The MEd degree requires a minimum of ★36 for course-based programs, or ★24 for thesis-based programs. This includes ★6 in the department core courses and ★6 in the specialization core courses. Each student's program includes study in core areas, research methods, electives, and a thesis or capping exercise.

Please see Bear Tracks for current Educational Policy Studies graduate courses.

Educational Policy Core Courses

• EDPS 580 – Contemporary Issues in Education: Perspective & Practice ★3
• EDPS 581 – Introduction to Evaluating Educational Research ★3

Specialization Core Courses

• EDPS 590 – Foundations of Education: Perspectives on Canadian Issues ★3
• EDPS 591 – Foundations of Education: Perspectives on International Issues ★3

Specialization Electives

Course-based programs require three courses (★9). Thesis-based programs require two (★6).

• EDPS 501 – Courses proposed and taught by SJI faculty (only applicable to 501s offered from Fall 2017 onwards) ★3
• EDPS 515 – Sexual and Gender Minorities in Education and Culture ★3
• EDPS 520 – Adult Education, Popular Movements and NGOs in the Global South ★3
• EDPS 522 – Citizenship Education ★3
• EDPS 523 – Education and Development Theory ★3
• EDPS 524 – Feminist Theories and Epistemologies ★3
• EDPS 525 – Globalization, Global Education and Change ★3
• EDPS 526 – Race, Racialization and Education ★3
• EDPS 527 – Youth, Culture and Education ★3
• EDPS 528 – Global Transformations, Indigenous Knowledge and the Crisis of Sustainability ★3
• EDPS 530 – History of Education ★3
• EDPS 544 – Critical and Feminist Pedagogical Research ★3
• EDPS 562 – Social Theory and Education ★3
• EDPS 563 – Social Justice Education from a Sociological Perspective  ★3
• EDPS 564 – Education and Social Change ★3

Options/Electives

• 500-level and above courses taken across the department or faculty, chosen in consultation with the supervisor or program advisor.

Students may undertake a supervised individual study course if permitted by their specialization program and only with prior approval by their advisor/supervisor and the Graduate Coordinator. Permission will not be granted if the proposed content is available through regular course offerings.

EDPS 900 – Directed Research Project ★3

Students interested in the thesis route should approach SJI faculty (Advisor and/or other SJI Faculty members) for potential (co)supervision before applying to the specialization group for consideration. To complete an MEd in SJI with a thesis, a student must have at minimum a (co)supervisor from the SJI specialization. 

The MEd degree requires a minimum of ★36 for course-based programs, or ★24 for thesis-based programs. This includes ★6 in the department core courses and ★6 in the specialization core courses. Each student's program includes study in core areas, research methods, electives, and a thesis or capping exercise.

Please see Bear Tracks for current Educational Policy Studies graduate courses.

Educational Policy Core Courses

• EDPS 580 – Contemporary Issues in Education: Perspective & Practice ★3
• EDPS 581 – Introduction to Evaluating Educational Research ★3

Specialization Core Courses

• EDPS 590 – Foundations of Education: Perspectives on Canadian Issues ★3
• EDPS 591 – Foundations of Education: Perspectives on International Issues ★3

Specialization Electives

Course-based programs require three courses (★9). Thesis-based programs require two (★6).

• EDPS 501 – Courses proposed and taught by SJI faculty (only applicable to 501s offered from Fall 2017 onwards) ★3
• EDPS 515 – Sexual and Gender Minorities in Education and Culture ★3
• EDPS 520 – Adult Education, Popular Movements and NGOs in the Global South ★3
• EDPS 522 – Citizenship Education ★3
• EDPS 523 – Education and Development Theory ★3
• EDPS 524 – Feminist Theories and Epistemologies ★3
• EDPS 525 – Globalization, Global Education and Change ★3
• EDPS 526 – Race, Racialization and Education ★3
• EDPS 527 – Youth, Culture and Education ★3
• EDPS 528 – Global Transformations, Indigenous Knowledge and the Crisis of Sustainability ★3
• EDPS 530 – History of Education ★3
• EDPS 544 – Critical and Feminist Pedagogical Research ★3
• EDPS 562 – Social Theory and Education ★3
• EDPS 563 – Social Justice Education from a Sociological Perspective  ★3
• EDPS 564 – Education and Social Change ★3

Options/Electives

• 500-level and above courses taken across the department or faculty, chosen in consultation with the supervisor or program advisor.

Students may undertake a supervised individual study course if permitted by their specialization program and only with prior approval by their advisor/supervisor and the Graduate Coordinator. Permission will not be granted if the proposed content is available through regular course offerings.

Thesis Registration

Full-time students in thesis-based programs must register in each term (Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer).

Fall/Winter Terms

To be considered full-time, students must be registered in a minimum of 9 credits. This will be comprised of coursework and/or thesis registration: 

• 9 credits of coursework + no thesis registration
• 6 credits of coursework + THES 903 (★3)
• 3 credits of coursework + THES 906 (★6)
• 0 credits of coursework + THES 909 (★9)

Spring/Summer Terms

To be considered full-time, students must be registered in a minimum of 6 credits. FGPS will automatically add registration in THES 906 (★6) to each thesis-based student’s BearTracks account. Courses taken in Spring/Summer, are assessed at an additional cost.

Note: MEd thesis supervision is provided by SJI Faculty. Contact your Program Advisor or Specialization Coordinator for assistance.

PhD degrees across the Faculty require a minimum of ★36. This normally includes a minimum of ★24 in graduate courses and a dissertation.

Educational Policy Core Courses

• EDPS 680 - Policy Research and Education
• EDPS 681 - Frameworks for Research in Educational Policy Studies

Specialization Core Courses

• None

Options

• 500-level or 600-level courses taken across the department or faculty chosen to enhance the program.

A list of courses to be offered during the Fall Session (September to December) and Winter Session (January to April) can be found through Bear Tracks, the University's secure online service for students, applicants, and staff. Information about courses offered during the Intersession (May to August) will be available on Bear Tracks when the University publishes its Spring/Summer Guide, normally by December.

Students may undertake a supervised individual study course if permitted by their specialization program and only with prior approval. Permission will not be granted if the proposed content is available through regular course offerings. Candidacy examination

The completion of coursework, the Academic Integrity and Ethics Training and the Candidacy Exam must be completed within three years of the start of the program. For part time students, these requirements must be complete within four years of the start of the program.

Thesis Registration (THES 903, 906, or 909)

Full-time students in thesis-based programs must register in each term (Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer).

Fall/Winter Terms

To be considered full-time, students must be registered in a minimum of 9 credits. This will be comprised of coursework and/or thesis registration: 

• 9 credits of coursework + no thesis registration
• 6 credits of coursework + THES 903 (★3)
• 3 credits of coursework + THES 906 (★6)
• 0 credits of coursework + THES 909 (★9)

Spring/Summer Terms

To be considered full-time, students must be registered in a minimum of 6 credits. FGPS will automatically add registration in THES 906 (★6) to each thesis-based student’s BearTracks account. Courses taken in Spring/Summer, are assessed at an additional cost.

The minimum period of residence for the PhD degree is two academic years of full-time study at the University of Alberta. Students pursuing the EdD degree may satisfy their residence requirement in one of two registration patterns. Students are expected to have significant contact with theUniversity of Alberta during their residence through time spent on campus and through interactions with the faculty and graduate students at the University:

Pattern A

As part of the program there will be a period of full-time study for a minimum of 12 continuous months.

Pattern B

Students must complete at least ★18 (courses and/or THES registration) in each of the first three years. For students who start their programs part-time, the candidacy exam must be completed by the end of year four.

MEd students are initially admitted into the course-based route. Applicants to the master's degree must have a four-year bachelor's degree (or equivalent) that has been granted by a recognized academic institution and a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4-point grading scale. 

MEd students may apply for a transfer from the course-based program to a thesis-based program after completing a minimum of three courses in the course-based program. 

Please note that for the 2025-2026 academic year, the Faculty of Education will only consider applicants to the PhD program with full-time status if they meet one of the following conditions:

• Remains professionally employed at or above .5 FTE (this includes four over five arrangements) during their studies.
• Has a supervisor who has expressed in writing the ability and intention of funding the student to $25,000 for each of the first two years (this includes financial co-sponsorship with another faculty member).
• Is applying as an Indigenous student (1 studentship) or a member of an equity-denied group (1 studentship).
• Is sponsored by an external agency at or above $25,000 per year or has an external scholarship at or above $25,000.

Minimum Admission Requirements

The minimum admission requirements for the PhD program include a master's and bachelor's degree from a recognized academic institution and a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4-point grading scale. In special circumstances, a student with a GPA lower than 3.5 may be considered for admission (Pending approval). 

Spaces in the Doctoral program are limited and on a competitive basis. Applicants who meet only the minimum admission criteria are therefore not guaranteed entry to the program.

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.

Review the Application Document Checklist, document requirements, and all application steps below BEFORE applying.

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

Transcripts

You are required to upload the most recent copies to your online application; refer to Application Requirements for Academic Documents above. If you have difficulty acquiring electronic transcripts please contact us via essgrad2@ualberta.ca. Do not send official hard-copy documents until after an admission offer has been extended.

Failure to list and provide complete transcript from all institutions you attended on the application may be considered an intentional omission and will lead to the cancellation of your application for admission or withdrawal of your offer of admission.

Please note: If you have completed a degree and/or certificate that does not provide transcripts, placing the 'certificate' as a transcript on the online application is not acceptable. In place of the transcript requirement for these programs, you will need to have the institution provide a letter confirming that you completed the degree/certificate and that there are no transcripts provided for the program. The letter will need to be attached to the online application in place of the 'transcript' for that program and then submitted (original document) to the University. Hard-copy transcripts can be submitted to the Faculty Office after an admission offer has been extended.

Referees

You must provide email addresses of your three referees (references) and the system will automatically send your referees an electronic form to complete after your application fee has been paid (this may take up to 24 hours after payment). Once they complete and submit their form you will be notified by email. The system will keep sending reminder emails to your referees until we receive their form.

Please remind your referees that they must submit the form and upload a reference letter that is on letterhead and signed by them by the stated application deadline. The online application will provide directions to the referee on how to complete the reference form.

Referee Selection Consideration: As your referees will be asked about your academic abilities it is important to select individuals who can accurately assess this aspect of our work. Ideally your referees should be academic staff (e.g., instructors in prior degree programs) who know the requirements necessary for successful completion of a graduate program. Please see the Application Document Checklist (above) for further information.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)/ Resume

Attach a copy of your CV/Resume to the online application form or complete the CV form available on the online application form. Please see the Application Document Checklist (link above) for further information.

Distinguished Life Essay

If applicable, please refer to the Application Document Checklist (link above) to learn more.

Statement of Intent

Consideration of the Statement of Intent

Review the Consideration of the Statement of Intent information below and the Application Document Checklist (link above) for more information on what is required in the Statement of Intent.

Avoid providing a narrative on your CV and/or non-academic background information unless it links directly to your research topic. To make an assessment, the admissions committee requires information on your research interests and will be looking for alignment with program specialization areas and Faculty research areas.

Doctoral Program Application

If you are applying to the doctoral program, state whether you completed your master's degree in the thesis or course-based route. If you completed a thesis-based masters briefly describe:

• Your master's program research (problem, methodology, topic, results)
• Whether the results were published
• How your master's research relates to your proposed doctoral study
• How your thesis has prepared you for your doctoral research
• How you will be making adequate space in your lives to fully engage in your studies 
• Proposed timelines for your program of study

Master's Program Application

If you are applying to the master's program, please state whether your undergraduate program integrated research-based activities. If you were engaged in undergraduate research activities, provide:

• A description of your role and activities in the undergraduate research project
• How the undergraduate research experience has prepared you for your master's program
• How you will be making adequate space in your lives to fully engage in your studies 
• Proposed timelines for your program of study

English Language Proficiency

Where applicable, applicants must provide proof of English Language Proficiency. This applies to two different applicant groups:

• Applicants who completed a degree or an academic equivalent from an institution and/or country that does not teach in English.
• Applicants who might have completed a degree or an academic equivalent in English but neither the institution and/or the country are listed as exempted from this requirement by our Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies at the University of Alberta.

Please refer to the English Language Requirement webpage for more information. Please note that this program has a higher ELP requirement than the minimum requirement set by FGPS.

Any one of the following is acceptable:

• TOEFL minimum score of score of 93 (Internet-based) with a minimum of 24 on the speaking and writing bands of the test, or equivalent (FGPS's minimum for the reading and listening bands of the TOEFL test is 21);
• IELTS Academic minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 on each test band;
• Duolingo Minimum score of 115. Please 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 as one of the ways to meet our English Language Proficiency requirements. See FGPS for more information.
• CAEL minimum score of 70;
• PTE Academic minimum overall score of 63, with minimum band scores of 63. Applicants who take the Pearson Test of English (PTE) must request that this University be given access to their score.

For applicants with international qualifications, where either their country or their international university are recognized as using English as the official language of instruction, proof of English Language Proficiency is still required. Please see the Application Document Checklist (above) for further information. No exemptions to this requirement will be granted by the program.

Confirmation of Potential Research Supervisor (Doctoral)

Applicants for the doctoral program must confirm a potential research supervisor before applying through multiple conversations. Before you list a potential faculty member as your supervisor on your online application, secure that faculty member's written agreement. NOTE: if you are successful in confirming a potential supervisor, the confirmation does NOT guarantee graduate admission.

Writing Sample (Doctoral Only)

Doctoral Applicants applying to Adult Community and Higher Education, Indigenous Peoples Education, or Social Justice and International Studies in Education need to submit on the online application form their Master's thesis (or a project/capping exercise document) for review.

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.