Our onsite MA program in the field of Critical Policy, Equity, and Leadership Studies introduces students to the foundational knowledge, theoretical and methodological approaches, multiple perspectives, key issues and current debates within a specialization. The program provides an understanding of the intersections between the specialization areas (Aboriginal Education; Critical Policy in Education; Race, Gender and Queer studies; Educational Leadership; Globalization and International Education), as well as the interconnections between local, national and global contexts of each specialization area.
MA STUDENTS MAY CHOOSE ONE OF TWO PROGRAM PATHWAYS
- 8 courses + MRP (Master’s Research Project)
- 6 courses + Master’s Thesis
- 10 courses, no supervisor required
(Exceptional students may be invited by CPELS faculty to fast track into our PhD program at the end of their first year.)
Prospective students are strongly encouraged to visit our Faculty Research page for more information on the exciting research being conducted at the Faculty of Education.
Important note: When submitting an application to the Master of Arts in Education Studies program, applicants (MRP or Thesis) must indicate their preferred Thesis Supervisor in their Statement of Intent. Applicants are advised to review the Faculty Research page and contact faculty in their area of interest to confirm that this potential exists.
Below is a summary of the Thesis process. Students must consult the Master's Thesis Guide (PDF), Program Policies web page, and the School of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies' Thesis Regulation Guide for complete thesis guidelines and regulations.
Proposal:
Once a student completes their required and elective courses they will register in ED 9683 Individual Proposal Preparation (IPP). By the end of the semester in which a student completes the last required course decide on a topic for their thesis, and submit the Individual Proposal Preparation (IPP) - Supervisor Approval Form (found on the Forms & Guides page).
The IPP provides a structure for the writing of a thesis proposal. An initial review of relevant research provides the background for the proposed study. The methodological framework and the method to be employed are studied and developed. Ethical considerations are investigated and, where appropriate, an ethical review document prepared. The IPP is not a course but a milestone and compulsory element for those writing a Thesis.
The IPP should be completed in one term. The IPP is completed when the proposal and ethical review (where required) have been submitted for approval.
The Thesis Supervisor after consulting with the faculty members concerned, will formally appoint a Thesis Advisory Committee. The Committee will consist of a Thesis Supervisor and at least one additional faculty member who will act as a Thesis Advisory Committee Member. The Thesis Supervisor must be a member of the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies with Ph.D. supervisory status, as approved by the Credentials Committee of the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
When the Thesis Supervisory Committee is satisfied with a student's written proposal, the student may submit the proposal for approval. The student submits one copy of their proposal and the MA Thesis Proposal Approval form to the Graduate Programs Office for approval by the Associate Dean, Graduate Programs.
If the proposed research involves human subjects, the student has to receive ethics approval from Western University Research Ethics Board before the research begins. Please see the Research Ethics page for more information.
The student may proceed with their research and thesis preparation when all approvals have been obtained.
Thesis:
Only after all approvals have been obtained the student must register in ED 9590 Master's Thesis and may proceed with the research and the preparation of the thesis under the guidance and review of the Thesis Supervisory Committee. Please note that ED 9590 is not a course but a milestone.
When the thesis has been completed and approved by the Thesis Supervisory Committee. The student will submit the Application for Thesis Examination - Form B and Master's Thesis Supervisor Approval Form (found on the Forms & Guides page) to the Graduate Programs Office. The necessary arrangements will be made by the Graduate Programs Office for the examination of the thesis in accordance with the appropriate University regulations.
The MA program in the field of Critical Policy, Equity, and Leadership Studies is offered on a full-time or part-time basis.
Times to Completion:
Full-time - Typically 24 months (2 years)
Part-time- Typically 9 terms (3 years)
Below is the typical program of study for full-time students:
|
Term
|
Full-time
|
|
Year 1
Fall
|
ED 9200 Social Context of Education
2 elective courses
|
|
Year 1
Winter
|
ED 9201 Introduction to Educational Research
2 from list of CPELS recommended courses
|
|
Year 1
Summer
|
ED 9693 Individual Proposal Preparation (IPP)
|
|
Year 2
Fall
|
ED 9590 Thesis
|
|
Year 2
Winter
|
ED 9590 Thesis
|
|
Year 2
Summer
|
ED 9590 Thesis
|
Part-Time students can take 1-2 courses per term.
Below is the typical program of study for full time students in the MA - MRP
|
Term
|
Full-time
|
|
Year 1
Fall
|
3 courses
|
|
Year 1
Winter
|
3 courses
|
|
Year 1
Summer
|
2 courses
|
|
Year 2
Fall
|
MRP
|
|
Year 2
Winter
|
MRP
|
Below is the typical program of study for full-time students in the MA - Course-based
|
Term
|
Full-time
|
|
Year 1
Fall
|
EDUC 9200 +
1 or 2 elective courses
|
|
Year 1
Winter
|
ED 9201 + 2 courses
|
|
Year 1
Summer
|
2 elective courses
|
|
Year 2
Fall
|
2 or elective courses
|
Critical Policy, Equity, and Leadership Studies: Students may focus in one or more of the following:
- Critical Policy Studies in Education;
- Equity and Social Justice Education;
- Globalization and International Education;
- Leadership Studies in Education.
Thesis-based students will be required to complete 6 courses + Thesis. MRP based students will be required to complete 8 courses + MRP. Course-based students will be required to complete 10 courses.
- 2 required half courses
- 9200 Social Context of Education
- 9201 Introduction to Educational Research
- 4 or 5 recommended courses include
- 9202 Critical Policy Studies in Education
- 9629 Equity & Social Justice in Education
- 9507 Graduate Seminar in Leadership
- 9203 Globalization and Education
- 9204 Indigeneity and (De)colonizing Research
- Thesis or MRP
Note: In lieu of the recommended courses, up to two electives inside or outside the ARC can be made with the approval of the student's supervisor. Students may have the option to enrol in an Independent Reading and Research Course
