Master of Education Programs
Acadia University provides four Master of Education programs leading to graduate degrees.
- MEd Counselling: Our program is intended for teachers pursuing a career in school counselling and others pursuing a career in counselling through various agencies. The program meets the professional certification requirements of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Acadia's Counselling program is offered on both a full-time and part-time basis, with both programs beginning with Summer Institute courses in Wolfville.
- MEd Curriculum Studies: Our program is designed for teachers and administrators who wish to engage in research and advanced study in curriculum. In addition to the General program in Curriculum Studies, specialized part-time cohorts are available for Music Educators and for Health Interprofessionals,. A new Curriculum specialization focused on Outdoor Learning Across the Curriculum started in July 2023. In cooperation with regional education centres, we have also offered targeted part-time cohorts in the areas of Literacy and Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
- MEd Inclusive Education: Our part-time cohort program is intended for individuals possessing some background in inclusive schooling and wishing to prepare for leadership roles (Please note we are not currently accepting applications for this general MEd Inclusive Education program). Our new part-time MEd in Inclusive Education (Equity and Social Justice) cohort program launched in 2022 with a second cohort starting in 2023.
We also offer certificate programs that incorporate graduate-level courses, including the Certificate in Math Teaching and the TESOL Certificate.
NOTE: We are currently accepting Expressions of Interest from individuals who may be interested in our next potential 2024 cohort. Based on the required level of interest and pending MPHEC approval, the interest group will be invited to submit a formal application, if there is sufficient interest. Interested participants are asked to submit a brief letter of interest (attached document) by email to brenda.harris@acadiau.ca. More information on what should be included in your Expression of Interest Letter can be found on the Certificate in Mathematics Teaching webpage.
MEd Leadership: We are not currently accepting applications for our MEd-Leadership program.
NOTE: Students are responsible for contacting the teacher certification branch to determine if a program and constituent courses meet requirements for upgrades to licenses or new endorsations for a change in job designation.
We offer admission to part-time MEd programs for cohort groups of professional educators living in specific geographic areas (ex. a particular school board or a regional centre) or working in specialized areas. Your cohort group will follow a scheduled program of courses, typically over a two-year period. As a member of a cohort, you'll proceed through the designated program together as a group.
If you would like further information on establishing a cohort, please contact Dr. Gregg MacKinnon, Graduate Coordinator in our School of Education.
You can also apply for admission as an Independent Student. An Independent Student can take up to four courses before applying for admission into a Master of Education degree program. Independent students are restricted to electives only. This is a helpful option if you are unsure if you would like to enroll in a full graduate program, if you are unable to commit to a full program at the moment, or if you are only interested in taking several specific courses.
Independent students do not need to meet the two years' employment experience (which is a requirement for MEd program application), but there are restrictions on independent students taking core courses or cohort-specific courses, and most Counselling courses are not an option for independent students.
To apply as an Independent Student, follow our application procedure and indicate that you would like to apply as an Independent Student. You will still need to submit official transcripts from all educational institutions you have attended, as well as your current resume. If you are applying on a letter of permission from another institution, please include a copy of the letter.
Please note that admission as an independent student does not guarantee admission to a Master of Education program due to the competitive nature of the admissions process. Nonetheless, if you meet the academic admission requirements for an MEd program, you may consider taking up to four courses as an independent student.
In addition to on-campus and cohort options, many term-based MEd courses are available in a flexible online format. Studying online provides you with a helpful way to continue your studies during the school year while you balance your personal and professional lifestyle. Please note it is not possible to complete an Acadia MEd degree entirely online. In-person learning is an important component of our programs, providing graduate students an opportunity to experience the nuances of a face-to-face context created by a consummate professional.
Many of our online courses are continuous-intake (open-entry) courses that allow you to register and begin at any time of the year. You'll study at your own pace as you complete the course within a 3-6 month window. Some online courses have more specific milestones and schedules established by the Instructor.
Online, continuous-intake courses currently available include:
- EDUC 5113 Qualitative Research in Education
- EDUC 5303 Principles of Assessment for Education
- EDUC 5513 Research Design in Education
- EDUC 5553 Special Topics in Counselling: Queer Affirmative Counselling
- EDUC 5563 Career Development: Process & Practice
- EDUC 5553 Topics in Counselling - Spirituality and Learning
TESOL, continuous-intake courses currently available include:
Join us on-campus in July for focused three-week Summer Institutes designed to meet your professional development needs. Your courses will generally be scheduled over 2-3 weeks of intensive study.