Master of Education in Educational Leadership & Policy

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. Students may choose to focus on one of the four research areas: Policy, Leadership, Change, or Social Diversity.

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. 

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. 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.
   

Major Research Paper (MRP)

• Major Research Paper (LHA 2001Y)
  • To be carried out under the guidance of a faculty member.

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:

• Comparative, International and Development Education
• Educational Policy
• Ethnic, Immigration and Pluralism Studies
• Sexual Diversity Studies 
• Women and Gender Studies

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).