Graduate-Level Electives
All Professional Learning courses combine theory and practice. Most are offered online with both synchronous (on Zoom) and asynchronous components ('On-Campus' or 'Online' is indicated beside each course title). Any synchronous sessions are in Mountain Daylight Time (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada). Dates and times are determined by the course instructor. Generally, sessions are not recorded; attendance is required.
These are graduate-level, credit courses, requiring between five and ten hours of coursework per week in the fall and winter terms (13 weeks). Courses offered in the spring and summer terms are condensed (six and three weeks respectively), so the amount of time spent on coursework is increased. This includes time spent on readings, assignments, presentations (group and individual), and writing papers.
These courses can be taken as a Non-Degree Graduate Student (NDGS), through Open Studies (OS), or as an elective in a graduate program (in consultation with your program advisor). See this page for enrollment options. Preference is given to students in the various Professional Learning programs; NDGS, OS, and students in other graduate programs will be enrolled if space is available. Please read the course descriptions carefully and consult with your program advisor to be sure the elective is approved for your program.
Notes:
- These courses are offered at an increased rate of assessment. Tuition is listed with each course below, or you can check your statement on Bear Tracks. Courses may be listed at a higher rate in the Academic Calendar. However, the Faculty of Education will provide a bursary to keep the amount paid by domestic students consistent across all Professional Learning courses. If applicable, the bursary will be applied after the add/drop deadline. The amount of the bursary varies by program; it is not applicable to U of A staff, doctoral students or international students. All fees and bursary amounts are subject to change.
- Please take note of the non-instructional fees associated with graduate studies, which are over and above of the cost of tuition.
- Course availability is dependent upon sufficient enrollment.
Questions? Contact the graduate administrator at the email address listed with each course.
Winter 2027 Electives
Winter term runs from January 4 to April 9, 2027. If available, specific course dates and times are listed under each title. All synchronous classes are on Mountain Daylight Time (Edmonton, AB, Canada).
Instructor: Elizabeth Shen
Synchronous sessions: TBD
Explore the foundational dimensions of school leadership including instructional leadership, fostering effective relationships, supporting the application of foundational knowledge about Indigenous Peoples, visionary leadership, leading learning communities, modelling continuous professional learning, developing leadership capacity, understanding the social context influencing schooling, and managing school operations and resources.
Synchronous Zoom sessions are included; attendance is required.
Note: This course is partial fulfillment of the academic requirements for leadership certification through Alberta's Leadership Quality Standard (LQS). EDSL 521 or EDU 521 is also required (offered in fall, winter and spring terms).
Domestic tuition: $1549.00 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2479.08 plus non-instructional fees
This is a core course in the Graduate Certificate in School Leadership and in the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies - Leadership and Mentoring, and is an approved elective in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. There are other enrollment options, however, priority registration is given to students in Professional Learning programs. For details or to enroll, contact gcslinfo@ualberta.ca. Students in the GCES Leadership and Mentoring, contact edmentor@ualberta.ca; MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca.
Instructor: Joe da Costa
Synchronous sessions: TBD
Hone leadership practices grounded in research to demonstrate mastery of Alberta's Leadership Quality Standard (LQS). Includes a job-embedded learning component in which participants visit, observe, and collaborate with a school leader or leadership team in a school setting of their choice, in which the Alberta Program of Studies is offered. Note: EDSL 521 is offered in all semesters but Summer.
Prerequisite: EDSL 520 or EDU 520.
Note: This course is partial fulfillment of the academic requirements for leadership certification through Alberta's Leadership Quality Standard (LQS). EDSL 520 or EDU 520 is also required (offered in every term).
Domestic tuition: $1549.00 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2479.08 plus non-instructional fees
This is a core course in the Graduate Certificate in School Leadership and in the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies-Leadership and Mentoring, and is an approved elective in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. There are other enrollment options, however, priority registration is given to students in Professional Learning programs. For details or to enroll, contact gcslinfo@ualberta.ca. Students in the GCES Leadership and Mentoring, contact edmentor@ualberta.ca; MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca.
Instructor: Glen Wilcox
Synchronous sessions: Mondays from 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Human Resources and Educational Leadership is designed for aspiring, new and experienced school leaders, who are seeking to develop and enrich their understanding of Human Resource principles and practices in education. Regardless of organization, Human Resource principles and practices are at the heart of individual, school and division performance, success and culture. By developing an understanding of Human Resources within an educational context, students will have the opportunity to explore and develop skills and understandings in the areas of HR management in education, performance appraisal and evaluation, leadership and supervision, legal and ethical issues in HR, conflict resolution and change management.
This course supports aspiring and novice educational administrators’ development of those knowledge, skills, and abilities pertinent to Human Resources and Educational Leadership in a school setting.
Domestic tuition: $1549.00 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2479.08 plus non-instructional fees
This is a core course in the Graduate Certificate in School Leadership and is an approved elective in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. There are other enrollment options, however, priority registration is given to students in Professional Learning programs. For details or to enroll, contact gcslinfo@ualberta.ca. MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca.
Instructors: Holly Brandsma and Leanne Traverse
Synchronous sessions: TBA
Drawing on a multiplicity of Métis educational resources, this course invites educators to engage with Métis acimowina (stories), tapwewina (truths), and ways of being to deepen their knowledge of how Métis tell their stories, and in how they can share Métis knowledge in a good way in their own learning communities. This course is designed to explicitly support teachers and school leaders to meet Alberta’s Teacher & Leadership Quality Standard (TQS/LQS), with special attention to areas about the Métis.
Domestic tuition: $1549.00 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2479.08 plus non-instructional fees
This is a core course in the Graduate Certificate in School Leadership and is an approved elective in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. There are other enrollment options, however, priority registration is given to students in Professional Learning programs. For details or to enroll, contact gcslinfo@ualberta.ca. MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca.
Instructor: Joanne Rodger
Synchronous sessions: TBD
This course will explore school library collection development through an examination of current research and practice. Students will critically evaluate a school library collection and plan for new materials to enhance the resources available for the school community.
Domestic tuition: $1549.00 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2479.08 plus non-instructional fees
This is a core course in the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies - School Librarianship, and is an approved elective in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. There are other enrollment options, however, priority registration is given to students in Professional Learning programs. For details or to enroll, contact gcesinfo@ualberta.ca. MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca.
Instructor: Kathy Howery
Synchronous sessions will be determined by the instructor and posted on Canvas.
This course introduces classroom teachers and educational professionals to the practices, issues and importance of providing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies and supports to students with complex communication needs. The course will focus on implementing AAC systems to support students’ communication, language and literacy development, and meaningful participation in all aspects of learning experiences.
Domestic tuition: $1549.00 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2479.08 plus non-instructional fees
This is a core course in the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies - Teaching Students with Complex Communication Needs, and is an approved elective in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. There are other enrollment options, however, priority registration is given to students in Professional Learning programs. For details or to enroll, contact gcesinfo@ualberta.ca. MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca.
Instructor: Monica Braat
Synchronous sessions will be determined by the instructor and posted on Canvas.
This course focuses on quality instruction in mathematics (including numeracy) for students with complex communication needs. The course will emphasize the use of symbol and text-based communication systems and systematically designed instruction to support understandings of number sense, spatial reasoning, principles of geometry, measurement, data, and analytic procedures, and mathematical problem solving including algebra.
Domestic tuition: $1549.00 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2479.08 plus non-instructional fees
This is a core course in the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies - Teaching Students with Complex Communication Needs, and is an approved elective in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. There are other enrollment options, however, priority registration is given to students in Professional Learning programs. For details or to enroll, contact gcesinfo@ualberta.ca. MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca.
Instructor: Kim Friesen
Synchronous online sessions: Tuesdays from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., January 5, 12, 19, 26; February 2, 23; March 2, 9, 16
On-campus: Saturday, February 6 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.; Sunday, February 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Note: Special considerations for alternate participation on February 6 and 7 will be processed on a case-by-case basis.
This course is intended to provide opportunities for students to explore the possibilities and parameters for teaching elementary students ethnoculturally diverse musics in a good way. Through the course, students will work to broaden perspectives on music in general as well as musical instruments, time, pitch, and structure. Topics for study and discussion include music making across cultures, issues of philosophy, context, authenticity, transcending boundaries, development of pedagogical processes, and school/community relationships. Sessions will include visits with musical guests, ethnomusicologists, and music teachers from both local and global contexts who will share and engage in active music making with the students. Embedded within this course is the Smithsonian Folkways World Music Pedagogy Certificate. Students who successfully complete this graduate course will also receive a Smithsonian Folkways World Music Pedagogy Certificate.
Domestic tuition: $1549.00 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2479.08 plus non-instructional fees
This is a core course in the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies - School Librarianship, and is an approved elective in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. There are other enrollment options, however, priority registration is given to students in Professional Learning programs. For details or to enroll, contact gcesinfo@ualberta.ca. MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca.
Instructor: Lauren Mayes
Synchronous sessions will be determined by the instructor and posted on Canvas.
Education and learning do not occur in a silo, fully separated from the other aspects of peoples’ lives. One reality of prison is that “the outside” continues while someone is incarcerated. This course will incorporate research from a variety of fields – criminology, sociology, psychology, and more – to enable students to understand the larger correctional environment and life situations in which their teaching occurs.
Domestic tuition: $1549.00 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2479.08 plus non-instructional fees
This is a core course in the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies - Prison Education, and is an approved elective in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. There are other enrollment options, however, priority registration is given to students in Professional Learning programs. For details or to enroll, contact gcesinfo@ualberta.ca. MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca.
Note: additional electives may be added.