The Master of Education (MEd) program in Educational Leadership and Policy is designed for aspiring or current education professionals who are interested in developing their practice in policy, leadership, change, and social diversity in elementary and secondary schools and other educational settings for children and youth. A combination of theory and real-world practice will enable students to tackle the complex challenges of current education policy, leadership and reform. Program strengths include:
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A focus on equity, anti-oppression, and educational justice;
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Deep expertise in both the Ontario educational context and in comparative, international, and global contexts; and
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An emphasis on cutting-edge, research-informed practice.
The MEd program is designed to develop critical and highly skilled educational leaders, and policy analysts, and public servants who make positive change in schools, school boards (districts), government ministries, foundations, nongovernmental agencies, and international organizations in Canada and around the world.
The MEd degree can be pursued on a part-time or full-time basis. The department welcomes applicants with diverse but relevant backgrounds and experiences. Students may take the MEd without a field or through the field in School Leadership in Diverse Contexts.
There are two MEd options available:
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Coursework Only Option and
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Coursework Plus Major Research Paper Option.
Students initially apply to and register in the Coursework Only Option. For registration in the Coursework Plus Major Research Paper Option, department permission is required. The field in School Leadership in Diverse Contexts is online and course-based. Please see the description of the field below for more information.
This program is delivered in person, which means that while the program may offer some courses online, a student will take less than one-third of their courses online.
The Coursework Only Option is available in two* delivery models:
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Regular MEd stream: students are accepted every year and can register on a full-time or part-time basis.
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Online/Hybrid (part-time) cohort-based stream: *Admissions to this option have been administratively suspended, effective September 2024. The option will close in August 2027. Students interested in an online MEd program should apply to the Educational Leadership and Policy MEd; Field: School Leadership in Diverse Contexts.
MEd Program (Coursework Only Option)
Minimum Admission Requirements
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Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education's additional admission requirements stated below.
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An appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university in a relevant discipline with a grade equivalent to a University of Toronto mid-B or better in the final year.
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Two letters of reference: one academic, the other either academic or professional.
Completion Requirements
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Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 5.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
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LHA1004H Research Literacy in Educational Leadership and Policy, to be taken at the beginning of the program.
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LHA1040H Introduction to Educational Leadership and Policy: Policy, Leadership, Change, and Diversity, to be taken at the beginning of the program.
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4.0 other FCEs, of which at least 2.0 FCEs must be from the Educational Leadership and Policy program, normally at the 1000 level or 5000 special topics level. Educational Leadership and Policy program course codes typically have a "0" in the second digit, for example "LHA10XX" and "LHA50XX." The following courses also count as Educational Leadership and Policy program courses: EDP3045H, EDP3145H, JOI3043H, JOI3048H, and JOI3049H. Students may choose to focus on one of the four research areas: Policy, Leadership, Change, or Social Diversity.
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Program Length: 4 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FWS-F); 10 sessions part-time
Time Limit: 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time
MEd Program (Coursework Only Option [Online/Hybrid Delivery, Part-Time Only])
Minimum Admission Requirements
-
Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education's additional admission requirements stated below.
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An appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university in a relevant discipline with a grade equivalent to a University of Toronto mid-B or better in the final year.
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Two letters of reference. Whenever possible, one should be written by an educational professional for whom the applicant has worked. The second should be by a referee who can attest to the applicant's academic ability.
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Applicants must have the equivalent of 12 months of successful, relevant, professional experience.
Completion Requirements
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Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 5.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
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LHA1004H Research Literacy in Educational Leadership and Policy, to be taken at the beginning of the program.
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LHA1040H Introduction to Educational Leadership and Policy: Policy, Leadership, Change, and Diversity, to be taken at the beginning of the program.
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4.0 other FCEs, of which at least 2.0 FCEs must be from the Educational Leadership and Policy program, normally at the 1000 level or 5000 special topics level. Educational Leadership and Policy program course codes typically have a "0" in the second digit, for example "LHA10XX" and "LHA50XX." The following courses also count as Educational Leadership and Policy program courses: EDP3045H, EDP3145H, JOI3043H, JOI3048H, and JOI3049H. Students may choose to focus on one of the four research areas: Policy, Leadership, Change, or Social Diversity.
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Program Length: 10 sessions part-time
Time Limit: 6 years part-time
MEd Program (Coursework Plus Major Research Paper Option)
Minimum Admission Requirements
-
Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education's additional admission requirements stated below.
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An appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university in a relevant discipline with a grade equivalent to a University of Toronto mid-B or better in the final year.
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Two letters of reference: one academic, the other either academic or professional.
Completion Requirements
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Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
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LHA1003H Designing Master's Research Proposals. Part-time students are recommended to take this course towards the end of their program; full-time students are recommended to take it in Year 1.
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LHA1040H Introduction to Educational Leadership and Policy: Policy, Leadership, Change, and Diversity, to be taken at the beginning of the program.
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3.0 other FCEs, of which at least 1.5 FCEs must be from the Educational Leadership and Policy program, normally at the 1000 level or 5000 special topics level. Educational Leadership and Policy program course codes typically have a "0" in the second digit, for example "LHA10XX" and "LHA50XX." The following courses also count as Educational Leadership and Policy program courses: EDP3045H, EDP3145H, JOI3043H, JOI3048H, and JOI3049H. Students may choose to focus on one of the four program strands: Policy, Leadership, Change, or Social Diversity. LHA1004H Research Literacy in Educational Leadership and Policy is strongly recommended, as is an appropriate research methods (RM) course selected in consultation with the Faculty MRP supervisor.
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Major Research Paper (MRP): LHA2001Y Major Research Paper to be carried out under the guidance of a faculty member.
Program Length: 5 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FWS-FW); 10 sessions part-time
Time Limit: 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time