Apply for 2025 Admission
We are inviting applications for the following specialization programs. All MEd Specialist programs begin in Summer.
Master of Education: Specialist
A course-based degree program for leaders of professional practice.
Master of Education Specialist Route
The Master of Education (MEd) Specialist route is a course-based degree program that provides students with a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of their academic discipline, field of study or area of professional practice in one specialization area. The MEd degree program has been designed to ensure that the courses and sequence provides a demanding, coherent, robust, credible and high-level academic experience that educates students as leaders of professional practice in the field of educational research.
This route is a two-year program consisting of 12 half-courses (36 credits) within a specialization area. Students complete eight courses in the specialized area of study and four research courses that focus on research methods, program evaluation, collaboratory of practice, and reading and writing research pertaining to the specialization.
Students in our masters programs are engaged in immersive experiences that require them to:
- Critically and analytically read research literature
- Evaluate research literature
- Review and critically analyze the literature to enable them to make practice and policy decisions
- Carry out the scholarship of teaching and learning in schools, on campus and other organizations
- Evaluate and apply research to complex learning problems and problems of practice
- Write and report on research using a range of academic writing genres.
Our MEd programs are innovative, current, and practitioner-oriented. Graduate Programs in Education has conceptualized and designed the MEd as a possible pathway into the professional Education Doctorate (EdD).
Program Delivery
Topics are offered in online and blended options. Blended topics begin with face-to-face classes at the University of Calgary, during Summer, with online follow up. Courses 2 (Fall), 3 (Winter), and 4 (Spring) are delivered fully online. Check each topic to confirm format for delivery.
Blended
Blended topics begin with face-to-face classes at the University of Calgary, during Summer, with online follow up. Courses 2 (Fall), 3 (Winter), and 4 (Spring) are fully online using Desire2Learn and Zoom.
Online
Online courses require no in-person meetings; students meet with their instructor and class through Desire2Learn and Zoom. Our online learning environment allows you to participate in live classes and complete coursework from wherever you are in the world. There are typically no more than 5 sessions over a 13-week term (Fall and Winter) and fewer over a 6-week term (Spring and Summer). For additional information regarding online delivery, please refer to the eLearn website.
Adult, Community, and Higher Education
Blended Delivery
This program is geared to adult educators, practitioners, individuals involved in profit/non-profit community-based organizations and initiatives, and higher education leaders. This specialized degree provides graduate students with an opportunity for advanced professional education and learning to increase both knowledge and competence in creating and supporting the development of educated and sustainable adult learning communities that thrive in a variety of settings.
Leadership for Learning
Online Delivery
This topic will explore and examine competencies and approaches that current and aspiring school leaders can utilize to foster effective relationships, model commitment to professional learning, embody visionary leadership, lead a learning community, enable Indigenous student success, provide instructional leadership, develop leadership capacity, manage school and district operations and resources, understand and respond to the larger societal context, and support effective governance.
What you need to know
The Master of Education cohort-based degree consists of a total of 36 credits (12 half-courses). Graduate students are required to complete their courses in a prescribed sequence.
Students are expected to complete all program requirements within two years or three years depending on program course schedule.
Application start date: November 1
Application deadline: February 1
Program start: Summer (July)
Applicants must use the online application found at the the Faculty of Graduate Studies Apply Now page. In the application system, please choose:
Program: Education - Master of Education
Specialization: Choose the Specialization associated with the Topic area you are applying for.
Please note that it is advisable to prepare the answer to the following question prior to starting the online application as you will then be able to copy and paste it directly into the space provided.
Question: Please write your “statement of intent” indicating 1) your reasons for pursuing this graduate program, and 2) how completion of this program is related to your desired career path, academic goals, and/ or employment objectives. (Suggested length 300 words).
Applications, transcripts and all supporting documents must be submitted 11:59 pm MT on the application deadline date for each program. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that transcripts arrive before the application deadline, and that referees are aware of this deadline.
Please visit the FGS applicant transcript page to answer frequently asked questions on transcripts.
For additional information on transcripts and where to send them, please visit our How to Apply page.
References
Two (2) references are required. References will be asked to complete an online reference form. No hard copy letters of reference or documents will be accepted.
Please see the Faculty of Graduate Studies' advice on finding references for your application.
References may be academic or professional.
References are due by the application deadline, so you should complete the online application earlier in order to give your referees sufficient time to submit their reference. Referees will receive notification on how to submit their reference after you submit your application and are due on the application deadline regardless of when they receive the notification. Please ensure that your references are aware of the February 1 supporting document submission deadline. Applications without completed reference forms will be considered incomplete after the March 1 deadline has passed.
Statement of Intent
Required of all applicants.
Applicants must submit a written statement of intent as part of the online application form. Your statement of intent should indicate your reasons for pursuing a graduate program with Graduate Programs in Education. We suggest a length of 300 words for your statement.
Your statement of intent should address the following:
- Please identify your reasons for applying to this graduate program.
- Please outline the particular topics or questions that you plan to pursue in your specialization.
- In what way is this program related to your desired career path or employment objectives?
Hard copy statements of intent or additional information (such as a CV/résumé) are not accepted as part of the application package.
Students are eligible for some internal scholarships. See the program-recommended awards page for details.
Program Checklist
At the beginning of program:
- Activate your University of Calgary IT computing account that comes with a UofC email. We strongly encourage you to use this email while in program. Before you start utilizing your UofC email, update your email address in the Student Centre, as well as email it to your Graduate Program Administrator (see your Admission Letter for contact information). Please include your full name, UCID number, program, and specialization in your message.
- Attend one of the scheduled Virtual Welcome Sessions.
- Attend one of the scheduled Student Orientations to Course Delivery Modes/Tools.
- Initialize your registration through your Student Centre.
- Register for your courses.
Program Forms
There are various forms related to a student’s progress through his/her graduate degree. Please refer to the forms for detailed instructions on their proper completion. Students who have any questions or concerns should contact their Graduate Program Administrator. Required forms are available in the GPE office and some can be accessed by downloading them from Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Application for Admission
Learn more about the application for admission to Werklund graduate programs through the Faculty of Graduate Studies.