Students must complete 33 course credits, and a 3 credit Capping Project.

1. Required Core Courses *33

• EDPY 501 (*3) Research Methods in Education
• EDPY 526 (*3) Career Counselling Theory & Practice
• EDPY 532 (*3) Systems of Counselling
• EDPY 535 (*3) Learning and Human Development
• EDPY 536 (*3) Ethical and Professional Issues in Psychological Practice
• EDPY 537 (*3) Basic Skills, Issues and Attitudes in School Counselling
• EDPY 544 (*3) Principles of Psychological Testing & Assessment
• EDPY 548 (*3) Group-Based School Counselling
• EDPY 550 (*6) School Counselling Practicum (Full Year)
• EDPY 551 (*3) Counselling Children & Adolescents 

2. Capping Project *3

• EDPY 903 (*3) Capping Project in School Counselling

3. FGPS Ethics and Academic Citizenship Requirement

All students enrolled in Master’s programs at the University of Alberta are automatically registered in INTD 710 (interdisciplinary studies 710) in their first semester of study in their graduate programs. This online course includes mandatory training modules that all students must complete which address ethics in research and practice, academic integrity, and diversity, equity and inclusion. Students in our program must also complete EDPY 501 during their program, which is one of the required program courses in research methods, to fulfill their ethics and academic integrity requirement.

The program supports the professional development of teachers who are already employed full-time within Edmonton and surrounding area school systems and who have their principal's or school board's support in obtaining practicum experience and supervision as a counsellor trainee within their school/district.

Admission to the program is based on applicants meeting the entrance requirements of the Faculty of Graduate and Post-Doctoral Studies (FGPS) at the University of Alberta, as well as the School Counselling program. Minimum admission requirements are:

• A four-year undergraduate degree in education from a recognized institution
• A minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 6.5/9.0 on the most recent 60 credits of coursework completed
• Strong letters of reference from people who are very familiar with the applicant's personal and interpersonal skills and the quality of work he/she has done in the school context, such as school principals, supervisors, or school consultants
• A letter from the school principal or school board indicating their commitment to supporting the applicant's professional development by guaranteeing the applicant both a practicum placement as a counsellor-trainee for one school day per week during the 2nd year of the program, and release time from teaching duties for the same one day period per week in the 2nd year of the program
• A letter from the practicum supervisor the applicant has secured for this school counselling placement guaranteeing supervisory support in the second year of the applicant's program - the supervisor must have a Master's degree in School Counselling or equivalent (i.e., a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology, School Psychology, or Social Work).

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

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

Course-based students do not need to reach out to secure supervision. You will be assigned an advisor if admission is successful.

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 for the School Counselling Program is for you to explain the experience and background you bring to the program and tie it together with your short and long term educational and career 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

Strong letters of reference from people who are very familiar with the applicant's personal and interpersonal skills and the quality of work he/she has done in the school context, such as school principals, supervisors, or school consultants.

Supplementary Letters

1. A letter from the school principal or school board indicating their commitment to supporting the applicant's professional development by guaranteeing the applicant both a practicum placement as a counsellor-trainee for one school day per week during the 2nd year of the program, and release time from teaching duties for the same one day period per week in the 2nd year of the program.
2. A letter from the practicum supervisor the applicant has secured for this school counselling placement guaranteeing supervisory support in the second year of the applicant's program - the supervisor must have a Master's degree in School Counselling or equivalent (i.e., a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology, School Psychology, or Social Work).

Within the online application system, applicants must provide e-mail addresses for three referees. Referees will automatically receive an e-mail request to complete both an online form and upload a letter of reference in PDF format.

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 the 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 

Generative AI in Graduate Applications

GPS is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity in our graduate application process. As such, we strictly prohibit the use of Generative AI applications (e.g., ChatGPT, etc.) or any other form of artificial intelligence-assisted writing tools in the preparation and submission of application materials, including personal statements, statements of purpose, writing samples or other parts of the application. All submitted documents must be the original work of the applicant, reflecting their own thoughts, ideas and experiences. Any detected use of AI-generated content will be considered a violation of academic integrity and may result in application rejection or other consequences.

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.