to the program when it is necessary to demonstrate that course pre-requisites have been met.
Completed applications are dated and reviewed in chronological order by the Certificate Admissions Committee. The Certificate Admissions Committee is the sole judge of decisions regarding admission to the certificate program.
Application deadlines are March 15 and October 15.
Mail the application submission to:
NSCAD University
Certificate Admissions
5163 Duke Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada B3J 3J6
Registration for credit courses follows the procedures established by the NSCAD Registrar’s Office. Course registration is conditional upon meeting course pre-requisites and dependent upon course availability. Course fees and payment schedule are published each semester on NSCAD’s website. To register for a credit course, complete the course selection form.
General inquiries regarding the Visual Arts Certificate for Teachers should be directed to the Office of Student and Academic Services.
Email: nscad.ca