WISE is a progressive MEd program that allows you to pursue your research interests without leaving your community, family or job. The program is offered part-time blended (online and on-campus) for students with experience in Indigenous communities and/or World Indigenous issues. We welcome allyship and students with experience and/or demonstrated commitment to Indigenous truth, reconciliation and knowledge mobilization. The first summer of the program is on-campus at Queen's University and the remaining courses are online.
Overview
- Part-time study only (the first July is normally face-to-face and the balance is online).
- 2 degree patterns: 6 half-courses + thesis or 8 half-courses + project.
- Each course consists of 36 instructional hours.
- Students are assigned and interact regularly with an academic program advisor.
- There are traditional opening and closing ceremonies during the on-campus portion as well as other activities and regular ceremonies throughout the year, such as sharing circles, visiting speakers, and other events through the Queen’s Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre.
- Program staff are available to assist you.
- Students can expect to complete within 36 to 48 months of part-time study.
- Degree requirements must be completed within 5 years of initial registration.
- Students have access to our Elder-in-Residence who is available for support.
Fields of Study
There is only one field of study in this program which is World Indigenous Studies in Education.
Courses
Brief descriptions of the courses offered in the WISE program can be found in the School of Graduate Studies calendar.
All students are required to take EDUC-872* Educational Research in Indigenous Contexts, and it is a prerequisite for the advanced research courses, i.e. EDUC-875*.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the Master of Education WISE program, applicants must provide evidence of:
- professional experience in Indigenous and/or world Indigenous education or a related field, a B.Ed. degree or its equivalent, and a minimum of a B- (70 - 72.9%) average in a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent; OR
- two years of professional experience in Indigenous and/or world Indigenous education or a related field, and a minimum of a B- (70 - 72.9%)average in a Bachelor's Honours degree or its equivalent; OR
- a B.Ed. degree and a background in Indigenous and/or world Indigenous issues, and a minimum of a mid-B (73 - 76.9%) average in a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent; OR
- demonstrated significant professional experience in Indigenous and/or 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 academic requirements, 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. Please note that these references do not replace the requirement for applicants to provide two academic references as part of their application package (4 references in total).
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 have achieved the required level of proficiency on one of the language proficiency tests listed on the School of Graduate Studies website.
Probationary 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 calendar online.
When applicants begin their online application for admission they will be asked to identify their mother tongue. If an applicant is a fluent English speaker, but also has an Indigenous language, applicants should choose English as their mother tongue in order to be able to proceed with the remainder of the application. For further information, please contact educgrad@queensu.ca.
Application Deadline & Start Dates
We offer start dates for July and September each year. Students beginning their program in July will be on-campus their first term. Students beginning their program in September will be on-campus in July of their first year. Complete applications (including supporting documentation) are due March 1 each year.
Tuition and Application Fees
There is a non-refundable application fee of $110.00 payable to the School of Graduate Studies. There are no registration fees, as students pay per course.
You can find the most up-to-date tuition information on the Office of the University Registrar website.
How to Apply
| Submission | More information | Method of Submission |
|---|---|---|
| Main application for the WISE Program |
Applications for admission to all of our graduate programs are completed and submitted through the School of Graduate Studies. You can visit their How to Apply page for more information including official transcripts and letters of recommendation. Note: 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. |
Submit application via the School of Graduate Studies. |
| Two letters of reference from respected members of the Indigenous Community you belong to or are related to |
Applicants are required to provide two additional letters of reference from respected members of the Indigenous or world indigenous community to which he/she either belongs or is related to (e.g. Elders, Community Leaders, Work Supervisors, Social/School Counsellors, Educators, Director of local Friendship Centre). Referees must be able to comment on Indigenous community contributions which you have made as well as your potential to serve in the field of Indigenous education. |
Letters of reference will be collected as part of the application through the School of Graduate Studies. |
| OPTIONAL: Audio or Video file for Proposed Focus of Studies |
Applicants applying for admission may choose to provide an optional audio or video file (3-5 minutes in length) in place of or in addition to the “Research Proposal/Statement of Interest” form built into the online application for admission. It should include the following: a) an outline of your proposed research with reference to relevant literature where possible), b) your proposed research question(s), c) methodology, d) reference to any faculty member(s) that could support your work (please clarify if you have made contact with them, and whether or not they agreed to support your work), and e) an explanation of how your academic aims can be realized in the Faculty of Education at Queen’s (e.g., faculty mission and vision). |
Email educgrad@queensu.ca |