The master of education is a vast field that revolves around the professional matters of curriculum, teaching, and pedagogy. As per universitystudy.ca, over 50 institutions offer a master of education in Canada. Many of these universities rank highly worldwide. Most institutes offer the program without any specialization, whereas there are a number of universities that offer a variety of specializations in the master of education.
The course lasts for a duration of 2-3 years if completed on a full-time basis. On a part-time basis, it can be completed in a maximum of 4-5 years. Although more commonly available as a Master of Education or M.Ed., some universities offer it as a Master of Arts in Education or MA. Also, students can pursue it either as a thesis-based or a course-based program.
Overview: Master of Education in Canada
| Degree offered | M.Ed. or MA |
| Duration | 2-3 years |
| Type | Thesis or course-based |
| Annual fees | 5,000-23,000 CAD |
| Minimum eligibility | A bachelor’s degree in Education (B.Ed. or a related field, with a minimum overall average in the B+ range (70-80%) |
About Master of Education in Canada
Students can pursue master’s in education courses in Canada as an M.Ed. or an MA course. It is available either as a course-based or thesis-based program. The course-based program is a structured course where the modules are taught through lectures, seminars, and/or internships. While the thesis-based master’s in education program requires students to carry out their own research in their chosen field of specialization.
The overarching goal of each program is to provide a problem- and inquiry-driven environment. This helps enhance practical, research-based, and theoretical understandings of educational issues in the administration and leadership of organizations, communities, and government.
Some Canadian universities offer master’s degrees in education without specialization and others with it. For example, the University of Alberta offers M.Ed. programs in 13 specializations, the University of Ottawa in 6, and Simon Fraser University in 16. The common specializations offered are
- Elementary Education
- Secondary Education
- Special Education
- Technology in Education
- Health Sciences Education
- Psychological Studies in Education
- Educational Psychology
- Educational Studies
- Educational Policy Studies
- School Counselling, Counselling Psychology
- Measurement, Evaluation, and Data Science
- School and Clinical Child Psychology
- Teaching English as a Second Language
- Counseling Psychology
- Leadership, Evaluation, Curriculum Studies
- Societies, Cultures, and Languages
The majority of universities provide M.Ed. students with the opportunity to work as paid teaching assistants and/or research assistants, providing good opportunities for professional advancement while they are in graduate school.
Universities Offering Master of Education Courses in Canada
| University Name | US News Global Ranking | US News Best Universities in Canada |
| University of British Columbia | 35 | 2 |
| McGill University | 54 | 3 |
| University of Alberta | 136 | 4 |
| University of Ottawa | 215 | 9 |
| Western University | 300 | 10 |
| Simon Fraser University | 317 | 12 |
| University of Manitoba | 372 | 14 |
| Queen’s University | 429 | 17 |
| University of Saskatchewan | 441 | 18 |
| Wilfrid Laurier University | 1271 | 29 |
Cost of Studying Master of Education in Canada
| University Name | Program Name | Duration in Years (Full-Time) | Annual Tuition Fees (CAD) |
| University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus | Master of Arts in Education (MA), Thesis | 2-3 years | 10,066 |
| Master of Education (MEd), Capstone project and Coursework only | 14,715 | ||
| McGill University | M.Ed. Educational Psychology | 2 years | 13,505 |
| University of Alberta | Master of Education (14 specializations available) | 2-4 years | 5,110-8,800 |
| University of Ottawa | Master of Education (6 specializations available) | 2 years | 11,961 |
| Western University | MA in Education | 2 years | 23,990 |
| Simon Fraser University | Master of Education (16 specializations available) | 1-3 years | 12,240 |
| University of Manitoba | Curriculum, Teaching and Learning (MEd) | 2 years | 13,185 |
| Educational Administration, Foundations and Psychology (MEd) | |||
| Queen’s University | Master of Education (MEd) | 2 years | 6,435 |
| University of Saskatchewan | Educational Technology and Design, M.Ed. | 2 years | 9,396 |
| Educational Psychology and Special Education, M.Ed. | |||
| Educational Foundations, M.Ed. | |||
| Educational Administration, M.Ed. | |||
| Wilfrid Laurier University | Education (M.Ed.) | 2 years | 13,770 |
The average tuition fee for a master of education in Canada ranges between 10,000-23,000 CAD per year. In addition to tuition costs, the program cost can also include ancillary fees and other charges as determined by the university. Students must not forget to budget for the cost of studying for a master’s degree in their living expenses. On average, the living costs in Canada can add up to 15,000-20,000 CAD per year. Although not all students get scholarships to help budget the cost of studying in the country, they can definitely work to make some extra money. They can choose to work either on or off campus, depending on their preference.
Application Deadlines for International Students
| University Name | Program Name | Deadlines |
| University of British Columbia | Master of Arts in Education (MA), Thesis | January 31 (September), June 1 (January), and October 1 (May) |
| Master of Education (MEd), Capstone project and Coursework only | January 31 (September), June 1 (January), and October 1 (May) | |
| McGill University | M.Ed. Educational Psychology | January 15 |
| University of Alberta | MEd in Educational Studies | March 1 |
| MEd in Educational Policy Studies | March 1 | |
| University of Ottawa | Master of Education | – |
| Western University | MA in Education | – |
| Simon Fraser University | MEd in Educational Practice | May and September |
| University of Manitoba | Curriculum, Teaching and Learning (MEd) | January 8 (Summer), May 1 (Fall) |
| Educational Administration, Foundations and Psychology (MEd) | ||
| Queen’s University | Master of Education (MEd) | January 15 |
| University of Saskatchewan | Educational Technology and Design, M.Ed. | January 15 |
| Educational Psychology and Special Education, M.Ed. | ||
| Educational Foundations, M.Ed. | ||
| Educational Administration, M.Ed. | ||
| Wilfrid Laurier University | Education (MEd) | April 15-July 15 |
Academic Requirements for Master of Education in Canada
Bachelor’s degree: A four-year undergraduate degree in education (e.g., B.Ed.) or a related field from an accredited university. A minimum grade of “B”, 70-80%, or a minimum GPA of 3.0, or equivalent score, in the final two years of undergraduate study.
Experience: Many universities in Canada require students to have two or more years of working experience in the field of education. Or an appropriate academic and/or professional background in the field.
Statement of intent: Candidates must also submit a letter of intent outlining their purpose to study the course.
Recommendation: Students shall also submit two letters of recommendation from university professors or employers.
English language requirement: Applicants whose first language is not English are required to submit an English language proficiency score. The following scores are usually accepted by Canadian universities:
- TOEFL iBT 90 overall or 550-600 for the paper-based version
- IELTS Academic with minimum overall band score between 6.0-6.5
- CAEL Assessment >60
Students must note that meeting academic requirements does not guarantee admission to these courses. The admission decision relies on the admission committee of the respective university. Applications must also be submitted on time to avoid rejections. Try Gyanberry, a one-stop platform for all your admission needs. Our experts will help you choose the right university for your budget. We will also submit your application on your behalf and keep you updated until you are accepted into your desired program or university.
Scholarships to Study Master of Education in Canada
International students pursuing a master’s degree in education in Canada can apply for the scholarships listed below through their respective universities. The government of Canada, university donors, or international organizations fund these scholarships or awards. These are typically awarded to outstanding applicants or as financial bursaries.
| University Name | Scholarships Offered |
| University of British Columbia | Vicki Green Graduate Award (2,100 CAD) |
| University of Alberta | Ivy A Thomson and William A Thomson Graduate Scholarship, the University of Alberta Centenary Graduate Award, The Faculty Club/Dr. William A (Bill) Preshing Graduate Scholarship, Myer Horowitz Graduate Students’ Association Graduate Scholarship, William Rea Scholarship, etc. |
| University of Ottawa | Not Available |
| Western University | Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s (CGS-M), 17,500 CAD for a year,
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS), 15,000 CAD for 3 consecutive terms |
| Simon Fraser University | Education Dean’s Entrance Scholarship (EDES), Graduate Dean’s Entrance Scholarship, Indigenous Graduate Entrance Scholarship, Provost International Fellowship, Special Graduate Entrance Scholarship, etc |
| University of Manitoba | University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships (UMGF), G. Clarence Elliott Fellowship |
| Queen’s University | Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS), 5,000 CAD per term, China Scholarship Council, Mitacs Globalink Research Award |
| University of Saskatchewan | CGPS 75th Recruitment Scholarship, Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, Tri-Agency Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s program |
| Wilfrid Laurier University | Laurier Graduate Scholarships, Dean’s Graduate Scholarship, Graduate Incentive Scholarship, Lazaridis School Graduate Scholarship, Graduate Studentship |
Career Prospects
The program master of education is designed to impart innovative research, writing, teaching, and leadership skills. These skills prepare graduates to be expert teachers, educators, school/board administrators, research leaders, or program evaluators. The career path also depends on the choice of specialization. For instance, if you choose Educational Psychology as your specialization for your master of education, then you are best suited to work as a professional counselor for university or college students.
The following is a table with salary estimates for M.Ed. graduates.
| Designation | Salary in CAD per year |
| School counselor | 83,120 |
| School administrator | 74,674 |
| Researcher | 61,559 |
| Educator | 66,171 |
Source: Indeed
Conclusion
Canada is one of the best places to pursue your postgraduation. Many international students go to study for a master of education in Canada. The program is of 2-3 years duration and is one of the best choices if you are interested in becoming a teacher, educator, counselor, school administrator, or researcher. Canadian universities offer the program mostly as an M.Ed. but a few of them provide it as an MA in education. Depending on their choice, students can pursue it as a thesis or course-based program.