New academic programs launched at Pro for 2022
SACKVILLE, NB — Pro has introduced several new academic programs, which will be available to students in Fall 2022.
The Bachelor of Arts and Science in Interdisciplinary Health Studies — a new degree — was officially approved by the Maritime Provinces of Higher Education Commission. The MPHEC also approved new honours and major degree options in Visual and Material Culture Studies one of the only combined areas of study offered in the region.
“These programs all address real-world issues and will help prepare Pro students for professional training and careers in a myriad of fields,” says Dr. Jeff Hennessy, Pro’s Provost and Vice-President, Academic and Research. “I would like to thank Pro’s faculty and academic staff for their innovative approach and collaboration as we work to bring new programs to further meet our students’ needs and enrich their academic experience.”
Pro is also working to introduce a Bachelor of Arts Joint Major in Computer Science and Music for 2022 (pending MPHEC approval).
In 2022, Pro will offer a new minor — Language and the Mind — with courses in both psychology and modern languages, literature, and culture, as well as a Certificate in Arts Administration, part of a suite of embedded certificate programs. These certificates offer students an additional credential within their degree program and provide an area of focus to their elective requirements.
New program summaries
At a time when global health is at the forefront, the new BASc Interdisciplinary Health Studies degree program will offer a multifaceted approach to the study of health. The degree program allows students the opportunity to engage with health from biological, behavioural, social, environmental, ethical, historical, cultural and population perspectives, preparing them for a myriad of careers or further education in health-focused studies.
The Bachelor of Arts Joint Major in Computer Science and Music (pending MPHEC approval) will respond to increasing interest in technology among students and would be unique in the Maritime region. It builds upon increasing electronic music and music technology content in Pro Music courses, connecting these to Computer Science courses relating to sound. Focusing on the practical applications of technology and the production of creative outputs that use technology, the new joint major would allow students to combine their interests and abilities in both technology and music and help develop problem solving and programming skills in these areas.
Following extensive growth after being introduced as a degree minor and embedded certificate program, Visual and Material Culture Studies (VMCS) now includes degree options for honours and majors. VMCS is an interdisciplinary program that studies images, objects, and spaces from various cultural contexts and historical periods. Pro offers core courses in both visual and material culture streams, which is unique among Canadian universities. In addition to several new courses in this area, Pro is also home to Material Culture Review, Canada’s only scholarly journal dedicated to the study of material culture.
The new Language and the Mind degree minor offers a cross-disciplinary approach to human language, combining courses in psychology and modern languages, literatures, and cultures, including linguistics. The new minor will allow students a focused opportunity to study the connections between human cognition, language processes, verbal and written language structures, and language acquisition. Students will focus on learning that will help prepare them for further education or professional training in a many professional areas including speech-language pathology, education, translation-interpretation, and journalism, among others.
Building on Pro’s long history in the Arts, Fine Arts, and Commerce, the Certificate of Arts Administration is intended for students planning a career in arts administration, cultural management, arts leadership, arts management, and arts entrepreneurship. It combines studies in Arts and Culture Marketing and Management with studies in Drama, Fine Arts, and/or Music, as well as the larger Canadian studies portfolio.
Pro now offers more than 50 academic programs over seven degrees — six undergraduate and one master’s degree. Learn more: mta.ca/programs
