Mentoring is an extremely effective investment of time and talent to realize the potential and growth of staff. Teaching is complex and pre-service teachers enter the field with basic theoretical and pedagogical knowledge and understandings, but the actual practical ‘doing,” and analysis of “what was done,” is where they advance their praxis. The Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies - Mentoring and Leadership will advance the educator’s self-efficacy, knowledge, and skills related to mentoring. The courses are designed to blend theory with practice and enable mentors/leaders to become more skilled in supporting the development of those they mentor.

Notes:

The following program goals are specific to Mentoring and Leadership:

  • Understand the essential features of an effective pre-service teacher mentoring partnership.
  • Investigate evidence-based practices associated with effective mentorship.
  • Connecting the Teaching Quality Standard (TQS) and Leadership Quality Standard (LQS) to effective mentoring and leadership.
  • Enhancing confidence and skill in an effective mentoring process.
  • Provide a professional community of practice where teachers across different locations can connect with others to explore current issues and literature in the field.
  • Provide an opportunity to learn about graduate-level coursework with the future possibility to pursue a Masters degree.

When you complete a mentor teaching assignment, along with a non-credit module series, you are eligible to continue on the Professional Learning Pathway in the graduate-level course associated with that series. The recommended program plan is to enter the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies - Mentoring and Leadership. The certificate consists of four, graduate-level courses as listed below.

Note: Any synchronous sessions are in Mountain Time (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada). Dates and times are determined by the course instructor.

EDST 595 Foundations of Mentoring ★3
This course provides a foundation for teacher mentors and leaders to understand the foundational aspects of mentoring pre-service teachers. There will be opportunities to reflect on scholarship, policy and practice, and to discuss the pivotal role of the mentor teacher in their preparation of pre-service teachers in Alberta. Note: This is the first course to be taken in the GCES Mentoring and Leadership, and is required to complete the certificate.

Prerequisite: Foundations of Mentoring Non-Credit Modules Series

EDSL 520 Foundations of School Leadership ★3
Explore the foundational dimensions of school leadership including instructional leadership, fostering effective relationships, supporting the application of foundational knowledge about Indigenous Peoples, visionary leadership, leading learning communities, modelling continuous professional learning, developing leadership capacity, understanding the social context influencing schooling, and managing school operations and resources.

EDSL 521 School Leadership: Theory into Practice ★3
Hone leadership practices grounded in research to demonstrate mastery of Alberta's Leadership Quality Standard (LQS). Includes a job-embedded learning component in which participants visit, observe, and collaborate with a school leader or leadership team in a school setting of their choice, in which the Alberta Program of Studies is offered.

Prerequisite: EDSL/EDU 520 Foundations of School Leadership

And one of the following:

EDST 595 Essentials of Effective Mentoring ★3
Using scholarly and professional research, this course focuses on the essentials of effective mentoring as they directly relate to the 6 competencies of the Teaching Quality Standard. The course builds on the foundational dimensions/aspects of mentoring pre-service teachers, and supports the students’ professional journey discovering their mentoring strengths and areas for growth. This course also supports students' development of theoretical and professional knowledge pertinent to K-12 pre-service teacher mentoring and leadership.

Prerequisites:

  • EDST/EDU 595 Foundations of Mentoring (and the companion module series)
  • Essentials of Effective Mentoring Non-Credit Module Series

EDST 595 Advancing the Practice of Mentoring ★3
Using scholarly and professional research, this course focuses on continuing to advance the practice of the mentoring of pre-service teachers and the reflective practice and nurturing of mentoring skills.This course supports students’ development of foundational theoretical and professional knowledge pertinent to K-12 pre-service teacher mentoring and leadership. The Teaching Quality Standard (TQS)(Alberta Education, 2023) and the Leadership Quality Standard (LQS) (Alberta Education, 2023) serve as foundational policy to this course content.

Prerequisites:

  • EDST/EDU 595 Foundations of Mentoring (and the companion module series)
  • Advancing the Practice of Mentoring Non-Credit Module Series

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.
  • Experience as a mentor teacher with the U of A
  • Completion of the non-credit module course associated with the GCES.

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.

Coupons for Tuition Credit
We are pleased to provide U of A Mentor Teachers and School Coordinators with a coupon for tuition credit which can be applied to most graduate-level courses in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta. The coupon is the equivalent of one credit of tuition. For example, if tuition is $1549, the coupon is worth $516.33. Restrictions apply - contact us for details.

Additional Costs

  • 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, are available to borrow from the University of Alberta library system; some may be used for more than one course.

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.

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

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).
  • If you have international transcripts, please note: applicants must submit an official degree certificate accompanied by official (original) mark sheets and an English translation of each mark sheet outlining all courses taken and grades obtained for all post-secondary institutions attended.

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 July 1 and close on October 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 Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies:
    • Faculty = Education
    • Academic Unit = Education (Professional Learning)
    • Program = Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies
    • Area of Study = Mentoring and Leadership
    • Course Load = Part Time
    • Intake = the year your program will start
    • Term = Winter
      • 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.

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 may 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.

Do you have questions about the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies - Mentoring and Leadership (GCES)? Perhaps they are answered here. If not, contact us at edmentor@ualberta.ca - we're happy to help.

What is a typical time commitment for graduate courses?
Time spent on coursework includes synchronous class time, reading time and assignments. This time will vary, depending on the length of the term and the student's work habits:

  • 13 weeks (Fall and Winter Terms): ~10 hours/week
  • 6 weeks (Spring): ~15 hours/week
  • 3 weeks (Summer): full-time, ~30 hours/week

What is the course delivery format?
Courses are delivered online, with synchronous (Zoom meetings) and asynchronous components.

How often do students meet with the instructor?
The frequency of synchronous class meetings depends on the instructor. Meeting days and times are determined by the instructor, often with input from students.

I dont' know if I can commit to the full Certificate. Can I take the courses through Open Studies?
You can take the first course through one of these enrollment options. However, the GCES route is highly recommended, to avoid extra paperwork and an additional application fee later on. Only one course taken as a Non-degree Graduate Student or through Open Studies can be transferred into the GCES. The availability of some graduate courses is dependent on sufficient enrollment.

Is there a penalty for not completing the requirements of the GCES?
If you enroll in the GCES and are unable to finish, you can simply withdraw by the withdrawal deadline, with no penalty.

What if I have already completed some graduate-level courses?
You may receive transfer credit for one of the prescribed GCES courses. Contact us at edmentor@ualberta.ca for more information.

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 edmentor@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 edmentor@ualberta.ca to discuss your options.

Questions? Contact edmentor@ualberta.ca.