Education Programs
Master of Education in Educational Leadership and
Master of Education in Educational Leadership (International Student Option)
Two–Year Masters Program; 40 credits
International Option: Three–Semester Masters Program; 40 credits
Program Fees
Apply for Admission
The Program
The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership provides a program of professional preparation for aspiring and practicing school leaders. Grounded in the rich educational leadership literature supplemented by extensive faculty expertise and experience, the program provides a balance of research, policy and practice. Graduates of our program will have demonstrated the knowledge, skills and attitudes of successful leaders as outlined in the Leadership Standards for BC Principals and Vice-Principals. These competencies are central to formal and informal leadership in schools.
The M.Ed. program will develop leaders who can:
- Guide the development and implementation of shared values, vision, mission and goals to support learning for all students;
- Foster quality learning opportunities to support student learning;
- Lead teams in becoming assessment literate;
- Create systems and structures for the effective supervision of learning;
- Provide strong leadership in the area of Aboriginal Education;
- Provide knowledgeable guidance regarding current curricula, instructional and assessment practices and their impact on student learning;
- Sustain a collaborative learning culture and climate linked to student learning and based on distributed leadership;
- Build positive and effective interdependencies amongst partner groups;
- Incorporate systemic thinking and strategic planning for school improvement;
- Demonstrate self-knowledge and the personal qualities that support positive relationships and build cultures of integrity;
- Build and support relational trust within the school and community;
- Address issues of diversity and social justice;
- Lead teams in reflective inquiry and action research.
Note: The M.Ed program is offered as a cohort based model for practicing teachers. Classes meet Friday night and Saturday up to eight times during the fall and spring semesters and the month of July for the summer session.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the M.Ed. program will be well-poised to assume leadership positions in the education sector, including that of Principal and Vice-Principal. Based on survey data from the BC Principals and Vice-Principals Association and the age demographic of BC educators, the Ministry of Education predicts over 1000 administrative vacancies over the next five years. Employers require a Master's Degree for administrative positions. Recently, some school districts have made public their preference for a graduate degree from a BC post-secondary institution.
Admission Requirements
- A resume outlining teaching experience (minimum two years required).
- A letter of intent explaining why the applicant wishes to pursue graduate work in this area.
- Official transcripts indicating completion of a Bachelor of Education degree with a cumulative grade point average of "B" in the final two years.
- Two current, confidential assessment reports.
Notes on Admission
- Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.
Transfer from other Institutions
Applicants may apply to the Dean for possible transfer credits from other accredited Master's programs.
Start Date and Application Deadline
The program starts in September and applications are accepted between November 15 and March 31. For further information regarding late applications and program contacts check the Program Availability List.
Program Outline
Year 1 * |
Credits |
|---|---|
Fall Semester |
|
MEDL 500 - (Foundations of Educational Leadership) |
5 |
Spring Semester |
|
MEDL 550 - (Research in Education) |
5 |
Summer Session |
|
MEDL 580 - (Leadership in the BC Context) |
5 |
MEDL 590 - (Leadership Values and Ethical Decision-Making) |
5 |
Total Credits |
20 |
Year 2 * |
Credits |
|---|---|
Fall Semester |
|
MEDL 600 - (Educational Change) |
5 |
Spring Semester |
|
MEDL 650 - (Leading Learning) |
5 |
Intersession |
|
MEDL 680 - (Field Inquiry) |
5 |
Summer Session |
|
MEDL 690 - (Major Project) |
5 |
Total Credits |
20 |
Total Program Credits |
40 |
*Note: The M.Ed program is offered as a part–time, cohort based model for practicing teachers. Classes meet Friday night and Saturday up to eight times during the fall and spring semesters and full-time in the month of July for the summer session.
Master of Education in Educational Leadership
(International Student Option)
The Program
The Master of Educational Leadership: International Student Option provides a program of professional preparation for aspiring and practicing school leaders. Grounded in the rich educational leadership literature supplemented by extensive faculty expertise and experience, the program provides a balance of research, policy and practice. During the 3-semester program you will develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes of successful leadership and demonstrate this through the completion of a major project in educational leadership.
The Master of Educational Leadership (International Student Option) program will develop leaders who can:
- Guide the development and implementation of shared values, vision, mission and goals to support learning for all students;
- Foster quality learning opportunities to support student learning;
- Lead teams in becoming assessment literate;
- Create systems and structures for the effective supervision of learning;
- Provide strong leadership in the area of Indigenous Education;
- Provide knowledgeable guidance regarding current curricula, instructional and assessment practices and their impact on student learning;
- Sustain a collaborative learning culture and climate linked to student learning and based on distributed leadership;
- Build positive and effective interdependencies amongst partner groups;
- Incorporate systemic thinking and strategic planning for school improvement;
- Demonstrate self-knowledge and the personal qualities that support positive relationships and build cultures of integrity;
- Build and support relational trust within the school and community;
- Address issues of diversity and social justice;
- Lead teams in reflective inquiry and action research.
Career Opportunities
International graduates of this Masters program will be well qualified to assume educational leadership positions within their home countries and other international settings.
Admission Requirements
- A resume outlining teaching experience (minimum two years required).
- A letter of intent explaining why the applicant wishes to pursue graduate work in this area.
- Official transcripts indicating completion of a Bachelor of Education degree with a cumulative grade point average of "B" in the final two years.
- Two current, confidential assessment reports.
- Clear identification of the candidate's proficiency in written and conversational English.
- Completion of VIU's English Language Certificate Program, or,
- A minimum TOEFL iBT 88 with no sections under 20, or IELTS 6.5 with no band under 6.30, CAEL 70, or equivalent.
Notes on Admission
- Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.
Transfer from other Institutions
Applicants may apply to the Dean for possible transfer credits from other accredited Master's programs.
Start Date and Application Deadline
The program begins with a pre-semester orientation for all students in August. Applications for admission are accepted on an ongoing basis and will be considered complete when all supporting documents - including resume, letter of intent, transcripts, along with English proficiency documents and assessment reports - have been received. For further information contact Jane Kelly, the Director International Admissions .
Program Outline
Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|---|
August |
|
Pre-semester Orientation |
0 |
Fall Semester |
|
MEDL 500 - (Foundations of Educational Leadership) |
5 |
MEDL 550 - (Research in Education) |
5 |
MEDL 580 - (Leadership in the BC Context) |
5 |
Total Credits |
15 |
Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|---|
Spring Semester |
|
MEDL 590 - (Leadership Values and Ethical Decision-Making) |
5 |
MEDL 600 - (Educational Change) |
5 |
MEDL 650 - (Leading Learning) |
5 |
Total Credits |
15 |
Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|---|
Fall Semester |
|
MEDL 680* - (Field Inquiry) |
5 |
MEDL 690* - (Major Project) |
5 |
Total Credits |
10 |
Total Program Credits |
40 |
* These courses may be completed on campus or online.
Updated: May 18, 2012