Educational Research

Master of Education - Specialist (MEd - Spec)

Course-based program

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The course-based Master of Education: Specialist Route program is aimed at working professionals, and is designed to educate students as leaders of professional practice in the field of educational research. This degree will deepen educators' understanding of their chosen field. It will help them gain a critical awareness of current issues in pedagogy, and will spark fresh insights for new methods and approaches to teaching. Students in this program focus on an academic discipline, field of study, or area of professional practice in one area of specialization. Students do not require a supervisor; an Academic Program Coordinator advises all students within a cohort.

This cohort-based program has a July start date.

Completing this program

Research Courses: Topics include research methods, program evaluation, participatory and action-oriented research and more.
Additional Courses: Topics may include complex learning problems, assessment and evaluation, classroom, workplace and adult learning and more.

Specializations

Full list of current specializations

Outcomes

Practicing teachers, School leadership, Not-for-profit organizations, Bilingual Education, Curriculum and ICT specialists, Public and Private Education systems, Leadership positions in Community and Non-governmental agencies, Career advancement.

A course-based master’s degree in educational research (specialist or interdisciplinary) will give you the prerequisites for the professional Education Doctorate (EdD) or a PhD.

Course-based program

Four research courses and eight specialization courses

Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar

Blended delivery

Online and blended courses with some face-to-face on-campus meeting times at the University of Calgary.

Time commitment

Two or three years full-time

Supervisor

No supervisor is required

Fees and funding

See the Graduate Calendar for information on fees and fee regulations, and for information on awards and financial assistance.

GPA

A minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.

Minimum education

A four year baccalaureate degree, or equivalent from a recognized institution.

Work samples

None

Documents

A written statement indicating the applicant's reasons for pursuing a graduate program in Graduate Programs in Education.

Reference letters

Two

Test scores

None

Qualifying Experience

Candidates will be expected to have a minimum of two years of teaching experience or alternative professional experience. In some cases, individuals who lack some academic requirements may be considered for admission if they have significant life achievements.

English language proficiency

An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ibt) score of 97.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0.

Deadlines

For admission on July 1:

Canadians and permanent residents: March 1 application deadline
International students: March 1 application deadline

If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements