Additional Information
For Those Considering Medical School
Nipissing University is an excellent choice in order to obtain the necessary prerequisites for admissions consideration to medical school.
Currently in Canada there are 17 accredited medical schools. Each medical school has its own unique admission requirements. A minimum of three years of undergraduate study is required in order to be eligible to apply to medical school. Most applicants will have more. There is no one specific degree or major that is required for admission to medical school. It is advisable that students choose a degree or major that suits their interests. Some medical schools will require that applicants complete specific courses for admission consideration. Typically the courses are in the areas of Biology, Biochemistry, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Life Sciences. Some medical schools will also require Humanities, Social Science and/or Language courses. The following are examples of courses that Nipissing students may consider taking as part of their degree program in order to meet the minimum academic admission requirements to medical school.
Completion of these courses does not guarantee admission into medical school. Students interested in applying to medical school in the future should consult the medical schools to which they will be applying to ensure that they have chosen appropriate courses to meet admission requirements.
In addition to academic requirements students may also be required to write the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) and meet a variety of non-academic requirements.
Nipissing University is known for its individual attention and research. The opportunity to work one-on-one with professors and to gain graduate level research experience as an undergraduate student is something that can’t be found at every university. These unique opportunities will assist students with some of the non-academic criteria necessary for medical school.
A minimum of three to four years of study is required to complete a medical program. Upon completion of a medical degree students will enter their residency which can take two or more years to complete depending upon the specialization chosen.
For more information on Ontario medical school admission requirements visit the Ontario Medical School Application Service (OMSAS) website at www.ouac.on.ca/omsas. For information on other Canadian and US medical schools visit www.afmc.ca and www.aamc.org/medicalschools.
For Those Considering Law School
Nipissing University is an excellent choice in order to obtain the necessary prerequisites for admissions consideration to law school.
Currently in Canada there are 20 accredited law schools. Each law school has its own unique admission requirements. A minimum of two to three years of undergraduate study is required in order to be eligible to apply to law school. Most applicants will have more. There is no one specific degree or major that is required for admission to law school. Most students will choose to pursue an undergraduate degree in either Political Science or Criminal Justice (Nipissing offers both) although this is not necessary. It is advisable that students choose a degree or major that suits their interests. Students should also consider programs and/or courses that will assist them in developing skills in areas such as problem-solving, critical reading, writing, communication, listening, research, organization and management. Students may wish to consider taking courses in Economics, English, History, Math, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology as part of their undergraduate degree. Nipissing University offers courses in all these areas. It is also recommended that students seek ways to develop some of these skills through non-academic means (i.e. extracurricular activities, life experiences). Students interested in applying to law school in the future should consult the schools to which they will be applying to ensure that they have chosen appropriate courses to meet admission requirements.
In addition to academic requirements students will be required to write the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test) and submit a personal statement and references.
Nipissing University is known for its individual attention and research. The opportunity to work one-on-one with professors and to gain graduate level research experience as an undergraduate student is something that can’t be found at every university. These unique opportunities will assist students with some of the non-academic criteria necessary for law school.
A minimum of three years of study is required to complete a law program followed up by a year of articling.
For more information on Ontario medical school admission requirements visit the Ontario Law School Application Service (OLSAS) website at www.ouac.on.ca/olsas
For more information on law school visit the Law School Admission Council’s website at www.lsac.org.
For Those Considering Veterinary Medicine
Currently in Canada there are five veterinary medical schools (University of Calgary, University of Guelph, Université de Montréal, University of Prince Edward Island and University of Saskatchewan). Each school services a specific region of Canada. Students should be aware that they may need to meet specific provincial residency requirements in order to be eligible to apply.
Each veterinary medicine program has its own unique set of admission requirements. A minimum of two to three years of undergraduate study is required to apply to veterinary medicine programs. However most applicants will have more. Normally applicants are required to complete courses in Biology and Genetics as well as Math and/or Statistics for admission consideration. Other academic requirements may also include courses in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics, Microbiology and Ecology. Some schools may also look for courses in English Composition as well as in the Humanities and/or Social Science areas. Nipissing University offers courses in all these areas. Students interested in applying to veterinary medicine in the future should consult the schools to which they will be applying to ensure that they have chosen appropriate courses to meet admission requirements.
Nipissing University is known for its individual attention and research. The opportunity to work one-on-one with professors and to gain graduate level research experience as an undergraduate student is something that can’t be found at every university. These unique opportunities will assist students with any non-academic criteria requirements necessary for veterinary medicine programs.
A minimum of four years of study is required to complete a veterinary medicine program.
For more information on veterinary medicine students should visit www.aavmc.org.
For Those Considering Professional Designations and Accreditation
A professional designation indicates that a person is highly skilled and knowledgeable in their specific profession. Courses completed within Nipissing’s Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Commerce programs can help to meet the requirements for a variety of business professional designations. For further information on Professional Designations and Accreditation visit the School of Business website. Please note: It is the responsibility of the student to research and ensure that they meet any professional designation requirements being sought.
For Those Considering a Teaching Career
Nipissing’s two-year Bachelor of Education (BEd) program is a professional degree program available to university graduates seeking their Certificate of Qualification from the Ontario College of Teachers. Nipissing University has a long history in teacher training. The North Bay Normal School established in 1909 has evolved into Nipissing’s Schulich School of Education. The School has a reputation for providing a rigorous teacher education program which is demanding and requires a high degree of commitment from the teacher candidate. Graduates of the BEd degree program are in demand as teachers throughout Ontario, the rest of Canada and internationally. Nipissing also offers Concurrent BA/BEd, BSc/BEd, BBA/BEd, BFA/BEd and BPHE/BEd programs.
Students who plan to apply to Nipissing’s Schulich School of Education to obtain an Ontario Certificate of Qualification and a Bachelor of Education degree should make careful course selection in their undergraduate degree to better prepare themselves for the program and to ensure that teaching subject requirements (where applicable) are met.
Teachers in the elementary schools are generally required to teach all subjects in the curriculum. It is most prudent for students who plan to teach at this level to take a wide range of undergraduate courses.
Those interested in Second Language Teaching: French should take several courses in French and seek out a wide variety of experiences in the language in order to prepare for teaching this specialty.
Students interested in the Junior/Intermediate Division (Grades 4-10) must complete at least eighteen undergraduate credits in one particular subject area to meet the prerequisites for the teaching subject. The teaching subject disciplines offered at Nipissing are outlined in the BEd Junior/Intermediate division section of the Academic Calendar.
Students interested in teaching in the Intermediate/Senior Division (Grades 7-12) must be qualified to teach in two secondary school subject areas. A minimum of thirty undergraduate credits must be completed in the first teaching subject and at least eighteen undergraduate credits are required in the second teaching subject. The teaching subject disciplines offered at Nipissing are outlined in the BEd Intermediate/Senior division section of the Academic Calendar.
Nipissing undergraduate students interested in pursuing our Bachelor of Education have two options.
The first option is to apply to the BEd degree program upon completion of their undergraduate degree. Any student with an accredited undergraduate degree is eligible to apply to the Nipissing BEd degree program. Refer to the Basic Admission Requirements for the Consecutive Bachelor of Education section of the Academic Calendar for information. The second option is to apply to Nipissing University’s Concurrent Education degree route.
A Nipissing Degree with Concurrent Education
Concurrent Education is available with any of Nipissing’s Honours Specialization undergraduate degree programs except the BScN and the BSW.
Within the first four years of the Concurrent Education program, students will be required to include a set of courses and a non-credit practical experience. These courses provide students with the preparation needed for the final two years of the program during which students will focus on their Bachelor of Education courses.
Students should meet with an Academic Advisor prior to registering for courses each year to ensure that degree requirements, including the specific set of Concurrent Education courses and teaching subject requirements, are being met.
Students who are admitted to a Concurrent Education must complete all courses required for their Honours undergraduate degree and teachable subject requirements (if applicable) by May 1 of the year for which the BEd Year 5 transition is being made.
Admission to Concurrent Education – Direct Entry from Secondary School
Canadian secondary school applicants can apply directly to a Concurrent Education on the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) application. Applications should be received by April 1.
Applicants will be required to have an admission average of 75% calculated on the best six combination of 4U/ 4M courses or applicable province equivalent including prerequisites. In addition to regular admission requirements applicants will be asked to present ENG4U (or applicable province equivalent) with a minimum final grade of 70% and a 3U/M math (or applicable province equivalent) with a minimum final grade of 60%.
Applicants not meeting the minimum 75% average may receive an Admission Offer to the degree program applied to but not with Concurrent Education. Secondary school applicants who do not receive admission to Concurrent Education directly from secondary school may qualify to apply for Upper-Year Admission to Concurrent Education at the end of their first and/or second year of study at Nipissing as outlined below.
Admission to Concurrent Education – Upper-Year Admission
Admissions consideration for Concurrent Education (Upper-Year Admission) requires the completion of a minimum of 18 credits of undergraduate study at Nipissing University, and no more than 72 university credits (including transfer/advanced standing credits). Application forms are available from the Office of the Registrar and must be submitted by April 1. A minimum 75% overall average on all university courses completed is required in order to be considered. Completion of a 3U or 3M Mathematics (or equivalent) with a minimum grade of 60% or a university or college level Mathematics (not Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) Program courses or Statistics) with a minimum grade of 60% is also required.
Students who have already completed university degrees are not eligible for admissions consideration to Concurrent Education.
Admission to Concurrent Education - Early Childhood Education (ECE) Diploma Graduates
Admissions consideration for Concurrent Education (Early Childhood Education (ECE Graduates)) requires the successful completion of an ECE diploma with a minimum overall GPA of 3.5 (75%) and be eligible for admission consideration to Nipissing University’s Bachelor of Arts (BA) Honours Specialization degree program based on their ECE diploma. Applications are submitted through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) and must be submitted by April 1. Applicants must present a minimum of 70% in one semester of English or Communications at the college level (not Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) Program courses) or ENG4U from high school with a minimum grade of 70%. A minimum 60% in one semester of Mathematics (not Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) Program courses or Statistics) at the college level or a 3U or 3M Mathematics from high school with a minimum grade of 60% is also required.
Students who have already completed university degrees are not eligible for admissions consideration to Concurrent Education.
Admission to Concurrent Education – College Transfer
Admissions consideration for Concurrent Education (College Transfer) requires the successful completion of a minimum of one full year at the college level with a minimum overall GPA of 3.5 (75%). Applications are submitted through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) and must be submitted by April 1. Applicants must present a minimum of 70% in one semester of English or Communications at the college level (not Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) Program courses) or ENG4U from high school with a minimum grade of 70%. A minimum 60% in one semester of Mathematics (not Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) Program courses or Statistics) at the college level or a 3U or 3M Mathematics from high school with a minimum grade of 60% is also required.
Students who have already completed university degrees are not eligible for admissions consideration to Concurrent Education.
Admission to Concurrent Education – University Transfer
Admissions consideration for Concurrent Education (University Transfer) requires the completion of a minimum of 18 credits of undergraduate study, and no more than 72 university credits (including transfer/advanced standing credits). Applications are submitted through the Ontarion Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) and must be submitted by April 1. A minimum 75% overall average on all university courses completed is required in order to be considered. Completion of a 3U or 3M Mathematics (or equivalent) with a minimum grade of 60% or a university or college level Mathematics (not Academic and Career Entrance(ACE) Program courses or Statistics) with a minimum grade of 60% is also required.
Students who have already completed university degrees are not eligible for admissions consideration to Concurrent Education.