The MES consists of 10 graduate-level, 3-credit courses which are completed in sequence with your cohort: eight core courses and two additional courses specific to Indigenous education. Four of the core courses are delivered on-campus at the U of A during two, 3-week summer sessions; the remaining courses are delivered online in the fall, winter, and spring semesters, with both Zoom meetings and self-directed or group work components (~10 hours of coursework per week).

Note:

• Any synchronous sessions are in Mountain Time (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada).
• Dates and times are determined by the course instructor and posted on Canvas.

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

Year I

Summer Term, two courses on-campus during the first three weeks of July, FULL TIME

EDST 511 Introduction to School Improvement ★3
Introduces the current state of knowledge, research, and theory in the field of education. Focuses upon teaching and learning within schools and other educational organizations in ways that synthesize educational experience with professional research knowledge. Studies educational change that improves organizations.

EDST 512 Leadership in Educational Settings ★3
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.

Fall Term, September - December

EDST 503 Foundations of Curriculum ★3
Provides an introduction to conceptions of curriculum and their effects on pedagogy with particular emphasis on discerning and interpreting how personal, social, cultural, and political circumstances collude in the shaping of educational practices.

Winter Term, January - April

EDST 510 Fundamentals of Educational Research ★3
Explores the findings of educational research, and works to apply the results of research to educational problems. Focuses on conceptualizing methods of educational research to specific and individual educational sites and issues.

Spring Term, May - June

EDST 597 Teaching & Learning in Indigenous Contexts ★3
Course description to come.

Year II

Summer Term, two courses during the first three weeks of July, FULL TIME

EDST 513 Leadership for Educational Change ★3
Introduces the relationship of research to educational leadership, explores the role of educational research in school improvement of school, and focuses upon synthesizing extant research literature and the need to address a specific leadership need within a school site using appropriate research methods. Studies how educational research can inform leaders in carrying out school improvement and bringing about educational change.

EDST 514 Planning for Educational Change ★3
Explores how educational research can enhance educational change toward school improvement and focuses on utilizing appropriate research methods to create a site-based research proposal for a specific site.

Fall Term, September - December

EDST 597 Policy Frameworks in First Nation Education ★3
Course description to come.

Winter Term, January - April

EDST 515 Applying Educational Research ★3*
A supervised research assignment to develop and apply knowledge and skills related to data collection, data analysis techniques and research report presentation.

*The timing of EDST 515 depends on electives and sufficient enrollment.

Spring Term, May - June

EDST 900 Program Synthesis ★3*
Explores the findings of educational research, and works to apply the results of research to educational problems. Focuses on conceptualizing methods of educational research to specific and individual educational sites and issues.

The timing of EDST 515 and EDST 900 depends on completion of electives and sufficient enrollment.

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. This requirement must be completed prior to taking EDST 515.

Grading

The program uses the University of Alberta's 4-point scale grading system. For more information about the University of Alberta grading system, see the grading system at the Office of the Registrar.

In order to be considered for the MES 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.
• Some teaching experience

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.
• Texts - 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.

Accommodations for Summer
Some students stay with friends or family members over the three-week period. If you require paid accommodation, a number of options are available, including nearby hotels and Bed & Breakfasts. Should you wish to stay on campus - only steps away from your classes - there are two options:

• St. Joseph's College (please indicate that you are an MES student)
• Other options may be available - contact housing@ualberta.ca.

Payment Deadlines and Instructions

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

Sponsorship or Third Party Billing
If your fees will be paid by another source, you and your sponsor will need to be familiar with Sponsorship or Third Party Billing information.

Financial Support

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

• 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) outlining your reasons for pursuing a graduate degree and area(s) of interest as potential research topics.

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.

Applications open on November 1 and close on March 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 = Educational Studies
   • Program = Master of Education (Course)
   • Area of Study = Indigenous Education
   • Course Load = Part Time
   • Intake = the year your program will start
   • Term = Summer
     • You must take a course in the term for which you apply, so be sure to choose carefully.
       
       
6. 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.

Apply Now!

Who enrolls in the MES program?
MES students have a wide range of professional experiences in education: a typical cohort has educational practitioners from K-12 and higher education classrooms, administration, and leadership; some with the required two years of experience and some with considerably more years. This diversity supports rich learning conversations, where students routinely share experiences, ask tough questions, and collaboratively build new insights about educational improvement.

MES students also have a wide range of educational interests: to ensure a personally relevant learning experience, students integrate their own areas of interest in educational leadership and/or school improvement into their coursework. If you choose to join us, you will enjoy a rigorous synthesis of study, discourse, educational research applications, and reflections on implications for professional practice as you build knowledge in your area of educational interest.

What if I'm not interested in formal leadership?
Educational improvement is the result of influence at every level of practice: for instance, the teacher who inventively increases student engagement is no less a leader in educational improvement than is the principal who ignites a renewed school-wide commitment to informed practice. So, whether you are already in leadership, have aspirations of formal leadership, or want to lead educational change from within the classroom, the MES is designed with educational professionals like you in mind. The MES provides you with opportunities to integrate your areas of educational interest into your coursework as you:

• explore emergent, evidence-based research findings in educational improvement
• consider the challenges and opportunities implicit in research findings
• discuss the implications for practice and future research
• plan and execute research to inform educational improvement

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).

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.