In exceptional circumstances, a student may be admitted with lower formal qualifications when there is significant professional experience relevant to the proposed area of scholarship.

Students must satisfy any further requirements set by the graduate program committee.

The minimum university requirement for admission to a master’s program is a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0/4.33 (B), or a grade point average of at least 3.33/4.33 (B+) based on the last 60 credits of undergraduate courses. In exceptional circumstances, a student may be admitted with lower formal qualifications, but with extensive experience deemed significant to the proposed area of research. 

In exceptional circumstances, a student may be admitted to the MEd EP program with an undergraduate GPA lower than 3.0. For more information see MEd EP Additional Requirements.

We aim for an intake of approximately 10-15 students per cycle. In the most recent intake, 28% of applicants were offered admission with all accepting those offers. While the program is competitive, grades are not the only factor in our decision making. Put equal attention to developing your letter of intent in which you explain your reasons for pursuing an ESE degree, and also your writing sample.

Anyone who can comment on your academic competence (e.g., department head, school principal, academic coordinator, manager/supervisor, etc.). What we look for from referees is confirmation that the applicant has the capacity to pursue a graduate degree – i.e. understands academic writing, reading, and has the intellect, academic preparation and skills (e.g. time management, ability to work and study etc.) to be successful. Applicants should prepare referees to speak to these qualities and capacities, and reference highlights of the applicant’s CV, describe projects, leadership, initiatives, professional experience that reflect qualities and skills that are relevant to academic achievement. For Counselling Psychology program applicants, please refer to the program website for more complete details about references.

If in doubt, contact the Program Assistant for confirmation.

The purpose of the academic writing sample is for the admissions committee to assess a candidate’s ability to be successful in a fundamental scholarly skill: scholarly writing. Scholarly writing is evidence-based, well cited, rooted in scholarly literature, and clear, concise, and coherent in its prose. While we expect students to develop these skills once they are in the program, the academic writing sample allows us to see where the starting point for any applicant would be. Most applicants submit a recently written university level course paper (written within the past 5 years); other applicants choose an older paper but rewrite it for the purposes of the application; and others still might choose a more recent writing sample that is not necessarily academic but demonstrates these skills.

The Master of Education (MEd) program consists of coursework and a comprehensive exam (which is an extended academic paper that has an applied component).

The Master of Arts (MA) option consists of fewer courses and a research-based thesis. If you have an interest in applying for a PhD in the future, an MA is the preferred credential for admission.

You must upload an unofficial transcript (scanned, saved, etc.) for each post-secondary institution you have attended when you are uploading documents to your application. You cannot upload these documents until your application has been submitted, and your application fee has been paid and processed.

If you receive an offer of admission, you will be required to submit an official transcript for each post-secondary institution. More information.

Note: Applicants who completed their former degrees at SFU are not required to submit an official SFU transcript, as these records can be accessed. More information on transcripts.

The minimum fee for a master’s program is six full-time research term fee units (excluding the International Program and the MEd EP program). However, the minimum fee rule may be waived for students who complete all degree requirements in less than six terms of continuous full-time enrolment. Contact Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for information.

Students who enroll on leave are not eligible for the waiver of the minimum fee requirements.

A master’s student who has completed six terms of enrolment (excluding on leave enrolment) pays a continuing fee in subsequent terms equal to one half of the regular fee.

Applicants should expect to hear a decision within three months of the application deadline. Admission decisions are made at multiple levels within the University and applicants will be notified by an email from Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies as soon as the final decision is made. The review committee may decide to have a waitlist depending on the composition of submitted applications.

The MA/MSc route normally requires a minimum of 25 units of course work and a thesis. The MEd degree typically requires a minimum of 35 units of course work and a comprehensive examination.

Normally most MEd degree students complete in two years by taking one course each fall and spring term and one or two courses each summer term. A student enrolled in the MEd EP programs completes in one year following the completion of the Graduate Diploma program.

There is no difference in the credential (Master of Education) no matter what program it is awarded through. It is the student’s responsibility to review any criteria set out by their employer for pay increases, such as the Teacher Qualification Service. See more detailed information.

Yes. Before the start of the Fall term, SFU's Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies office schedules a general orientation for all SFU graduate students. The Faculty of Education also hosts a New Graduate Student Orientation that is usually scheduled during the first month of the Fall term. The Education Graduate Student Orientation Handbook will be distributed to new students. This publication outlines the administrative structure of the program and provides information on specific logistics such as parking, computer access, housing, registration, etc.

International students face specific challenges no matter what program they may take outside their home country, for example: obtaining study permit, finances, academic writing and working in Anglo-dominant institutions, finding suitable accommodation, childcare, and sustaining oneself during the program.

Outside of these challenges, we recommend that international students applying to a graduate program should have work experience in a field related to the program (including volunteer experience), and have a specific topic or area of interest in which their learning in the program can be applied (in their home country or other location).  Unless otherwise stated on the program website, the tuition rate is the same for domestic and international students.

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For MEd students, the final comprehensive exam is scheduled when all of the required credits/courses are completed, usually during or after the 6th term.

In the MA program, students usually begin work on their thesis proposal during the 4th term while taking the required qualitative research methods course (EDUC 866).

Students do not have to know what their thesis topic will be when they start the program, although it helps to know your area of interest, and the topic or issue that you would like to study closely.

The prerequisite for entry into a SFU Masters program is a Bachelor's degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 from a recognized university, or the equivalent. For applicants who do not hold a Bachelor’s degree, if they have completed the Provincial Instructors Diploma Program (PIDP) and have extensive professional experience in an educational or professional setting, they may be admitted to the Graduate Certificate. After one year of coursework (12 units minimum) and a CGPA of 3.0, students may transfer into the MEd program.

Students whose native primary language is not English must demonstrate command of English sufficient to pursue graduate studies in the chosen field. Applicants applying to programs conducted entirely in French will be exempt from this requirement. English language requirements.

Generally, all our programs are offered face-to-face. Students are expected to attend all classes in person. Please review each program website to determine the delivery method for your program of interested.

Various forms of financial assistance are available for graduate students in Education. Admission to SFU does not imply financial support. As a consequence of not being able to guarantee funding for all graduate students, the Faculty of Education stresses to all applicants, and particularly those from overseas, that they are responsible for supporting their graduate study at this institution for a minimum of two years and funding should be arranged before arriving in Canada.

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International students face specific challenges no matter what program they may take outside their home country, for example: obtaining study permit, finances, academic writing and working in Anglo-dominant institutions, finding suitable accommodation, childcare, and sustaining oneself during the program.

Outside of these challenges, we recommend that international students applying to a graduate program should have work experience in a field related to the program (including volunteer experience), and have a specific topic or area of interest in which their learning in the program can be applied (in their home country or other location).  Unless otherwise stated on the program website, the tuition rate is the same for domestic and international students.

• International Student Advising

The purpose of the academic writing sample is for the admissions committee to assess a candidate’s ability to be successful in a fundamental scholarly skill: scholarly writing. Scholarly writing is evidence-based, well cited, rooted in scholarly literature, and clear, concise, and coherent in its prose. While we expect students to develop these skills once they are in the program, the academic writing sample allows us to see where the starting point for any applicant would be. Most applicants submit a recently written university level course paper (written within the past 5 years); other applicants choose an older paper but rewrite it for the purposes of the application; and others still might choose a more recent writing sample that is not necessarily academic but demonstrates these skills.

This will depend on the number of courses your program requires you to enroll in each term. In addition to the 4-5 hours of class time once per week, students should be prepared to be spending additional time per week doing course readings (approximately 50-100 pages per week, sometimes more, sometimes less); library research; assignments for class; and additional hours doing research and writing academic papers for their courses. We would advise that students budget at minimum 15-20 hours per week to devote to their studies.