Program Overview

Introduction to the Professional Master of Education (PME) Program

The Professional Master of Education (PME) program at Queen's University is a fully online, part-time, asynchronous program designed for educators and other professionals who want to take their career to the next level. The program attracts students from a variety of settings, including schools, governments, universities, and professions, enriching everyone's experience.

Program Structure

The PME program offers a flexible approach to post-graduate studies in education. All PME courses run asynchronously online, which means students can participate from anywhere in the world without disrupting their busy schedules. Students enrolled in the PME program must complete a total of 10 graduate courses - 5 required and 5 elective.

Course Details

• Courses do not need to be taken in a specific order, although it is recommended to take PME 894 (Introduction to Educational Fieldwork) as the fourth or fifth course in the program and PME 896 (Capstone) as one of the final courses.
• Students choose a concentration: Assessment & Evaluation, Classroom Specialist, Educational Administration, Global Education, Indigenous Education, and Literacy Education.
• Courses are 10 weeks in Fall and Winter and 7 weeks in Spring and Summer.
• Students can estimate about 7-10 hours a week per course.
• Each course is 3.0 units/credits.

Concentrations

PME students choose one of the following concentrations and take all 3 courses in their chosen concentration:

Assessment & Evaluation

In the Assessment & Evaluation concentration, students explore how various data sources can be used systematically to inform learning and improvement efforts in classrooms, schools, systems, programs, and organizations. The courses in this concentration are:

• GDE/PME 826 Using Classroom and Large-Scale Assessment Data
• GDE/PME 827 Planning and Implementing Classroom Assessment
• GDE/PME 828 Conducting Quality Program Evaluations

Classroom Specialist

In the Classroom Specialist concentration, students explore and develop innovative curriculum practices intended to support integrated and authentic learning within and beyond the classroom. The courses in this concentration are:

• GDE/PME 831 Innovative Curriculum Planning
• GDE/PME 832 The Connected Classroom
• GDE/PME 833 Supporting Innovative Thinking

Educational Administration

In the Educational Administration concentration, students explore change management in educational organizations and the impacts of funding models, policy, and politics on educational administrators and stakeholders. The courses in this concentration are:

• GDE/PME 861 Change Management in Educational Organizations
• GDE/PME 862 Finance and Budgeting in Public Service Sectors
• GDE/PME 863 Equity-Focused School Leadership

Global Education

In the Global Education concentration, students take an in-depth look at the community and climate of international education. The courses in this concentration are:

• GDE/PME 851 Creating Connection in Culturally Diverse Schools
• GDE/PME 852 International Education in a Globalized World
• GDE/PME 853 The Business of International Education

Indigenous Education

In the Indigenous Education concentration, students explore Indigenous approaches to education, leadership, and knowledge; the history of Indigenous education policy; models for Indigenous education in Canada; and the diversity of the Indigenous Languages of the Americas. The courses in this concentration are:

• GDE/PME 820 Indigenous Leadership and Knowledge
• GDE/PME 821 Policy and Models in Canadian Indigenous Education
• GDE/PME 822 Indigenous Languages and Language Teaching

Literacy Education

In the Literacy Education concentration, students explore literacy development theories, components of literacy, and research-based literacy interventions. The courses in this concentration are:

• GDE/PME 841 Critical Foundations of Literacy
• GDE/PME 842 Literacy Development
• GDE/PME 843 Effective Intervention

Required Courses

PME students also take the following 2 required courses:

• PME 894 Introduction to Educational Fieldwork (prerequisite for PME 896 and typically one of the first five courses in the program)
• PME 896 Capstone (typically one of the final courses in the program)

Elective Courses

Students choose 5 elective courses from the following list:

• GDE/PME 800 Self-Regulated Inquiry and Learning
• GDE/PME 801 Cultivating Creativity
• GDE/PME 803 Organizational Leadership (recommended for Educational Administration Concentration)
• GDE/PME 810 Integrated Planning, Instruction, and Assessment
• GDE/PME 811 Innovation in Teaching and Learning
• GDE/PME 813 Knowledge Translation and Mobilization
• GDE/PME 815 Digital Literacy
• PME 878 Experiential Practice in Education
• Up to 5 courses outside their chosen Concentration (see Required Courses section above)

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements are:

• A baccalaureate degree from a recognized university
• Graduation with a B- graduating average or higher (70% graduating average or a ranking in the top third of the graduating class where number grades are not available)
• Under exceptional circumstances, consideration will be given to highly motivated individuals with relevant field experience who do not meet the B- requirement
• Applicants whose native languages do not include English must obtain a minimum English language requirement of 580 or higher on the paper-based TOEFL exam; 237 Computer-based; 88 on the TOEFL iBT test or IELTS Band 7 or higher

Application Deadlines, Start Dates, and Tuition Fees

There is a non-refundable application fee of $120.00 payable to the School of Graduate Studies. There are no registration fees, as students pay per course. Canadian students pay $1,253.70 per course, and international students pay $2,918.70 per course. There is also a Student Assistance Levy of $16.67 per term. All fees are in Canadian dollars and are subject to change.

Application Deadlines

• September start: Application deadline is April 1
• January start: Application deadline is August 1
• July start: Application deadline is February 1

Frequently Asked Questions

How many references do I need?

The PME program requires 2 references to be submitted. Current academic or professional references are welcome, and we will accept any combination of the two. If you have been out of school for over 5 years, we will accept 2 professional references.

What does a professional reference mean?

A professional letter of recommendation should be a letter from an employer or workplace supervisor. The reference cannot be from a colleague but should be someone to whom you report.

How will the references be contacted?

When compiling your online application, you will enter the names and email addresses of your two references. Upon submitting your application, your references will be emailed a link to complete a secure online reference form.

What are the career options for someone taking the PME?

Graduates from our PME program receive higher teaching certification levels and take on careers in the following areas:

• School Principals
• Educational Administrators or Consultants
• Curriculum Developers or Specialists
• School or Career Counsellor
• Corporate Training and Development
• Educational Policy Developer
• Leadership positions within the government, social services, engineering, business, health sciences, and the military

Ladder your Credentials

Applicants to the Professional Master of Education (PME) program who have completed a post-graduate certificate through Queen's Continuing Teacher Education (CTE) or Professional Studies (PS) and the Graduate Diploma in Education (GDE) as part of the laddering option qualify for advanced standing in GDE/PME 811 (Innovation in Teaching and Learning), which is 1 elective course out of the 5 courses needed to complete the degree. With advanced standing, students only complete 2 required courses and 2 elective courses to earn the Professional Master of Education degree.