Program Overview

Overview of the Teacher Education Program

The Teacher Education program at the University of British Columbia is a comprehensive and research-oriented program designed to develop, support, and sustain teaching as a professional practice across various levels and contexts. The program involves programs that provide both the knowledge and practice for entry to the profession, as well as advanced graduate studies that focus on questions such as the purpose of teacher education and its end goals.

Program Structure

The Teacher Education program is offered through the Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy, Faculty of Education. The program includes various specializations, such as:

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Master of Arts (MA)
• Master of Education (MEd)
• Bachelor of Education (BEd)
• Diploma & Certificate

Admissions

All graduate program applicants must meet the minimum entry requirements established by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. The requirements include:

Master of Arts

• One-two years of teacher education; or a four-year Bachelor’s degree in Education
• Normally 18 credits of senior course work or a professional concentration in the area of interest
• Normally two years’ teaching experience or other relevant professional experience

Master of Education

• Same as for the MA, with a focus on application of educational theory in professional practice

Doctor of Philosophy

• A master’s degree with high standing in a relevant educational discipline
• Evidence of potential to carry out research
• A sample of work demonstrating scholarly writing
• A letter of intent describing the focus of the proposed research
• The support of three referees, one of which must be from a member of the thesis supervisory committee

Requirements

Master of Arts

• The program consists of a minimum of 30 credits: 21 credits of coursework plus 9 credits of thesis
• Required courses:
  • EDCP 562: Introduction to Curriculum Issues and Theories
  • EDUC 500: Research Methodologies in Education
  • EDCP 5XX: At least 6 credits at 500 level of content-related courses
• It is strongly suggested that students take an additional 3 credits of 500 level coursework with a significant research method(s) component

Master of Education

• The program consists of a minimum of 30 credits
• Students select either a program consisting entirely of courses (30 credits) or 27 credits of coursework plus a graduating project (3 credits)
• Required courses:
  • EDCP 562: Introduction to Curriculum Issues and Theories
  • EDUC 500: Research Methodologies in Education
  • EDCP 5XX: At least 6 credits at 500 level of content-related courses

Doctor of Philosophy

• The PhD in Curriculum Studies is a flexible, research-oriented doctoral program
• Students take their first doctoral seminar in the first term and second doctoral seminar in the second term of the first year
• In addition to these six credits, students need two research methodology and two specialization courses (18 credits total)
• Students typically reach candidacy by the end of the second year of their studies
• The university allows doctoral students up to six years to complete program requirements

Doctoral Seminars

• EDCP 601: Examines the emergence of contemporary conceptions of curriculum and pedagogy
• EDCP 602: Unpacks the epistemological and ontological positions of various paradigms used in contemporary studies of curriculum and pedagogy

Coursework and Specialization

• Students are expected to take minimum six credits of courses in their specialization
• Most of the courses in the student’s specialization are completed prior to reaching candidacy

Research Methods

• PhD students are expected to be familiar with the various methods used in contemporary educational research
• Developing proficiency in research methods normally requires enrolling in available courses and reading widely in the research methods literature

Comprehensive Examination

• All students in the PhD program are required to successfully complete a comprehensive examination after most of their coursework is completed and before they present their research proposal

Research Proposal

• Students develop research proposals which must be presented to and approved by a research supervisory committee

Candidacy

• Students are recommended to be admitted to candidacy upon completing the required courses, successful completion of comprehensive examination, and successfully defending their research proposal

PhD Dissertation

• The PhD dissertation is an original piece of research that contributes to knowledge in the student’s area of specialization

PhD Registration and Residency

• All doctoral students are full-time students and are expected to engage in their studies on a full-time basis
• Students must register when they begin their studies and remain continuously registered until the degree is completed

Faculty

The Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy has a diverse range of faculty members with expertise in various areas of teacher education and curriculum studies. Some of the faculty members include:

• J. Douglas Adler
• Jillianne Code
• Peter Gouzouasis
• Harper B. Keenan
• Shannon Leddy
• Lisa Loutzenheiser
• Samson Nashon
• Dónal O’Donoghue
• Anne Phelan
• Leyton Schnellert
• Sandra Scott