Graduate Diploma in Professional Inquiry (Online)
Our online, part-time Graduate Diploma in Professional Inquiry is designed for educators and other professionals who want to take their career to the next level.
Consisting of only five online courses, the Graduate Diploma is an excellent way to try out online education while working towards a diploma. Should you decide to continue on after you finish the Graduate Diploma, you can take an extra five courses to earn a Professional Master in Education.
Queen’s is unique in offering a diploma in professional inquiry, which is the intentional examination of your practices or programs in order to understand more about them, solve problems or effect change. In both public and private education sectors, inquiry is critical for informing teaching practice and student learning.
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About the Courses
- The Graduate Diploma consists of 5 online courses - 3 required and 2 electives.
- Courses are approximately 36 hours online with your professor and 70-100 hours independently.
- Courses are 7 weeks in summer and 10 weeks in fall and winter.
Required Courses
- Self-Regulated Inquiry and Learning (GDPI 800) - Explore current theories of self-regulated learning.
- Collaborative Inquiry (GDPI 801) - Understand and enact the foundational principles of collaborative learning in professional practice.
- Program Inquiry and Evaluation (GDPI 802) - Learn to conduct systematic evaluative inquiry in support of data-informed program decision-making.
Elective Courses
- Integrated Planning, Instruction, and Assessment (GDPI 810) - inquire into the interconnected structures of planning, instruction, and assessment through an understanding of curricular frameworks.
- Innovation in Teaching and Learning (GDPI 811) - develop a foundational understanding of innovation in the workplace grounded in exploration of historical, sociological, and philosophical contexts and frameworks.
- Organizational Learning (GDPI 812) - examine theory, research and case-studies on organizations in public service sectors using professional inquiry approaches.
- Knowledge Translation and Mobilization (GDPI 813) - strengthen connections between research, policy and practice in public service sectors
Full descriptions of the courses offered in the Graduate Diploma in Professional Inquiry program are available on the Academic Calendar website.
1) What is the difference between the Online Graduate Diploma & the Professional Master of Education?
The first year of the Professional Master of Education is the same as the Graduate Diploma. If you are not sure about making a major commitment to the Professional Master of Education Program, signing up for the Online Graduate Diploma program allows you to get a glimpse of the program. If you decide to further focus your studies, then you can continue on by completing our Professional Master of Education.
The PME differs from the traditional M.Ed. in that the M.Ed. is research-based and requires a thesis/project, while the PME is course-based and focused on the practical application of theory to professional practice. If you are interested in pursuing a Ph.D., the M.Ed. is a better option as it provides you with the necessary research background. If you are looking to increase your professional credentials and working knowledge of theory, the PME is a great fit.
The PME requires 10 courses for completion. There are three terms per year- September and January starts (10 week courses) and a July start (7 week courses). We typically advise students to start by taking one course to get a feel for the workload, and then add from there. Most students take 1-2 courses per term, and finish at around the 2-year mark.
The PME is designed for part-time studies, and as such is flexible. There is no requirement to attend lectures or be online at a certain time, so you can work your coursework around your professional and personal schedule. You receive all course materials and due dates on Day One of the course, so you know what is coming and can budget your time accordingly. Students who have successfully completed our program typically spend a couple of hours per week per course, and more when there is a larger project due.
PME courses are typically broken into modules, each lasting 1-2 weeks and focusing on a particular theory of the course. For each module there are typically a few discussion posts (posting your thoughts on the course material and responding to your peers), and then sometimes a small artifact (think blog post or PowerPoint slides). Some courses have fewer small projects in favour of larger ones, and vice-versa. There is never any need to come to campus to write examinations.
No, to gain certification to teach in Ontario you must successfully complete a B.Ed. program, and then be approved for certification to teach through the Ontario College of Teachers.
The admission requirements are:
- A baccalaureate degree from a recognized university
- Graduation with a B- graduating average or higher (70% graduating average or a ranking in the top third of the graduating class where number grades are not available)
- Under exceptional circumstances, consideration will be given to highly motivated individuals with relevant field experience who do not meet the B- requirement
- Applicants whose native languages do not include English must obtain a minimum English language requirement of 580 or higher on the paper-based TOEFL exam; 237 Computer-based; 88 on the TOEFL iBT test or IELTS Band 7 or higher.
You may apply to the Graduate Diploma in Professional Inquiry first and then to the Professional Master of Education or you can apply to the Professional Master of Education directly. In most cases, applicants must apply for admission to the Professional Master of Education within five years after completing the Graduate Diploma in Professional Inquiry.
There is a non-refundable application fee of $105.00 payable to the School of Graduate Studies. There are no registration fees, as students pay per course. Canadian students pay $1,393.02 per course, and international students pay $2,647.35 per course. Student activity fees are $16.67 per term. All fees are in Canadian dollars and are subject to change. Fees may be waived for Queen's employees.
Application Deadline & Start Dates
- September 2019 (Application deadline: July 31, 2019)
- January 2020 (Application deadline: October 17, 2019)
- July 2020 (Application deadline: May 15, 2020)
Applications for admission to graduate programs are completed and submitted on the School of Graduate Studies website, including an online form and step-by-step instructions for setting up your account.
Note: The application for admission is used for all graduate programs at Queen’s University so you will notice that reference is often made to your research interests. Since you are applying for admission to a professional program, please relate your comments in these areas to your professional aspirations rather than to research.
The School of Graduate Studies requires a minimum of two academic references from your current and/or previous instructors and/or professors familiar with your academic/research potential. Professional references from employers in a senior role to your own, in lieu of academic references, are accepted only if it has been more than 5 years since you completed your most recent university degree.
The online application form includes two spaces for reference contact information by default. Applicants who wish to provide a third reference must add additional space by clicking the "add referee" button on the online application.
Referees are notified that you want them to provide a reference for you by email after you have submitted your online application, so please submit your application at least two weeks before the application deadline and be sure to include the correct email addresses of your referees on your online application. Applications will not be deemed complete and will not be reviewed by the admissions committee until all listed references are received.
In addition to the online application and application fee, applicants are required to submit two official transcripts (envelopes from the institution cannot be opened) from all universities you have attended except for Queen's. These should be sent to the Faculty of Education Graduate Studies and Research Office, Duncan McArthur Hall, Room A106:
If you have questions, please contact the Graduate Studies & Research Office.