Graduate-Level Electives


All of our courses combine theory and practice. Most are offered online with both synchronous (on Zoom) and asynchronous components, unless 'On-Campus' is indicated beside the course title. Any synchronous sessions are in Mountain Time (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada). Dates and times are determined by the course instructor. Sessions are not recorded; attendance is required.

These are graduate-level, credit courses, requiring between five and ten hours of coursework per week in the fall and winter terms (13 weeks). Courses offered in the spring and summer terms are condensed (six and three weeks respectively), so the amount of time spent on coursework is increased. This includes time spent on readings, assignments, presentations (group and individual), and writing papers.

These courses can be taken through Open Studies, or as an elective in a graduate program (in consultation with your program advisor). Please read the course descriptions carefully to be sure the elective is approved for your program. If you are planning to take a course through Open Studies, you must first accept the offer of admission and pay the tuition deposit, then contact us when you are ready to enroll.

Notes:

  • These courses are offered at an increased rate of assessment. Tuition is listed with each course below, or you can check your statement on Bear Tracks. The Faculty of Education provides a bursary for each course to maintain the cost to students at $1498 for 2024-25 (subject to change). The amount of the bursary varies by program; not applicable to doctoral or international students.
  • Preference is given to students in the various Professional Learning programs; students in other graduate programs or Open Studies will be enrolled if space is available.

Questions? Contact the graduate administrator at the email address listed with each course. 


Winter 2025 Electives

Winter term runs from January 6 to April 9, 2025

EDU 520 Foundations of School Leadership ★3

Instructor: TBA

Explore the foundational dimensions of school leadership including instructional leadership, fostering effective relationships, supporting the application of foundational knowledge about Indigenous Peoples, visionary leadership, leading learning communities, modelling continuous professional learning, developing leadership capacity, understanding the social context influencing schooling, and managing school operations and resources.

Synchronous Zoom sessions are included; attendance is required.

Note: This course is a partial fulfillment of the academic requirements for leadership certification through Alberta's Leadership Quality Standard.

Domestic tuition: $1498 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2146.44 plus non-instructional fees

This is a core course in the Graduate Certificate in School Leadership and in the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies-Leadership and Mentoring, and is an approved elective in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. It is open to students in other graduate programs (in consultation with your program advisor) and Open Studies, however, preference is given to students in the certificate program. For details or to enroll, contact gcslinfo@ualberta.ca. MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca to enroll. 

EDU 521 School Leadership: Theory and Practice ★3

Instructor: TBA

Prerequisite: EDU 520 Foundations of School Leadership

Hone leadership practices grounded in research to demonstrate mastery of Alberta's Leadership Quality Standard (LQS). Includes a job-embedded learning component in which participants visit, observe, and collaborate with a school leader or leadership team in a school setting of their choice, in which the Alberta Program of Studies is offered. Note: EDU 521 is offered in all semesters but Summer.

Synchronous Zoom sessions are included; attendance is required.

Note: This course is a partial fulfillment of the academic requirements for leadership certification through Alberta's Leadership Quality Standard.

Domestic tuition: $1498 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2146.44 plus non-instructional fees

This is a core course in the Graduate Certificate in School Leadership and in the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies-Leadership and Mentoring, and is an approved elective in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. It is open to students in other graduate programs (in consultation with your program advisor) and Open Studies, however, preference is given to students in the certificate program. For details or to enroll, contact gcslinfo@ualberta.ca. MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca to enroll. 

EDU 530 First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Issues in School Leadership ★3

Instructor: TBA

This course is designed for existing and aspiring school leaders.
The course supports the development of foundational knowledge about First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. It explores the history of policy and legislation in relation to First Nation, Métis, and Inuit peoples in Canada. It will further inform knowledge of the current state First Nation, Métis, and Inuit education and explore some of the existing theory in First Nation education policy.

The adoption of the new Leadership Quality Standard has presented a new challenge for school leaders in the area of First Nation, Metis, and Inuit education. The goal of the course is to provide leaders with knowledge of policies and legislation that have impacted Indigenous education in Canada. It will provide an opportunity to explore the various topics and some of the current manifestation and challenges.

Domestic tuition: $1498 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2146.44 plus non-instructional fees

This is an approved elective in the Graduate Certificate in School Leadership and in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. It is open to students in other graduate programs (in consultation with your program advisor) and Open Studies, however, preference is given to students in the certificate program. For details or to enroll, contact gcslinfo@ualberta.ca. MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca to enroll. 

EDU 543 Supporting Languages and Literacies in Early Childhood for All Students ★3

Instructor: TBD

This course focuses on oral language development, and teaching and learning of language literacy in Early Childhood settings. The course explores instructional strategies, and resources for creating language and literacy rich learning environments, and the complex ways that young children develop oral language and early literacy skills.

Students must have K-12 teaching experience.

Domestic tuition: $1498 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2146.44 plus non-instructional fees

This is a core course in the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies - Early Childhood Education, and an approved elective in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. It is open to students in other graduate programs (in consultation with your program advisor) and Open Studies, however, preference is given to students in the certificate program. For details or to enroll, contact gcesinfo@ualberta.ca. MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca to enroll. 

EDU 570 Technology, Ethics, and Social Justice in Education ★3

Instructor: TBD

Synchronous Zoom sessions: Thursdays from 6-8 p.m.; attendance is required.

The course explores ethical and social justice issues involving technology in education such as digital equity and access, digital participation and citizenship, algorithmic bias, artificial intelligence, extended cognition, privacy, security and surveillance, etc. Students will examine digital technology integration from various philosophical, theoretical and social science perspectives, and will consider some of the ethical and social justice implications for teacher practice and educational policy, including addressing the TRC calls to action.

Students must have K-12 teaching experience.

Domestic tuition: $1498 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2146.44 plus non-instructional fees

This is a core course in the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies - Technology in Education, and an approved elective in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. It is open to students in other graduate programs (in consultation with your program advisor) and Open Studies, however, preference is given to students in the certificate program. For details or to enroll, contact gcesinfo@ualberta.ca. MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca to enroll. 

EDU 595 Contemporary Approaches to Understanding and Addressing Reading and Writing Difficulties ★3

Instructor: TBD

This course focuses on ways to identify the strengths and needs of learners with reading or writing difficulties, and the selection and adaptation of teaching activities and resources to meet their needs. Contemporary issues and controversies in remedial reading and writing education will be considered, including the different ways in which reading and writing difficulties are explained and addressed in contemporary research and popular remedial programs and various teaching practices.

Students must have K-12 teaching experience.

Domestic tuition: $1498 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2146.44 plus non-instructional fees

This is a core course in the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies - Contemporary Literacy Education: K-9 and an approved elective in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. It is open to students in other graduate programs (in consultation with your program advisor) and Open Studies, however, preference is given to students in the certificate program. For details or to enroll, contact gcesinfo@ualberta.ca. MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca to enroll. 

EDU 596 Future Orientated School Leaders: Change Leadership to Adapt from the Inside-Out ★3

Instructors: JC Couture, Stephen Murgatroyd, P. Jean Stiles

Synchronous Zoom sessions: 6 Tuesdays from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
January 14 and 28, February 11 and 25, March 11 and 18

This course aims to examine leadership strategies and practice protocols to develop school cultures where rights holders have the agency to address social justice issues within a public education system. An understanding of social justice frameworks will broaden participant’s worldviews by examining different ideas and challenging assumptions. Real world issues such as sexism, racism, poverty, and more will be presented and discussed.

Lasting school and system change happens from the inside-out. How can Alberta and global leaders effectively develop the capacity to respond to Leadership Quality Standard #9: Understanding and Responding to the Larger Societal Context? This course will examine the current issues facing Alberta school leaders and foster their leadership capabilities to support the school community while representing the needs and voices of students, engaging community partners, and facilitating school community members’ understanding of local, provincial, national and international issues and trends related to education.

Adapting from the inside-out requires a succinct, universal theory of change that is future focussed, collaborative and action oriented. Participants will be invited to develop their own theory of change for adaptive leadership. Leaders will be introduced to strategies on how to shift schools and systems from a focus on conservation and stability to embrace innovation, while attending to culture building. They will learn strategies for developing personal and collective resilience, adaptability, creativity, and systems thinking. They will better understand and be able to use the tools of anticipatory thinking.

Domestic tuition: $1498 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2146.44 plus non-instructional fees

This is an approved elective in the Graduate Certificate in School Leadership and in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. It is open to students in other graduate programs (in consultation with your program advisor) and Open Studies, however, preference is given to students in the certificate program. For details, contact gcslinfo@ualberta.ca. MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca to enroll. 

 


Spring 2025 Electives

Spring term runs from May 5 to June 11, 2025

EDU 520 Foundations of School Leadership ★3

Instructor: TBA

Explore the foundational dimensions of school leadership including instructional leadership, fostering effective relationships, supporting the application of foundational knowledge about Indigenous Peoples, visionary leadership, leading learning communities, modelling continuous professional learning, developing leadership capacity, understanding the social context influencing schooling, and managing school operations and resources.

Synchronous Zoom sessions are included; attendance is required.

Note: This course is a partial fulfillment of the academic requirements for leadership certification through Alberta's Leadership Quality Standard.

Domestic tuition: $1498 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2146.44 plus non-instructional fees

This is a core course in the Graduate Certificate in School Leadership and in the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies-Leadership and Mentoring, and is an approved elective in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. It is open to students in other graduate programs (in consultation with your program advisor) and Open Studies, however, preference is given to students in the certificate program. For details or to enroll, contact gcslinfo@ualberta.ca. MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca to enroll. 

EDU 521 School Leadership: Theory and Practice ★3

Instructor: TBA

Prerequisite: EDU 520 Foundations of School Leadership

Hone leadership practices grounded in research to demonstrate mastery of Alberta's Leadership Quality Standard (LQS). Includes a job-embedded learning component in which participants visit, observe, and collaborate with a school leader or leadership team in a school setting of their choice, in which the Alberta Program of Studies is offered. Note: EDU 521 is offered in all semesters but Summer.

Synchronous Zoom sessions are included; attendance is required.

Note: This course is a partial fulfillment of the academic requirements for leadership certification through Alberta's Leadership Quality Standard.

Domestic tuition: $1498 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2146.44 plus non-instructional fees

This is a core course in the Graduate Certificate in School Leadership and in the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies-Leadership and Mentoring, and is an approved elective in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. It is open to students in other graduate programs (in consultation with your program advisor) and Open Studies, however, preference is given to students in the certificate program. For details or to enroll, contact gcslinfo@ualberta.ca. MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca to enroll. 

EDU 523 System Leadership: Theory and Practice ★3

Instructor: TBA

Prerequisite: EDU 521 or principal certification in Alberta.

This research-based course enables the development of competencies that executives must demonstrate in their professional practice when leading large educational systems. The course extends on concepts and principles pertinent to all levels of educational system leadership.

Synchronous Zoom sessions on Saturdays are included (times TBD); attendance is required.

Domestic tuition: $1498 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2146.44 plus non-instructional fees

This is an approved elective in the Graduate Certificate in School Leadership and the Master of Education in Educational Studies. It is open to students in other graduate programs (in consultation with your program advisor) and Open Studies, however, preference is given to students in the certificate and MES programs. For details or to enroll, contact gcslinfo@ualberta.ca. MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca to enroll.

 


 

Note: more electives will be added as they are scheduled.