Master’s (MEd, MA)

Master of Education (MEd), Master of Arts in Education (MA)

Participate in an intellectual community designed to promote critical and creative thinking about contemporary educational issues.

Faculty/School

Okanagan School of Education

Program	Components	Length
Master of Education (MEd)	Capstone Project	24 to 36 months
Master of Education (MEd)	Coursework only	24 to 36 months
Master of Arts in Education (MA)	Thesis	24 to 36 months

Why study Master’s (MEd, MA) at UBC Okanagan?

Our master’s degrees are designed for working professionals seeking to deepen their expertise and advance their careers — with flexible course schedules, including online, weekend, weeknight, and summer classes.

We provide a rich learning environment that integrates educational theories, research methodologies, and knowledge frameworks, with a strong emphasis on practical application within students’ professional contexts. Both degrees are ideal for educators, administrators, and professionals looking to develop their leadership capacities and take on advanced roles in educational settings.

Students engage in a collaborative learning community of scholar-practitioners, gaining valuable insights and networking opportunities. By combining theoretical knowledge with practical application, our master’s degrees prepare graduates to make a lasting impact in their educational environments, expand their professional skills, and further their commitment to lifelong learning.

Master of Education (MEd) (Capstone Project)

Students enrolled in the MEd degree with capstone project will develop valuable skills and gain the experience necessary to work in a professional field in an education environment. Capstone projects provide an opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of an area of interest.

This pathway culminates in a capstone project under the mentorship of a faculty supervisor. Students will take research-relevant courses that will assist in the development of their capstone project.

The MEd degree with capstone project requires completion of:

9 credits of core courses: Curriculum Issues and Theories (CUST 562), Research Methodology in Education (EDUC 500), and Readings and Discourse in Education (EDUC 521);
18 credits from the Okanagan School of Education’s course offerings; and
3- credit capstone project (EDUC 598)

MEd students are required to complete the degree within four years. Students in this pathway may be interested in completing a Doctor of Education (EdD) in the future.

Visit the Academic Calendar for detailed MEd Program Requirements.

Master of Education (MEd) (Coursework only)

Our MEd degree with coursework only offers rich opportunities for professional development through 30 credits of coursework. Students will plan their courses, with guidance from their assigned supervisor, to build a program that provides broad knowledge at an advanced level to inform their professional practice.

The MEd degree with coursework only requires completion of:

Effective starting September 2024

3 credits of EDUC 502: Teacher as Researcher
27 credits from the Okanagan School of Education’s course offerings

Prior to September 2024

6 credits of core courses: Curriculum Issues and Theories (CUST 562) and Readings and Discourse in Education (EDUC 521);
24 credits from the Okanagan School of Education’s course offerings

Visit the Academic Calendar for detailed MEd Program Requirements.

Students in this pathway may be interested in completing a Doctor of Education (EdD) in the future.

Master of Arts in Education (MA) (Thesis)

The MA degree is primarily for individuals who wish to develop their expertise as educational researchers in addition to their interest in a thematic area of study.

The degree is designed specifically as a research degree, with students required to carry out and complete an independent research project (master’s thesis).

Students must complete:

9 credits of core courses: Curriculum Issues and Theories (CUST 562), Research Methodology in Education (EDUC 500), and Readings and Discourse in Education (EDUC 521);
15 credits from the Okanagan School of Education’s course offerings; and
6-credit thesis (EDUC 599)

Visit the Academic Calendar for detailed MA in Education Program Requirements.

This degree lays the foundation for the pursuit of a PhD and may appeal to students seeking academic positions and careers.

Research and Supervisors

Supervisors

See all Graduate student supervisors

Prospective Master of Arts in Education students need to reach out to a potential faculty supervisor before beginning the application process. We invite you to discuss your research interests and career goals with us, and we are happy to share our excitement about what we study and teach.

MEd applicants may indicate a preference for a supervisor on their application, but it is not a guarantee.

If you have general questions about our graduate program, please contact Lindsay Cox at lindsay.cox@ubc.ca

Graduate student supervisor

Research Interests: Teaching and Learning in Higher Education; Metacognition; Growth Mindset and Academic Success; Curriculum & Program Development; Instructional Design; Enhancing Learning with Technology; Ethical use of Artificial Intelligence as a Tool for Teaching, Learning and Research.

Graduate student supervisor

Research Interests: Physical Education; Health Education; Early Learning; Children's Physical Activity; Action Research.

Graduate student supervisor

Research Interests: Conceptualizations of kindness in children and adolescents; Measuring kindness in schools; Social and Emotional Learning; Canine-assisted interventions; Assessment of therapy dogs; University student well-being

Graduate student supervisor

Research Interests: Leadership in Higher Education, Critical Policy Studies, Change Management, Emotional Labour and School Choice

Graduate student supervisor

Research Interests: Citizenship; Social Studies Methods; History Education; History of Education and Curriculum; Culture and Education; Alternative and Holistic Educational Practices from an Ecological Perspective.

Graduate student supervisor

Research Interests: Educational Technology; Instructional Design; Curriculum Development; Technology Innovation; Integration.

Jessica Chan | Assistant Professor | Education | jessica.chan@ubc.ca

Graduate student supervisor

Research Interests: Language and Literacy Development; Literacy and Numeracy; Language-based Disorders; Community-based initiatives; Family Literacy

Graduate student supervisor

Research Interests: Leadership, professional learning and development, educator well-being; learning communities and school organizing; reflective practice.

Bill Cohen | Assistant Professor | Education | billy.cohen@ubc.ca

Graduate student supervisor

Research Interests: My research interests are extended family pedagogies informed by traditional Indigenous knowledge: particularly a Syilx children-centred model informed by capti̓kʷɬ stories to transform schools to be more appreciative and sustaining of place-based relationships and cultural and ecological diversity.

Graduate student supervisor. Focus: EAL Teaching and Learning in Adult and Post-Secondary Contexts.

Research Interests: English as an Additional Language (EAL) Teaching and Learning in Adult and Post-Secondary Contexts; Teaching English as an Additional Language (TEAL); Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL); Applied Linguistics; English Language Teaching (ELT); Curriculum and Materials Design; English for Academic Purposes (EAP); English Language Learning (ELL); EAL Short-Term Study Abroad

Graduate student supervisor

Research Interests: Fostering Pedagogical Relationships, Seeing and Acting on Innovation’s Renewing Potential—The Fecundity of Genuine Learning Contexts, Curriculum as Lived in Classrooms, Teacher Education and Professional Development Reform Efforts.

Graduate student supervisor

Research Interests: Philosophy of education; educational ethics; the aims of higher education; education for democracy

Sumer Seiki, PhD | Associate Professor | Education | sumer.seiki@ubc.ca | EME 3161

Graduate student supervisor

Research Interests: Science education; narrative inquiry; social justice

Facilities and Labs

English as an additional language (EAL) Learning Lab is a hub for research into EAL teaching and learning for faculty and graduate students.
UBC Okanagan’s popular canine therapy program, BARK, explores how therapy dogs reduce stress and increase well-being.

Research explores executive functioning in first-year students

Addie Mercuri, MA ’24, explored first-year university students’ self-reported executive functioning skills

Research explores executive functioning in first-year students

Addie Mercuri, MA ’24, explored first-year university students’ self-reported executive functioning skills

Careers and Outcomes

Build a broad foundation and great career potential with a UBCO master’s degree. Graduates can consider pursuing a career in a variety of fields like,

Child Life Specialist
College instructor
Corporate Trainer or Developer
Curriculum Developer/Instruction Specialist
Early Childhood Education Program Leadership
Educational Consultant
Education Management
Educational Materials Writing
Education Therapist
Learning consultancy
Educational Coordinator/Director at Museum, Art Gallery, etc.
School Administration (e.g., vice-principal, principal positions)
Superintendent

Supporting Mental Resilience for Wildfire Personnel

Dan Clouston, MEd ‘24, explored how mindfulness-based practices can support those working in high-stress environments.

Supporting Mental Resilience for Wildfire Personnel

Dan Clouston, MEd ‘24, explored how mindfulness-based practices can support those working in high-stress environments.

Tuition and Funding

Tuition

Tuition amounts presented here are estimates only and all fees are subject to change. For official tuition and fee information, visit the UBC Okanagan Academic Calendar, a comprehensive guide to all programs, courses, services and academic policies at the University of British Columbia.

Domestic

Program	Schedule	Domestic (per instalment*)	Completion time**	Estimated Total Domestic
MA	Full-time	2,576.99	24 months	15,461.94
MA	Part-time	1,549.15	36 months	13,942.35
MEd	Full-time	2,576.99	24 months	15,461.94
MEd	Part-time	1,549.15	36 months	13,942.35

International

Program	Schedule	International (per instalment*)	Completion time**	Estimated Total International
MA	Full-time	3,523.17	24 months	21,139.02
MA	Part-time	1,986.09	36 months	17,874.81
MEd	Full-time	5,150.23	24 months	30,901.38
MEd	Part-time	1,986.09	36 months	17,874.81

*Tuition is paid three times a year (three instalments); on the first day of each term: Winter Term 1 (September), Winter Term 2 (January), and Summer Term (May).

**When degree completion is not attained within the expected completion time, students are assessed for a “Continuing Fee” (i.e., after 24 months for full-time and 36 for part-time). The minimum number of instalments for full-time is three and for part-time is nine. Please see the academic calendar for details

In case of a discrepancy between this webpage and the UBC Calendar, the UBC Calendar entry will be held to be correct.

Expense Calculator

The College of Graduate Studies has created an expense calculator for students to estimate their costs while attending UBC Okanagan.

Funding

Note: Limited funding is available on a highly competitive basis for full-time MA students only.

Graduate students are supported financially through a combination of internal and external funding sources, which might include: Scholarship and Fellowship Awards and Research Assistantships (RA).

It is best to speak with your potential supervisor about funding opportunities that are generally available to education graduate students.

Admission and Applying

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

bachelor’s degree in Education or related field, with a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76-79%) in third- and fourth-year courses, academic standing with at least 12 credits of third-or fourth-year courses in the A- grade range (80% or higher at UBC) in a four-year baccalaureate degree or its academic equivalent.
- Specific minimum admission requirements for graduates of different countries may be found in the International Student Evaluation Manual
applicants are generally required to have at least two years of teaching experience.

In exceptional cases, applicants who do not meet the requirements stated above, but who have had significant formal training and relevant professional experience, may be granted admission on the recommendation of the Education Graduate Program Committee.

Students that are interested in taking an Education course without pursuing a graduate degree, may apply as a Unclassified Studies Student.

MORE INFORMATION

Visit the UBC Okanagan Academic Calendar* for full admission and program requirements; the calendar is a comprehensive guide to all programs, courses, services and academic policies at the University of British Columbia.

* In case of a discrepancy between this webpage and the UBC Calendar, the UBC Calendar entry will be held to be correct.

How to Apply

MA Students: Find a Supervisor

Prospective MA students are required to find a supervisor before starting their application. Admission to the program requires the support of a faculty supervisor as well as satisfying program-specific criteria.

MEd applicants can indicate on their application a preference for a supervisor (optional). The review committee will take this under advisement, but it is not a guarantee.

Required Documents

A complete application package will contain:

Online application and application fee
Official transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended (see the transcripts section on the College of Graduate Studies website)
English Language Proficiency test (if required)
Statement of Intent (see guidelines and requirements)
Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resumé (see Career Resource support on writing CVs)
Two reference letters (see references section on the College of Graduate Studies website)

Review the College of Graduate Studies “Prepare Your Application” page for further details.

Deadlines

Applying takes time. We recommend you start your application at least two months in advance of published deadlines. For full consideration, students must apply by the following dates:

Intake	Apply Before
September	January 31
January	June 1
May	October 15

Applying to Graduate School Webinar

The College of Graduate Studies recently released a webinar on the application process; including information on references, CV/resume, choosing a supervisor and English Language Proficiency Test Scores.

Help with Applying & Application Status

If you have questions about the admissions process or the status of your application, please contact the College of Graduate Studies at gradask.ok@ubc.ca or visit their Contact page for more ways to connect.

International Students and advising

An international student advisor can answer questions about immigration, medical insurance and the transition to UBC’s Okanagan campus in Kelowna, BC. Visit the International Programs and Services website to meet the team. Grades and degree credentials required by UBC vary by country. Search the Required Grades and Credential Guide—a guide to assist international students in estimating their eligibility.

Start your application

Global and Close-Knit

At UBC Okanagan, you gain all the benefits of attending a globally ranked, top 5% university while studying in a close-knit learning community. 50% of graduates, from all across the globe, choose to stay in the region.

International Prospective Students Student Life at UBCO

Discover the Okanagan

A diverse natural region with sandy beaches, beautiful farms, vineyards, orchards and snow-capped mountains, the Okanagan is an inspirational landscape perfect for those seeking leisure or outdoor adventure.

UBC's Okanagan campus borders the dynamic city of Kelowna, a hub of economic development with a population of more than 150,000 people— the fourth fastest-growing population in Canada.

Living in residence Living off campus

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