Educational Practice MEd

This course surveys historical roots, contemporary debates and practices related to teacher inquiry and qualitative research methods as they are applied to educational settings. The course aims to acquaint students with a broad spectrum of issues and methods, with an eye toward being able to thoughtfully draw from theories, practices, perspectives, and methods in developing their own inquiry projects to be conducted in the following semester.

This course draws on the ideas introduced in EDUC 867 and moves thinking toward a more specific focus on conducting teacher inquiry and ‘taking action’ in classrooms and other school-based settings. Primarily, the course aims to support students in engaging in cycles of action and reflection and data collection and analysis to develop more sophisticated understandings of professional practice. This ‘fieldwork’ is, in effect, an enhanced form of ‘field study’ such as have been done in the GDE programs. Students will critically reflect on and situate their own experiences and understandings in relation to educational theories and practices.

The primary focus of this semester is on interpretation, synthesis, representation, and crystallization of learning based on the inquiry, as well as the journey in the program. Through writing, dialogue and other forms of representation, students will make sense of their inquiries in relation to professional practice. This inquiry project will form the basis of the ‘comprehensive examination’ to follow.

Although formally referred to as the ‘Comprehensive Examination,’ this is not an ‘exam’ as such, but a summative presentation by each student of their now-extended understandings of the relationship between theory, practice, and teacher-inquiry. There will be two components: (1) students will write a paper summarizing their inquiry projects, their understandings, and their further questions; and, (2) they will present their work to a community of inquiry consisting of cohort colleagues and instructors.

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A Bachelors degree with a standing of 3.0 CGPA (or B average).

Successful completion of a Graduate Diploma in Advanced Professional Studies in Education (GDE).

Submitted evidence that the applicant is capable of undertaking advanced studies in their area of interest. This is usually judged from letters of reference from qualified referees, a self-evaluation, a reflective paper and a proposal for further study.  Please see MEd EP Application Process for further information.

This program is offered at SFU campuses in the Lower Mainland and other areas of British Columbia, where there is a sufficient concentration of qualified applicants.  Specific locations for the programs in the Lower Mainland are determined by proximity to admissible applicants.

Classes may be held either in the evenings or on weekends, depending on the location of the program.

Please note:  Admission to the MEd EP is competitive and applicants meeting the minimum requirements are not assured admission.  Please see MEd EP Application Process for further information.

SFU's policy allows for no more than six years between the start of any graduate study (including the GDE) and completion of a Master's degree.  In the case of the MEd EP, candidates should note that this six-year period begins at the start of their GDE program.  This means that applicants for the MEd EP should wait no more than three years after completing their GDE before beginning the MEd EP.  (Earlier application is advised due to the competitive nature of the application process.) In exceptional circumstances it may be possible to secure an extension to the six-year limit; applicants in this category should contact the Field Programs office prior to application to explore this possibility.

TQS requires 30 credits of study to move from a Category 4 to 5, and 30 additional credits AND completion of a Master's degree to move from a Category 5 to 6.  The GDE will enable teachers to move from a Category 4 to 5.  Completing the four MEd EP courses (20 credits) will not be sufficient to move to Category 6.

Students wishing to obtain a Master's degree without meeting the Category 6 requirements are invited to apply to complete the four MEd EP courses (20 credits) only.  This will result in a completed MEd EP and TQS Category 5.

Students wishing to obtain a Master's degree and move to Category 6 must complete an additional ten credits of graduate coursework prior to conferring their MEd EP.  This may require one or two additional terms of study.  Applicants in this situation must e-mail edprgpd@sfu.ca to arrange alternatives for earning the additional ten credits.  Those who began their GDE at TQS Category 4 after May 2008 may be required to make their own arrangements for completing these additional credits.