Educational Studies M.Ed.

Explore educational theory and research to gain the critical insights needed for transformative practice. Major themes of the program include: ecological and social justice, leadership and educational administration, critical literacies, Indigenous knowledge, and curriculum inquiry.

Students benefit from Trent faculty and experts from across the University sharing their expertise in areas of literacies, leadership, social justice, environmental education, curriculum theory, Indigenous education, mathematics education, and critical theory. Small class sizes and the opportunity to customize their graduate studies program and research focus prepare students to work in education, industry, community or public service.

The Master of Education degree contributes to student understanding and achievement as they prepare for a variety of settings in today’s vigorous workforce. In addition to colloquia and conferences, students enjoy strong partnerships with school boards, local community agencies and educational programs.

The Masters in Educational Studies offers three completion pathways:

Thesis Stream

This pathway requires students to complete two mandatory courses, four elective courses, and a research thesis. The thesis component emphasizes a theory-based mode of original inquiry geared towards developing scholarly knowledge and strong research skills, leading to a contribution in the student’s field of specialization. This route is particularly suited to those with the desire to have a long-term engagement with academic research following completion of the program.

Major Research Paper Stream

This pathway includes two mandatory courses, six elective courses and a major research paper. It is especially suited to professionals who want to expand their knowledge in relation to their current practices, leadership roles, and future responsibilities. It's goal is to create opportunities for combining scholarly reflection with practical involvement and self-initiated fieldwork. The major research paper will emphasize practice-based modes of investigation, such as action research of classroom practice, leadership initiatives, and curriculum development. The paper will be equal to a thesis in academic quality but be more limited in scope and/or originality.

Course-based Stream

This pathway is a course-only format consisting of two mandatory courses and eight elective courses. The course-only structure will suit professionals seeking a Masters qualification for professional advancement. Research practice and experience will be embedded in each of the courses, ensuring that students gain a good understanding of the nature of educational research. This stream requires students to demonstrate their ability to access, critically read, and apply research literature to an area of interest.

Please note that the Spring intake is only available for domestic applications only for all streams. 

Experiential Learning

As the School of Education, by nature, is a highly collaborative, hands-on program across all degree programs, the Master of Education is no exception. The M.Ed. at Trent provides opportunities in select courses that ask students to engage in community and land-based environments. As an example, the Learning from the Land and Indigenous People course invites students to study alongside Lovesick Lake in Burleigh Falls, Ontario, to engage in rich discussion and reflective thought around fire, canoe through waterways to observe nature at play, with the option of an overnight stay in tents. This type of experiential learning is critical to the learning process.