Why Education @ Memorial?

The Faculty of Education at Memorial University is responsible for the professional preparation of leaders within the education sector. This includes the education of teachers, administrators, and specialists who will work in primary, elementary, intermediate, and secondary schools, as well as in post-secondary institutions.

The work of the faculty incorporates undergraduate and graduate studies, as well as continuing education. The faculty also engages in specialized research for the improvement of pedagogical practice, driving new developments in teaching and learning. 

The Faculty of Education offers graduate programs in various disciplines including Counselling Psychology, Curriculum, Teaching and Learning Studies, Educational Leadership Studies, Educational Technology, Inclusive and Special Education, Post-Secondary Education, and Reading Development and Instruction.

Description of programs

Graduate diploma

• The Graduate Diploma in Education (Curriculum, Teaching and Learning Studies) explores and analyses the conceptual bases of curriculum, teaching, and learning along with related examples of historical and current policies and practices. The graduate diploma provides students with an opportunity to further study and expand their knowledge in this area. This program can be completed entirely online with careful planning and selection of courses. Select courses may also be offered on-campus when enrolment allows. Students may enrol in this program on a full-time or part-time basis; students typically complete this diploma over two to four semesters.

• The Graduate Diploma in Education (Educational Leadership Studies) provides students with an opportunity to explore a broad range of issues in educational leadership, administration, foundations and policy. The Diploma is suitable for students interested in pursuing leadership roles in a variety of settings, including schools, school districts and post-secondary institutions. The program is also designed to enhance leadership competencies in relevant areas such as policy analysis, critical analysis, and community relations. This program can be completed entirely online with careful planning and selection of courses. Select courses may also be offered on-campus when enrollment allows. Students may enrol in this program on a full-time or part-time basis; students typically complete this diploma over two to four semesters.

• The Graduate Diploma in Education (Reading Development and Instruction) is intended as a program of study for students who want to further develop their professional learning and deepen their understanding of reading development to better support classroom-wide instruction, including the instruction of children who experience reading difficulty. This part-time program consists of four courses offered over a period of four semesters. All courses are fully online with bi-weekly synchronous meetings.  

• The Graduate Diploma in Post-Secondary Education (Health Professional Education) is designed to enhance health professionals' abilities as educators and leaders in educational program design, development, evaluation, and administration. The diploma is intended for educators and educational leaders of formal and informal post-secondary health professional education programs. This part-time diploma is offered fully online and can be completed in four semesters with careful planning and selection of courses.  

• The Graduate Diploma in Post-Secondary Education (International Education) provides students with an opportunity to learn about internationalization and how it is supported and implemented in educational institutions. The diploma program is designed for educators in diverse and global sectors (education, government, not-for-profit, private industry) to gain in-depth insights into the structures, policies, theories and philosophies of international education, as well as the newcomer student experience. This part-time diploma is offered fully online and is typically completed over four semesters.  

• The Graduate Diploma in Post-Secondary Education (Student Affairs and Services) provides concentrated study in theory and practice pertaining to student development, services, programs and initiatives that support student success in post-secondary education. The Graduate Diploma is intended for student affairs and services practitioners, administrators, and educators within post-secondary education. This part-time diploma is offered fully online and is typically completed over four semesters.

MEd 

• The Master of Education in Counselling Psychology is designed to prepare highly knowledgeable, skilled, dedicated, and ethical professional counsellors, who will endeavour to enhance human potential and flourishing throughout their practice and can work effectively within a variety of settings. The Master of Education in Counselling Psychology program is currently offered as a part-time or full-time cohort. The part-time cohort follows a nine-semester layout delivered through a blended model of online/remote classes with a mandatory on-campus summer session. The full-time cohort follows a six-semester layout delivered in-person at the St. John’s campus. Applicants may apply for the course or thesis route.

• The Master of Education in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning Studies explores and analyses the conceptual bases of curriculum, teaching, and learning along with related examples of historical and current policies and practices. The program encourages the development of broad-based insights into issues related to these areas through an emphasis on critical inquiry and reflective practice. It supports students in the development and enhancement of research capabilities and professional expertise and practice. This program can be completed entirely online with careful planning and selection of courses. Select courses may also be offered on-campus when enrolment allows. Students may enrol in this program on a full-time or part-time basis; students typically complete this degree over six semesters (full-time) or nine semesters (part-time). Applicants may apply for the course, project, or thesis route.

• The Master of Education in Educational Leadership Studies provides students with an opportunity to explore a broad range of issues in educational leadership, policy, and administration. It prepares students to assume leadership roles in a variety of settings, including school and district leadership, post-secondary institutions and policy analysis. This program can be completed entirely online with careful planning and selection of courses. Select courses may also be offered on-campus when enrolment allows. Students may enrol in this program on a full-time or part-time basis; students typically complete this degree over six semesters (full-time) or nine semesters (part-time). Applicants may apply for the course, internship, project, paper folio, or thesis route.

• The Master of Education in Educational Technology is designed to facilitate the educational use of information technology in a wide variety of settings. Educators will develop skill sets and pedagogical expertise that will enable them to address computer and related educational technology in teaching and learning situations. This program is offered fully online. Students may enrol in this program on a full-time or part-time basis; students typically complete this degree over six semesters (full-time) or nine semesters (part-time). Applicants may apply for the course, project, or thesis route.

• The Master of Education (Inclusive and Special Education) program is designed to prepare educators to support students with diverse learning needs in inclusive settings, with a focus on areas such as emotional and behavioural disorders, autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, giftedness, and inclusive teaching practices. This program has two pathways: standard (for BEd and BMEd graduates) and accelerated (for BSpEd graduates). The standard pathway follows a part-time layout over nine semesters and is delivered through a blended model of online/remote classes with a mandatory on-campus summer session during the second year. The accelerated pathway follows a part-time layout over six-semesters and is delivered entirely through online/remote classes. Applicants may apply for the course or thesis route.

• The Master of Education in Post-Secondary Education is designed to prepare candidates to function in a variety of roles in informal and formal post-secondary learning environments (including academic, technical, professional, adult education, health professional education, and student services/development). This program facilitates a study of the post-secondary educational systems through an examination of their foundations, directions, organization and administration; and through curriculum and instructional development options for occupational preparation and adult education. This program is offered fully online. Students may enrol in this program on a full-time or part-time basis; students typically complete this degree over six semesters (full-time) or nine semesters (part-time). Applicants may apply for the course, internship, or thesis route.

• The Master of Education in Reading Development and Instruction has an in-depth focus on scientifically grounded approaches to reading development, assessment, and instruction for diverse learners, with a special emphasis on structured literacy. This program is intended for students who want to further develop their professional learning and deepen their understanding of reading development to better support classroom-wide instruction, including the instruction of children who experience reading difficulty. This program is offered fully online with weekly or bi-weekly synchronous meetings. Students may enrol in this program on a full-time or part-time basis; students typically complete this degree over six semesters (full-time) or nine semesters (part-time). Applicants may apply for the course, project, or thesis route.

PhD

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Education prepares graduates for faculty and leadership positions in educational settings. The program consists of courses, a comprehensive exam, and a thesis. This program is normally completed over a period of four years of full-time study. There is a residency requirement for the first year of the PhD program; subsequent years may be completed online or in person. 

Contact a faculty supervisor

Graduate applicants interested in research-based programs are strongly encouraged to connect with a faculty supervisor at the time of application. The School of Graduate Studies offers advice on how to search for and contact potential supervisors.

Need more help? Try attending one of our webinars and information sessions for prospective graduate students.

Minimum admission requirements

• Graduate diploma and MEd – Bachelor's degree (minimum second class or 70% average in last 90 credit hours), with many programs also requiring teaching or work-related experience. Some programs have prerequisites. 

• PhD – Master's Degree in Education ('A' standing) or an equivalent Master's Degree from an accredited university; evidence of scholarly work; and two years of professional experience in an educational setting. An interview may also be required.

Potential career options and outcomes

Student affairs/services positions (advisor, manager, director positions in Admissions, Registrar's Office, Financial Aid, Student Recruitment, Health and Wellness, Residence Life); vocational, college, and university lecturers/instructors; educational developers; instructional/educational technologies designers; administrative positions at vocational, college and university institutions.

Graduate student and alumni profiles

Our graduate students come from all parts of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, and the world. View the student profile below to learn more about what they do and why they chose Memorial.

 Note: All figures are in Canadian dollars and subject to change. Fees are approved by the University’s Board of Regents. In the event of a discrepancy between the fees approved by the Board and those published on this website, the fees approved by the Board will prevail. Financial policies are enforced through the Department of Financial and Administrative Services. For the complete and official list of all fees and charges, visit www.mun.ca/finance/fees/.