Education (MEd): Contemporary Issues in Education

Our study theme in Complex Realities of Contemporary Schooling launches our first offering of our revised MEd General program which will now operate under as MEd Contemporary Issues in Education.

This MEd Contemporary Issues in Education program is designed around a blended cohort model that will see students complete four thematic courses with their cohort, four core courses in classes that are blended with students in other cohorts, and one of three exit routes that are available to each student. These exit options include (a) Thesis, (b) a Project and two electives, OR (c) a Capstone and three electives. (See Program Schedule).

Core Courses

Philosophical, ideological, and experiential foundations informing key theories that have shaped, and that continue to inform, the structures and systems of schooling.
Historical and social factors that lead to inequities in educational environments.
Principles for cultivating equitable environments within educational contexts.
Critical understanding of assessment concepts, theory, history and impacts on educational systems.
Introduction to principles of research inquiry and design.

Increasingly educations are recognizing both the complexities and diversity within and across educational systems. In this program we embrace the opportunities and possibilities that arise as we come to terms with the increased complexity and diversity. In this program students will develop

Transdisciplinary approaches to understanding and responding to complexity and diversity in schools.
Approaches to teaching and learning that are grounded in the concept of thriving and that are driven by an ethic of care.
Skills for critically analyzing educational spaces and discourses.

See sample 2025 Complex Realities of Contemporary Schooling cohort schedule

Apply to this program | MEd (Contemporary Issues in Education) Complex Realities of Contemporary Schooling

This program does not lead to teacher certification

Individuals seeking teacher certification in the province of Alberta should refer to the Bachelor of Education program.

This program is not suitable for International applicants

More than 50% of the courses in this program follow an online delivery format. Please be advised that due to the blended nature of this program, graduates are NOT eligible to apply for a post-graduation work permit after completing this program.

Finding a supervisor

Supervisor not required for the Master of Education (Contemporary Issues in Education)

Career pathways

K-12 reading instructor or specialist
Primary or secondary school teacher
Literacy or reading coach
Reading intervention specialist
Curriculum specialist
Reading/Writing centre coordinator

Explore contemporary discourses and transformative insights in 'Teachers and Teaching in Complex Spaces,' a course designed to empower educators to navigate and excel in today's multifaceted educational landscape. Join us to enhance your teaching practice and make a lasting impact in diverse and dynamic classrooms.”
~ Dr. Dawn Burleigh, Associate Professor
Learn more about Dr. Burleigh

Additional information

Core courses

In this cohort, you'll gain the framework to develop engaged and motivated readers invested in lifelong learning. Explore the knowledge, skill and dispositions in numeracy and literacies your students need to thrive, and acquire concrete strategies to grow and assess those qualities.

Understand how language, literacies and numeracies are developed using research-based best practices and how they are applied with oral cultures.
Learn what reading instruction looks like in areas such as decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Examine the construct of numeracy and ways of teaching mathematics that promote student confidence, deeper understanding, and the development of strong numeracy skills.
Develop an applied understanding of learning theories from multiple perspective, include: socio-cognitive, socio-cultural, psychological and neuroscience.
Critically engage with, collect and use assessment data to support student development in reading and in mathematics.
Learn how to support students as they represent their learning in diverse ways (aural, visual, and textual) across multiple disciplines.
Discover how to create rich literacy and numeracy environments and experiences in both in-school and out-of-school settings.

See sample 2024 Literacies and Numeracies cohort schedule

This program is a unique collaboration between the Faculty of Education, known for teaching excellence, and the Department of Neuroscience, a vibrant and dynamic scientific community recognized internationally for cutting-edge research.

Students in this cohort:

study the principles of brain development in order to understand the impact these processes have on learning and behaviour
examine how neuroscience and educational research can inform the design of learning environments and instructional practices
gain the skills, tools, and knowledge necessary to enhance teaching practice and facilitate better educational outcomes
become critical consumers of neuroscience findings, particularly as they are applied to educational settings.

“This program instilled the value of teacher-as-researcher in me. If I can link behaviour to a structural or developmental issue I can go from there to best assess and move forward to benefit students.”
~ Riley Kostek, (BSc’09/BEd’11, MEd'22)
Read more about Riley's experience

See sample 2023 Teaching, Learning & Neuroscience cohort schedule

Curriculum & Assessment are at the core of educators’ every day work. Learning new ways of critically enacting with it can have significant positive impacts on classroom instruction and student learning.

explore research-informed ways to design and enact high-quality curriculum
design and implement assessments that inform teaching authentically, meaningfully and ethically
better reflect and respond to diverse and inclusive communities
ensure their classrooms are environments nurturing their students’ deep understanding, critical-thinking, problem-solving, personal agency and self-directed learning

As an MEd Curriculum & Assessment student, Christine Perreaux (BA/BEd ’99; MEd ’21) developed The 6 Ps of Student-Centred Teaching. Her innovative Play, Projects, Peers, Passions, Portfolios & Purpose programming departs from traditional memorization, worksheet, drill-and-practice learning to meet curriculum outcomes.

“Since changing the approach, we’re seeing outstanding growth in students' academic achievement and independence.”
~ Christine Perreaux (BA/BEd ’99; MEd ’21)