About

Through the program, students will consider theories, principles, and practices in social studies education related to:

• Critical analysis of dominant and alternative theories of learning, teaching, and assessment in Social Studies,
• Improvement of practice through the study of educational theory, philosophy, and practice in Social Studies,
• Analysis of different approaches to curriculum development and implementation and their impact on social studies teaching and learning,
• The place of curriculum and pedagogy for social studies education in historical context, understanding the social, political, economic, and cultural factors that direct past, present, and future decision making, and
• Using an inquiry stance toward your professional practice as an educator in a variety of settings.

Additionally, students will continually reflect on what they are learning and consider how it can help them understand the aims and purposes underlying social studies curricula in their contexts. This knowledge can then be used to inform new practices in their educational contexts.

Schedule

This is the proposed schedule and is subject to change.

2023-2025 Cohort Schedule

*Recommended Electives include: EDCP/EDST/LLED Research Methodologies courses, EDCP 564, EDCP 565, EDCP 566, 400-level history/combination course.

Application Requirements

All students must meet the admission and application requirements of both the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the program, which include:

• A four-year Bachelor’s degree in Education with at least a 76% average on a senior-level credits.
• In special circumstances teacher education may be waived for those applicants who have a university degree with sufficient standing and experience related to their proposed field of study.
• Normally 18 credits of senior course work or a professional concentration in Social Studies.
• Normally two years’ teaching experience or other relevant professional experience within schools, communities, business, government, non-governmental organizations, or other education-oriented environments.
• Three letters of recommendation from educators, supervisors, colleagues, or clients that speak to your abilities to complete a graduate degree and interest in Social Studies Education (encompassing history, geography, civics, etc.)
• Resume/CV
• A 600-word statement of intent of your Social Studies Education experience, professional goals, and the anticipated benefit of involvement in the program.

Fees

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are reviewed annually by the UBC Board of Governors and may be adjusted without prior notice. For the most accurate and up-to-date information on tuition and fees, visit the official UBC Calendar. In case of a discrepancy between this webpage and the UBC Calendar, the UBC Calendar entry will be held to be correct.

Graduate tuition is assessed as an annual program fee, which is divided into three equal installments due at the beginning of academic terms starting in September, January and May. Students in this program will pay a minimum of 7 installments.

Student Fees

Student fees include fees established and authorized by the UBC Board of Governors and fees established and authorized by students societies. These fees are in addition to tuition fees. Please see the UBC Calendar for details on student fees.

Funding Eligibility

As this program is part-time, it is not eligible for student loans or other types of funding.

How to Apply

Application Status: Opens October 15, 2024

Application Deadline: January 30, 2025

Document Deadline: February 13, 2025

Apply Now

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 “Professional Cohort” into the “Program Keyword” field.
• IMPORTANT: The program name should be Social Studies Education – Professional Cohort M.Ed. Please ensure you are applying to the correct program – this part-time Professional Cohort is different than the regular on-campus program.
• Select the program.
• Click the “Apply” button.
• Fill out the application as indicated.

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.

You can also find the Grad Reference Form here.

 Important: Please ask your references to include the 4-character cohort designation SSE3 when they submit their reference. All references must arrive in sealed envelopes with the reference’s signature on the seal.

Please send mailed documents to:

Kelvin Mok
SSE3 Graduate Cohort
Faculty of Education, PDCE Office
University of British Columbia
1304-2125 Main Mall
Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4

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.

ASSISTANCE

If you require any assistance with the application process, please contact:

Kelvin Mok
Senior Program Assistant
604-827-5662
pdce.educ@ubc.ca

Info Sessions

Have questions? We’ve got answers!

Meet the Program Advisor and Senior Program Assistant, and learn more about this program and about applying to become a UBC graduate student.

January 16, 2025 | 4:00pm PT

Alumni Insights

	“I entered this program after teaching Social Studies at the secondary level for 25 years. Enrolling in this master’s program has been a transformative experience. It has equipped me with theoretical frameworks and practical tools that have enhanced my teaching practice while also confirming that I am on the right track. The research and feedback I received have made me feel more confident in my current methods and have pushed me to improve continually. The instructors cultivated a collaborative environment, and the opportunity to engage with leading educators has been invaluable. The program being primarily offered online was particularly beneficial, as it allowed me to continue teaching without the need to go on campus while also interacting with peers from across BC and Canada. With my MEd, I am excited to continue my journey in Social Studies education, aiming to inspire my students and mentor future educators.”
	“I applied to complete my M.Ed in Social Studies as a 7th year teacher, needing a reminder of “why” I became a Social Studies teacher in the first place. With a passion for history, storytelling, and place based education, the CHiP program could not have come at a better time. Over the 14 courses that I enrolled in, I was exposed to educators, articles, podcasts, films, and pedagogies that I would have never discovered. The workload was flexible as I continued to work full-time as a high school teacher. The professors were diverse, and although the majority of my course work was online, I felt I was able to connect with the various educators in my cohort through collaboration, local meet ups, and public discussion boards. Over the two years, I was able to apply my learning at UBC to my teaching practice, take invigorating elective courses, and revisit HOW I might accomplish the goal of the teacher I want to be: to inspire an interest and empathy for the past through authentic curriculum, while encouraging young people to understand the world around them.”
	“I feel very fortunate to have completed my Masters of Education through the Curriculum, Historical inquiry, and Pedagogy program offered at UBC. The program provided both breadth and depth, focusing both on foundational theoretical frameworks relevant to social studies teaching and their connections to the day-to-day teaching and learning in our classrooms. I particularly appreciated the opportunities to explore research areas of personal interest and significance, allowing me to reflect on key areas of practice and take steps to improve my pedagogy and assessment.”
	“I always knew I wanted to complete a Masters program, but really struggled to find something that addressed my career ambitions and academic interests. This program fit that bill by addressing key pedagogical issues through experience and course work. The cohort model allowed me to forge deep collegial friendships that created bridges through the online and remote classes. Today in the classroom I am able to remain reflective on the ideas sparked during my Master’s through UBC.”
	“As an educator of over fifteen years, I can not overstate the significance of the CHiP program in my professional development. The program allowed me to reflect on my own practice through constructive conversations with Social Studies colleagues from across the province and Canada. I already had a strong foundation in critical pedagogy; however, the instructors, texts, and research challenged and stretched my thinking, resulting in a reinforced practice, a practice that I share with my school community. The social justice foundations of the curricula was supported by the wealth of resources and collaborative opportunities. Despite my nerves about online learning, as a parent and working professional it was convenient to participate with the program and be able to hear diverse perspectives from professors and peers alike. After completing my two years of learning, I feel more secure in leading professional development workshops, being a UBC School Advisor, and serving in my current role of Humanities Department Chair.”
	“A decade after completing my B.Ed, I was eager to be a student again to improve my teaching. This program provided me with an immensely valuable opportunity to critically examine my own practice and learn about new ideas and pedagogies in the discipline of history education. Completing the program while also teaching full time allowed me to apply what I was learning about to my own classrooms right away. I really appreciated the discussion-focused online format of many of the courses as I got to hear the perspectives from others working in different contexts. The M.Ed program has inspired me to continue seeking the latest research and has given me the tools to even conduct my own.”
	“I decided to pursue my Masters after a few years of teaching. The time I spent with my peers, professors, and the program was invaluable. Their insights, comments, and questions have pushed me to reevaluate my practices and purpose as a teacher. Firstly, I have unlearned many lessons that were foundational to me when I first began teaching. While the process was initially intimidating, it was rewarding and beneficial. Secondly, I have learned a number of important theoretical frameworks and pedagogies that I would not have elsewhere. This acquired knowledge has become fundamental in how I perceive and practice teaching. Lastly, I relearned what it means for me to be an educator. The support and reassurance I gained from the program has made me a better educator professionally and personally.”

Contacts

For program content questions:

Dr. Andrea Webb
Cohort Advisor
Assistant Professor
andrea.webb@ubc.ca

For application questions or assistance:

Kelvin Mok
Senior Program Assistant
604-827-5662
pdce.educ@ubc.ca