Laddering into the MES
Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies
Graduate Certificate in School Leadership
A Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (GCES) or Graduate Certificate in School Leadership (GCSL) provides students with up to 12 credits in advanced standing in the MES program*. Students admitted with one of the two approved Graduate Certificates will follow this tentative program plan (subject to change):
Tentative Schedule - General Cohort**
Summer Term I
EDU 510 Fundamentals of Educational Research
Students learn how to understand and apply educational research to educational problems. Specific focus on conceptualizing methods of educational research to specific and individual educational sites and issues.
EDU 514 Planning for Educational Change
Students learn how educational research can enhance educational change toward school improvement, and focus on the creation of a site-based research proposal which utilizes appropriate research methods.
Fall Term
Elective I
Note: Electives may be taken at any time during the program, but must be taken prior to EDU 900, unless permission has been received from the Director of Professional Learning for an altered course of study. Not all electives are offered each semester; check the website for current offerings.
Winter Term
EDU 515 Conducting Educational Research**
Students complete a supervised research assignment specific to their educational context. They will develop and apply knowledge and skills related to data collection, data analysis techniques and research report presentation.
Spring Term
Elective II
Summer Term II
EDU 900 Program Synthesis
A reflection and synthesis of learning from the Master of Education in Educational Studies in relation to the concepts of school/educational improvement that are the foundations of the program.
Other Laddering Options
The GCSL and any GCES can ladder into the M.Ed. in Elementary Education, Curriculum and Pedagogy, or Secondary Education - contact Dr. William Dunn at wdunn@ualberta.ca. Online and on-campus options available.
Additionally, the GCSL can ladder into the M.Ed. in Studies in Educationa Leadership. Contact essgrad2@ualberta.ca for more information.
Students in the GCES in Science Education, Technology in Education, or Mathematics Education may prefer to ladder in to the MES STEM Cohort.
Students in the GCES in Structured Literacy and Reading Science may prefer to ladder in to the MES SLRS Cohort.
*Completion of a GCES or GCSL does not guarantee acceptance into the MES program. Course availability is dependent upon sufficient enrollment.
**The schedule of courses is determined on an annual basis. Alternate schedules may be available for future years.