Admission Requirements and Application Process for the MA in Child Study and Education

 Application Deadline: December 3, 2012
 

Admissions:

Academic requirements

• Admission requirements include an appropriate Bachelor's degree with high academic standing (equivalent to a mid-B or better in final year) from a recognized university
• Mid-B = 73-76%
• Typically, successful applicants have a 4-year Bachelor's degree with a mid-B or better average in the final year of study (or third year if applying during the fourth year)

• Note: if you haven't already completed a course in child development in your undergraduate studies, you will be required to take one as an elective before graduating 

experience requirements

• Experience working with groups of elementary school-aged children, preferably in paid positions of responsibility
• Applicants may be called in for an interview
   

Application Process:

APPLICATION COMPONENTS

• Transcripts: Official transcripts of an academic record from each and every university that you attended 
• Letters of Reference: Two supporting letters of reference - one academic (from a professor who can comment on your academic ability) and one professional (from someone who has witnessed your work with children)
• Resume: Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• List of all experiences working with children: For each experience include the duration and whether it was on a paid or a volunteer basis (this separate list can be included at the end of your resume)
• Statement of Intent: Include information about your work with children and your research interests or experience

upon admission to the program

• Criminal Record Check: You will be required to obtain a Full Disclosure Vulnerable Sector Police Check in order to conduct your practicum and internship. Instructions will be provided upon acceptance into the program.
• Change of Name: You will be required to submit a photocopy of a certificate of change of name, if applicable.

NOTE: Documentation in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by an official transcript.

Where is the Application Available?

Applications can be found online at:
http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/ro/Graduate_Admissions/index.html

OISE/UT, Office of the Registrar
Graduate Studies Admission Unit
252 Bloor Street West, Room 4-485
Toronto, ON M5S 1V6
Telephone: 416.978-1682
E-mail: gradstudy.oise@utoronto.ca

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Our program does accept international applicants. Both experience working with children and grades are taken into consideration when processing international applications. Experience requirements are described above.

Graduates of recognized academic institutions outside Canada should hold an appropriate bachelor's degree or its equivalent as assessed by the University of Toronto in order to meet the minimum academic requirement for admission.  Note not all degrees from outside North America are considered equivalent to an appropriate degree; refer to the International Degree Equivalencies section of the University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies website for more information (http://portal.sgs.utoronto.ca/current/admission/intdegequiv.asp).

Please select your country from the list.  You can use this information in combination with the details provided below to complete your own informal academic assessment.  This will enable you to determine whether you are academically qualified for admission.

International degree equivalencies: http://portal.sgs.utoronto.ca/current/admission/intdegequiv.asp

High grades will raise an applicant's ranking for admission.  Note that your Bachelor’s degree is the “admitting degree”, the only one that will be assessed by the Registrar’s Office.  Any additional education may be regarded favourably, but will not be factored into your academic assessment.  

The liberal arts/science content (or academically-oriented content) in your undergraduate degree must be 75% or greater.  Courses with a significant professional training component, practical component, studio component, performance component, or sports component are not counted as liberal arts.  Because teachers at the elementary level teach all subjects, there is no need to identify "teachable" subjects.

If you still have questions about your academic standing after taking this step, you may wish to consult with the Registrar’s Office.  While the Registrar’s Office cannot provide a specific assessment of credentials prior to submission of an application for admission, their expert personnel may have some insight to offer you. 

Please be aware of the following issues before applying:

• English language proficiency - Applicants must demonstrate their facility in English if their mother tongue or first language is not English and they graduated from a non-Canadian university where the language of instruction and examination was not English.
• Financial implications
• Where you see yourself teaching in the future

The information provided via the links below will be helpful in terms of establishing language proficiency and financial planning. Links to International Student resources like UT’s Centre for International Experience are included as well.

http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/ro/Graduate_Admissions/Application_Steps/Prepare_Your_Application/Info_for_International_Applicants.html

http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/ro/Graduate_Studies_In_Education/Current_Students/International_Students/index.html

International fees information: http://www.provost.utoronto.ca/link/students/fees13/intl_oise.htm

This link to financial aid opportunities for international students may be helpful: http://apply.utoronto.ca/adm-awards/html/financial%20aid/international.htm

Applicants must demonstrate their facility in English if their mother tongue or first language is not English and they graduated from a non-Canadian university where the language of instruction and examination was not English.

Since education is a provincial matter in Canada, our grads are recommended to the Ontario College of Teachers for a Certificate of Qualification. The Certificate of Qualification provides proof of registration with the College and is the annual license to teach in Ontario. If you see yourself teaching elsewhere, it is advisable to investigate whether Ontario teaching certification will enable you to legally work there.

Among other requirements, the Ontario College of Teachers specifies that non-Canadian citizens must submit photocopies of the following to obtain teacher certification:

1) Canadian Employment Authorization:
-A valid work permit issued by the federal government indicating you are not restricted from working in a school environment   OR…
-Both sides of your Permanent Resident Card or Record of Landing Form

2) Social Insurance Number