Master of Education in Educational Leadership & Policy
Master of Education in Educational Leadership & Policy Overview
Are you an aspiring or current educational leader looking to further develop your knowledge of policy, leadership, change and social diversity in and for the PK-12 education system? This may be the place for you.
This professional program is designed primarily for those interested in learning the nature and practice of leadership and policy, especially with respect to social diversity and change in elementary and secondary schools.
It equips practitioners with the knowledge and skills to engage in – and critique – approaches to leadership and policy in the elementary and secondary school system.
While a minimum of one year of professional experience (particularly in teaching and administration) is not an essential prerequisite for admission, such experience is desirable.The department welcomes applicants with diverse but relevant backgrounds.
Are you interested in a co-op placement as a junior policy analyst at the Ontario Ministry of Education? Full-time M.Ed students in Educational Leadership and Policy have the opportunity to apply to a paid full-time co-op placement that counts towards course credit. (Please note that acceptance to the co-op is competitive, and hiring decisions are made by the Ministry.) Please see the section at the bottom of this page for more information.
Are you interested in becoming a principal in Ontario? If you are interested in completing the Principal’s Qualification Program (PQP) while enrolled in your M.Ed in Educational Leadership and Policy at OISE, doing so through OISE Continuing & Professional Learning will help you make the most of your experience and allow you to complete the programs faster. To learn more, please contact lhae.masters@utoronto.ca
Program Options
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.
Coursework Only option is available in two delivery models:
- Regular Master of Education Stream
- Students are accepted every year and can register on a full-time or part-time basis.
- Online/Hybrid (Part-time) Cohort-Based Stream
- Available in select years, this option is ideal for students who cannot travel to OISE regularly. Students move through the program as a cohort and register part-time.
For detailed information about the program, please consult the School of Graduate Studies Calendar.
At a Glance
Study Options
Full-time (4 sessions)
Part-time (10 sessions)
Coursework Only
Coursework Plus Major Research Paper
Funding and Tuition
For current information about tuition fees, funding, and financial support, visit Tuition & Financial Support.
Deadlines
Applications for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle are now open. Apply Today !!.
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Why I Chose Leadership, Adult & Higher Education
Sean Hartley (Master of Education 2023)
"When I made the decision to pursue an M.Ed, I chose OISE for a number of reasons. Chief among them was the curriculum; even within the Educational Leadership and Policy stream, I had the freedom to pursue subjects and topics that I found interesting. Professors and instructors were top-notch, allowing me to learn from their expertise and challenging my own thinking. I did my best academic work of my life at OISE, which is due in no small part to the faculty."
Admission Requirements
General Admission Requirements
Please visit the OISE Admissions website for detailed information about the application process, including general minimum admission requirements and supporting documents.
Program Specific Information
- Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies.
- 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.
All applicants must submit:
- Transcript(s) from each post-secondary institution attended.
- Resumé that provides clear and complete information about the applicant's work or field experience related to their proposed studies.
- Answers to faculty admissions questions (applicants are to answer each question in an essay format). Please see questions in the next accordion.
- 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.
Applicants are to answer each question in an essay format.
- Please address the following (1200 words max):
- Describe your academic background, professional experiences, community service and other relevant experiences and accomplishments and how they relate to PK-12 Educational Leadership and Policy. If your academic background is not in education or a related social science field, you are encouraged to describe how your experiences have prepared you for the program.
- Describe your academic interests and how they align with the Educational Leadership and Policy program. Why is this program a good fit for you? Why are you a good fit for the program? You may wish to highlight the synergy between one or more of the program’s thematic areas (Policy, Leadership, Change, and Social Diversity) and your academic interests.
- (optional) You are encouraged to speak to your academic and professional goals (after graduation) and how pursuing the MEd in Educational Leadership and Policy would advance these goals.
- (optional) The Educational Leadership and Policy program seeks to maintain a diverse, inclusive, and engaged learning community. You are encouraged to identify any ways that your identity (including--but not limited to--ancestry, culture, gender, race, religion, socio-economic status or other social identities) or life experience will contribute to this community.
- (optional) Is there any additional information you want to share with the Admissions Committee that will inform their review of your application?
- (MEd part-time applicants only) This is for part-time MEd students who prefer to take all or most of their courses fully online. Are you interested in applying to online-hybrid cohort?
Program Information
Coursework (Regular Delivery)
Students complete 5.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
- Research Literacy in Educational Leadership and Policy (LHA 1004H, 0.5 FCE)
- This course provides students with an introduction to the purposes of research in educational leadership and policy. Students will learn how to obtain, evaluate, interpret and use research in their work as educators and in their graduate studies.
- To be taken at the beginning of the program.
- Introduction to Educational Leadership and Policy: Policy, Leadership, Change, and Diversity (LHA 1040H, 0.5 FCE)
- This course provides an introduction to educational policy, leadership and change by focusing on foundational concepts and theories.
- To be taken at the beginning of the program.
- 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: EDP3045, EDP3145, JOI3043, JOI3048. Students may choose to focus on one of the four research areas: Policy, Leadership, Change, or Social Diversity. Explore ELP courses
Coursework (Online/Hybrid Delivery, Part-time Only)
The program requirements for the online/hybrid cohort are the same those for the regular delivery option.
However, students complete the required core courses and 1.0 FCE electives online. For the remaining 2.0 FCE elective courses, students may select online or face-to-face courses. Explore ELP courses
Coursework
Students must complete 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
- Designing Master's Research Proposals (LHA 1003H, 0.5 FCE).
- This seminar examines the strategies, techniques, and problems involved in conducting research on educational administration. It prepares students to define research problems, review relevant literature, develop research proposals, conduct research and write reports.
- 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.
- Introduction to Educational Leadership and Policy: Policy, Leadership, Change, and Diversity (LHA 1040H, 0.5 FCE)
- This course provides an introduction to educational policy, leadership and change by focusing on foundational concepts and theories.
- To be taken at the beginning of the program.
- 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: EDP3045, EDP3145, JOI3043, JOI3048. Students may choose to focus on one of the four program strands: Policy, Leadership, Change, or Social Diversity. LHA 1004H 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. Explore ELP courses
Major Research Paper (MRP)
- Major Research Paper (LHA 2001Y)
- To be carried out under the guidance of a faculty member.
See a complete list of all courses offered in the Educational Leadership & Policy program.
See course offerings for the current term: please visit OISE’s Course Enrolment website.
Collaborative specializations provide graduate students enrolled in participating degree programs with an additional multidisciplinary experience as they complete their home degree program.
Learn more about the collaborative specializations offered to students in this program:
Faculty in the Educational Leadership & Policy program have multi-disciplinary teaching and research expertise in a wide range of fields.
Our faculty's expertise includes, but is not limited to:
- Educational policy analysis and program evaluation
- Whole system reforms
- International comparisons of educational equity
- Socio-economic disparities in academic achievement
- Large-scale data analysis
- intersections of law and education
- School administration, philosophy and theory
- Critical democracy and educational leadership issues
Some MEd students may wish to switch options from the Coursework Only option to Coursework Plus Major Research Paper (MRP) option. MRPs provide students with an opportunity to explore a special topic of their choice in further depth than they might do so otherwise in a regular course.
Students writing an MRP should expect to work independently under the supervision of a LHAE faculty member. Topics, format and content of an MRP can vary greatly, decided through consultation with its supervisor.
The amount of time needed to complete an MRP will vary by the specific nature of each student’s project, as it is a product-based requirement without a specific timeline, similar to the writing of a dissertation or thesis. That said, the timeline for Coursework Plus Major Research Paper option is generally longer by one term compared to Coursework Only option. Additional tuition fees may thus apply.
Transfers from course work to MRP options are normally considered after students have completed at least 3 courses. Students’ part-time or full-time status from their previous term must be maintained until graduation (i.e., if their last course is taken in Winter as a full-time student, they must stay full-time until their MRP or thesis is finished). Students must meet several requirements prior to requesting a transfer:
- Begin by consulting their advisor to discuss the feasibility of undertaking an MRP.
- If recommended by their advisor, students should then identify a research topic.
- Find a core faculty member in ELP, who agrees to supervise the project.
- Complete the Program transfer form and Major Research Project (MRP) supervision approval form and submit to lhae.master@utoronto.ca for departmental approval.
- Ensure all fields in the forms are appropriately filled, including a good rationale for the MRP and proof of supervisory commitment (such as a signature).
This exciting opportunity, which entails a paid full-time co-op placement that counts towards course credit, is currently open to full time MEd students in the ELP program who will have completed at least two full time terms by the start of the co-op and who are in good academic standing.
The Ministry of Education typically solicits applications three times per year: fall, winter and summer. LHAE will advertise these positions to current MEd students in the ELP program via student listservs.
What: Paid internship with the Ontario Ministry of Education worth 0.5 FCEs (i.e. equivalent to 1 half course; which will be accredited to the term in which the student completes the co-op).
When: One term (4 months). Full-time placement, regular business hours.
Where: Downtown Toronto at the Ministry offices
Who: Eligible MEd students must be registered full time, in good academic standing, with at least 2 terms completed by the start of the co-op.
Important registration information: Although students must be registered full time, they receive only 1 half course credit for the co-op and are expected not to enrol in additional courses in the co-op term due to the full-time workload of the co-op. Participation in the co-op may increase time to graduation. We expect the co-op salary will help offset any applicable tuition fees needed for an additional term of study.
Note: Acceptance to the co-op is competitive, and hiring decisions are made by the Ministry. Typically, approximately 1-3 co-op students are hired each term.
To learn more, please contact lhae.masters@utoronto.ca.
International students may be eligible for the co-op in some cases. Please see the Center for International Experience (CIE) webpage about on- and off-campus work for more information. Questions about this can be directed to CIE.
If you are interested in completing the Principal’s Qualification Program (PQP) while enrolled in your MEd in Educational Leadership and Policy at OISE, doing so through OISE Continuing & Professional Learning will help you make the most of your experience and allow you to complete the programs faster. To learn more, please contact lhae.masters@utoronto.ca.
Ready to join one of the world’s top universities?
Take the next step in your academic journey and start your application to graduate studies at OISE.
