The Masters Program in PSE-Research is thesis-based. Normally, this program is taken over two academic years, with the maximum time allowed to complete the program being four years.

Effective Fall 2014, students must complete 18 course credits, 15 of which are required course credits, and 3 of which are elective course credits. In addition students must complete and defend a thesis. Students may be required to take additional courses as determined by their academic supervisor. For example, students who have insufficient preparation to take EDPY 505, may be required to take EDPY 500 Introduction to Data Analysis in Educational Research as an additional course.

REQUIRED CORE COURSES *15

• EDPY 501 (*3) Introduction to Methods of Educational Research
• EDPY 503 (*3) Qualitative Methods in Educational Research
• EDPY 505 (*3) Quantitative Methods I
• EDPY 510 (*3) Learning, Cognition, and Education
• EDPY 517 (*3) Child/Adolescent Development: Theories and Issues

ELECTIVE COURSE CREDITS *3

Students will choose their elective course with the advice of and subject to the approval of their academic advisor. Students are encouraged to consult the University Calendar for other courses in the Faculty of Education and the university that might be appropriate to their program goals.

View MEd Program Planning Sheet

Students entering the Psychological Studies in Education PhD program will normally have completed a Master's degree in educational psychology or in an equivalent area (e.g., psychology or educational research). This program requires two years in residence. The maximum time allowed for the completion of the program is six years, but it is anticipated that students will typically complete the program in four years. Normally, course work will be completed by the end of the second year of residence.

Effective Fall 2014, students in this doctoral program will complete a minimum of 15 course credits. Students who are missing certain prerequisite courses when beginning the program may be required to take additional course credits. In addition to completing 15 credits of course work, students must pass an oral candidacy examination; conduct dissertation research; and then write and defend a dissertation.

Required Core Courses *15

Three advanced research methods courses from the following list:

• EDPY 507 (*3) Measurement Theory I
• EDPY 601 (*3) Advanced Doctoral Research Seminar
• EDES 601 (*3) Narrative Inquiry
• EDPY 604 (*3) Mixed Methods
• EDPY 605 (*3) Quantitative Methods II
• EDSE 611 (*3) Phenomenological Research and Writing
• EDPY 612 (*6) Research Practicum in Psychological Studies in Education
• EDPY 615 (*3) Program Evaluation
• EDEL 665 (*3) Qualitative Research Methods in Education

OR an alternative course in consultation with supervisory committee

Two advanced content courses from the following list:

• EDPY 610 (*3) Selected Topics in Learning, Cognition, and Instruction
• EDPY 614 (*3) Social and Emotional Development
• EDPY 616 (*3) Achievement Motivation
• OR an alternative course in consultation with supervisory committee

Minimum admission requirements

The minimum admission requirements are a four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent (typically in education or psychology) from a recognized institution, with a minimum GPA of 6.5/9.0 or 3.0/4.0 on the most recent 60 credits of coursework. 

Students are NOT required to complete the GRE for admission purposes. 

The English Language Proficiency (EPL) requirements for this program are higher than the minimum scores required by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies. Please review the required scores in the Application Process section below.

Minimum admission requirements

The minimum admission requirements are a four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent (typically in education or psychology) from a recognized institution, with a minimum GPA of 6.5/9.0 or 3.0/4.0 on the most recent 60 credits of course work. 

Applicants must have obtained a Master's degree in a relevant field. Applicants with insufficient background in learning and educational research may be required to take additional courses.

Students are NOT required to complete the GRE for admission purposes. 

Those students whose previous academic work was completed in a language other than English must provide proof of proficiency in the English language. The following are acceptable:

• TOEFL score of 580 paper-based; OR
• TOEFL score of 237 computer-based; OR
• TOEFL score of 93 Internet-based (IBT), with a score of at least 24 on speaking and writing, and 21 on reading and listening (ITP not accepted); OR
• IELTS Academic score of 7 with no band less than 6.5; OR
• Pearson Test of English score of 63
• Duolingo English test score of 120 with minimum of 100 in each band 

Please review the admissions requirements to confirm your eligibility. An applicant's undergraduate academic performance, letters of reference, work experience, letter of intent, and areas of academic interest are all taken into account during the selection process for all graduate programs. Due to the necessity for quotas in many program routes and the limited resources of the Faculty, many highly qualified applicants cannot be admitted. While the Faculty encourages as many applicants as possible, it also recommends applicants apply to other universities in the event they cannot be admitted to the University of Alberta.

Masters Programs

All graduate students applying to the MEd Thesis program are encouraged to reach out to faculty members prior to applying in order to secure a supervisor. This is not required but strongly recommended. Course-based students do not need to reach out.

Doctoral Programs

Graduate students applying to the PhD program are strongly encouraged to reach out to a potential supervisor from our list of Faculty Staff to discuss your application in advance of applying to the Doctoral program.

Once you have verified your eligibility, please apply for admission through the Graduate Studies Management System (GSMS). The  Graduate Studies Management System is managed by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (FGPS) which plays a key role in providing final admissions approval for all graduate students across the University of Alberta. 

All items must be received by the application deadline, including reference letters. Therefore, please ensure that your application for admission is submitted at least two weeks before the deadline.

Please note that the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies requires all transcripts and mark sheets to meet specific guidelines.

In order to successfully submit your application for admission, you will be required to upload the following supporting documents to the online application system:

Curriculum Vitae (Resume)

Current CV is required when applying for admission.

Statement of Intent (2 pages)

The main purpose of the statement of intent is for you to outline your research or interests and goals. Secondly, include a personal statement that briefly outlines why you want to go to graduate school, your academic career so far, and your tentative career plans. You may also include any additional information that you feel would be helpful to the Admissions Committee.

Three letters of reference

Please provide the system with electronic addresses of your 3 referees. The system will then send an electronic invitation to each referee requesting a letter of reference that they will upload only after the applicant has submitted their application.

Transcripts (from all post-secondary institutions attended)

You are required to scan and upload each page (front and back) of your transcript(s). Please see FGPS's requirements for academic documents. All North American transcripts must be issued within 12 months of the date of application. Preference is for official scanned copies of transcripts. If not, follow the instructions for online/web versions strictly.

Applicants from other countries must provide (scanned copies):

• Original language marksheets/transcripts, or attested true copies, directly from each institution;
• Original language final degree certificates, or attested true copies, directly from each institution;
• Original English translation of marksheets/transcripts directly from each institution or an official translator and;
• Original English translation of final degree certificates directly from each institution or an official translator.

If admitted to the program, original documentation will be required by Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies.

English Language Proficiency (ELP)

The Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (FGPS) requires all applicants to demonstrate English language proficiency. Applicants with degrees/qualifications in a language other than English need to demonstrate English Language Proficiency by completing an approved English language exam.

The following are acceptable:

• TOEFL score of 580 paper-based; OR
• TOEFL score of 237 computer-based; OR
• TOEFL score of 93 Internet-based (IBT), with a score of at least 24 on speaking and writing, and 21 on reading and listening (ITP not accepted); OR
• IELTS Academic score of 7 with no band less than 6.5; OR
• Pearson Test of English score of 63
• Duolingo English test score of 120 with minimum of 100 in each band (Special note: if you are in a region impacted by Pearson, IELTS, or TOEFL test centre closures due to COVID-19, the university will temporarily accept the Duolingo English Test)

Once we have received all of the required documents, your application is considered complete and the application will move forward to the review process. Applicants will be notified in the GSMS Application Portal once an official decision has been made.

Successful applicants will receive the official letter of acceptance issued by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (FGPS) in the GSMS portal. A department letter will follow that will outline further details of the admission including potential information such as funding offers or program information. Successful international applicants will require the letter of acceptance from FGPS in order to proceed with the application for travel documents such as a study permit and VISA.

IMPORTANT: Official documents (transcripts, degree certificates, etc.) may be required upon receiving the conditional offer of admission letter. Documents must be sent directly from the post-secondary institution to the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies office. Detailed instructions will be outlined in your offer letter.