General Information
The Department of Educational Policy Studies offers master’s and doctoral programs in the following specialized areas of study: Adult, Community and Higher Education; Educational Administration and Leadership; Indigenous Peoples Education; and Theoretical, Cultural, and International Studies in Education as well as a post-baccalaureate certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.
The Department of Educational Policy Studies strives to develop critical and creative scholars who have a substantive understanding of the important systemic and contextual factors that bear upon Canadian and international education.
The Adult, Community and Higher Education specialization provides advanced study for individuals who work with adults in the capacity of teaching, administration, or community leadership within a variety of institutional, community, and workplace settings throughout the world.
The Educational Administration and Leadership specialization prepares Canadian and international candidates for a broad range of administrative, supervisory, and leadership positions in schools, school systems, postsecondary institutions, departments of education, other government agencies, professional associations, and similar organizations.
The Indigenous Peoples Education specialization combines the conventional parameters and standards of university education with the collective efforts of Indigenous students, scholars, and elders to develop scholars who will preserve and respect the values, integrity, and knowledge of indigenous peoples worldwide.
The Theoretical, Cultural, and International Studies in Education specialization involves the study of cultural, economic, historical, philosophical, political, and social influences on education in local, national, and global contexts, and prepares students for various types of academic and professional work.
Graduate study in the above specializations is supported by a diverse group of full-time faculty, whose active research and publications (listed on the website at www.education.ualberta.ca) are in the following general areas: aboriginal and indigenous perspectives in education; administration, leadership, and governance; careers and work; cultural, sociological, philosophical, historical, and political analysis of education; educational discourses and systems of thought; educational policy; educational reform; equity, diversity, and inclusivity in education; adult teaching and learning, professional development, and program evaluation; international and global education; and postsecondary education.
Entrance Requirements
Applicants for admission to the MEd program will normally be required to present evidence of a four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent with a grade point average of 3.0 obtained during the last ★60 at the University of Alberta, or an equivalent standing from another recognized institution.
The minimum admission requirements for the EdD and PhD are a master’s degree with a grade point average of 3.5 obtained during the last ★60 at the University of Alberta, or an equivalent standing from another recognized institution. In special circumstances a student with a GPA between 3.0 and 3.5 may be considered for admission.
In the case of both master’s and doctoral programs, international applicants from non-English speaking institutions must have a minimum TOEFL score of 580 (paper-based) or 93 (Internet-based) with a minimum of 24 on the speaking and writing bands of the test. (FGSR’s minimum for the reading and listening bands of the TOEFL test is 20.) Other acceptable examinations include a minimum score of 70 on the CAEL exam, a minimum score of 88 on the MELAB, a minimum of 6.5 on each band on the IELTS with an overall minimum score of 6.5, and a minimum score of 63 on the Pearson Test of English (PTE).
Financial Assistance
The Department offers graduate teaching assistantships and research assistantships to some students based upon application and academic merit.
The University also offers support in the form of scholarships and awards to some students based upon application and/or nomination.