The Faculty of Education is pleased to announce that a redesigned Master of Education program will begin in September 2021 with new flexible programming options. The admission requirements remain the same as well as the number of courses needed to satisfy the degree requirements.
For students in the course- and research-based pathways, the Faculty of Education is offering a master’s program that leads to a general MEd degree to replace the current MEd with Fields of Specialization. This change allows maximum flexibility for students. While the number of courses needed to graduate remains the same, students are required to take only two courses: a research course (EDUC 5P92) and an exit course (culminating paper, major research paper or thesis). Students can choose the specific courses they wish to take throughout the rest of their program. This program change gives students the freedom to design their program to meet their needs and interests.
The MEd program also has six optional subject concentrations for students who would like more structure to their program or to study a subject in depth. The program continues to offer a wide range of courses that meet the diverse interests of our students, but in the redesigned program they are arranged in subject-specific clusters:
- Administration, Leadership and Policy
- Adult and Postsecondary Education
- Curriculum Studies
- Educational Psychology: Teaching, Learning and Wellness
- Pedagogy
- Social Justice, Power and Politics in Education
The Faculty of Education is preserving the well-received Internationally-educated Students Pathway (ISP), with fields of specialization in Administration and Leadership in Education and Teaching, Learning and Development. Students accepted into the four-term program of full-time study work in cohorts of approximately 15 to 20 students. They continue to have access to the group and one-on-one academic support, hands-on learning opportunities and professional development that are hallmarks of our program as they earn their degree.
What does this change mean to students in the ISP?
- Students in the ISP will not experience any changes to the programming. They will have a choice to enroll in one of two fields of specialization for their full-time studies and they will have access to the additional enrichment opportunities. They will enroll in eight courses specific to their field of specialization and the required research and exit courses. While this pathway is primarily course-based, some students qualify to complete their degree with a research project (MRP option).
What does this change mean for students enrolling in the course- or research-based pathway starting in the 2021-22 academic year?
- With only two required courses – an introductory research course (EDUC 5P92) and an exit course at the end of their program (EDUC 5Q97 for course-based students, EDUC 5K95 for research-based students completing a thesis, and EDUC 5D91 for research-based students completing a major research project) — students can choose the offered courses that interest them
- Students in the course-based and research-based MRP pathway could take one concentration, two concentrations or no concentrations – it is completely up to the student. Students in the research-based thesis pathway can only take one optional concentration due to the nature of their program (5 half-credits, and the thesis).
What does this change mean for course- and research-based pathway students who started their program in an FOS?
- Current students who will be continuing in the program during the fall 2021 and beyond can participate in the redesigned program or choose to stay in their original field of specialization.
