Introduction

The Faculty is directed by a council responsible to the Senate of the University. The Council is composed of the dean, the two vice-deans, the secretary of the Faculty, the four program directors, one full-time student per program and six professors.

The executive committee of the Faculty is composed of the dean, the two vice-deans, the secretary of the Faculty and three professors.

The various programs offered by the Faculty are governed by the program council composed of the program director and professors.

Other regular committees of the Faculty are the research and staff development committee, the educational policy committee, the educational equity committee, the graduate studies programs council and the executive committee of graduate studies programs.

General Information

In addition to consulting the information given below, students registered for a graduate degree in education should refer to the general regulations published by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (FGPS) for the current year. These regulations apply to all master's and doctoral students at the University of Ottawa and contain additional information on program requirements, registration, supervision of students, examinations and grading, time limits, thesis regulations, fees.

Master in Education (MEd)

General Information

The master in education program includes a minimum of ten courses (30 credits) except in educational counselling, which requires a minimum of twelve courses (36 credits); normally a minimum of eight courses must be taken at the Faculty of Education (ten in the case of educational counselling). Courses taken in other faculties/universities must be related to the field of studies, and must have prior approval from the program director.

Master of Arts in Education [MA(Ed)]

General Information

The master of arts in education program is intended for candidates who wish to undertake research in a specific domain of educational study. It is offered in the following four concentrations:

a) Organizational Studies in Eduation;
b) Teaching, Learning and Evaluation;
c) Second Language Education;
d) Society, Culture and Literacies.

Admission Procedure

1. Application Procedure

All completed files for admission to graduate studies will be examined by the admissions committee concerned.

To find the application deadline, please check the "program-specific requirements" under Application Procedures and Information at the following address: www.grad.uOttawa.ca/apply.

The Faculty of Education as well as the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies cannot give assurance that a candidate whose application and supporting documents are received after the closing dates will be able to register for the session requested.

Candidates who wish to be admitted to a graduate program in Education must complete the application on-line, print and send a copy to the academic secretariat of the Faculty of Education. Supporting documents not attached to the application form must be sent to the same office.

2. Documents Required for Admission

a) The on-line application for admission;

b) A cheque or money order for the MA(Ed), the PhD and the MEd, representing the application fee;

c) Official transcripts of the applicant's academic record covering all previous university studies;

d) A teaching certificate if the candidate does not hold a baccalaureate degree with honours in education;

e) MEd: a short narrative statement (no more than 150 words or half a page) that explains how the program can assist the candidate in reaching his or her career goals;

MEd in Educational Counselling: a written statement (about 2 pages in length) that explains (a) how previous academic and work experiences (whether paid or volunteer) prepare them for the MEd program in Educational Counselling and (b) how the program will help them realize their career goals;

MA(Ed), PhD: a narrative statement (three to four pages) stating the candidate's interest in the Faculty's program of study, research interests, professional goals and expectations, and a summary of the MA(Ed) thesis (PhD applicants);

MEd in Educational Counselling: these letters should discuss the applicant's suitability for a professional career in counselling;

PhD: these letters should discuss the applicant's ability to carry out research;

3. Evaluation of Applications

When an admission dossier is completed, it will be evaluated by the admissions committee. All candidates will be informed of their status in writing.

Candidates for the MEd in Educational Counselling are selected according to the criteria listed below based on all the relevant information in the admission file. These criteria are ranked in order of the weight they are given in selection decisions:

1. academic achievement
2. prepraration for the MEd program in Educational Counselling
3. personal suitability for a career in counselling

In exceptional cases, an applicant may be asked to attend a selection interview at the Faculty.

Registration Requirements

For further information, please consult the general regulations of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (see section C Registration).

1. Time limits

a) A candidate admitted part-time to the master's in education program (MEd) and who has maintained part-time status from the date of initial registration must complete all degree requirements within five years.
b) All other master's candidates MEd (full-time) and MA(Ed) must complete all degree requirements within four years from the date of initial registration in the program.
c) A candidate for the doctoral degree must complete all degree requirements within six years from the date of initial registration in the program.

2. Change of Program

Students may enrol only in the program for which they have been formally accepted.

A student who wishes to progress from one level of studies to a higher level (master's to doctoral) must make a new application to the faculty and may enroll in the new program only upon receipt of a new offer or admission.

3. Language of instruction

Candidates must provide evidence of proficiency in one or the other language of instruction, English or French.

Assistanships

Each year, the Faculty allocates assistanships (research and teaching) to a number of students.

Scholarships

Information on scholarships other than those mentioned below can be obtained by consulting the brochure "Scholarships and Financial Assistance for Students Registered in Full-Time Graduate Studies" or reference books available at the FGPS Awards Office. Information is also available on the Internet at www.grad.uOttawa.ca/awards/index.html

PDK Educational Research Scholarship

A $500 scholarship awarded annually in the fall by the University of Ottawa Chapter (PDK) "based for the most part on a written description prepared by each applicant showing: (1) how the research project will help fill a pressing, current and practical educational need; and (2) how the award will enrich the quality of the research to be undertaken". Applications are available from the academic secretariat of the Faculty of Education.

Fonds commémoratif Marie-Jeanne Rossier (née Roulet)

This fund serves as a scholarship of $1000 awarded to a francophone who wishes to study or specialize in the field of learning disabilities. Applications are available from the academic secretariat of the Faculty of Education. Requests should be returned by December 1 to the secretariat.

Master in Education (MEd)

Residency

Students admitted full-time must fulfill a two-session residence requirement. They should expect to have to take a certain number of evening courses.

Language of instruction

The Faculty offers courses in English, French and in both languages.

Equivalence and Advanced Standing

1. Upon presentation of an official transcript and the course description, the program director may grant equivalence for graduate work done in another recognized university or as a special student in the Faculty of Education. A maximum of two courses (six credits) may be granted.
2. To take into account differences in university courses, candidates may be asked to write an examination demonstrating competence in their area of study.
3. Three additional credits may be recognized for a candidate who has successfully completed part III of a program of additional qualifications identified by the admissions committee as directly related to the concentration in the MEd in which the student is admitted. Candidates must request in writing an evaluation of additional qualifications for credit at the time of their application for admission.
4. No credits will be given for the following:
   a) courses or work completed six years or more before the date of the request for admission;
   b) course work with a final grade lower than "B";
   c) courses that have already been credited towards another degree except for University of Ottawa graduate certificate courses in education, when applicable.

MEd Admission Requirements

It should be emphasized that the requirements for admission listed below are minimum requirements and do not guarantee admission to the program.

1. Candidates holding a baccalaureate with honours in education or equivalent (a general baccalaureate and a teaching certificate obtained after at least one year of teacher education), with a minimum overall undergraduate average of 70 per cent (B), may be admitted directly to the master's program.
2. Candidates who hold an honours baccalaureate with at least 70 per cent (B) average but who do not hold an honours baccalaureate degree in education are required to take an Extended Program comprised of three additional courses. These courses are intended to expose candidates to foundational concepts, theories, and research in education.

Candidates can request a reduction in the number of required Extended Program courses on the basis of previous university course work and/or professional experience that is directly related to education. Requests must be made in writing to the Admission Committee at the time of application to the M.Ed. Program and must include all relevant information and documents relating to the courses and/or work experience for which credit is sought.

The Admissions Committee will identify the courses that can be taken as part of an Extended Program.

Satisfactory performance ("C+" standing) in each required extended program course is necessary to continue in the master's program.

Educational counselling candidates must have a minimum of 5 university courses (15 credits) in the Social Sciences. A minimum of 3 out of these 5 courses (9 credits) must be advanced courses (i.e. 2nd year or higher) in psychology, One of the psychology courses must be a course in personality theories.

3. Applications for admission will not be considered until all supporting documents have been received. Correspondence should be directed to the academic secretariat of the Faculty of Education.
4. Students and the faculty are bound by conditions which exist at the time of admission and initial registration.
5. All candidates must understand and speak fluently the language of instruction, either French or English.

Course Sequence

EDU 5190 Introduction to Research in Education: This course must be completed in the first session that it is available to students.

EDU 5199 Synthesis Seminar: This course must be completed in the last session in which the student is registered in the program.

Extended Program courses can be taken concurrently with regular MEd courses. However, all Extended Program requirements must be completed before students are permitted to register in their seventh regular MEd course.

MEd students may include one or more or the complulsory MA courses among their optional courses.

Master of arts in Education [MA(Ed)]

Residency

Students admitted full-time must fulfill a three-session residence requirements. They should expect to have to take a certain number of evening courses.

Language of Instruction

The Faculty offers courses in English, French and in both languages. Attention is given to offering a balanced selection of courses each year.

Equivalence and Advanced Standing

1. Upon presentation of an official transcript of a recognized university and the course description, the program director may grant equivalence for graduate work done in another university or as a special student in the Faculty of Education. A maximum of two courses (six credits) may be granted.
2. Since course content and course level vary from one institution to another, the program director may require the candidate to take a qualifying examination.
3. No credit will be granted for the following:

   a) courses or work completed six years or more before the candidate's admission to the faculty;
   b) work with a final grade is less than "B";
   c) certificates issued by a provincial ministry of education;
   d) courses that have already been credited towards anotehr degree except for University of Ottawa graduate certificate courses in education, where applicable.

MA Admission Requirements

It should be emphasized that the requirements for admission listed below are minimum requirements and do not guarantee admission to the program.

In addition to the MEd requirements, candidates must present a written outline of their research interests.

Admission will be dependent on the availability of a thesis supervisor whose research interests are compatible with the student's area of interest.

Requests for admission are examined by an admissions committee. To find the application deadline, please check the "program-specific requirements" under Application Procedures and Information at the following address: www.grad.uOttawa.ca/apply. Application kits are available on the Faculty of Education Web site at: www.education.uOttawa.ca

Registration of Thesis Topic

Master's students must register their thesis topic by the end of the second session of studies.

Thesis Supervision and Thesis Submission

The program director ensures that all procedures for thesis supervision and thesis submission specified by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and the program council of the Faculty of Education are followed.

At the time of admission, the Faculty of Education designates a thesis adviser in consultation with the professor concerned.

Collaborative Program in Women's Studies at the Master's Level

The MA Program in education participates in the collaborative program in women's studies at the master's level. This program has been established for students wishing to enrich their graduate education by including an interdisciplinary component in women's studies. The specific requirements of collaborative program include two core courses in women's studies, four courses in education, one of which is compulsory (EDU 6290), and a thesis on a topic related to women's studies.

Students should normally apply for acceptance in women's studies collaborative program at the same time as they apply for admission to the MA program in education. For further details, please consult the women's studies brochure of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Transfer from MA to PhD

Exceptional students registered in the MA program may be permitted to transfer to the PhD program without completing an MA thesis, provided they meet the following criterias:

1. their academic performance must be exceptional: they must have successfully completed five MA courses, including EDU 6290, with an average of 85 per cent (A) or 90 per cent (A+);
2. must demonstrate an aptitude for high quality research;
3. they must be recommended by the thesis director, two professors who are members of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and the professor responsible for the course EDU 6290. In the event that the thesis director is the professor in charge of EDU 6290, a recommendation from a third professor and member of the FGPS will be required;
4. the transfer has been approuved by the MA and PhD admissions committee and by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Students who have spent more than six sessions in the MA program will not be allowed to transfer. Transfers normally occur after the third session, but could occur as early as the second session.

Transfer students must take all the courses at the doctoral lelel in addition to the five taken at the MA level. Thus, the total number of courses required is eleven.

The PhD comprehensive examination must be completed within four sessions of the transfer and no later than within seven sessions following inital enrolment in the master's program. Failure to meet this deadline will lead to a return to the master's level.

Interim Report

Research requirements for admission to the doctoral program

Candidates who have a Master in Education without thesis (MEd), and wish to pursue a PhD, must complete an interim report before requesting admission to the PhD. Candidates should meet initially with the program director. The requirements of the Interim Report are determined by the Faculty of Education.

To be granted permission by the Director of Graduate Studies to enrol in EDU 8999 (Interim Report - 6 credits per session), candidates must:

- have a master's degree;

- have basic credits in education;

- have research methodology credits related to their chosen research area;

- have a strong academic record, with at least a B+ average;

- submit a three or four page summary of their research interests;

- submit the name of a professor interested in supervising the work.

Master's Degree Requirements

Master in Education (MEd)

1. All candidates for the Master's degree in education (MEd) must select one of the following concentrations as a focus of their studies:
1. Organizational Studies in Education;
2. Teaching, Learning and Evaluation;
3. Second Language Education;
4. Society, Culture and Literacies;
5. Educational Counselling.
2. Candidates in Organizational Studies in Education, Teaching, Learning and Evaluation and Second Language Teaching Education are required to take a total of ten courses (30 credits), and a minimum of five of these courses must be within their concentrations.
3. Candidates in Educational Counselling are required to take a total of twelve courses (36 credits), and a minimum of seven of these courses must be within their concentration.
4. All candidates are required to take the following two courses as part of their MEd program:
EDU5190 INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH IN EDUCATION (3cr.)
EDU5199 SYNTHESIS SEMINAR (3cr.)

5. Candidates in all concentrations are permitted to choose three optional courses according to their professional interests.
6. Students taking courses at universities which have an agreement with the Faculty of Education may take up to three courses outside the faculty. For other students, the maximum number permitted is two.

Course Sequence:

Concentrations

MA Program Requirements

1. The master of arts in education program includes a minimum of six courses (18 credits):
a) Two compulsory courses:
EDU6290 RESEARCH IN EDUCATION (3cr.)

and one of the following:
EDU6191 QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH (3cr.)
EDU7190 QUALITATIVE RESEARCH I (3cr.)
EDU7396 TECHNIQUES OF DOCUMENT ANALYSIS IN EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH (3cr.)
EDU7397 DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENTS (3cr.)

b) Four courses in the concentrations.

2. The research and thesis requirement includes:
a) submission of a written research proposal that meets with the approval of a thesis committee
b) presentation of a seminar following approval of the research proposal;
c) presentation and defence of a thesis (EDU 7999).

Concentrations