Academic Calendar 2023-2024

World Indigenous Studies in Education - Master of Education

This is a part-time blended (on-line and on-campus) program in the field of World Indigenous Studies in Education, which is intended for students with experience in Indigenous communities. It is designed to develop in its graduates, leadership abilities and theoretical, practical and experiential knowledge. It is directed at increasing research and development capabilities in education, in the community, and its leaders. The program parallels the general M.Ed. but courses are geared specifically to Indigenous and World Indigenous contexts. Each student is assigned to a program advisor whose responsibilities include developing with the student a program of study that coheres with the student's professional goals and with the program's aims.

The program consists of a minimum credit value of ten half courses. Students select one of two program patterns (see Structure of Graduate Degree Programs). A student's registration must be approved by the assigned Program Advisor, the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, and the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the M.Ed. WISE program, applicants must provide evidence of:

  1. Professional experience in Indigenous and/or world indigenous education or related field, a B.Ed. degree or its equivalent, and a minimum of a B- average in a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent; OR
  2. Two years professional experience in Indigenous and/or world indigenous education or a related field, and a minimum of a B- average in a Bachelor's Honours degree or its equivalent; OR
  3. A B.Ed. degree and a background in Indigenous and/or world indigenous issues, and a minimum of a mid-B average in a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent; or
  4. Demonstrated significant professional experience in Indigenous and/or world indigenous education or related field, and a minimum of a mid-B average in a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent.

In addition to the above, an applicant must submit two letters of support from respected members of the applicant's Indigenous or world indigenous community to which they either belong or are related. Since preference will be given to qualified applicants of Indigenous ancestry (Status, non-Status, Métis, Inuit) applicants may be requested to provide proof of Indigenous ancestry where applicable. Documentation which provides proof of Indigenous ancestry may include: a status card, church records, a Métis card, a verification letter from an official Political Territorial Organization (PTO) or First Nations.

Applicants whose native languages do not include English must obtain a passing score in one of the accepted tests of English language proficiency. Information can be found  in the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs here: International Students.

Provisional status may be applicable for candidates who do not meet the admission requirements as described above. A description of this status can be found in the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs calendar online.

Program Patterns

  • Pattern I: A minimum of six half courses (one must be a research methods courses), and a master's thesis (credit value four half courses).
  • Pattern II: A minimum of eight half courses (one must be a research course), and a master's project (credit value two half courses).

With the approval of the program advisor, the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and, where applicable, the thesis or project supervisor, a student may:

  1. be required to take additional courses from either the graduate offerings of the Faculty of Education, or undergraduate/graduate offerings of the University in support of the thesis (EDUC 899 Master's Thesis) or project (EDUC 898 Master's Project).
  2. be permitted to take up to two half courses from graduate (or advanced undergraduate) courses offered by other departments of the University, another university, or the general M.Ed. program with the approval of the advisor, and the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, Faculty of Education.

Courses by Component

World Indigenous Studies in Education

EDUC 871Indigenous Languages Revitalization3.00
EDUC 874Special Topics in Indigenous Education3.00
EDUC 877Teaching & Assessing Students with Special Needs in Indigenous Contexts3.00
EDUC 878Master's Internship3.00
EDUC 873Indigenous Pedagogy & Practice3.00
EDUC 879International Indigenous Issues3.00

Thesis and Project Preparation

EDUC 872Educational Research in Indigenous Contexts3.00
EDUC 875Qualitative Inquiry: Orality in Indigenous Thought3.00
EDUC 876Government Policies within an Indigenous Context3.00

Thesis and Project

EDUC 898Master's Project6.00
EDUC 899Master's Thesis12.00

Additional Regulations

  1. Advanced credit may be granted for up to two graduate half courses taken at another university provided that the courses cohere with the student's program of study, and provided that the request for advance credit is made at the time of application. In no case will credit be granted for courses, which have been credited to another degree or diploma.
  2. Part-time students are normally required to attend classes at the Queen's campus for at least one academic term (usually Summer). No student may register in more than two half courses in the Summer Term.
  3. The total number of half courses taken by a student from outside the offerings of the Queen's M.Ed. WISE program may not normally exceed two.
  4. All students are required to complete the degree requirements within five years of initial registration. The minimum period of completion of the courses necessary for graduation is 24 – 28 months (dependent upon choice of a Master's thesis or Master's project).
  5. Additional regulations are published in the Graduate Studies in Education: A Handbook.