Master of Education in Indigenous Education (MEd)
Overview
The MEd is designed for teachers, administrators, community educators, early childhood educators, or students in other professions who wish to enhance their knowledge and professional practice in Indigenous education. This program will:
- Develop educators’ knowledge, understanding and theory and pedagogic skills concerning Indigenous education and Indigenous knowledge;
- Analyze existing curriculum frameworks and structures so that educators may better understand Indigenous worldviews and use Indigenous knowledge and pedagogies in respectful and responsible ways; and
- Provide new professional development opportunities for learning about and practicing Indigenous pedagogies and ways of knowing and thoughtful and strategic ways to implement these in education curricula and programming.
Program Structure
This degree encompasses flexible learning modes and so will be offered on-campus in summer months within classroom and land - based settings, as well as online to support remote learning. The program normally takes 28 months of consecutive study.
The following 7 courses (21 credits) are required:
- EDST 591: Indigenous Epistemology and Curriculum (3 credits)
- LLED 513: Indigenous Storytelling in Education (3 credits)
- EDCP 532: Theories and Dimensions of Place- Based Education: Ecohumanist, Critical, and Indigenous Lenses (3 credits)
- EDUC 500: Research Methods in Education - Indigenous Emphasis (3 credits)
- EDST 545: Indigenous Inquiry and Research (3 credits)
- ETEC 521: Indigeneity, Technology, and Education (3 credits)
- One of EDST 590, LLED 590, or EDCP 590: Graduating Paper (3 credits)
Recommended electives (9 credits) include the following:
- EDCP 539: Narrativity, Ecopedagogy and Indigeneity (3 credits)
- EDST 505: First Nations and Educational Change (3 credits)
- EDST 546: Indigenous Methodology and Epistemology (3 credits)
- LLED 527: Materials Development for Indigenous Language Learning & Teaching (3 credits)
- EDUC 440: Aboriginal Education in Canada (3 credits)
- FNEL 480: Endangered Language Documentation and Revitalization (3-12 credits)
- FNEL 380: Technologies for Endangered Language Documentation and Revitalization (3 credits)
- EDUC 442: Critical Issues in Indigenous Education (1-3 credits)
Quick Facts
Admission Information & Requirements
1) Check Eligibility
Minimum Academic Requirements
The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:
Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.
English Language Test
Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.
Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:
TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based
Overall score requirement: 90
Reading
22
Writing
21
Speaking
21
Listening
22
IELTS: International English Language Testing System
Overall score requirement: 6.5
Reading
6.0
Writing
6.0
Speaking
6.0
Listening
6.0
Other Test Scores
Some programs require additional test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). The requirements for this program are:
The GRE is not required.
2) Meet Deadlines
3) Prepare Application
Transcripts
All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. Document submission requirements depend on whether your institution of study is within Canada or outside of Canada.
Letters of Reference
A minimum of three references are required for application to graduate programs at UBC. References should be requested from individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications.
Statement of Interest
Many programs require a statement of interest, sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.
Supervision
Course-based programs may assign academic advisors to cohorts of students, but usually do not require applicants to reach out to individual professors / faculty members to seek commitment as their supervisor. Please do not contact faculty members if you are applying to this program.
Citizenship Verification
Permanent Residents of Canada must provide a clear photocopy of both sides of the Permanent Resident card.
4) Apply Online
All applicants must complete an online application form and pay the application fee to be considered for admission to UBC.
Tuition & Financial Support
Tuition
| Fees | Canadian Citizen / Permanent Resident / Refugee / Diplomat | International |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | $112.00 | $168.25 |
| Tuition * | ||
| Installments per year | 3 | 3 |
| Tuition per installment | $2,341.28 | $2,604.80 |
| Tuition per year (plus annual increase, usually 2%-5%) | $7,023.84 | $7,814.40 |
| Int. Tuition Award (ITA) per year (if eligible) | Not applicable | |
| Other Fees and Costs | ||
| Student Fees (yearly) | $1,081.64 (approx.) | |
| Costs of living (yearly) | starting at $18,517.90 (check cost calculator) | |
All fees for the year are subject to adjustment and UBC reserves the right to change any fees without notice at any time, including tuition and student fees. Tuition fees are reviewed annually by the UBC Board of Governors. In recent years, tuition increases have been 2% for continuing domestic students and between 2% and 5% for continuing international students. New students may see higher increases in tuition. Admitted students who defer their admission are subject to the potentially higher tuition fees for incoming students effective at the later program start date. In case of a discrepancy between this webpage and the UBC Calendar, the UBC Calendar entry will be held to be correct.
Financial Support
Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options.
Employer support
Organizations may provide their employees with tuition benefits as part of an employment package to support lifelong learning of their workforce.
Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)
Professional / course-based programs usually do not provide merit-based funding. Some programs may offer bursaries.
Financial aid (need-based funding)
Canadian and US applicants may qualify for governmental loans to finance their studies. Please review eligibility and types of loans.
All students may be able to access private sector or bank loans.
Foreign government scholarships
Many foreign governments provide support to their citizens in pursuing education abroad. International applicants should check the various governmental resources in their home country, such as the Department of Education, for available scholarships.
Working while studying
The possibility to pursue work to supplement income may depend on the demands the program has on students. It should be carefully weighed if work leads to prolonged program durations or whether work placements can be meaningfully embedded into a program.
International students enrolled as full-time students with a valid study permit can work on campus for unlimited hours and work off-campus for no more than 20 hours a week.
A good starting point to explore student jobs is the UBC Work Learn program or a Co-Op placement.
Tax credits and RRSP withdrawals
Students with taxable income in Canada may be able to claim federal or provincial tax credits.
Canadian residents with RRSP accounts may be able to use the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) which allows students to withdraw amounts from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSPs) to finance full-time training or education for themselves or their partner.
Please review Filing taxes in Canada on the student services website for more information.
Cost Calculator
Applicants have access to the cost calculator to develop a financial plan that takes into account various income sources and expenses.
Further Information
Specialization
This specialization provides educators with in-depth preparation on K-12 Indigenous educational frameworks, theories, policies, curricular approaches, and community relationships that build upon Indigenous knowledge systems.
Faculty Overview
Academic Unit
Program Identifier
Departments/Programs may update graduate degree program details through the Faculty & Staff portal. To update the application inquiries contact details please use this form.
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