Master of Arts, Master of Education

MA, MEd in Curriculum & Instruction: Equity Studies in Education

Method of delivery:
In-person
Applications open:
October 1, 2024
Applications close:
December 1, 2024
Next start date:
September 2025

Study and develop expertise in an equity framework for education. The program conceptualizes education broadly as a concept that includes schooling, but also includes other social forces that shape knowledge in society.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Designed for

Prospective candidates interested in this program may include:

  • Educators and administrators who wish to move into leadership roles with regards to equity practices in their schools and districts
  • Advocates and educators who work in nonprofit agencies, such as the immigrant/settlement services sector
  • Advocates and educators working with adult learners in formal or informal learning settings
  • Policy analysts working in government and non-government sectors
  • Media workers interested in studying the informal education that occurs via media and popular culture
  • Diversity and equity officers working in fields such as corrections, health, military, and law enforcement

Program Structure

  • Complete an MEd or ladder to an MA (with faculty approval)
  • In-person classes at one of our three campuses
  • Designed for working professionals with classes held in the late afternoon/early evening

Intake Schedule

This program typically accepts applications on an annual basis. We aim for an intake of approximately 10 to 15 students per cycle.

Start Terms
Fall 2025

PROGRAM DESIGN & COURSES

Program Design

What We Mean by "Education"

The program conceptualizes education broadly as a concept that includes schooling, but also includes other social forces that shape knowledge in society.

What We Mean by "Equity in Education"

From this perspective, equity in education refers to the range of interdisciplinary, theoretical perspectives from which the relationships between these forces are studied including:

  • critical social justice
  • anti-racism education
  • critical Indigenous education
  • critical race feminisms
  • critical literacies
  • queer/LGBT studies
  • human rights education
  • whiteness studies
  • globalization
  • postcolonial and neocolonial thought

Our Pedagogical Standpoint

In addition to the conceptual, the pedagogical standpoint of this program is also rooted in an anti-oppression, equity frame. Acknowledging that we do this work on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples, the program instructors operate from a critical pedagogy of care, inclusion, hope, and advocacy for dismantling the ongoing legacy of settler colonialism, racism, hetero/sexism, ableism, classism, linguicism, and other socially-constructed and sustained systems of oppression.

While we advocate for and work towards these ideals, we also acknowledge that we are each limited by the experiences and standpoints from which we know and experience the world.

Expectations of Students

It is expected that students in this program will engage in an ongoing critical, self-reflective stance on the processes of equity as we seek to understand and achieve it in school, other social institutions, and society at large, as well as in our own contexts as students, faculty, and citizens working towards a just society.

Courses

The MEd degree route consists of 30 units of course work plus a comprehensive examination. The MA route consists of a minimum of 25 units of course work plus a thesis.

Both MEd and MA students first complete

EDUC 837-5 SEMINAR IN EDUCATION, EQUITY, AND SOCIAL THEORIES

An in-depth study of selected topics in education, equity, and social theories.

EDUC 855-5 MULTICULTURAL AND RACE RELATIONS EDUCATION

Theory, research, policy development and program implementation in multicultural and race relations education encompass a wide spectrum of areas of educational inquiry.

EDUC 864-5 RESEARCH DESIGNS IN EDUCATION

Designing and interpreting research about education. Introduction to survey techniques, correlational designs, classic experimental and evaluation designs for investigating causal relations, case study methods, interpretive approaches to research. Students with credit for EDUC 814 may not take this course for further credit. Equivalent Courses: EDUC814

MEd Students then complete

15 UNITS OF ELECTIVE COURSEWORK CHOSEN IN CONSULTATION WITH SENIOR SUPERVISOR

15 units of elective coursework chosen in consultation with senior supervisor. 

EDUC 883-5 MED COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION

The examination is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

MA Students then complete

5 UNITS OF ELECTIVE COURSEWORK CHOSEN IN CONSULTATION WITH SENIOR SUPERVISOR

5 units of elective coursework chosen in consultation with senior supervisor. 

EDUC 866-5 QUALITATIVE METHODS IN EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH

This course introduces students to qualitative research in education and examines topics such as identifying problems, using conceptual frameworks, coding, data analysis, drawing interpretations, and constructing arguments.

EDUC 898-10 MASTER'S THESIS

The thesis is a research investigation designed to generate and/or examine critically new knowledge in the theory and/or practice of education. The thesis should normally be completed and approved in three terms. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Note: In addition to the 4-5 hours of class time once per week, students should be prepared to spend 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 advise that students’ budget at minimum 15-20 hours per week to devote to their studies.

LOCATIONS

At SFU, campus life is rich with opportunities to engage with people, ideas and activities that contribute to personal development and a better world.

Burnaby

Perched atop Burnaby Mountain, Simon Fraser University's original Arthur Erickson-designed campus includes more than three dozen academic buildings and a flourishing sustainable residential community.

Simon Fraser University respectfully acknowledges the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations, on which SFU Burnaby is located.

Surrey

Our Surrey campus is a vibrant community hub in the heart of one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities. With easy access to transit, the modern campus is conveniently situated between Metro Vancouver and communities south of the Fraser River.

Simon Fraser University respectfully acknowledges the unceded traditional territories, including the Semiahmoo, Katzie, kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Kwantlen, Qayqayt and Tsawwassen Nations, on which SFU Surrey is located.

Vancouver

Our Vancouver campus transformed the landscape of urban education in downtown Vancouver. The campus comprises multiple facilities clustered in the core of one of the world’s most liveable cities.

Simon Fraser University respectfully acknowledges the unceded traditional territories including, the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations, on which SFU Vancouver is located.

FACULTY

Faculty members are recognized for their work in developing, advancing and enacting knowledge that makes a difference in public education. We follow a rigorous research program to investigate theory and provide innovative leadership in issues of educational pedagogy.

Academic Coordinators

FUTURE PATHWAYS

Where can this program take you? The world is changing rapidly and so is the full range of career and academic opportunities that await.

Occupations

  • Faculty members at universities and colleges
  • Leaders in equity practice in schools and districts
  • Non-profit advocates and educators
  • Policy analysts in government and non-government sectors
  • EDI officers in corrections, health, military and law enforcement

Further Studies

STUDENT EXPERIENCES

Meet some Equity Studies in Education MEd/MA students and alumni.

  • "Knowledge is power! The possibilities of the change I can make in the world with the knowledge I gain and the opportunity to learn and grow as a person and prospective scholar."

"I use critical media literacy to explore and make sense of my experiences growing up as a previously veiled Muslim girl in Canada."

Shiva Manavipour, 2016 Graduate

Sarah Shove, 2017 Graduate

Vive Wong, 2019 Graduate

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM

Curious to know more about the program?

UPCOMING INFORMATION SESSIONS

QUESTIONS?