Bachelor of Arts and Science in Health

at St. Francis Xavier University Canada

It is often stated that the four key functions of management are planning, organizing, leading and controlling, and so the study of management focuses primarily on the strategic and human dimensions of business to prepare students to assume managerial roles in a variety of work organizations. The primary strands of scholarship within the field of management are below, and students in the Management & Leadership stream will take courses in each of these areas:

    • human resources management
    • strategic management
    • business ethics and corporate social responsibility
    • leadership
    • human behaviour in organizations
    • the theory of organizations

This stream contains core courses that are of sufficient breadth for students to subsequently pursue jobs in human resource management, industrial relations, project management, general management and beyond, and in organizational types ranging from private to public, profit to not-for-profit. Post-graduate educational pathways most common for students in this stream include the national CPHR designation (Chartered Professional in Human Resources), MBA or MPA, research-based Masters’ degrees and Law, plus the focus on management in specific industries, such as Sports Management, Tourism and Hospitality, Health Administration, etc.  

Amongst other management programs, our basis for differentiation resides in our emphasis on responsible management, combining ethics, social responsibility, sustainability and responsible leadership. Our graduates learn about the complexities of managing within an increasingly global and diverse social context, and the leadership challenges that come with heightened expectations for responsible decision making amongst the many stakeholders of a modern corporation. Course instruction draws from a wide range of engaging methods, including community based projects, film and case analysis, debates, simulations, guest lectures, virtual teams and field trips. Along the way, through critique and reflection, students will learn more about themselves and the kind of business leader they are and wish to become.

Numerous undergraduate-level research opportunities are available for students, whether they are completing the honours degree or are hired by a faculty member as a research assistant; it is common for M&L faculty to be in a supervisory role for student research.

Our program is nationally accredited by the Canadian Institute of Management, and students graduating from this program meet the academic requirements for the Certified in Management (C.I.M.) designation. 

Mathematics is the science of structure, order and relation. It deals with logical quantitative reasoning. Statistics is the science and art of data collection and analysis. It deals with estimation, hypothesis testing and decision making. At StFX, you may undertake studies that focus on either or both fields.

WHY STUDY MATH And STATISTICS AT STFX?
With small class sizes and a personal environment that maximizes individual attention, as a StFX Mathematics and Statistics student, you will be well educated for further success in graduate studies, education programs and industry.

Learning is a creative and multidisciplinary venture in the StFX Engineering Department. Here, the history of civilization and the history of engineering are one in the same and faculty have structured the program around that very idea.

WHY STUDY ENGINEERING AT STFX?
Small classrooms and a close-knit atmosphere ensure you graduate with the best possible education – one that allows you to compete for jobs and graduate study opportunities all over the world. With dedicated and talented faculty and some of the most contemporary facilities in the country, it’s no surprise that many StFX engineering students go on to successful, rewarding careers.

Over 80 years of outstanding education in health care has allowed the Elizabeth and Thomas Rankin School of Nursing at StFX University to evolve into one of Canada’s most respected nursing programs. Graduates are known around the world for their caring, competency, and commitment to the field.

WHY STUDY NURSING AT STFX?
As a student in StFX’s B.Sc.N. program, you will have excellent learning opportunities that support best practice experiences.

StFX offers diverse clinical experiences in community health, mental health, acute care, maternal and child care, pediatrics, and international service learning opportunities. This diversity creates a dynamic learning environment that produces graduates who understand the complexity of nursing practice and the multi-level interventions required to address the needs of patients, families, communities, and populations.

As a StFX Human Kinetics student, you will pursue a four-year integrated program that focuses on human body movement from a variety of perspectives (athletic therapy, biomechanics, disability, exercise physiology, gender, growth, health, history, motor control, philosophy, physical education, sociology, psychology).

You will be well-prepared after graduation to enter the work force or apply to professional programs and medical school, or pursue graduate studies.

WHY STUDY HUMAN KINETICS AT STFX?
Movement is essential to life. Students learn how to create, interact, think, grow, communicate, and connect through physical movement. The department’s reputation attracts some of the foremost experts in the field of Human Kinetics who you will interact and have research opportunities with.

You will study in a program offering breadth, depth and holistic applied approaches (including skill courses like yoga and golf). Opportunities for Service Learning Experiences for physical activity with a variety of individuals: Toddlers (Fit 4 Tots), Children (Fit 4 Life + Gymnastics) Individuals with disabilities (Motor Activities with X: learn to skate for children with autism + sledge hockey) and Seniors (Aging and exercise). This leads to the development of well-rounded graduates who excel in the community directly or in advanced studies.

The impact of enterprise systems—a single large-scale technology solution that supports the key business processes, information flows, and data reporting of an entire organization—on the competitiveness of today’s technology intensive organizations is significant. Enterprise systems allow organizations to adopt industry best practices, better understand and link with their suppliers and customers, and derive increased value from their significant volume of data. In addition to meeting the most basic information needs of organizations, enterprise systems also help improve competitiveness through the inclusion of business intelligence, knowledge management, customer relationship management, supply chain management, and product life cycle management capabilities. Developing and managing enterprise systems solutions not only require detailed technical knowledge, but also an understanding of business process redesign, project management, and change management.

The Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Enterprise IT Management at StFX is a two-year diploma program focused on designing, deploying and managing enterprise systems solutions in organizations. The diploma program will utilize the latest and most popular enterprise systems solutions and tools. Students will gain hands-on experience with the most popular tools related to enterprise system design, use, and management (e.g., SAP ERP), project management, systems analysis and design, business intelligence and analytics, technology implementation, enterprise systems customization (e.g., ABAP language), and mobile commerce. Students will have the option to gain practical work experience through a co-op work term. Upon graduation, students will possess the knowledge and skills to become an entry-level enterprise systems consultant, IT consultant, systems analyst and eventually a project manager or IT manager.

CO-OP OPTION
Students in the Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Enterprise IT Management can apply to complete Co-operative Education (Co-op). Co-op students complete four months of paid work experience (summer between first and second year) in appropriate fields of business, industry, government, and non-profits and also integrate work experience in their field of interest within their academic studies. Students complete professional development seminars and workshops offered through the Co-op department prior to starting their work term placement.

The Accounting stream provides students with a dynamic and global perspective on the use and reporting of financial information by both external users (e.g., analysts) and internal users (e.g., managers). Accounting provides the foundation on which profitability, sustainability, strategic focus and implementation, wealth, and share prices are determined. The topic coverage within the stream is broad and includes:

• reading and preparing statements of comprehensive income, financial position, cash flows, changes in equity, and the accompanying notes
• focusing on budget preparation and use
• performance measurement of organizations and individuals
• assessing taxation obligations
• compliance with corporate governance requirements
• assessment of the impact of accounting information in capital markets
• attestation of financial reporting

The pedagogy in the Accounting stream is diverse, requiring students to engage in different education strategies including case analysis, service learning, simulations, presentations, research papers, and other experiential learning opportunities.

The accounting program at the Gerald Schwartz School of Business will prepare students for future careers as public accountants, consultants, controllers, internal auditors, tax professionals, etc. The accounting program is focused on preparing students to earn their CPA designation.

Students will be able to complete all the prerequisites for direct entry into the CPA Professional Education Program; these prerequisite courses have been recognized by CPA Atlantic School of Business (and one of its predecessors, the Atlantic School of Chartered Accountancy) for over 25 years.

The accounting program also provides interested students with the opportunity to engage in research projects (under the supervision of faculty) in areas such as financial literacy, corporate governance, and value relevance of accounting information.

The International Business (IB) program is an interdisciplinary business program to which almost all other streams in the Schwartz School of Business contribute, collectively preparing future graduates with knowledge and skills needed to succeed in an international business environment. International business activities are providing significant opportunities for businesses of any size and industry that may export, import or have international operations. Prospective employers seeking candidates with a global perspective and awareness of international business responsibilities, combined with critical thinking, language and communications skills, will be welcoming graduates with a specialization in this field.

Courses cover a variety of topics related to international business, including:

    • globalization
    • international trade theory
    • global monetary system and financing
    • global business strategies
    • managing a global workforce
    • marketing internationally
    • international business ethics

Students in the IB courses will be exposed to engaging methods of instruction that include case analyses, presentations and guest lectures, simulated cross-cultural business meetings, multi-country analysis from an international business and cross-cultural perspective and more.

The program offers cross-cultural immersion experiences provided by StFX and our exchange partners. Students pursuing the advanced major or honours degree path are required to spend at least one term as an exchange student with one of our partner universities offering business courses. A complete list of exchange opportunities is available through the International Exchange office at StFX, linked here. The minimum one term exchange may be substituted by a minimum 3 month work placement with a company outside of Canada through the Co-op Program offered at StFX. In addition, students completing an advanced major or honours degree are required either to demonstrate that they are fluent in a second language or to take a 12 credit language pair. Students completing a major in IB do not need to complete either the exchange or the language requirement, yet are encouraged to consider both options.

Students who want to pursue a career in international business may want to consider earning the industry-recognized Certified International Trade Professional designation offered by FITT, the Forum for International Trade Training.

As the only university in North America offering four years of Scottish Gaelic, and one of the few universities offering the study of Celtic languages, literature and history of the Celts from about 800 BC to present, you will have unique opportunity to learn in this broad field.

Celtic Studies has as its core the languages, literatures, and histories of Celtic-speaking peoples, from the Continental Celts of ancient Gaul to the modern survivals in Scotland, Ireland, the island of Man, Wales, Cornwall and Brittany. It extends into a range of topics, including archaeology, art, music, literature, folklore, religion, dance, immigration and ethnic studies.

WHY STUDY CELTIC STUDIES AT STFX?
Situated in the Highland Heart of Nova Scotia, you will study in a department where the working language is Scottish Gaelic, and where a wide variety of courses are offered in Celtic civilization and in the Gaelic folklore of Ireland and Scotland. You’ll learn from faculty who are leading researchers in the history, language and literature of Gaelic communities in North America and Scotland.

StFX undergraduate and masters students produce research papers and dissertations, and creative projects, such as audio and video recordings. They have become leading lights in the revival and development of Gaelic in both Scotland and Canada. The Celtic Student Society (‘An Comunn Ceilteach’) is one of StFX’s most active societies.

StFX is home to the largest and most important collection of Scottish Gaelic manuscripts, publications, and recordings in Canada, particularly in the substantial holdings of the Celtic Collection of the Angus L. Macdonald Library.

Whether you’re interested in getting your Bachelor of Education or pursuing graduate work, our programs will prepare you to take your place in front of any classroom, anywhere in the world.

Our faculty is dedicated to helping prepare those with a passion for teaching by combining theory and practice to prepare you for the classroom. We make sure you are job-ready by exposing you to a range of electives, from literacy to music to computers, and doing so in a personalized way.

Our two-year B.Ed. program integrates teaching, research and service within an innovative learning environment. You’ll learn from professors who are themselves accomplished educators. B.Ed. students get the opportunity to get hands-on experience teaching abroad in their second year. Our students have done their practicum in destinations including Norway, Australia, Kenya, Iceland and Scotland.