Proposed Education Tuition Increases

Rationale

Tuition increases are an essential part of ensuring the U of A continues to provide students with world-class, high-quality learning and research opportunities. In turn, our programs and graduates will remain competitive and leaders in their fields.

The Faculty of Education has begun consultation on a proposal to increase tuition for the Master of Education in School and Clinical Child Psychology (SCCP) program (thesis-based) for domestic students starting in Fall 2026.

Proposed tuition increase for MEd in School and Clinical Child Psychology

The Faculty of Education is proposing the following exceptional tuition increase, effective Fall 2026:

* School and Clinical Child Psychology Master’s Thesis-Based Program - increase of 50%

Exceptional Tuition Increases (ETIs)

An exceptional tuition increase (ETI) is a domestic tuition increase proposed for a specific program outside of the regular tuition increase cycle. They require approval by the Advanced Education Minister, among other provincial requirements. They can only be granted once every five years for a program.

Any ETIs proposed in this round only apply to domestic students new to the program as of Fall 2026. ETI revenue can only be used for initiatives that improve program quality.

 *Note: Cost per year of a two-year program assuming a typical full time course load.

Current Tuition for SCCP (2025/26)

Proposed Tuition for SCCP (2026/27)
$4,923.84* (thesis-based) $7,385.76

Market comparators

*based on Maclean’s best Canadian education program rankings 2025

Ranking*

Institution

2025/2026 Tuition Per Year

1

McGill University

$9,447 - $12,607 (non-Quebec Canadians)

10

University of Calgary

$11,408

unranked

Athabasca University

$10,368

2

University of Toronto

$7,330 – $10,070

3

University of British Columbia

$8,043

11

Western University

$6,360

6

University of Alberta

$4,923.84

Proposal Details

ETI revenue must be tracked and reported on for both the Government of Alberta and students. The Office of the Provost will lead the annual reporting, with a focus on sharing outcomes of the ETIs and their impact on program quality and student support.

Consultations

The Faculty of Education will consult with students via the following methods:

  • Virtual Town halls
    • October 20, 2025, 0900-1000 (Zoom link will be sent out)
    • October 24, 2025, 1330-1430 (Zoom link will be sent out)
  • A survey, which will be distributed starting October 15, 2025
  • Consultation with student leaders from the Professional Psychology Graduate Student Association from October 15-24, 2025

Governance

Following consultations with students, the faculty will submit a proposal to the University of Alberta’s Board of Governors for approval. Proposals approved will then be submitted to the Government of Alberta’s Ministry of Advanced Education.

School and Clinical Child Psychology MEd FAQs

U of A tuition costs are comparable to other top universities in Canada; we offer financial aid to offset these costs for students who qualify. Tuition helps pay for U of A course materials and supplies, lab spaces, scholarships and bursaries, instructor and staff salaries and the other costs of running our campuses. An exceptional tuition increase ensures that the U of A’s programs remain world-class, providing students with high-quality learning and research opportunities.

Exceptional tuition increases are only applicable to domestic students in new cohorts admitted for the Fall 2026 academic year. A new higher tuition rate will not apply to currently enrolled students. All students exempted from exceptional tuition fees are still eligible for tuition increases to their base tuition under the two percent institutional-level cap.

International students at the University of Alberta are assessed their tuition under a program-based model, receiving a guaranteed total program cost at the time of admission. Tuition levels for incoming classes of international students are approved more than a year in advance to ensure accurate tuition guarantees can be provided as part of the admissions process. Tuition for new international students entering the university in Fall 2026 was approved in June 2025. 

International students are required to cover the full cost of their education through their tuition fees. Accordingly, costs for program quality initiatives may be incorporated into future tuition increases for international students. 

Proposed increases are based on costing for proposed program quality initiatives. Proponent faculties often consider tuition levels at peer institutions when considering feasible exceptional tuition increase amounts. 

Any additional tuition increases will be applied to the new tuition (base and ETI). All students exempted from exceptional tuition fees are still eligible for tuition increases to their base tuition under the two percent institutional-level cap.

The funds will be used to enhance the following:

  1. expanding practicum experiences with tailored opportunities for students with private practice psychologists;  
  2. creating and maintaining a suite of supplementary teaching resources and video modules to bolster classroom learning experiences, bridge gap from clinical content to practice, and support unique areas of professional development training to optimize alignment with CPA standards; and
  3. building diverse array of tests within test library in Education Clinical Services.