Curriculum Leadership
Our program is designed to respond to the interests and concerns of teachers who wish to become curriculum leaders in school districts. The cohort focus on creativity encourages and supports teachers who wish to investigate their practices through design thinking and “Instructional Intelligence” (“II”) – notions of artful, creative instructional design and pedagogical choice making that enables us to challenge, learn, inquire, explore, and renew understandings of how our engagement with students and curriculum plays a critical role in education.
We focus on the process of becoming reflective-reflexive practitioners through the study and applied practice of creativity and progressive arts-based approaches to research in the classroom. This process leads us to think of the teacher as designer of powerful, creative learning environments.
This MEd is completely learner-centered and amplifies ideals and concepts of the BC Curriculum. Graduate students learn about issues of pedagogy, curriculum planning, curriculum development & implementation, assessment & evaluation, digital learners, and Arts Based Research. Curriculum Studies encompass, but are not limited to, investigations of how learning is constructed. Inquiry in curriculum studies is multidisciplinary, and explores a variety of contemporary perspectives.
We focus on the process of becoming reflective-reflexive practitioners through the study and applied practice of creativity and progressive approaches to research in the classroom, which leads us to think of the teacher as designer of powerful, creative learning environments.
This extraordinary cohort experience - Creativity in Curriculum & Pedagogy - has been enjoyed by over 75 teachers across the Vancouver Lower Mainland since 2005. Teachers share a unique opportunity to learn together in a friendly and encouraging environment with instructors who recognize the expertise and experiences that teachers bring to classrooms, both on and off-campus. Cohort participants benefit from a long-term engagement with fellow colleagues who are also interested in questioning, reflecting and investigating teaching, creativity, curriculum, digital learning tools, education, arts integration and arts research, and practices. Many of our cohort participants have continued into administration, published their own research, pursued doctoral degrees, and continue to value their MEd experience in terms of personal and professional growth.
- The UBC M.Ed. in Curriculum Leadership offers a responsive, and engaging graduate program in
collaboration with your school district. - Designed to accommodate the schedule of practicing teachers and administrators, we offer
convenience in that Fall, Winter, and Spring courses are offered on Saturdays in a local school district. Summer electives will be offered at the UBC Point Grey campus. - The focus on design thinking, creativity, and arts integration ensures that participants will be able to inquire into their own learning and classrooms based on their own interests, concerns, and
questions. - A rich diversity of interests and experiences are represented within the cohort, and that is
reflected in the choice, design, and delivery of courses. - Individualized advising and personal development planning.
- Teachers from neighboring districts are welcome to participate. The cohort is limited to maximum of 24 students. Location to be determined.
Instructional Team
One of the only off campus cohort offered by any university in BC that is taught by full-time, internationally
acclaimed education Professors at UBC - George Belliveau, Peter Gouzouasis, Rita Irwin, Carl Leggo - joined by Alex
de Cosson, Paula MacDowell, David Beare, and other curriculum experts in many fields.
Faculty
The Department of Curriculum & Pedagogy includes 32 full-time faculty members with expertise and experience in a variety of curriculum areas. Faculty members from Language & Literacy and from organizations outside UBC (e.g., graduates of the four previous Curriculum Leadership cohorts) are also involved in delivery of the program, on and off campus.
“Participants have the flexibility to have their research guided by their unique goals and interests. This is something I’ve found extremely valuable. Also, there’s value added by working with such a diverse group, particularly for someone interested in pursuing leadership & administration positions, there’s a lot to
be learned from working so closely with people coming from so many different subject areas and age levels.”
- Kristy Dolha, IB Coordinator | Carson Graham Secondary, NVSD44
“I wanted to undertake a Master’s program that I would enjoy and be of practical use. It has exceeded my expectations on so many levels, not least the close collegial bonds that have been forged between the members of the cohort. The professors have been inspirational and I have become a more creative and
reflective-reflexive practitioner as a result. I highly recommend this M.Ed. in Curriculum Leadership.”
- Christine Stuart, Primary Program Director (JK-3) |
Collingwood School, West Vancouver
“I thought this process would be one where I would simply absorb educational gems and inquire into my teaching practice, but I was in for a surprise. This program has completely changed the ways I learn, teach, collaborate, and interact with others. It changed the ways I view creativity, taught me to take risks, and made me become mindful of myself as an educator.”
- Jeeniece Chand, Sherwood Park Elementary, NVSD44
Proposed Schedule (subject to change)
The 30-credit program is offered over a three-year period, with courses scheduled to accommodate practicing teachers and administrators.
| COHORT TERM |
COURSE TITLE |
COURSE CODE |
| 1 | Instructional Creativity 1 (“II” & Creative Curriculum) | EDCP 508 |
| 1 | Elective* | |
| 2 | Action Research (A/r/tography) | EDCP 512 |
| 3 | Research Methodologies in Education (Qualitative) | EDUC 500 |
| 4 | Instructional Creativity 2 (Drama & Theatre) | LLED 565 |
| 4 | Elective* | |
| 5 | Narrative Research | EDCP 585 |
| 6 | Instruction Curriculum Issues & Theories | EDCP 562 |
| 7 | Instructional Creativity 3 (Digital Learners) | EDCP 565 |
| 8 | Graduating Project | EDCP 590 |
* Elective courses are taken at UBC’s main campus during the summer sessions. All other courses are offered on the North Shore.
Capstone Graduating Research Project
Challenging and rewarding, the capstone research project is the highlight of this cohort experience. Teachers, individually or in groups, choose a research question to investigate. Through contemporary forms of qualitative research, participants inquire into their own practices in the classroom. Past cohort participants have presented their research at conferences, professional development days, and have published papers in journals and books.
For an example of research projects see Pedagogy in a New Tonality, by Peter Gouzouasis, available at www.amazon.ca or www.sensepublishers.com.
All students must meet the requirements for this program, which include:
- A minimum of 3 years full-time teaching experience or an equivalent combination of engagement within schools, communities, Non-Governmental Organizations and other education-oriented environments.
- A completed four-year undergraduate degree, and at least a 76% average on all senior-level credits.
- Three recommendations from educators and administrators that speak to your engagement with education and leadership.
- Resumé and a 600-word personal statement about your perspectives of leadership, indicating how you think this program (along with your current education and experience) can help you enhance your understanding of effective leadership.
Application Status: Now Open
Application deadline: March 1, 2021
1. ONLINE APPLICATION
- Navigate to grad.ubc.ca/apply/online/.
- When you are ready to apply, click “Apply Online”.
- Read the instructions, and either log in with your CWL or create a CWL if you have never attended UBC.
- Once logged in, on the “Degree Program Selection,” type the 4-character cohort designation NVC6 or MEd in Curriculum Studies - Professional Cohort into the “Program Keyword” field.
- Click the program name. Ensure you select the version that ends with "Professional Cohort".
- Click the “Apply” button.
- Fill out the application as indicated.
2. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
Please have these ready to upload when you apply:
Transcripts, degree certificates (if applicable), English language assessment report (if applicable), statement of intent, and an up-to-date resume must be uploaded to your application.
In cases where referees are unable to submit an electronic reference, sealed and endorsed reference letters may be sent by mail. Your reference will receive a link to a reference form that they should complete and send back to us.
Important: Please ask your references to include the 4-character cohort designation NVC6 when they submit their reference. All references must arrive in sealed envelopes with the reference’s signature on the seal.
The form is also available here.
References:
- When adding your references to your application, you will be asked whether they are professional or academic references. Academic references are those who know you in an academic capacity (e.g. former professors). Professional references would include your principal, vice-principal, non-educational references, or someone who has supervised you.
- You are strongly encouraged to submit electronic letters of reference. Simply fill in the email addresses of your three referees when completing the online application (an email address is required). References with free, web-based email addresses (e.g. Gmail, Hotmail, etc.) will receive a link to the paper reference form, which must be mailed to our office (address on the reference form).
Once you submit and pay for your online application, your referees will automatically receive an email with a link and instructions for completing the electronic reference form or the link to the paper reference form, as above.
Once you submit and pay for your online application, your referees will automatically receive an email with a link and instructions for completing the electronic reference form or the link to the paper reference form, as above.
A letter can take the place of the reference form as long as it addresses the questions posed in the reference form. Despite the apparent size of the text box, referees may type as much as they want.
3. APPLICATION TIMELINE
After your application is submitted, all documents are uploaded, and references have been received, your application file is considered complete.
Once the application deadline for the program has passed, all completed application files are submitted to the Department for review. Applications recommended by the Department for admission are then confirmed against Graduate & Post-Doctoral Studies requirements, and accepted applicants are notified. Any special case admissions require an additional review by Graduate and Post-Doctoral Studies.
The entire process generally takes 8 to 12 weeks.
NOTE:
This program is subject to minimum enrollment in order to run. We will advise applicants on the status of this program after the application deadline has passed.
4. ASSISTANCE
If you require any assistance with the application process, please contact:
Refer to the UBC Calendar "Master of Education (program off-campus)" for confirmed and up-to-date fees.
Tuition fees are in Canadian dollars, are reviewed annually by the UBC Board of Governors, and are subject to change (typically 2% in May of each year).
Info sessions with Dr. Peter Gouzouasis
Meet the Cohort Advisor and Senior Program Assistant, and learn more about applying to become a graduate student.
UPCOMING SESSIONS
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
ONLINE | 4-5pm (PDT)
Did you miss one of our info sessions?
Watch a recorded info session from January 12, 2021
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You’ve read all of the admissions info, and are ready to submit your application? Let’s get started!
in partnership with:
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This program is offered by the Department of Curriculum & Pedagogy. Learn more about EDCP programs. |