SACKVILLE, NB and HALIFAX, NS — Mount Allison University and Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) have recently signed an agreement to assist students in earning both a diploma and degree in the areas of social services and sociology.
 
The new pathways agreement will welcome its first students this fall. Recent graduates of NSCC’s Social Services Diploma program can begin working towards their Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology with advanced standing, enabling them to complete both programs in just two additional years. Those who began studies at NSCC in September 2019 or later may be eligible.   

“Both Mount Allison and Nova Scotia Community College have long-standing records for preparing students to work and make a difference in a number of fields, including social services,” says Dr. Jeff Hennessy, Provost and Vice-President, Academic and Research at Mount Allison. “These types of agreements make it easier for students to gain both academic credentials and practical experience. We are pleased to enter this new partnership with NSCC and look forward to welcoming students looking to continue their education in sociology.”
 
“We’re incredibly proud to launch our first articulation agreement with Mount A,” says NSCC President Don Bureaux. “Through this new pathway, graduates from NSCC’s Social Services Diploma will now have the opportunity to continue their education at one of Canada’s top undergraduate universities.” 
 
The partnership was spearheaded by Cheryl Veinotte-Mackey and Dr. Ardath Whynacht. Veinotte-Mackey is currently a curriculum consultant at NSCC and a part-time lecturer in Mount Allison’s Department of Sociology; Whynacht is an associate professor at Mount Allison and teaches sociology, criminology, and gender studies.
 
Mount Allison’s sociology program offers degrees with honours, major, and minor options. NSCC graduates in social services will qualify for up to 60 transfer credits towards the Bachelor of Arts with Major in Sociology Degree, starting this fall. Sociology students will focus their studies on topics such as social class and inequality, race and racialization, gender relations, health and illness, criminology, and citizenship, identity, and refugees. The department also works closely with others on campus such as Health Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies to offer interdisciplinary courses. Embedded certificate programs are also available in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Social Research Methodologies.
 
NSCC’s Social Services Diploma is offered at eight campuses across Nova Scotia. Graduates of the two-year program can work in family support and resource centres, emergency shelters, community drop-ins, after-school care programs, residential facilities and various other organizations that provide services to children, youth, and adults. Partnering to earn a Bachelor’s degree will help students expand their opportunities for employment and future education endeavours in social services and community development.
 
About Mount Allison University
Located in Sackville, New Brunswick, Mount Allison University has been ranked the top undergraduate university in the country by Maclean’s magazine more times than any other university (22 times in the past 30 years). With degrees in Arts, Arts and Science, Science, Commerce, Fine Arts, and Music, the University provides a flexible liberal arts and sciences education that prepares students for any career path. Students can create a unique degree that matches their interests and career goals from the more than 50 programs offered. The small class difference can also be found across campus with an average student to faculty ratio of 15:1. Mount Allison prides itself on providing a high-quality academic experience, combined with a variety of hands-on learning opportunities in a close-knit community. Students come from more than 50 countries around the world to make up a diverse, creative, and talented student body of approximately 2,300 students.
 
About Nova Scotia Community College
NSCC is committed to building Nova Scotia's economy and quality of life through education and innovation, transforming Nova Scotia one learner at a time. NSCC offers more than 140 career-oriented programs throughout the province at our 14 campuses, including our online eCampus. Programs are offered through five academic schools – Access, Education and Language; Business and Creative Industries; Health and Human Services, Technology and Environment; Trades and Transportation – and reflect the labour market needs and opportunities in Nova Scotia. NSCC's primary goal: student success. An annual survey of College graduates shows that 83% are employed one year after graduation, most in their field of study, with 94% of those employed living and working in Nova Scotia.