The following program goals are specific to Elementary Music Teaching and Learning:

• learn by active participation in movement, speaking, singing, performing body percussion and playing non-pitched and pitched instruments
• strengthen your teaching skills in Kodály and Orff based Levels programs to foster love and understanding of music
• develop practical skills in music lesson-planning and teaching
• examine strategies for integrating popular music and world music pedagogies in music education
• investigate current research on and best practices in culturally responsive/sustaining pedagogy for K-6 children.

The GCES - Elementary Music Teaching and Learning is a four course program taken within a four year period. At least one course must be taken in the Summer Kodály or Orff Levels.

In the summer sessions, students may take one level of their chosen course. Classes are in Mountain Time (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada). Dates and times are determined by the course instructor.

Note: you must take a course in the term for which you apply. Course offerings are dependent upon sufficient enrollment.

Summer Term, July - August
EDST 595 Kodály Levels I, II, and III - on-campus

These courses are designed for in-service and pre-service teachers and community musicians interested in strengthening their teaching skills to foster love and understanding of music through literacy. With singing as the foundation, pedagogical principles and practices to support children’s musical growth in the primary and elementary grades will be explored with a special emphasis on culturally sensitive, contemporary pedagogy inspired by Zoltán Kodály.

Summer Term, July - August
EDST 595 Orff Schulwerk Levels I, II, and III - on-campus

The Orff approach to music education is holistic, experiential and process-oriented. Students learn by active participation as they experience music through moving, speaking, singing, performing body percussion, and playing non-pitched and pitched instruments. Level I explores basic Orff techniques including the use of the pentatonic scale, ostinato, bordun (drone) accompaniments, and the elemental style developed by composer Carl Orff and his colleague, Gunild Keetman.

Various Terms, see current schedule
EDST Special Topics Courses

Other possible course offerings include:

• World Music
• Popular Music
• Culturally responsive/sustaining music education
• Early Childhood

These may be offered online or on-campus.

In order to be considered for the GCES 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
  
• One year of teaching experience
• English Language Proficiency

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 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.

• Non-instructional fees are assessed by the university
  Note: students can opt out of the Students' Union Health and Dental plans.
• Textbooks - instructors for each course will be in touch with you to provide a list of books and supplies to be purchased.

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.

• Here is an excellent resource, with a number of possibilities, provided by Kim Friesen with the Summer Music Academy. Be sure to note the requirements and leave yourself enough time to gather support documentation.
• You may be eligible for funding through your local school division and/or the Alberta Teachers Association.
• ARTA 101 Continuing Education Scholarship for active teachers who are current ARTA 101 Members (membership is free until you retire).
• 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 1-2 page résumé outlining teaching and other relevant work experience

2. A letter of intent (1-2 pages). In your letter, please indicate how your current work would benefit from participation in the program and/or how you may be able to enter or alter your career because of receiving the certificate. 

3. 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, blended-delivery program. Some courses are in-person, on-campus. 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 Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies). For details, please contact gcesinfo@ualberta.ca.

Applications open on September 1 for all terms. Closing dates are as follows:

• Winter term (January) - October 31
• Spring term (May) - February 28
• Summer term (July) - April 30

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 Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies:
   
   • Faculty = Education
   • Academic Unit = Education (Professional Learning)
   • Program = Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies
   • Area of Study = Elementary Music Teaching and Learning
   • Course Load = Part Time
   • Intake = the year your program will start
   • Term = choose from the open terms shown
     • You must take a course in the term for which you apply, so be sure to choose carefully.
       
       
6. Transfer Credit for Previous U of A Coursework. Students entering the GCES Elementary Music Teaching and Learning program may receive transfer credit for one of the courses in the program taken previously. 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!

A Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (GCES) from the University of Alberta provides students with up to 12 credits in advanced standing in the Master of Education in Educational Studies General Ladder Program*.

• Alternatively, any GCES can ladder into the M.Ed. in Elementary Education, Curriculum and Pedagogy, or Secondary Education - contact essgrad3@ualberta.ca. 

*Completion of a GCES does not guarantee acceptance into any master's program. Course availability is dependent upon sufficient enrollment.

When can I start taking courses in the certificate?
Applications for all terms open on September 1. See How to Apply for close dates. You must take a course in the term for which you apply.

Do I have to take one course per term or just four in four years?
You must be enrolled in one course in your admit term, after which you have four years to complete the certificate.

The courses previously were EDEL courses and now they are EDST. Are these courses the same as in previous years?
Yes, the courses are exactly the same as in past years; we are just using a different numbering system.

If I already have taken 2 or 3 music education courses at the U of A can I bring them into this certificate?
You may receive transfer credit for one course taken in a previous term.

I just want to take one or two courses and am not interested in a certificate. Can I still do that?
Yes - here are your enrollment options. However, if you decide to enroll in the certificate program, only one of those classes will count toward the certificate. If you are accepted into to a Master’s program, those courses could be brought into the Master’s degree. Note: students in the certificate have priority registration.

If I miss the deadline for a certificate, can I still take one of these music education courses?
Yes, you can take one course as a Non-Degree Graduate Student or through Open Studies. Then, you must apply to the certificate if you wish to have that course count toward the certificate. Only one course taken outside of the certificate can be given transfer credit into the certificate.

Can I bring a U of A graduate course outside of Music Education into the certificate?
No, the certificate is specific to Elementary Music Teaching and Learning, but you may be able to bring that course into a Master’s program (you will have to confirm with the Master's program of your choice).

If I enroll in the certificate do I have to pay a fee every year like Open Studies?
No, your application fee to the certificate allows you to take courses over four years.

Does this certificate ladder into a Master’s program?
A Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (GCES) provides students with up to 12 credits in advanced standing in the M.Ed. in Educational Studies program or the M.Ed. in Elementary Education - Curriculum and Pedagogy. Completion of the GCES does not guarantee acceptance into either of these programs, but if you are admitted, you will have only 6 courses remaining to complete your M.Ed.

What is the timeline for being able to bring my certificate courses into a Master’s degree?
Individual courses may receive transfer credit into a Master's program within eight years. The certificate can be laddered into a Master's program within four years of completion. Please confirm with the Master's program of your choice.

Can I take a course in another area, outside of music education?
Yes, but it won’t be counted toward the certificate - only music education courses can receive transfer credit into the certificate. Other courses may count toward a Master's, but that has to be confirmed with your program of choice.

Do these courses count toward the TQS salary scale?
Yes. Each graduate-level course counts as 0.125 years on the TQS salary scale. More information is available here (see section 15.02).

Will I receive Alberta Teacher Certification through this program?
No. These certificates are not a path to teacher certification. The University of Alberta offers the Internationally Educated Teachers Bridging Program for educators who have earned their teaching qualifications in a country other than Canada and are interested in acquiring certification to teach in Alberta.

How will a break in my studies affect my program?
You have 4 years to complete the certificate. However, course availability is dependent upon sufficient enrollment and is not guaranteed. If you intend to interrupt your program for any reason, contact gcesinfo@ualberta.ca 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 gcesinfo@ualberta.ca to discuss your options.