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.
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 2023-2024 admissions cycle are set to open early October 2022.
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Why I Chose Leadership, Adult & Higher Education

Shahidul Islam (Master of Education 2020)
"If you are looking to analyze and address real-world problems in education, OISE is the place. At Leadership, Adult & Higher Education I developed my research skills and contributed to literature and policy that benefits schools and communities across the globe."
Master of Education in Educational Leadership & Policy 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 (Minimum Admission Requirements)
- 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.
Required Supporting Documents
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).
- 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.
Additional 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. 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:
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).
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.