Master of Arts in Education (Okanagan)

Masters programs in education offer students the opportunity to explore areas of interest and integrate their practice within a framework of research and inquiry.
Through the Master of Education (MEd) and the Master of Arts (MA), educators, administrators, researchers, and professionals from a variety of educative contexts can deepen their understanding of education and advance their careers at UBC Okanagan. Graduate courses are scheduled to be flexible around students work schedules. Classes are held on-campus and online on Saturdays, weeknights and during the summer months.
The MA degree is primarily for educators who wish to develop their expertise as educational researchers in addition to their interest in a thematic area of study.

The degree is designed specifically as a research degree, with students required to carry out and complete an independent research project (master's thesis). Completion of a master's thesis is viewed as a prerequisite for the pursuit of doctoral studies in most institutions.

The MA can be completed on either a part-time or full-time basis. Students are encouraged to complete the coursework over two academic years, including summer sessions. MA students are required to complete the degree within five years.

Students must complete:

9 credits of core courses: Curriculum Issues and Theories (CUST 562), Research Methodology in Education (EDUC 500), and Readings and Discourse in Education (EDUC 521),
15 credits from the Okanagan School of Education's course offerings, and
6-credit thesis (EDUC 599)
Visit the Academic Calendar for detailed MA in Education Program Requirements.
This degree lays the foundation for the pursuit of a PhD and may appeal to students seeking academic positions and careers.

Applicants to the MA program must have a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76-79%) in third- and fourth-year courses, academic standing with at least 12 credits of third-or fourth-year courses in the A- grade range (80% or higher at UBC) in a four-year baccalaureate degree or its academic equivalent. Background training and previous experience must be sufficient to demonstrate ability or potential for advanced research in the chosen field.

The MA is designed for those students who, in addition to their interest in a thematic area of study, wish to develop their expertise as educational researchers.

Additionally, the Okanagan School of Education normally requires that applicants have at least two years of teaching experience. All applicants must submit a statement of intent (approx. 250-400 words) clearly outlining their areas of interest and focus for study with their applications.

Applicants from a university outside Canada at which English is not the primary language of instruction must present evidence of competency to pursue studies in the English language prior to being extended an offer of admission. Minimum acceptable English language proficiency tests are as follows:

TOEFL: minimum score of 550 (paper version); 90 overall with a minimum score of 22 in Reading & Listening and a minimum score of 21 in Writing & Speaking (Internet version);
IELTS: minimum overall band score of 6.5, with no individual score less than 6.0; or
MELAB: minimum overall score of 85, with a final score of 3 in the speaking test.