Master of Education in Educational Leadership

To be admitted into the program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Completion of a Bachelor’s degree, (preferably a Bachelor of Education degree, or equivalent), from a recognized university that is acceptable in content to the Faculty of Education with either:
  • a cumulative grade point average of “B” in the final two years and/or 
  • demonstration of academic excellence
• Applicants whose previous degree was obtained in a country where English is not the primary/official language and from a university where English was not the language of instruction must meet one of VIU’s English Language requirements for Graduate Programs.
• Acceptance and satisfactory review of the following items by the Admissions Committee:
  • A résumé outlining teaching experience (two years preferred).
  • A letter of intent explaining why the applicant wishes to pursue graduate work in this area.
  • Two current, confidential assessment reports (reference letters are not acceptable in lieu of the confidential assessment reports).

For Laddering Option applicants:

In addition to the above, graduates from the Literacy, Language and Learning Graduate Diploma (LLLGD):

• Must have taken LLL 513 (Leadership in Literacy and Language) as one of their electives.

Conditional acceptance may be offered to students who are enrolled in LLL program courses at the time of application; however, successful completion of all LLLGD requirements is required before students can be registered in the Master of Education in Educational Leadership.

Flexible Admission

In exceptional circumstances, an applicant may be admitted with lower formal qualifications when there is significant professional experience relevant to the proposed area of scholarship. The objective of flexible admission is to recognize prior learning accomplishments and to ensure a high probability of successful program completion. Applicants must show evidence of having sufficient knowledge, skills and attitudes to complete a demanding academic course of study. Applicants seeking Flexible Admission will be required to:

• Provide a letter of intent explaining why they wish to pursue graduate work in this area;
• Provide a detailed résumé, including evidence of applicable learning;
• Provide two current, confidential assessment reports;
• Provide two or more letters of reference;
• Provide official transcripts of all post-secondary coursework

In limited cases, applicants may also be required to:

• Provide a portfolio containing evidence of applicable prior learning;
• Appear for an interview;
• Take one or more qualifying courses; and/or
• Provide additional documentation as may be required to adjudicate the application

Notes on Admission

• Enrolment in this program is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.
• For application review, applicants must submit all admission documents, including official transcripts for all post-secondary coursework/studies within two weeks of the admissions deadline. Applicants are advised to submit documents as early as possible.

Transfer from other Institutions

Applicants may apply to the Program Chair for possible transfer credits from other accredited Master's programs.

Program Outline (Full-Time Option)

* These courses may be completed on-campus or online. 

** Electives must be at the graduate level. Courses not accepted as electives include MEDS 540, MEDS 610, GDSE 590, GDSE 693, and LLL 514.

Program Outline (Weekends and Summer Option)

*Students may take MEDL 581 as a directed study in place of MEDL 580.

** Electives must be at the graduate level. Courses not accepted as electives include MEDS 540, MEDS 610, GDSE 590, GDSE 693, and LLL 514.

Program Outline (Distance Option)

* MEDL 500 and MEDL 600 contain face-to-face seminars.

** Electives must be at the graduate level. Courses not accepted as electives include MEDS 540, MEDS 610, GDSE 590, GDSE 693, and LLL 514.

Program Outline (Laddering Option)

* Elective courses must be at the graduate level. Courses not accepted as electives include MEDS 540, MEDS 610, GDSE 590, GDSE 693 and LLL 514. 

Program Progression Requirements

• Students must maintain a minimum average of ‘B’ (3.0) in each semester of the program 
• Students must receive a ‘CR’ grade in each course (where applicable) 
• Any student that receives a grade below a ‘C+’ in an individual course is required to meet with the Program Coordinator and/or the Program Chair to create an action plan to improve academic performance. 
• Should students receive a failing grade, they may retake up to 2 individual courses. If they are unsuccessful in a third course, or in a second attempt of the same course, they will be required to leave the program. 
• To be eligible to progress into MEDL 680 and/or MEDL 690, the following requirements must be met:
  • a minimum grade of ‘B’ (3.0) or ‘CR’ in MEDL 550
  • an approved proposal 
• Students are permitted one attempt at MEDL 690. 
• Ability to take elective course work is dependent on seat availability.
• Elective courses must be approved by the program Chair, Coordinator and/or Advisor.
• Graduate level coursework from outside of the Faculty of Education may be accepted as elective coursework with approval by the Chair, Coordinator and/or Advisor.
• Students who find it necessary to interrupt their program may request a leave of absence and are advised to meet with their Program Coordinator and/or the Program Chair in support of completing the Graduate Studies Leave of Absence process.
• Students returning to the program after an absence of five years or longer will have their course work reassessed for relevancy and may be required to retake courses and resubmit a proposal (if applicable). 
• Upon successful completion of 15 credits (i.e. 3 MEDL courses) students are eligible to exit the program with the Teacher Leadership Graduate Diploma.

Domestic graduates of the M.Ed. program will be well-poised to assume leadership positions in the education sector, both domestically and abroad, including that of Principal and Vice-Principal. Based on survey data from the BC Principals and Vice-Principals Association and the age demographic of BC educators, the Ministry of Education predicts over 1,000 administrative vacancies over the next five years. Employers require a Master's Degree for administrative positions. Recently, some school districts have made public their preference for a graduate degree from a BC post-secondary institution.

Domestic (Canadian)

International