Master of Education (Course Based)
The central objective of the Master of Education in Educational Administration (Course-Based) Degree is to provide a problem- and inquiry-driven environment through enriched practical, research-based, and theoretical understandings of educational issues in the administration and leadership of organizations, communities, and government.
Examination of practice is central in this programme. We make use of students' current workplace experiences as a means of synthesizing and critiquing theory, practice, and the apparent divide between the two. A culminating objective is for Course-Based Programme students to synthesize and enhance their own practical and theoretical knowledge through the development of a capstone paper.
Programme objectives are achieved through accessibility to experiences that facilitate academic attainment within program coursework and the successful completion of a capstone paper. Required coursework for all Master's students in the Department includes a mixture of theoretical and practical content. Furthermore, objectives are achieved through the following programmatic and extra-curricular opportunities: rigourous course work, experiential learning through laboratory and international study, conference participation, and seminar leadership.
Admissions Standards and Completion Requirments
- successfully completed a 4-year Bachelor of Education degree or equivalent;
- two or more years of successful teaching or related experience;
- an average of 73% in the last two years of study (10 full classes or 60 credit hours);
- favourable recommendations from three academic/professional referees;
- favourable recommendation from the Admissions Committee of the Department of Educational Administration;
- acceptance by the College of Graduate Studies and Research (where completion of MAT and/or GRE may be required); and
- English language proficiency at a IELTS level of 6.5 or higher, or TOEFL 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) or higher.
Students accepted into the Master's Course-Based Programme are required to complete a minimum of 30 credit units (10 courses)—of which, one course in organizational analysis, one course in educational research methods, one non-credit course in research ethics, and five additional courses in practical or theoretical analysis of educational administration are engaged. Additionally, students are required to write a for-credit capstone major-paper focusing upon a particular area of interest.
Procedure for Applying and Application Deadlines
Prospective students applying for admission into the Master's Course-Based Programme in the Department of Educational Administration must follow the procedure outlined below:
- Complete the online application form;
- Pay the online application fee (more information is provided on the link to the application form);
- Send by email, or arrange to send hard copies (see address at bottom of this page), to the Department of Educational Administration each of the following:
- an official transcript of marks from all universities you have attended other than the University of Saskatchewan—we obtain University of Saskatchewan marks through internal student information systems;
- an abbreviated resumé of your work history and professional activities;
- official English language proficiency test score forms (if applicable);
- a one to two page statement explaining why you are interested in pursuing Master's-level studies in the Department of Educational Administration;
- three confidential letters of recommendation are to be submitted online by the referees. Referees are notified by email (when their name is entered in the online application) with instructions for completing and submitting their online letter. If a referee is unable to submit the online letter, the pdf version of GSR 101: Confidential Letter of Recommendation should be used. The hard copy of this reference letter must be received by the department, in a sealed envelope with the referee's signature across the sealed back;
Lead time is essential to ensure that all application and acceptance procedures are completed before the first course registration. The following deadlines will apply, and applications are only considered following these dates:
- January 1 for all September start-dates (for international and domestic students);
- January 1 for all Spring and Summer Session start-dates (only for domestic students); and
- April 30 for all January start-dates (only for domestic students).
Information for Successful Applicants
Program Requirements
Every student must complete a minimum of 30 credit units (equivalent to 10 single-term [September through December, January through April, May through June, or July through August] credit-based classes).
- The following 9 credit units and non-credit courses are prescribed as required courses: EADM 811.3, EADM 990.X, EADM 991.3, ERES 800.3 or ERES 810.3 or ERES 820.3, and GSR 960.X
- Each student's program must include at least 15 credit units from among the following: EADM 812.3, EADM 813.3, EADM 816.3, EADM 819.3, EADM 820.3, EADM 821.3, EADM 825.3, EADM 826.3, EADM 829.3, EADM 834.3, EADM 835.3, EADM 836.3, EADM 892.3, EADM 894.3, EADM 895.3.
- The remaining 6 credit units are open electives and may be chosen from the above list or from those courses offered by other departments on the approval of the Department Head.
- Students are here reminded of College of Graduate Studies and Research Policy 5.1.9, to which they will be accountable: "Master’s course-based students are required to register continually in their programs from beginning to end, in every term, including the summer sessions."
Time Limit
The time limit for completing a program of studies is five years from the date of registration in the first course credited to the program.
Course Offerings
Information related to specific courses offered within the Department of Educational Administration is available from the University of Saskatchewan Catalogue.
Deadlines
Graduate studies are subject to a variety of deadlines, ranging from when assignments are due to deadlines for submission of theses or application for awards or grants. Students should be familiar with such deadlines and should abide by them. It is noted that deadlines imposed by the University or external agencies are not within Department control. The Department assumes no responsibility for the consequences of students not adhering to deadlines.
Graduate-Level Grading Policy
Evaluation of student performance in graduate-level writing is according to the following criteria and categories:
- 90-100% (or equivalent) An exceptional paper in all respects, and in addition, contains original, creative thought that is of publication quality.
- 85-89% (or equivalent) An excellent paper with respect to most or all criteria.
- 80-84% (or equivalent) A very good paper that meets most of the criteria very well.
- 75-79% (or equivalent) A good paper that meets some of the criteria very well, and remaining criteria adequately.
- 70-74% (or equivalent) A satisfactory paper that meets all the criteria adequately--competent, though not outstanding.
- 60-69% (or equivalent) A minimally acceptable paper that lacks originality (in that it imitates references too closely) or is deficient in three or more of the criteria.
- < 60% (or equivalent) Not acceptable. Indicative of a paper that is deficient on most of the listed criteria. Does not meet the standards required for writing at a graduate level.
Criteria employed in the evaluation of written submissions are provided below:
- Research is evident, the student has reviewed literature that is relevant current and useful in understanding the topic. Not only books, but journals, monographs, research reports, and possibly non-print sources such as interviews, tapes, films, microfiche, and microfilm have been used.
- Sources of information are acknowledged in an acceptable manner (i.e., APA 6th Edition has been correctly employed). The names of authors consulted are used in the text of the paper.
- The paper says something substantive about the topic that is of value to the reader. The writer has been selective in the literature reviewed.
- The writer's own input is evident, the ideas taken from the literature are utilized to make observations, discuss implications, develop generalizations and draw conclusions.
- The paper is characterized by clarity simplicity, parsimony, and good English. It can be easily read and understood by a colleague.
- The paper has overall quality. The writer understands the topic and displays an ability to organize, to analyze, to synthesize, to evaluate ideas, and to express thoughts fluently.
Evaluation of Teaching
Evaluation of teaching is a Departmental practice for all courses taught. During the last two weeks of each course, students are asked to complete an online questionnaire (SEEQ) rating the strengths and weaknesses of the course and instruction. An opportunity is also provided for comment. The Student Evaluation of Educational Quality (SEEQ) is found in PAWS under the Student Course Tools tab.
Information gathered is confidential. NSIDs are used only to validate course registration and to ensure that no one completes the same evaluation more than once. After the final grades have been approved and posted, a summary of the numeric responses along with any written comments are released to the Department Head and the instructor.
Inquiries
For further information, please contact the Department Head:
Dr David Burgess
Head and Graduate Chair
Department of Educational Administration
University of Saskatchewan
28 Campus Drive
Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X1
Canada
- email: david.burgess@usask.ca
- Fax: (306) 966-7549


