Master's Programs
Master's Program - Course Based
The MEd course-based route is designed to prepare applicants for careers as specialist practitioners and consultants. The program focuses on reading, writing and oral language disabilities. Students are expected to take one course at a time for two years. The first course is offered on campus for two weeks in the summer and the rest of the courses are offered online.
Entrance Requirements
Applicants must:
- have obtained a four-year baccalaureate degree, or its equivalent, offered by a recognized degree-granting institution of higher education in Canada, a regionally accredited institution of higher education in the United States, or a University in another country acceptable to the Admissions Committee;
- have acquired some practical experience in the application of special education (e.g., classroom, community, clinical contexts);
- provide three letters of reference; two of which must be from someone knowledgeable about the applicant's abilities and potential to pursue academic work; and
- provide a statement of intent indicating general areas of applied interest, relevant practical experience and plans upon graduation.
Admission decisions are made based on a relative ranking of all applicants in the following five categories: 1) previous academic record; 2) academic background related to the program; 3) relevant practical experience; 4) statement of intent; and 5) letters of recommendation.
Submission Dates
Applications for this program are accepted every two years. The next cohort begins in Summer 2026. Applications for this cohort must be submitted between October 15, 2025 and January 15, 2026.
Program Requirements
Student enrolled in this program will complete 7 courses and a Capping Exercise for a total of 24 credits.
- EDPY 501: Introduction to Methods of Educational Research (Online, Fall, Year One)
- EDPY 553: Oral Language Difficulties: From Assessment to Intervention (Online, Fall/Winter, Year One)
- EDPY 556: Issues and Trends in Special Education (On Campus, Summer, Year One)
- EDPY 577: Word Reading Difficulties: From Assessment to Intervention (Online, Winter, Year One)
- EDPY 580: Reading Comprehension Difficulties: From Assessment to Intervention (Online, Summer, Year Two)
- EDPY 582: Writing Difficulties: From Assessment to Intervention (Online, Fall, Year Two)
- EDPY 586: Complex Cases: From Assessment to Intervention (Online, Fall /Winter, Year Two)
- EDPY 903: Capping Exercise (Online, Winter, Year Two)
Master's Program - Thesis Based
The MEd thesis-based route is designed to prepare applicants for careers as researchers, academics, consultants, and specialist practitioners. Programs are individualized, depending upon the applicant's prior education, experience, and interests.
Entrance Requirements
Applicants must:
- have obtained a four-year baccalaureate degree, or its equivalent, offered by a recognized degree-granting institution of higher education in Canada, a regionally accredited institution of higher education in the United States, or a University in another country acceptable to the Admissions Committee;
- have acquired some practical experience in the application of special education (e.g., classroom, community, clinical contexts);
- provide three letters of reference; two of which must be from someone knowledgeable about the applicant's abilities and potential to pursue academic work.
- provide a statement of intent indicating general areas of research and applied interest, previous scholarly activity, and plans upon graduation; and
- have secured a supervisor for their program.
Admission decisions are made based on a relative ranking of all applicants in the following six categories: 1) previous academic record; 2) academic background in area of interest; 3) relevant experience; 4) statement of intent; 5) letters of recommendation; and 6) area of interest fits with supervisor research program.
Submission Dates
Please see the Program Application Deadlines page for this year's dates.
Applicants must secure a supervisor prior to submitting an application to the program.
Program Requirements
Students applying to this program are expected to complete 5 three-credit courses (15 credits) and a thesis. The applicants are advised to contact their prospective supervisor prior to submitting their application.
Required Courses
- EDPY 556 Problems and Issues in Special Education
- EDPY 500: Introduction to Data Analysis in Educational Research (or an equivalent in consultation with the student's supervisor)
- EDPY 501: Introduction to Methods of Educational Research
Elective Courses
Students are expected to enrol in 2 (3 credit) courses in consultation with their supervisor.