Nova Scotia Teachers College

Nova Scotia Teachers College

Forrester Hall at the former Nova Scotia Teachers College campus, displaying post-1997 Nova Scotia Community College signage.
Type	Teachers College
Active	March 31, 1854–1997
Location	Truro,, Nova Scotia, Canada

The Nova Scotia Teachers College is a former university that was located in the town of Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada.

NSTC was founded as the Provincial Normal School by an act of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, which received Royal Assent on March 31, 1854. At its official opening on the "civic square" bordering Prince Street, Forrester Street, Victoria Street and Young Street, immediately northwest of Truro's downtown core on November 14, 1855, its first principal, the Reverend Dr. Alexander Forrester, described the normal school's objective to be "the training or the qualifying of Teachers for the better and more efficient discharge of the duties of their important office."

In 1857 a model school was opened to provide facilities for teaching practice. In 1878 the original normal school building was replaced, and in 1900 a science building was added to the campus.

In 1909 the name of the Provincial Normal School was changed to the Provincial Normal College; this was changed again in 1951 to the Nova Scotia Normal College, a designation that was retained until 1961. Throughout the years the institution broadened its training and improved the qualifications of its graduates. In 1932 Junior Matriculation (grade 11) became the minimum entrance requirement, and in 1961 the one-year program was superseded by a two-year program of teacher education beyond Nova Scotia grade 12.

In 1961 the institution was renamed the Nova Scotia Teachers College and moved to a new campus constructed in the town's west end, bordering Arthur Street and Kaulback Street. This campus consisted of an academic building named Forrester Hall, a library and administration building named McCarthy Hall, a sports and recreation centre which was expanded in 1967 with the construction of the Truro Centennial Pool, a residence/dormitory named Davis Hall and a dining facility/cafeteria named Soloan Hall; all named buildings honoured the institution's founders.

From 1972-1989, NSTC offered a three-year integrated program that was originally established on an optional basis, that became the college's basic non-degree program. Graduates from this program were conferred a diploma with the academic title of "Associate in Education of the Nova Scotia Teachers College."