Masters in Education in Canada

The Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Education (PBDE) is an innovative program responding to the professional development needs of educators in a rapidly evolving world.  Students in PBDE will gain new perspectives, experience and knowledge to advance their abilities.

The mission of the Adult Learning and Education graduate program at UBC is to contribute to the creation, elaboration, exchange and application of knowledge concerning the education and learning of adults in diverse contexts. This includes the development of scholars and reflective practitioners who will shape society and its institutions in ways that promote lifelong education and learning for all in critical ways.

The graduate studies program in Education is responsible for the preparation of professional educators who may pursue advanced study at the doctoral level and/or advanced professional employment. Master's level programs advance students' knowledge to the point of mastery and also prepare students to demonstrate that they are capable of advancing the knowledge of their disciplines.

The Department of Educational Policy Studies offers master's and doctoral programs in the following specialized areas of study: Adult, Community and Higher Education; Studies in Educational Leadership; Indigenous Peoples Education; and Social Justice and International Studies in Education as well as a graduate certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.

The Department of Educational Policy Studies strives to develop critical and creative scholars who have a substantive understanding of the important systemic and contextual factors that bear upon Canadian and international education.

Graduate study in the above specializations is supported by a diverse group of full-time faculty, whose active research and publications (listed on the website at www.ualberta.ca/educational-policy-studies) are in the following general areas: aboriginal and indigenous perspectives in education; administration, leadership, and governance; careers and work; cultural, sociological, philosophical, historical, and political analysis of education; educational discourses and systems of thought; educational policy; educational reform; equity, diversity, and inclusivity in education; adult teaching and learning, professional development, and program evaluation; international and global education; and postsecondary education.

The MA in Educational Technology prepares you for careers in training, education, and related work, including work as an instructional designer (who plans and prepares instructional programs), educational consultant (who works with professional educators to strengthen their teaching and related work), educational technology specialist (who supports others in designing, planning for, and using technology in schools, universities, and similar settings), and as managers and leaders of these efforts. Through the program, you explore how to design and develop instructional materials as well as broader campaigns to improve the performance of individuals and organizations. Preparation in research methods ensures that the designs are evidence-based. Preparation in learning theories ensures that instructional strategies address the realities of human learning and cognition. Courses in using production tools, designing games, consulting, administration, and evaluating educational programs prepare you for specific real-world challenges. And a capstone—an internship for those new to the field, a thesis equivalent for those with experience, and a thesis for those who want to continue on a research path—guides you in applying the skills and launching the next phase of your career. Each capstone option provides you with an opportunity to work with our wide network of corporate, government, and community partners.

The Educational Technology degree does not provide the qualifications needed to teach in elementary and high schools in Quebec. In order to qualify for a teaching licence, students will need to have graduated from one of the following undergraduate programs: BA Early Childhood and Elementary Education, BA Teaching English as a Second Language or BFA Art Education - Visual Arts.

The MA (Education) is a research-based program intended for individuals wishing to focus on a specific research question. Typically, this would involve theoretical, versus classroom-based, research in the area of education.