Laddering into a Master's Program
Graduate Certificate in School Leadership
A Graduate Certificate in School Leadership (GCSL) from the University of Alberta provides students with up to 12 credits in advanced standing in the Master of Education in Educational Studies (MES) program*. Students admitted with a GCSL will follow this tentative program plan (subject to change):
Tentative Schedule - General Cohort**
Summer Term I
EDU 510 Fundamentals of Educational Research
Students learn how to understand and apply educational research to educational problems. Specific focus on conceptualizing methods of educational research to specific and individual educational sites and issues.
EDU 514 Planning for Educational Change
Students learn how educational research can enhance educational change toward school improvement, and focus on the creation of a site-based research proposal which utilizes appropriate research methods.
Fall Term
Elective I
Note: Electives must be taken prior to taking EDU 900, unless permission has been received from the department for an altered course of study. Professional Learning offers a variety of electives; check the website for current offerings, or contact us to determine if the elective you want to take is approved for the program. Once you are admitted to a graduate program, you can no longer take courses through Open Studies until after you graduate.
Winter Term
EDU 515 Conducting Educational Research**
Students complete a supervised research assignment specific to their educational context. They will develop and apply knowledge and skills related to data collection, data analysis techniques and research report presentation.
Spring Term
Elective II
Summer Term II
EDU 900 Program Synthesis
A reflection and synthesis of learning from the Master of Education in Educational Studies in relation to the concepts of school/educational improvement that are the foundations of the program.
Other Laddering Options
Alternatively, the GCSL can ladder into the:
- M.Ed. in Elementary Education, Curriculum and Pedagogy, or Secondary Education - contact Dr. William Dunn at wdunn@ualberta.ca. Online and on-campus options available.
- M.Ed. in Studies in Educational Leadership - contact essgrad2@ualberta.ca. On-campus only.
*Completion of a GCSL does not guarantee acceptance into a master's program. Course availability is dependent upon sufficient enrollment.
**The schedule of courses is determined on an annual basis. Alternate schedules may be available for future years.