MA-CSE Program Information

Practicum placements provide the opportunity to work across a diverse variety of schools, neighbourhoods and different grade levels in classroom settings. They take place in Toronto, within 45 minutes of Jackman ICS by public transit.

Teacher Candidates are assigned to practicum placements in:

• Toronto District School Board
• Toronto Catholic District School Board (optional; extra course required)
• Independent schools in Toronto
• Based upon the availability of space, students have the opportunity to have one first or second year practicum placement at the Dr. Eric Jackman ICS Laboratory School.
• All students observe children in the Lab School

The MA CSE program has a unique model for practice teaching. The structure is immensely beneficial as students learn to be teachers:

First year students are required to complete three 8-week teaching blocks throughout the year.

• A kindergarten placement, a primary placement (Grades 1-3) and a junior placement (Grades 4-6)
• Placements take place Monday to Thursday in the morning. There is opportunity for immediate reflection and support in afternoon classes.
• An optional full-time teaching placement in May is available for first and second year students. Students may gain experience in a special education environment or make contacts in a school of interest.

Second year students complete a full-time teaching internship in oneof the terms (fall or winter). The other term is an academic term.

• Placements are comprised of full days on Monday and Tuesday and mornings only on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
• The 13-week internship allows students to develop the range of skills and experiences necessary to lead a classroom.
• All interns are in placements the week after Labour Day. This is a unique opportunity to learn how teachers establish classroom culture and procedures at the beginning of the school year.

YEAR 1  COURSES

APD2200Y   Child Study: Observation, Evaluation, Reporting, and Research

APD2201Y   Childhood Education Seminar

APD2210Y   Introduction to Curriculum I: Core Areas

APD2220Y   Teaching Practicum

APD2280Y Introduction to Special Education and Adaptive Instruction

All students must all take three half-course electives in their first year.

Students in the PBI field must also complete the following course: APD1226H Foundations in Inquiry and Data-based Decision-Making.

Students in the RIT field must also complete the following course: APD1209H: Research Methods and Thesis Preparation in APHD.

Students without undergraduate courses in child development must take APD1201H (Child and Adolescent Development) as one of their electives.

Students who wish to teach in the Roman Catholic Separate Schools of Ontario are required to take a religious education course in addition to their regular electives (fee applies). Students interested in this option should contact the Continuing and Professional Learning Department at OISE.

YEAR 2 COURSES

Registration in the second year is contingent upon successful completion of all first year work.



Academic Term:

APD2211H   Theory and Curriculum I: Language and Literacy


APD2212H   Theory and Curriculum II: Mathematics


APD2214H   Curriculum and Pedagogies for Cross-Curriculum Teaching

Internship Term:

APD2202H   Childhood Education Seminar II: Advanced Teaching


APD2221Y   Advanced Teaching Practicum (full course)

Students in the PBI field must also complete the following courses in year 2 of the program:

APD 2222H Professional Practice Project: Role A

APD 2223H Professional Practice Project: Role B

Students in the RIT field must also complete APD2001Y: Major Research Paper in Year Two of the program. The MRP must be completed by the end of the winter term in order to graduate.

In addition, all students in our program must demonstrate knowledge of the acts and regulations respecting education in Ontario.

Our department offers elective courses related to areas of emphasis in our program. Offerings may vary slightly each year.

• Special education (e.g. ADHD, Autism, Reading Disabilities, etc.)
• Early childhood education (e.g. Play and Education, Psychological Foundations of Early Development & Education, Social-Emotional Development and Applications, etc.)
• Wellness (e.g. Mental Health in the Classroom, Mindful Self-Compassion for Educators, Preventative Interventions for Children at Risk, etc.)

Students may focus in one area or explore a range of interests.

The program offers two fields of study. 

1. Practice-Based Inquiry (PBI) in Psychology and Educational Practice

This field of study is for those who wish to become classroom teachers and acquire the skills to continuously grow, improve and lead. PBI was created to match what leaders in education across Ontario report that they want to see in schools: 1) Inquiry 2) Collaboration 3) Continuous Improvement.

• We believe that successful teaching requires a deep understanding of children
• Informed teaching with consideration to child development theory (cognitive development, etc.)
• Learn to translate educational theory and research into evidence-informed practice
• Learn strategies for teaching based on exemplary practice models and recent research on pedagogy (teaching methods)
• Students complete a well-supported research project
• Placements and observation in the JICS Lab School under supervision of mentor teacher-researcher

Note that our new EdD program may be an eventual option for PBI graduates interested in doctoral education.

2. Research-Intensive Training (RIT) in Psychology and Education

Applications to the RIT field of study will not be accepted for the fall of 2021.

This competitive field of study (only a few admitted) provides a unique opportunity for future teachers interested in elementary certification and research in psychology and education. Students accepted into the Research-Intensive Training (RIT) field of study must complete a major research paper (MRP) in order to graduate. RIT students have a strong research background and are interested in the possibility of further graduate study. They may be knowledgeable about research methods/data analysis, have written a thesis or have been involved in a research lab.

For more information on research in the CSE program, please see Research at JICS.

• 22 half-courses (or equivalent)
• Successful placements in both Year 1 and Year 2
• Students in the Research-Intensive Training field must complete a Major Research Paper
• Demonstrate knowledge of the acts and regulations respecting education in Ontario

The program is completed on a full-time basis:

• Year 1: Courses and practicum September to April, courses during spring and summer
• Year 2: September to April

Registration in the second year is contingent upon successful completion of all first-year work.

• A 4-year bachelor’s degree with a mid-B, (73%-76%) or better in the final year from a recognized university.
  • Your undergrad may be in any academic discipline.
  • Undergraduate courses must have sufficient academic content. Around 75% of your courses must be academic. Courses in dance or studio art or courses with practical, training or sports components don’t help us gauge your academic abilities.
  • If applying in your 4^th year, the Registrar’s Office will look at your 3^rd year marks. Acceptance in this case would be conditional on 4^th year marks
  • If your bachelor’s was completed on a part-time basis, the Registrar’s Office will look at the average from your 5 most recent, senior-level full courses (or equivalent)
• Experience working with groups of children, preferably in responsible positions. This may be paid or volunteer work and should demonstrate your plans to become a teacher.
• A satisfactory vulnerable sector police check (VSS) is a requirement prior to having direct contact with students. Without a satisfactory VSS, schools will not allow teacher education candidates to participate in practice teaching.
• Successful interview
• Applicants to the RIT field of study generally have some research background and knowledge of research methods

Application opening and closing dates for the MA in Child Study & Education program can be found on the Office of the Registrar and Student Services website.

Applications usually open in late September and close in mid-November. We admit approximately 60 students each year. The academic school year for this program begins in September. 

For more information, please see Preparing to Apply.