Graduate Diploma in Education (GDE)

What does a professional reference mean?
A professional letter of recommendation should be a letter from an employer or workplace supervisor. The reference cannot be from a colleague but should be someone to whom you report.

How will the references be contacted?
When compiling your online application, you will enter the names and email addresses of your two references. Upon submitting your application, your references will be emailed a link to complete a secure online reference form. It is important to submit your application at least a week before the application deadline to ensure that your references have sufficient time to submit their recommendation. If your reference did not receive the link, please have them check their junk folder or contact sgsapp@queensu.ca.

My university is only sending e-transcripts. Is that acceptable?
The School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (SGSPA) will accept e-transcripts if they are generated and sent directly by the issuing university to sgspa.reception@queensu.ca or by fax to 1-613-533-6015. Courier cannot be processed for now, but Canada Post Services is still operational, so SGS can pick up and process transcripts by regular mail. 

Parties should understand that official hard copy transcripts will still be required, eventually. For more information, please see their website.

I was a student at Queen's previously. Will the university access my Queen's transcripts internally?
If you are a Queen's University alumnus, there is no need to provide or upload Queen's transcripts to your application.

Do I need a B.Ed. to apply?
A B.Ed. is not a requirement to apply to the GDE program. A three-year baccalaureate degree is required from a recognized university.

Who do I contact if I have any questions?
Please email us at edonline@queensu.ca for questions regarding the program or application.

In the GDE program, students focus their graduate learning in a chosen concentration of study and apply that learning to solve problems of practice and effect change in their professional context. Concentrations include: Assessment & Evaluation, Classroom Specialist, Educational Administration, Global Education, Indigenous Education, and Literacy Education. In the PME program, students build on their learning in the GDE program to broaden their understanding of educational theory and practice in relation to diverse professional contexts. The PME program includes a culminating, self-directed capstone project in which students explore current and personally relevant educational issues and challenges.

Students can exit after their GDE is completed if they do not wish to continue. Applicants can also apply for direct entry into the PME if they choose.

How long will the GDE take to complete?
The GDE requires 5 courses for completion. There are 4 instructional terms per year: Fall (September to November) and Winter (January to March), which are 10-week courses, as well as Spring (May to June) and Summer (July to August), which are 7-week courses. The university operates on a 3-term academic year, and thus all courses taken in Spring will fall under the Summer term umbrella. We advise students to start by taking 1 course to get a feel for the workload and then add on from there. Most students take 1 - 2 courses per term and finish around the 1-year mark. Students have up to 3 years to complete the GDE program. 

What is the course load like?
The GDE is designed for flexible part-time studies. Also, note that this program is asynchronous, meaning there is no requirement to attend lectures or be online at a certain time, so you can arrange your coursework around your professional and personal schedule. You receive all course materials and due dates on the first day of the course, so you know what is coming and can manage your time accordingly. Students who have successfully completed our program typically spend anywhere from 7-10 hours per week per course, depending on their educational background and understanding of course material and the demands of an assignment or project.

Does the cost of tuition include textbooks?
The cost of tuition does not include any textbooks. Most courses do not require you purchase a textbook.

Do I have to choose a concentration right away?
In the application, you will be asked which concentration you would like to enrol in. It is important to carefully consider all concentrations prior to submitting your application. The Admissions Committee reviews your requested concentration and rationale as part of the review process.

• 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 Education 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 Education.