Program Overview

Each year outstanding graduates leave the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study prepared to make a difference in the lives of children. We're proud of the contribution they make. We believe that our graduates are well prepared by the combination of understanding children through child study, extensive practice teaching over two years, and training in research-informed teaching methods.

Two-year MA Program in Child Study and Education

This program is offered to students with a four-year bachelor’s degree (any discipline). It is normally comprised of the equivalent of 16 half-courses, including practica, and is undertaken on a full-time basis. Visit our Prospective M.A. Students page for more details on admissions, program requirements, and course outlines. Students who complete the program are recommended for elementary teacher certification with the Ontario College of Teachers.

MA Program Faculty

Faculty at the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study are active researchers who are also committed to the M.A. in Child Study as a key part of the Jackman Institute's mission of combining scholarship, practice and professional training to improve the lives of children. Our faculty investigate topics with direct implications for practice and policy affecting children.

Our faculty enjoy a world-wide reputation for their research. They hold doctorates in developmental psychology and education or in related areas. Some of our faculty are teachers who had successful careers in elementary school classrooms before moving on to doctoral studies and university teaching. Teachers in our Laboratory School also contribute to the M.A. Program, bringing additional teaching expertise and the perspective of teacher-researchers to the program.

Learning in a Laboratory School

The Jackman ICS Laboratory School is one of the best educational entities of its kind in North America, producing significant research on innovative, evidence-based educational practice. All M.A. students are placed in one of the lab school classrooms at least once during their studies, to learn from our highly experienced lab school teacher-researchers who model exemplary and innovative practice.

Practicum and Internship Placements

Practice teaching experience in the Jackman ICS program is broad and deep. This experience is a crucial part of acquiring the knowledge and skills to guide children and classrooms and it is the 'laboratory' for applying ideas and scholarship to practice. First year students have daily teaching placements in four 6-week blocks, allowing the opportunity to work across a variety of settings, grade levels, and special programs; second year students have a one semester, full-time teaching internship in one setting, giving them time to develop the range of skills and experiences necessary to lead a classroom.

Program Highlights

• Extensive practicum experience
  Approximately 600 hours of practical experience – exceeds most initial teacher education programs, resulting in well-prepared graduates
   
• Higher employment rate/reputation
  Employment rate of our graduates as teachers is typically significantly higher than those of other ITE programs’ graduates
   
• Higher wages
  CSE graduates typically earn an A4 evaluation from the Qualifications Evaluation Council of Ontario (highest category in the public salary grid), whereas most teacher education graduates earn lower initial salaries with an A3 classification.
   
• Special Education and Early Childhood Education Credential Opportunities
  Option of special education or early childhood focus in course selection and practicum placements: Opportunity to earn credentials valued by principals hiring teaching staff
   
• Jackman ICS Laboratory School (JK-Gr. 6)
  With a waiting list of over 1,000, the Jackman ICS Lab School is renowned for contributing to the understanding of effective educational practices in elementary schools. In addition to producing significant policy-impacting research, the Lab School is dedicated to nurturing natural inquiry, social responsibility and a love of learning. Each M.A. student is placed in a Jackman ICS classroom at least once, learning from an experienced Lab School teacher-researcher who models innovative, research-based practice.
   
• One-on-one professional development support
  Jackman ICS students interact regularly with our knowledgeable, well-connected Practicum Coordinator, who is a former principal.
   
• Employment preparation
  Our second-year students participate in regular employment preparation sessions at Jackman ICS, and in OISE’s Professional Preparation Conference, an annual event designed to facilitate entry into the teaching profession (interview tips, networking opportunities with prospective employers, etc.).
   
• Renowned research and faculty
  Jackman ICS’s globally renowned MA program professors and course instructors are also committed educational researchers investigating topics with implications for practice and policies affecting children.
   
• Educational research opportunities
  Jackman ICS faculty members, Lab School teacher-researchers and graduate student researchers engage in ongoing research projects at UT and in the Jackman ICS Lab School where students have opportunities to participate as research assistants, graduate assistants, or research placement trainees. 
   
• Free summer courses
  Our students may take up to 4 summer elective half courses during the summer between their first and second years in the program, at no additional cost– a good opportunity to explore academic and professional interests. Some flex-mode online courses are now available.