Both course-based and thesis-based students have required courses which are typically 8 weeks long. They are delivered online, with synchronous and asynchronous components. All synchronous times are in Mountain Time (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada).

Although the majority of the program occurs online, there is one occasion where students are required to meet in-person - EDHS 504. This week-long intensive course is only offered in-person during the first week of May.

As with many professional masters programs with a required residency, attendance for this week on campus is required. These sessions are not recorded and we are unable to accommodate a hybrid approach (combination of in-person and online attendance). Please contact medhse@ualberta.ca if you have any concerns about meeting this requirement.

Required Courses - Year I

Program Orientation - fall term, first Saturday after Labour Day, online
A half-day orientation with the Program Director, Dr. Sharla King, to provide a program overview and details on the academic requirements.

EDHS 501 Philosophy of Teaching ★3 - fall term, 8 weeks
Instructor: Dr. Cosette Lemelin
This course examines the major philosophical foundations of teaching and learning, and their practical applications to health sciences education. Philosophical traditions will be considered within the context of historical conceptions and emerging theoretical perspectives within health sciences education.

EDHS 502A and B Learning and Teaching at the Adult Level ★3 - fall/winter terms, 8 weeks
Instructor: Dr. Randy Wimmer
Examines the historical context of current thinking about educational leadership, how leadership literature informs practice, and critically examines associated literature from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Analyzes values and ethical principles in school leadership and complex dilemmas of educational leadership.

EDHS 503 Introduction to Methods of Educational Research in the Health Sciences ★3 - winter term, 8 weeks
Instructors: Dr. Ken Cor and Dr. Sharla King
This course offers an overview of the broad spectrum of quantitative and qualitative research, with an emphasis on the health sciences educator as a researcher and knowledge mobilizer. Students will explore research planning, improving the readability of research reporting, and translating results into practice.

EDHS 504 Curriculum Studies in the Health Sciences ★3 - spring term, 1 week on-campus
Instructor: Dr. Gregory Thomas
This course explores key principles of curriculum design and provides opportunities for students to apply these principles in their individual domains of health sciences education.

Required Courses - Year II

EDHS 505 Program Evaluation ★3 - fall term, 8 weeks
Instructor: Dr. Veronica Smith
This course provides an overview of the foundational principles, methods, ethics, and standards that underpin evaluation. These principles will be considered within the various contexts of health sciences education.

EDHS 506A and B Integrating Technology Across the Curriculum ★3 - fall/winter terms, 8 weeks
Instructors: Dr. Mike Carbonaro and Dr. Sharla King
This course explores the theoretical and applied principles of technology integration to enhance teaching and learning. It provides opportunities for students to apply these principles in their individual domains of health sciences education. This course includes a technology lab component.

EDHS 507 Assessment in Health Sciences ★3 - winter term, 8 weeks
Instructor: Dr. Mark Gierl
This course offers an overview of foundational theory in educational assessment. Students will apply key concepts and principles to evaluate and make inferences about students' knowledge, skills, and competencies to inform educational practice in health sciences contexts.

EDHS 508 Assessment in Health Sciences II ★3 - spring term, 8 weeks
Instructors: Dr. Mark Gierl and Dr. Simon Turner
This course focuses on applying educational assessment theory to inform context-specific assessment design, implementation, and evaluation.

Electives

Students are required to complete two graduate-level electives. The following are specific to the MHSE program, but you may investigate graduate-level courses at other post-secondary institutions for transfer credit. Before registering in a course outside of the University of Alberta, please check with the Graduate Administrator - medhse@ualberta.ca - to ensure the course is eligible for credit in the MHSE program.

EDHS 597 Advanced Seminar in Health Science Education
This course provides an opportunity for students to select a specialized topic of interest. Students can receive credit for intensive profession related courses or workshops taken by the student but not eligible for university credit. The project work may contribute to the capping paper. Students work at their own pace and will complete some type of product by the end of the course. An online presentation of the completed project is required. This seminar course is offered when there are more than 10 students interested in taking an independent study in one semester.

EDHS 597 Essentials of Teaching and Learning Series
The three courses in this series may be combined to provide one, 3-credit elective:

• Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity; Exploring pedagogy for teaching
• Planning and Designing Education for Healthcare Contexts
• Facilitating Learning for Healthcare Contexts

EDHS 597 Introduction to Qualitative Methods in Health Professions Education
This course is an examination of contemporary research qualitative methodologies in the field of health professions education (HPE). The course includes didactic, interactive, and hands-on experiences. The emphasis of this course will be on qualitative inquiry. There will 2-3 guest lectures featuring experts in a particular methodology (i.e. phenomenology, narrative enquiry).

EDHS 599 Independent Study
This course is offered with approval of the MHSE Program Director. The topic for study is discussed and agreed upon with the Program Director. If there are at least 10 students interested in an independent study, we register them in EDHS 597 Advanced Seminar in Health Sciences Education (see above).

EDST 597 Metacognition Across Curriculum
Metacognition has been defined as ' 'thinking about thinking,'knowledge and regulation of cognition,' and 'knowledge, control, and awareness of one's thinking and learning processes.' This course appeals to students' with diverse interests and backgrounds and will enable them to consider metacognition in general terms and as it relates to their specific subject and/or research area/s. Topics addressed include, (a) theoretical perspectives on metacognition, (b) measurement and evaluation of metacognition, (c) conceptualizing metacognitively oriented learning environments across subject areas, and (d) intervening to develop and enhance metacognition.

Additional Courses

Course-based students are required to complete EDHS 903 Directed Research Project ★3, an individual supervised capping project, plus two graduate-level electives. Below are electives offered by the program, however students may take other electives. Contact medhse@ualberta.ca for more information.

Thesis-Based Students
Thesis-based students are required to complete a 900-level THES. For more information on the thesis route, consult with your program advisor. For general information, click here.

Ethics Requirement

In addition to the core and elective courses, all Master's students are required to take INT D 710: Ethics and Academic Citizenship.

• 6 hours
• Online
• Asynchronous
• Credit/No Credit

Students will be enrolled automatically in the summer or fall term.

Grading

The program is focused on student learning. The required courses in the program are Credit/No Credit.

Sharla King, PhD
MHSE Program Director and Professor, Faculty of Education

• EDHS 503 Introduction to Methods of Educational Research in the Health Sciences
• EDHS 506 Integrating Technology Across the Curriculum

Mike Carbonaro, PhD
Professor, Faculty of Education

• EDHS 506 Integrating Technology Across the Curriculum

Ken Cor, PhD
Clinical Associate Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

• EDHS 503 Introduction to Methods of Educational Research in the Health Sciences

Mark Gierl, PhD
Professor, Faculty of Education

• EDHS 507 Assessment in Health Sciences I
• EDHS 508 Assessment in Health Sciences II

Cosette Lemelin, PhD
Associate Director, Centre for Teaching and Learning, Provost & Vice-President Academic - Centre for Teaching and Learning

• EDHS 501 Philosophy of Teaching

Veronica Smith, PhD
Professor, Faculty of Education

• EDHS 505 Program Evaluation

Greg Thomas, PhD
Professor, Faculty of Education

• EDHS 504 Curriculum Studies in the Health Sciences

Simon Turner, MD
Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry

• EDHS 508 Assessment in Health Sciences II

In order to be considered for the MHSE program, you must meet the following requirements:

• A four-year baccalaureate degree from a recognized university with a 3.0 GPA on the last 60 credits of course work (6.5 on the 9 point scale). Note: For lower GPAs, admission may be granted based on work experience - see Guidelines for Considering Life Achievement.
• Two years of teaching experience
• English Language Proficiency (see How to Apply)

Domestic Tuition

2026-27 tuition for domestic students (Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents) is $1,549.00 per course (subject to change). Tuition is assessed each semester, by course.

Note: Tuition for these courses is 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.

• Non-instructional fees are assessed by the university
  Note: students can opt out of the Students' Union Health and Dental plans.
• Course readings - these costs are not prohibitive as most texts are available in digital format, and available to borrow from the University of Alberta library system; some may be used for more than one course.

Fees must be paid by the specific deadline for your starting semester. Please review this page for complete information and dates.

Because this is a part-time, course-based program, students do not qualify for University of Alberta scholarships.

• Contact your professional association to determine whether funding is available for your studies.
• Métis students may be eligible for funding through the Belcourt Brosseau Métis Awards.
• You may be eligible for funding through Alberta Student Aid (apply 60 days before the start of classes for best results).

Once you have finalized your application (see instructions below), you will be able to upload these required documents to the Graduate Studies Application Centre (GSAC). Having them ready in advance will expedite your application process.

1. A curriculum vitae

2. A letter of intent (1-2 pages) outlining your reasons for pursuing a graduate degree, relevance of work and teaching experience, and interest in inter-professional teamwork in education and practice.

3. Two References: the names and email addresses of two people who will provide letters of personal recommendation, attesting to your academic aptitude and commitment to your profession. A link will be sent to your referees that will allow them to upload their letters.

4. Scanned, up-to-date transcripts from all of the post-secondary institutions you have attended (including incomplete studies, exchange and transfer credit courses). Note: your application will not be processed until up-to-date transcripts from all post-secondary institutions are provided.

• Up-to-date is defined as transcripts dated or issued in the fall/winter session of the year of application (if currently registered) or within a year of the term for which you are applying (if not currently registered). For example, if you are a new student applying for the Fall term, the print date on your transcript must be no later than September 1 of the previous year.
• The transcript must be scanned legibly and in its entirety (front and back pages), including the transcript legend typically printed on the back of the transcript. Ensure that no information is cut off during scanning.
• The following are acceptable for uploading to the GSAC:
  • PDF copies of transcripts that have been mailed to you from the issuing institution, scanned front and back
  • PDF copies from Bear Tracks for U of A students
  • PDF copies from other institutions' student portals (must have the institution's URL clearly visible)
  • PDF copies from MyCreds (email to yourself, then upload).

Please review the Application Requirements for Academic Documents page to ensure that your transcripts meet ALL of the listed requirements.

When you receive your letter of admission from the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS), you will be asked to send official transcripts directly to them. Instructions will be provided in the letter.

This is a part-time, online program. International applicants are welcome, but admission will not qualify the applicant under the Canadian Study Permit and/or Post Graduation Work Permit programs. For more information, visit International Education + Enrolment's page on Immigration. If you are looking for full-time graduate studies, visit the Faculty of Education's Graduate Programs page.

For this program, international applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements as defined by the program. Check out our page on International Academic Requirements for information on application documents, academic requirements, and English Language Proficiency.

International Tuition
Tuition for international students is higher than for domestic students. See the information provided here: Programs with Non-Standard Fees for International Students (look for Master of Education in Educational Studies). 

Applications open on November 1 and close on May 31.

When you click the Apply Now button below, you will be redirected to the Graduate Studies Application Centre (GSAC). 

1. If you are logging in for the first time, click 'Create Account'. You will receive a code to activate your account and log in.
   
   
2. If you are a returning user, click 'Login' to be directed to your previous applications.
   
   
3. Once you have logged in, click 'Start New Application' then 'Open Application'.
   
   
4. Complete the 'Personal Information' and 'Academic History' pages.
   
   
5. On the 'Program Selection' page, click 'Select a Program'. Enter the following to choose the Master of Education in Educational Studies:
   
   • Faculty = Education
   • Academic Unit = Health Sciences Education
   • Program = Master of Education (Course)
   • Area of Study = No Specialization
   • Course Load = Part Time
   • Intake = the year your program will start
   • Term = Fall
     • You must take a course in the term for which you apply, so be sure to choose carefully.
       
       
6. Transfer Credit for Previous graduate-level coursework. Students entering the MES program may receive transfer credit for up to two courses (as electives). Complete the Transfer Credit Form and upload it to your application.
   
   
7. Complete the rest of the application. If you have any financial support (scholarships, bursaries, etc.) be sure to include any deadlines for those applications.

You will upload your documents once your application has been submitted - there will be a checklist on your application in the GSAC.

Submit your application as early as possible to mitigate any concerns with your documentation or to account for any system issues.

Apply Now!

How will a break in my studies affect my program?
In most cases, you have 6 years to complete the MEd. However, course availability is dependent upon sufficient enrollment. If you intend to interrupt your program for any reason, contact us to discuss your options.

What grading system does the program use?
These programs use the University of Alberta's 4-point scale grading system (graduate).

What if I don't quite meet all of the requirements?
Contact us to discuss your options.

What if I have already completed some graduate level courses?
You may receive transfer credit for up to six credits of graduate coursework (two electives). Transfer credit information is available here or contact us to confirm.