The Master of Education Course-based or Research Pathways are designed for individuals from a variety of backgrounds and occupations who have an interest in advancing their knowledge of education.
Please note the MEd degree does not qualify students for OCT (Ontario College of Teachers) certification required to teach in publicly funded elementary and secondary schools in Ontario. Applicants will not be admissible to the Master of Education degree program at Brock University if they have previously obtained a similar or identical degree.
Program Description
The Master of Education (MEd) program is designed for individuals from a variety of backgrounds and occupations who have an interest in advancing their knowledge of education. We offer full and part-time study options with a Course-based Pathway (CBP) and two Research pathways: Major Research Paper (MRP) or Thesis. While some courses are offered face-to-face, online and in blended formats the MEd program is a campus-based face-to-face program and cannot be completed entirely online. Students are required to come to campus. Full-time students in the Research pathways are eligible for funding.
For students in the CBP or Research Pathways, the option to complete up to two concentrations in areas of interest is available. Options include:
- Administration, Leadership and Policy,
- Adult and Postsecondary Education
- Curriculum and Pedagogy
- Educational Psychology: Teaching, Learning and Wellness
- Social Justice, Power and Politics in Education
Consult the Graduate Calendar for more details about the concentrations offered and course content.
Graduate Micro-programs
Graduate micro-programs have been designed for students who are interested in gaining graduate-level expertise in one or more of the concentrations or general course collections in the MEd program but who may not wish to enroll in the full MEd program at the time of registration.
Each micro-program will be comprised of three half-credit courses in a specific concentration or general education stream. Those interested in enrolling in a micro-program are invited to consult the options listed below as well as the Graduate Calendar for details regarding course content.
- Micro-program in Administration, Leadership and Policy: This micro-program engages students in a critical examination of theories that influence administrative practice with the aim of understanding, creating and sustaining ethical and humane educational institutions.
- Micro-program in Adult and Postsecondary Education: This micro-program engages students in a critical examination of theories, principles, and practices that influence learners across the lifespan.
- Micro-program in Curriculum and Pedagogy: This micro-program focuses on critical, innovative and contemporary approaches to curriculum and pedagogy. The courses promote analysis of curriculum research and practice, and application of this knowledge to diverse educational contexts. By critically examining Western, Indigenous, and critical pedagogical approaches, educators will be able to engage mindfully in diverse research-based practices to support learners across the lifespan within various contexts.
- Micro-program in Educational Psychology: Teaching, Learning and Wellness: This micro-program encourages students to critically examine and critique cognitive, affective, and behavioural aspects of learners across the lifespan. The focus is on psychological theory, research and evidence-based practices to inform teaching, learning and wellness across diverse instructional contexts.
- Micro-program in Social Justice, Power and Politics in Education: This micro-program engages students in a critical analysis of theoretical, political, historical, and sociocultural perspectives that inform socially just approaches to education and schooling.
- Micro-program in Research Methods and Academic Writing: This micro-program provides students with an introduction to educational research and writing.
- Micro-program in Educational Studies: This micro-program provides students with a broad introduction to educational studies. This option allows students to select courses that interest them and meet their specific needs.
FAQs
MEd Admissions & Applications
Applications for the 2023/2024 academic year will begin to be accepted in October of 2022. Please note that the online cohort will only be offered for the September 2023 intake.
- For the September 2023 intake the deadline is January 15, 2023
- For the January 2024 intake the deadline is April 15, 2023
- For the May 2024 intake the deadline is October 15, 2023
To apply, follow instructions on Faculty of Graduate Studies website. Applications are processed through the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Complete applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee starting in January. Please visit the Faculty of Graduate Studies for more information on admissions and applications.
Admissions information is on the Master of Education (CBP and Research) link in the Faculty of Graduate Studies programs page. It outlines requirements for grade point average (GPA) and required documentation. International students are required to have an IELTS score of 7.5 (no bands below 7.0). Other acceptable English Proficiency tests are listed on the Faculty of Graduates Studies website. Duolingo, however, is not accepted for entry into the MEd.
Students are advised to review Frequently Asked Questions related to the admissions process as well as official information on Application & Admissions in the Graduate Calendar.
Graduate Micro-program Admissions & Applications
The admissions requirements are the same as for the MEd program. Students will normally hold a four-year Bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, from an accredited university with a minimum 75% (Brock University equivalent) average over the last two years of full-time undergraduate study. Professional experience will be considered for those students who do not meet the minimum admission requirements.
Applicants who have not completed their undergraduate degree at a university where English was the primary language of instruction will be required to provide proof of English Language Proficiency. Please see the FAQs on this page for information regarding tests accepted by the MEd program. Interested applicants should submit their transcripts, along with two reference letters and a letter of intent, with their application.
International students coming into Canada on a study permit are required to pay a deposit to reserve their space in the program. Details will be provided with your Letter of Admission. Also see: MEd Deposit & Refund Policy.
Applicants who have not completed their undergraduate degree at a university where English was the primary language of instruction are required to provide proof of English Language Proficiency. These may be different than what the Faculty of Graduate Studies accepts (we do not accept the Duolingo; nor are requests for English language proficiency waivers considered). The Master of Education Course-based and Research Pathways accept:
- IELTS Academic: 7.5 overall with no section under 7.0
- TOEFL iBT: 102 overall with no section under 27
If you do not have the above scores, you may want to consider the Canadian Culture in Education Studies (IELTS 6.0) or the Leadership in Community-based Education (IELTS 6.5) certificate programs. Both also accept Duolingo.
The MEd program offers intakes in September, January and May.
Both full-time (FT) and part-time (PT) study is available. The number of FT students accepted into the research pathway is capped each year due to funding obligations.
To accommodate both full-time and part-time study courses are offered at a variety of times, including evenings and weekends, throughout the academic year. A few online and blended courses (online/face-to-face) are offered on a regular basis but we do not offer a fully-online MEd program. Students will be expected to attend courses face-to-face on campus.
For students in the CBP or Research Pathways, the option to complete up to two concentrations in areas of interest is available. Options include:
- Administration, Leadership and Policy
- Adult and Postsecondary Education
- Curriculum and Pedagogy
- Educational Psychology: Teaching, Learning and Wellness
- Social Justice, Power and Politics in Education
More information can be found in the Graduate Calendar.
Students register in either a Course Pathway or a Research Pathway. Students in the Research Pathway make the decision to complete either a Major Research Paper (MRP) or a thesis after the program has started– normally in the second semester in the program for FT students, and once course work is completed for PT students. Students in the Research Pathway select a Research Supervisor after they have entered the program. Full-time students in the research pathway receive funding through fellowships and employment opportunities
Full time students:
- Course Pathway Option: 1 year (3 terms)
- Major Research Paper (MRP) Option: 16 months (4 terms)
- Thesis Pathway Option: 2 Years (6 Terms)
FT students in the Course Pathway must complete 4 courses in the fall term, 4 courses in the winter term and 2 courses in the spring term (3 terms).
Students in the MRP pathway should complete 4 courses in the fall term, 3 courses in the winter term, and begin their MRP in the spring term.
Students in the thesis pathway should complete 3 courses in the fall term, 2 courses in the winter term and begin their thesis in the spring term.
Part-time students have 5 years to complete their program. They must register in 1 course per term but may be registered in up to 2.
Tuition and related fees change every year. Please visit the Student Accounts & Financial Aid site for more information. Students in the Research Pathway pay tuition on a per term basis. Students in the Course Pathway pay tuition on a per course basis (all courses are worth .5 credit). Students are also charged ancillary fees set by the university and the Graduate Student Association.
The Faculty of Graduate Studies provides financial information to assist students estimate their cost of living while in the program. Information related to funding sources such as awards, scholarships and bursaries is also included, as well as information for international students.
Full-time students in the Research Pathway, MRP option, may receive fellowship funding for up to 4 terms. Full-time students in the Research Pathway, thesis option, may receive fellowship funding for up to 6 terms. Full-time research based students will receive preferential hiring for all Graduate Assistantships if positions are available.
Full-time students in the Research Pathway may apply for Faculty of Education fellowships and other university scholarships and awards. Students who travel to present conference papers can apply to receive Conference Funding Assistance. Full-time students may be eligible for bursaries once they have successfully completed one term in the program.
Students must remain registered in at least 1 course during each of the University’s 3 academic terms: Fall (Duration 2 or 10: September-December), Winter (Duration 3 or 11: January-April) and Spring (Multiple durations between May-August).
The information provided on this page is subject to change without notice. Information published on the website of the Office of the Registrar supersedes the information published here.