Laddering into the MES STEM Program
Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies
A Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (GCES) in Mathematics Education or Technology in Education provides students with up to 12 credits in advanced standing in the MES STEM program. Students admitted with one of these graduate certificates will follow this tentative program plan (subject to change):
2025 - 2027 Tentative Schedule - STEM Cohort
Summer Term 2025
Elective I
Note: Electives may be taken at any time during the program, but must be taken prior to EDU 900, unless permission has been received from the Director of Professional Learning for an altered course of study. Not all electives are offered each semester; check the website for current offerings.
Fall Term 2025
EDU 510 Fundamentals of Educational Research
Students learn how to understand and apply educational research to educational problems. Specific focus on conceptualizing methods of educational research to specific and individual educational sites and issues.
Winter Term 2026
EDU 514 Planning for Educational Change
Students learn how educational research can enhance educational change toward school improvement, and focus on the creation of a site-based research proposal which utilizes appropriate research methods.
Spring/Summer Term 2026
Elective II
Fall Term 2026
EDU 515 Conducting Educational Research**
Students complete a supervised research assignment specific to their educational context. They will develop and apply knowledge and skills related to data collection, data analysis techniques and research report presentation.
Winter/Spring Term 2027
EDU 900 Program Synthesis
A reflection and synthesis of learning from the Master of Education in Educational Studies in relation to the concepts of school/educational improvement that are the foundations of the program.
Other Laddering Options
The GCES can ladder in to the M.Ed. Elementary Education - Curriculum and Pedagogy. Contact essgrad3@ualberta.ca for more information.
*Students will have the option of starting in the Summer term with an elective or Fall term with the first core course.
**Students who are employed by school divisions that are part of the CAP program require additional approval, which results in those students taking an elective in the second Fall term and conducting research in the second Winter term.
Note: Completion of a GCES does not guarantee acceptance into any Master's program. Course availability is dependent upon sufficient enrollment.