Master of Education
Flexible degree pathways: full-time, part-time, coursework, project, or thesis
In-person
Coursework can be finished in 1 year full-time, thesis and project typically take 2 years full-time
Kingston, Ontario
Funding available for full-time thesis and project students
Research Expertise
Our faculty brings together diverse perspectives on education and fosters multidisciplinary expertise in the following areas:
- Arts Education
- Assessment and Evaluation
- Curriculum Studies
- Disability Studies
- Early Childhood Education
- Educational Psychology
- Exceptionalities
- History and Philosophy of Education
- Indigenous Education and Land-Based Learning
- International Education
- Language and Literacy
- Leadership and Policy Studies
- Math, Science, and Technology in Education
- Outdoor Education
- Social Justice and Inclusion
- Teacher Education
Queen's Master of Education Highlights
The Master of Education (MEd) at Queen's develops advanced skills in research, writing, teaching, and educational leadership, guided by experienced faculty and leading researchers in the field. Whether you are an experienced educator, a healthcare professional, an HR or training specialist, or new to education altogether, you will join a supportive learning community built around your goals.
Two things to know before you apply: you do not receive a teacher certificate as part of the MEd, and you do not need a Bachelor of Education degree to be admitted.
- Choose your pathway: Complete the degree through coursework (10 courses), a project (8 courses + a project), or a thesis (6 courses + thesis). Each pathway leads to the same MEd degree.
- Study on your schedule: Full-time and part-time options are available, with daytime and evening courses in the fall and winter terms and condensed courses over the spring/summer.
- Shape your learning: One required research course and a wide range of electives let you build a program around your interests and career goals. Courses are seminar-style and delivered in 36 instructional hours.
- Work with support: Thesis and project students are admitted to the program with a supervisor. Course-based students are supported by the Graduate Studies Office. All students can access workshops in academic writing, research, career development, and knowledge mobilization.
- Put your learning into practice: An optional internship offers hands-on experience in diverse communities of practice. All pathways are eligible to complete an internship as part of their studies.
- Join an active research community: Connect with faculty research groups, present at academic conferences, and contribute to research projects at Queen's.
- Funding for full-time thesis and project students: Eligible full-time students in the thesis and project pathways are considered for a funding package. Course-based and part-time students are not eligible for a package but may apply for teaching and research assistantships.
Whether you're an experienced educator, a healthcare professional, an HR specialist, or new to the field of education, the MEd offers a supportive and inclusive environment to help you reach your goals.
| MEd Course Based | MEd Project | MEd Thesis | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Structure | 10 courses | 8 courses + project | 6 courses + thesis |
| Part-Time Option | Yes (not funded) | Yes (not funded) | Yes (not funded) |
| Program Length | Full-time: 1 year Part-time: 2-5 years | Full-time: 2 years Part-time: 3-5 years | Full-time: 2 years Part-time 3-5 years |
| Supervisor Required? | No supervisor required | Strongly recommended before application | Strongly recommended before application |
| Funding | No funding package is provided, but students can apply to TA/RA positions, and Tri-Council Fellowships | Funding package available to full-time students | Funding package available to full-time students |
| Best Suited For | Practitioners wanting to deepen knowledge | Those wanting hands-on research experience without a thesis | Students planning to pursue a PhD or research career |
Application Deadlines
All programs: January 15
Extended deadline: April 15 (domestic students only, space permitting)
Funding Note
Part-time students are not eligible for program funding in any stream.
Supervisor Tip
For Project and Thesis streams, securing a supervisor before applying strengthens your application and ensures faculty alignment with your research interests.
Admissions Information
Applications to all graduate programs are made through the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affair website starting in September for admission the following year.
To be considered for admission to the Master of Education program, applicants must provide evidence of:
- A minimum of a mid-B average in a 4-year Bachelor's degree or its equivalent or
- A BEd degree, and a minimum of a B- average in a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent
Professional experience and/or an Honours degree are considered assets.
Applicants whose native languages do not include English must obtain a passing score in one of the accepted tests of English language proficiency (can be found in Step 4 of the How to Apply section).
Persons who are uncertain if they are eligible for admission to the MEd program are encouraged to contact the Graduate Studies Office at the Faculty of Education.
Completed applications (including submission of transcripts and references) are due by January 15. Students are considered for September admission. We strongly encourage project and thesis applicants to reach out to reach out to potential supervisors.
Late Applications
Late applications will be accepted from domestic applicants until April 15, including the submission of all supporting documentation, if there is space remaining in the program. This extension does not apply to international applicants.
To be competitive for admission to the MEd program, applicants who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada must provide evidence of:
- Successful completion of a four-year undergraduate degree program related to the field of education with no less than a grade point average of “A” or 85%.
- Two or more years of full-time professional experience in the field of education.
- Have research interests in an area that matches the core faculty research interests at the Faculty of Education. Please clearly indicate in your online application why you consider the Faculty to be a good fit to pursue your proposed research.
- At Queen's University, English is the language of instruction and communication. Proficiency in English is, therefore, a prerequisite for admission. Applicants whose first language is not English or who have not recently studied for at least one complete year at a post-secondary institution where English is the official language of instruction, will be required to obtain satisfactory results in an English language proficiency test, as part of the application process, and before their application will be considered complete.
Language Testing Requirements
Applicants whose native languages do not include English must obtain a passing score in one of the accepted tests of English language proficiency (can be found in Step 4 of the How to Apply section).
Please note that only the School of Graduate Studies & Postdoctoral Affairs (SGSPA) at Queen’s University can grant an exemption to the English language proficiency requirements.
Helpful links for international students
If you are interested in taking a graduate course without registering for a program, you can apply for Special Student Admission. To receive permission to take a graduate course as a Special Student, application must be made to and reviewed by the Faculty of Education and then approved by the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs. Please contact the Graduate Studies & Research Office to request an application form.
Application Deadlines for Special Student Admission
| Term | Application Deadline |
| September | July 31 |
| January | October 31 |
| July | May 15 |
If the application deadline falls on a weekend, the deadline will be the following Monday. These deadlines are firm and include the submission of all supporting documentation. More information can be found under Special Student Admission.
Financing your Studies
Funding packages are awarded to full-time students based on academic merit and they may consist of any combination of: scholarships, fellowships, external awards the student may bring with them, internal awards, research assistantships or teaching assistantships.
There is no minimum guarantee for MEd students; however, funding packages may range from $7,000 - $10,000 per year (first five terms). Normally, if students apply for and successfully obtain a teaching or research assistantship the average funding for eligible MEd students is approximately $10,000 per year.
Minimum funding offers are communicated to applicants when they receive an offer of admission.
The Faculty of Education has a number of internal awards available, including travel fellowships and awards.
Queen's School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs has more information about Awards & Bursaries.