Teacher Education

ufv.ca/teacher-education

Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Mentorship degree

The Teacher Education department offers a Master of Education (MEd) in Educational and Leadership Mentorship degree for students who have met all of the criteria for teacher certification in the province of British Columbia. This includes an undergraduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution and professional certification from a recognized teacher certification program.

UFV's MEd follows a cohort model that is designed for certified educators employed in K-12 classrooms, schools, and district-level positions. This program enables students to develop the skills, knowledge, and dispositions necessary to engage in innovative and sustainable leadership and mentorship within their schools and districts.

The MEd consists of six courses for a total of 30 credits. Courses are designed for working professionals and are scheduled over a two-year period. Beginning in the summer semester, courses are offered on a part-time basis (evenings, weekends, and through two summer institutes) at the Abbotsford campus. Cohort intake is every two years. In the final semester, students complete a capstone project in which they integrate the knowledge and skills they have gained in course and field work.

This program is intended to assist certified teachers in attaining a category upgrade with the Teacher Qualification Service (TQS) of British Columbia. Upon successful completion, students will receive a Master of Education from UFV.

Entrance requirements

1. Undergraduate degree (BSc, BA, BEd, BGS or equivalent).
2. Successful completion of a teacher certification program recognized by the British Columbia Ministry of Education.
3. Current teaching certificate issued by the British Columbia Teacher Regulation Branch (TRB).
4. Minimum of two years’ experience in the K-12 education system.

When to apply

The Master of Education is offered every two years. To be considered for entrance, completed applications must be received by January 31 of the year in which the program begins. Applications received after January 31 will be considered as space permits.

Note: The next expected intake is July 2019.

How to apply

Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/apply.

Additional documents required for a complete application:

• Official transcripts (or interim transcripts) from all post-secondary institutions attended showing grade/course achievement as per entrance requirements. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to UFV from the originating institution; see Official Transcript Guidelines for details.

• Résumé outlining education and professional experience (teaching and leadership experience including supervision of student teachers and mentoring of new career colleagues).

• Statement of Intent (description of how this program will help obtain career and academic goals).

• Three letters of reference from the referees. (These letters should describe professional strengths and leadership potential. Ideally, one letter should be from an administrator who has supervised the applicant's work.)

• Evidence of BC Teacher Certification (scanned copy of TRB certificate).

Applicants will be advised of an admission decision and, if accepted, will be provided with registration information. A deposit is required prior to registration (see the Fees and Other Costs section) and will be applied toward tuition fees.

Basis for admission decision

Applicants will be ranked by academic performance and suitability (as identified through their statement of interest, résumé and reference letters). 10% of the seats in the MEd are held for Indigenous applicants who meet the program's admission requirements.

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section. There will be additional costs for textbooks.

Program duration and total number of credits

The Master of Education degree is a seven semester, 30 credit, part-time cohort program.

Location

The program is located at the Abbotsford campus.

Program outline

Course	Title	Credits
EDUC 700 (Late Summer)	Leadership Theory and Practice	5
EDUC 701 (Fall)	Focus on Mentoring	5
EDUC 702 (Winter)	Leading and Mentoring in Professional Learning Communities	5
EDUC 703 (Late Summer)	Policy, Identity, and Context	5
EDUC 704 (Fall and Winter)	Research Methods and Fieldwork	7
EDUC 705 (Early Summer)	Capstone Project	3

Program regulations

Continuance

To maintain status as a MEd student and to continue in the program, students must maintain an overall minimum program grade point average (PGPA) of 3.00. Students will be reviewed at the end of each semester, and those below a PGPA of 3.00 will be withdrawn from the program.

Credit towards the degree will not be available for any course where the final grade is less than a B minus (B-).

Course repetition

There is no opportunity to repeat courses within the expected two year completion. However, students have a maximum of five years to complete all degree requirements.

Readmission

Readmission into the program is not permitted, except for extenuating personal circumstances to be approved by the Teacher Education Department Head.

Residency

It is generally expected that students in the UFV MEd, as members of a cohort, will complete all 30 credits at UFV. However, as UFV is part of the Western Deans Agreement, applicants may apply to the MEd Chair for transfer credits. If transfer credits are assessed as applicable, a recommendation will be made to the Dean/AVP in order to grant transfer credit of up to 25% for courses taken elsewhere. This credit agreement is based on the General Regulations of Graduate Studies, which requires that 75% of a graduate-level program be taken at UFV.

Graduation requirements

To graduate from the program, students must receive a B- or better in each of the six courses.

Maximum length of time to complete program

Students must complete the program in seven consecutive semesters, except for extenuating personal circumstances to be approved by the Teacher Education Department Head.

Note: Students should also be familiar with the General Regulations for Graduate Studies.

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