MEd in Inclusive Education: Equity and Social Justice

Acadia’s Master of Education in Inclusive Education: Equity and Social Justice program will provide experienced educators and leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to continue to make progressive social change in their professional practice environments. Content study will be research-informed, transdisciplinary and take up the lenses of systemic oppression and decolonization. Educators will be prepared to participate in the policymaking, curriculum-planning, instruction and assessment vital for inclusive education. Through a Capstone Project, program participants will have the opportunity to explore a focus area or passion project in depth that is related to their individual professional goals.

Acadia University’s School of Education will be offering this focused program starting in July 2022. This two-year cohort-based program will have a maximum annual enrolment of 25 educators and diverse leaders. The learning environment will be anchored in a flexible and accessible combination of in-person learning and active, synchronous engagement that is responsive to cohort needs.

Modality of Program Courses:

For students accepted into this program, there will be in-person residency requirements at the Acadia university campus during the summer of 2022 and 2023. The first course in both summer 2022 and 2023 will be fully in-person (typically 10 consecutive days). The second course in both summers will have some in-person requirements (likely the first 3-4 days) followed by synchronous / asynchronous learning opportunities for the remainder of the course. All fall, winter and spring courses in the program will have some in-person residency requirements. This will involve either some Fridays / Saturdays or evening in-person gatherings, complemented by synchronous/ asynchronous offerings. The location and timing of the in-person requirements for the fall, winter, spring courses will be determined by the geographic composition of the cohort along with other considerations.

General Information about Graduate Studies at Acadia: http://gradstudies.acadiau.ca/home.html

Questions about the program? Please email: graded@acadiau.ca

Program Schedule

Term	MEd in Inclusive Education: Equity and Social Justice - Cohort 2022
Summer 2022	EDUC 5063 SU02	Inclusive Education and Social Justice (Dr. Kesa Monroe-Anderson, Jul 5-15)
Summer 2022	EDUC 5123 SU01	Curriculum Practice for Inclusive Schooling (Dr. Lynn Aylward, Jul 11-22)
Fall 2022	EDUC 5513	Research Design in Education (Dr. Jennifer Tinkham)
Winter 2023	EDUC 5313	Assessment for Learning
Spring 2023	EDUC 5053	Topics in Education: Indigenous Education
Summer 2023	EDUC 50H3	Disability Studies in Education
Summer 2023	EDUC 5933	Equity and Leadership
Fall 2023	EDUC 5053	Topics in Education: UDL and Accessible Learning
Winter 2024	EDUC 5053	Topics in Education: Mental Health Literacy
Spring / Summer 2024	EDUC 5053	Topics in Education: Capstone Project

	* EDUC 5113 OR * EDUC 5523	Qualitative Research in Education * (Thesis students only) OR Quantitative Methods in Educational Research * (Thesis students only)
	* EDUC 5966	Graduate Thesis * (Thesis students only)

Applications

Applications for the 2023 Cohort -- which will start in July 2023:

- Applications Open: October 1, 2022

- Applications Close: February 1, 2023

Application requirements include:

Application through Acadia Graduate Studies office (online) - see below
Letter of Intent (see guidelines below)
Résumé / CV
Two Reference Letters (one academic, one professional),
Official Transcripts (for all post-secondary studies)

Instructions for Letter of Intent

In addition to the general application procedures for graduate studies, the “letter of intent” is often the deciding factor with respect to admission to the program.

We are looking for a cohort of in-service educators and leaders who are committed to the study and practices of Equity and Social Justice in Inclusive Schooling.

Please use the following questions as content guides for your letter of intent.

Cohort Graduate study in the area of Equity and Social Justice in Inclusive Education is constructively challenging in both its content and learning process. In terms of your own professional growth: why this program and why now?
Describe how your positionality and social identities connect to your study and practice of equity and social justice within education?
What recent community employment or education experiences demonstrate your commitment to work towards progressive social change in your professional practice environments?

General Information about Graduate Studies at Acadia: http://gradstudies.acadiau.ca/home.html

Online Application:

https://connect.acadiau.ca/apply/

Questions about the program? Please email graded@acadiau.ca

Courses

Modality of Program Courses:

EDUC 5063 - Inclusive Education and Social Justice

Foundational concepts embedded within the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion are examined using the analytical tools of intersectionality, decolonization, systemic oppression, anti-racist education, ableism, gender, culture, and power.

EDUC 5123 - Curriculum Practice for Inclusive Schooling

This course examines curricula and practices (such as anti-racist pedagogies, Africentric learning, treaty education, gender friendly classrooms, culturally responsive pedagogy, and UDL) that are responsive to and affirming of all learner identities in current educational contexts.

EDUC 5513 - Research Design in Education

Course content encourages participants to develop a critical research orientation to their professional work while acquiring a facility for designing projects and analyzing current scholarship in Social Justice education.

EDUC 5313 - Assessment for Learning

From a critical and equity building perspective this course explores the intentions and practices of Level A and B assessment practices as well as the cultural and ethical considerations in the use of assessment to inform educational supports for learners who face systemic barriers.

EDUC 5053 - Topics in Education: Indigenous Education

This course will examine the historical and colonial history that led to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action as well as the study of Treaty Education frameworks and the contributions of indigenous decolonization scholars working in education today.

EDUC 50H3 - Disability Studies in Education

Disability Studies in Education offers a critical, first voice framework for understanding disability as a social/political/cultural phenomenon that challenges the normative ideals informing educational policies and practices.

EDUC 5933 - Equity and Leadership

This course studies intersectional and cultural leadership models within educational organizations

EDUC 5053 - Topics in Education: UDL and Accessible Learning

Universal Design for Learning principles and Accessible Learning strategies will be considered across a diversity of instructional arrangements with a particular focus on the role of technology and Access by Design 2030 ( NS) education standards

EDUC 5053 - Topics in Education: Mental Health Literacy

This course will investigate current and relevant topics of mental health and schooling that enable the recognition or prevention of mental health challenges while considering the factors that contribute to mental well-being.

EDUC 5053 - Topics in Education: Capstone Project

Participants will be guided through collaboration and mentorship to complete a research informed project relevant to their current interests, strengths, and professional practice in the area of Inclusive Education: Equity and Social Justice.

EDUC 5113* - Qualitative Research in Education (* Thesis students only)

Course content actively engages students in analysing data from a variety of qualitative interpretive perspectives.

EDUC 5523* - Quantitative Methods in Educational Research (* Thesis students only)

This course is intended to provide a background in quantitative methods for the educator who must use statistics in research. The fundamental statistical tools are reviewed and particular statistical methods applicable to educational problems are introduced in this course.