Master of Education: Interdisciplinary Pathway

Each topic consists of a total of 12 units (four courses). Graduate students are required to complete the courses within each topic in a prescribed sequence. Information about program delivery options, including face-to-face, blended and online options, can be found within each topic page.

Students are expected to complete program requirements for each topic within one year.  The stackable MEd Interdisciplinary degree pathway has been designed to be completed in three years. 

Minimum admission requirements:

• A University of Calgary four-year baccalaureate degree or an equivalent degree from a recognized institution. Degrees and grades from foreign institutions are evaluated for their equivalency to those of the University of Calgary.

• A minimum GPA of 3.00 (on the University of Calgary four-point system). This is based on the last two years of the undergraduate degree consisting of a minimum of 60 units (10 half courses).
   

• Proficiency in the English language is essential for the pursuit and successful completion of graduate programs in the Werklund School of Education.  Prior to admission to Graduate Programs in Education, an applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement for academic purposes in one of the following ways:

  a) By taking the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) and obtaining a score of at least 97. When requesting that official test results are forwarded to the University of Calgary, please indicate institution code 0813. The test must have been taken within the last two years.

  b) By taking the Academic version of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and obtaining a minimum score of 7.0  (Academic version). The test must have been taken within the last two years.

  Applicants please note that no exemptions will be made to fulfilling the English language proficiency requirement specified in (a) or (b).

Application requirements:

• A written statement of intent (suggested length: 300 words) indicating the applicant's reasons for pursuing a graduate program in Graduate Programs in Education. The statement 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? 

• Two references are required for students applying to the Graduate Certificate (Step 1). References will be asked to complete an online reference form. No hard copy documents will be accepted.
  • Graduate Diploma (Step 2) applicants are not required to submit references.
  • Master of Education - Educational Research Topic (Step 3) applicants are not required to submit references.
     
• Applicants to the Master of Education - Educational Research Topic (Step 3): the minimum admission requirements for the final step of the MEd Interdisciplinary degree program also include completion of steps 1 and 2, the Graduate Certificate AND the Graduate Diploma in Education.

Relevant Prior Learning Considerations:

In exceptional circumstances, individuals who do not meet formal academic requirements but who have significant life achievements may be considered for admission to the program. The candidates must provide the relevant graduate program with evidence demonstrating a potential to undertake successfully the proposed program of studies.

Such candidates are advised to make early contact with Graduate Programs in Education, and supply additional supporting documents as part of their application package, such as:

a) Evidence of personal continuing education/training.
b) Results in these continuing education efforts.
c) Experience in a field related to the aspired degree.
d) Evidence of successful management of people, resources, finances, situations.
e) Increasing or varying responsible positions in organizations related to the aspired degree.
f) Work-related products, e.g. reports, programs of learning or training, handbooks, videos, manuals, workshops, seminars.
g) Evidence of personal growth in knowledge, understanding, management skills, and intellectual resources.
h) Evidence of innovation.
i) Evidence of leadership, coordination.

Admission to all graduate programs is highly competitive due to limited enrollment capacities. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

All graduate programs are governed by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. In the case of any conflict, regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar take precedence over material on this website. Please consult the Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar for University of Calgary graduate admission requirements.

Offers of admission are valid only for the term to which applications are made. Graduate Programs in Education will not grant deferrals of admission. Students unable to take up an offer will be required to submit a new application.

The online application for the Graduate Certificate (Step 1), Graduate Diploma (Step 2), and the Master of Education Interdisciplinary - Research Topic (Step 3) is currently open.

Application open: November 1, 2020
Application AND supporting document deadline: March 1, 2021
Program start: Summer (July) 2021

Applicants must use the online application found at the Faculty of Graduate Studies Apply Now page.
 

Graduate Certificate (Step 1) Applicants

Please select the Program: Education - Graduate Certificate option within the online application. 

Specialization: all topics fall under the Interdisciplinary Studies Specialization. 

We advise students to prepare their statement of intent in advance of starting the online application as you will then be able to copy and paste your statement directly into the provided space. Please see the "Admission Requirements" above for more information regarding the statement of intent.

Supporting Documents: ensure that you carefully review the supporting document tab below. Supporting documents, including completed reference forms, must be submitted by March 1 for an application to be considered.
 

Graduate Diploma (Step 2) Applicants

Please select the Program: Education - Graduate Diploma option within the online application. Applicants to the Graduate Diploma must be completing (in progress) or have completed the Graduate Certificate (Step 1).

Specialization: all topics fall under the Interdisciplinary Studies Specialization. 

We advise students to prepare their statement of intent in advance of starting the online application as you will then be able to copy and paste your statement directly into the provided space. Please see the "Admission Requirements" above for more information regarding the statement of intent.

Supporting Documents: new official transcripts are NOT required for applicants to the Graduate Diploma unless course work has been completed at another institution since the Graduate Certificate was completed.

MEd Interdisciplinary (Step 3) Research Topic Applicants

Please select the following options within the online application:

Program: Education - Master of Education
Specialization: Interdisciplinary Studies

Supporting Documents: new official transcripts are NOT required for applicants to the MEd Interdisciplinary unless course work has been completed at another institution since the Graduate Diploma was completed.

All supporting documents are due on March 1, 2021. This is the same date as the application deadline. 

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that transcripts arrive before the application deadline, and that referees are aware of this deadline.

Transcripts
Required for Graduate Certificate (Step 1) applicants.

Returning applicants (to Steps 2 and 3) NOT required to submit transcripts unless course work has been completed at another institution since the completing the previous program/course with Graduate Programs in Education.

Applicants are required to submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. Original documents or certified true copies of each of your official transcripts and degree certificates, in the original sealed envelope, must be sent directly from the issuing university.

Current and previous University of Calgary students are not required to order official University of Calgary transcripts.

Original documents that are not in English
Original documents or certified true copies of each of your official transcripts and degree certificates in the original language, in the original sealed envelope, must be sent directly from the issuing University along with an English translation from the issuing University or a notarized word-for-word English translation of a duplicate copy of the original.

Mailing Address
Official transcripts must be submitted to the following address:

Graduate Programs in Education
Werklund School of Education
Education Tower 114
2500 University Dr NW
Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 1N4


References
Required for Graduate Certificate (Step 1) applicants.

Two (2) references are required for students applying to the Graduate Certificate (Step 1). 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.

Please ensure that your references are aware of the March 1 supporting document submission deadline.  Reference forms must be submitted on or before this deadline. Applications without completed reference forms will be considered incomplete after the March 16 deadline has passed.

Graduate Diploma (Step 2) applicants are not required to submit references.

Master of Education - Educational Research Topic (Step 3) applicants are not required to submit references.

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.

Admitted students will receive registration information from their Graduate Program Advisor after they have received their offer of admission.

Fees are outlined in the University of Calgary calendar.

Program Checklist

At the beginning of program:

• Register for an eID to access myUCalgary. Keep your eID and password confidential.
• 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.