A Look Inside the Atlantic Canada Studies Master’s Program

Written by Grace Tarrant

Thumbnail & Banner Photo by Jerrica Ramsay on Unsplash

If you love the Atlantic Canadian region and would like the freedom to explore a topic surrounding the political, historical, or cultural roots of this region, this master's program is for you! The Atlantic Canada Studies (ACST) master program is regionally specific yet extraordinarily broad when it comes to the thesis topics to choose from. It is considered an interdisciplinary program that invites students from different backgrounds to investigate a subject that interests them and involves this diverse and beautiful region.

The ACST master’s program typically takes two years to complete and is carried out under the supervision of a professor whose work relates to your proposed research project. Finding a supervisor will involve looking into the work of professors in the program and seeing which one most aligns with your research interests. Then, you must contact them to inquire about their availability and willingness to supervise you. All full-time students who apply before the required date will be automatically considered for funding administered by Saint Mary’s University.

The program's first year involves taking several courses related to research methods, public history, community leadership, and literary cultures in Atlantic Canada. The second year is comprised of conducting research on your thesis topic. In the ACST program, you will get to know your professors very well, given the regionally specific scope of the program and the small student body population at Saint Mary’s University.

Interdisciplinary master's programs allow students to enter a program with limited restraints on prospective research areas and expose students to others with different undergraduate backgrounds and experiences. Interdisciplinary programs are the perfect avenue for people who are interested in various overlapping disciplines.  

Olivia Denman, from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, has a degree in Anthropology and is in her first year of the ACST master’s program. She said that she was drawn to the program because of her appreciation for the culture and uniqueness of Atlantic Canada. “I’ve always seen myself living and working here,” she added, emphasizing her passion for making meaningful changes in her community.

Denman’s thesis topic is on women’s birthing experiences and maternal care practices in the region. When asked about what she likes the most about the program, she noted that she enjoys feeling supported by faculty members from multiple departments.

Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

I, too, am passionate about the Atlantic Canadian region and am dedicated to making it a better place to live, which is why I chose the ACST program. I am originally from Fredericton, New Brunswick, and my thesis topic is on Newfoundland’s cod moratorium and community impacts from related fisheries policies. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with minors in Canadian Public Policy and Canadian Studies. 

Another first-year student, Liam Mason, from Amherst, Nova Scotia, is studying the history of the Irish language survival in the 20th century in Halifax. He stated his interest in the program was due to his eagerness to pursue something “interdisciplinary” that would allow him to branch out from his previously acquired Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Economics, and Marketing.

Mason emphasised that the opportunities and connections he’s taken advantage of have been his favourite part of the program so far, noting that he’s loved to be able to “work with people from other disciplines.” He is currently working as a teaching and research assistant.  

The advice Denman offered to incoming and prospective students is to contact your potential supervisor as early as possible and “begin discussing your proposed thesis” to ensure you are on the right track.

Choosing a thesis topic can be challenging, but an easy trick to remember is to consider what you are most passionate about. Additionally, a research project must be completable within the duration of the program, so choose a topic that is attainable and realistic. Begin reading about your prospective topic and see what interests you most. Then, you can decide what question should be asked in regards to your topic that hasn’t already been answered.

Mason suggests that students should “use all the resources that [they] have, which are abundant at this campus,” such as the Writing Centre located in the Burke Building and the Faculty Arts Graduate Student Lounge in McNally Main, room 206. He also noted that “assignments on the syllabus are closer than they appear,” so get ahead of tasks early.

Starting any graduate program can be daunting and overwhelming, so do not be afraid to reach out and ask questions when needed. But remember, “take every opportunity you can because no one is going to push you to do anything,” Mason stressed, “you have to do it yourself.”