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FAQs

  • Does your master's program qualify me to teach at the elementary or secondary school level in Ontario?

    No. Our program does not qualify for certification with the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT), which is required to teach at the elementary and secondary levels in Ontario. At this time, our Bachelor of Education is the only program at our university leading to OCT certification.

  • Is your program completely online? Will I need to come to campus for anything?

    With the exception of the international students cohort (as of September 2024), our program is 100 per cent online. You do not need to come to campus for any reason, unless you prefer to meet with faculty and staff in person. 

    Courses for the international cohort are offered at our downtown Oshawa, ON location from Monday to Thursday (5 to 8 p.m.).

  • Can I take this program while working full-time?

    Yes! Many of our students work full-time. Our classes are held during the evening, Monday to Thursday (typically from 6 to 9 p.m. Eastern) which allows you to continue to work full-time while pursuing your graduate education. Group work outside of class hours is scheduled at the discretion of the participating students.

  • I want to complete my studies as soon as possible. Can I study full-time?

    Yes! Our program is offered both full-time and part-time to make it easy to fit into your lifestyle. In addition, you always have the option to switch from part-time to full-time, and vice versa, because we recognize that situations may change.

  • What are your current tuition fees?

    Please see the university's tuition and fees page for current rates. Our program is based on a 'fee-per-credit' model, meaning you only pay for the course(s) you take each term.

  • Is funding available?

    Yes. A complete list of funding options is available here.

  • Do I have to be available at specific times for my classes?

    Our online classes are synchronous in format, meaning that students and professors log in to virtual classrooms at the same time each week (typically 6 to 9 p.m. Eastern), the same way they would attend class in a physical location. Therefore, students need to be available during class time. Our virtual classrooms are dynamic environments with collaborative breakout rooms and lively discussions, so there is no recording of the class that can be watched later.

    Our virtual classroom format has resulted in a graduation rate of over 95%, well beyond most online programs in North America.

  • How are you different from other MEd/MA programs?

    Our synchronous learning environment is a distinctive approach to online learning, allowing students and instructors to create dynamic, interactive online communities. Visit our virtual classrooms page for more information.

    In addition, our program offers the flexibility to meet your needs: the option to study full-time or part-time, the selection of program options, and the choice of specialization streams allow you to customize your learning experience.

    Finally, our master's program costs significantly less than most other similar programs in Canada, and has a graduation rate of more than 95 per cent!

  • I'm not sure yet if I want to do a thesis. Which program option should I apply for?

    If you are not sure whether you want to be involved in research while completing your master’s degree, we recommend applying for the Master of Education. All students accepted into the MEd program are placed in the course-only option. Once they have successfully completed a minimum of four courses, they may apply to transfer into the MEd project option or the MA (with thesis) option.

    This gives students a chance to become familiar with the courses and workload, get to know the instructors and their research areas, and speak with an advisor about the possibility of switching to a research-based option, before having to make the decision to do so.

  • What career options are available to graduates of your program?

    Our program can also lead to careers in leadership positions in education, online or distance learning specialists in college or universities, directors or co-coordinators of e-learning services, and e-learning designers or project leaders for boards and higher-education institutions. Other students can also apply what they have learned to positions in health care, social services or technological professions. 

  • What are the start dates for your program?

    Our MEd and Graduate Diploma options offer three intakes per year: September, January, and May. Our MA option is offered as a September intake only. For more information on the application deadlines, see the applications page.

  • I don't meet the standard academic criteria for applying. Can I still be accepted into the program?

    Yes. As mentioned above, we take professional experience into consideration when reviewing applications. We recognize there may be exceptional candidates who don’t meet the standard entrance criteria, so each application is reviewed on its own merit. As with the above question, you must clearly demonstrate in your application that you have significant, relevant experience, as well as strong digital literacy skills. 

    Please review the Bridging Option outline on the Applications Page.