Courses

The Master of Education in Educational Studies (MES) is a 10-course, course-based degree. For admission into this cohort, students must have completed a Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (four courses; 12 credits) in either Mathematics Education, Science Education, or Technology in Education. They will complete the MES by taking six graduate-level courses (18 credits); four core courses and two electives following one of these timelines: 

Start in Summer 2025

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Start in Fall 2025

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Note: Any synchronous sessions are in Mountain Time (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada). Dates and times are determined by the course instructor.

Students will have the option of starting their program in Summer 2025 with an elective, or in Fall 2025 with EDU 510. Details below.

Year One Core Courses

EDU 510 Fundamentals of Educational Research ★3 (Fall Term, 2025)

Explores the findings of educational research, and works to apply the results of research to educational problems. Focuses on conceptualizing methods of educational research to specific and individual educational sites and issues.

EDU 514 Planning for Educational Change ★3 (Winter Term, 2026)

Explores how educational research can enhance educational change toward school improvement and focuses on utilizing appropriate research methods to create a site-based research proposal for a specific site.

Year Two Core Courses

EDU 515 Conducting Educational Research ★3 (Fall Term, 2026)
A supervised research assignment to develop and apply knowledge and skills related to data collection, data analysis techniques and research report presentation.
EDU 900 Program Synthesis ★3 (Winter or Spring Term, 2027)
A reflection and synthesis of learning from the Master of Education in Educational Studies in relation to the concepts of leadership and school/educational improvement that are the foundations of the program.

Two Graduate-Level Electives

Students are required to complete two ★3 graduate-level electives. A list of electives is offered by Professional Learning. Students wishing to take electives outside of the University of Alberta should consult with the MES Graduate Administrator to determine whether they will be approved for transfer credit.

There are two options for the timing of electives:

  • Start your program with an elective in Summer Term, 2025, then take your second elective in either Spring or Summer Term, 2026.
  • Start your program with EDU 510 in Fall Term, 2025, then take your electives in Spring and Summer Term, 2026.

Depending on your schedule, there is some flexibility in the timing of electives. However, they must be taken prior to EDU 900, unless the department has granted permission for an altered course of study.


Ethics Requirement

In addition to the core and elective courses, all Master's students are required to take INT D 710: Ethics and Academic Citizenship.

  • 6 hours
  • Online
  • Asynchronous
  • Credit/No Credit

Students will be enrolled automatically in their first term.

Grading

The program uses the University of Alberta's 4-point scale grading system. For more information about the University of Alberta grading system, see the grading system at the Office of the Registrar.


Questions? Contact us at mesinfo@ualberta.ca.