M.Ed. in Educational Policy Studies - Leadership TVDSB Partnership

The Faculty of Education at the University of Western Ontario in partnership with the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) has developed a graduate program of studies that focuses on examining school and system leadership. This cohort program enables students to examine current issues in Ontario schools and within the TVDSB context. This program is offered in partnership with the TVDSB and is open only to employees of the TVDSB.

Click here for the Western-TVDSB Partnership Master of Education in School Leadership program flyer.

Faculty Research
Study Routes
Part-time Studies
On-line Study
Typical Program of Study
Courses

Faculty Research

Faculty conducting research in the area of Leadership:

Derek Allison	Rebecca Coulter	Greg Dickinson
Robert Macmillan	Jerry Paquette	Katina Pollock

Study Routes

- 5 Core Courses
  - 9500 Power, Politics & Policy in Education
  - 9501 Theories of Educational Administration
  - 9507y TVDSB Oriented Seminar in School Leadership
  - 1 of:
    - 9503 Education Finance for School Leaders
    - 9508 Educators and the Law
  - 9678 Diverse Traditions: Approaches to Educational Research
- 9694 Individual Proposal Preparation (IPP)
- 9590 Master's Thesis.
  
  This option is recommended for students with an interest in research or anticipating graduate work at the doctoral level.
  
  Thesis Supervisor: Prospective students are not required to secure a Thesis Supervisor at the time of application; however, those wishing to ensure there are faculty members on staff who research in their area of interest are invited to review the Faculty Research page. At the time of admission, students are assigned an Academic Advisor who will guide them through course and program planning. When students are ready to begin work on their IPP, they may approach any Faculty of Education faculty member to act as Thesis Supervisor. For more information about securing a Supervisor, please see the MEd Thesis Guide and the Program Policies web page.
  
  9683. Individual Proposal Preparation: This provides a structure for the writing of a thesis proposal. An initial review of relevant research provides the background for the proposed study. The methodological framework and the method to be employed are studied and developed. Ethical considerations are investigated and, where appropriate, an ethical review document prepared. This is not a course but a milestone and compulsory element for those writing a Thesis.
  
  9590. Master's Thesis:
  MEd Thesis Guide
  The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Thesis Regulation Guide
Professional Route (Course-based Option)
- 6 Core Courses
  - 9500 Power, Politics & Policy in Education
  - 9501 Theories of Educational Administration
  - 9503 Education Finance for School Leaders
  - 9507y TVDSB Oriented Seminar in School Leadership
  - 9508 Educators and the Law
  - 9678 Diverse Traditions: Approaches to Educational Research
- 1 Elective Course
- 9691 Master's Seminar

Part-time Studies

The TVDSB Leadership program is offered only on a part-time basis. M.Ed. Educational Studies on-site courses are offered in the evenings to accomodate in-service teachers with the exception of the 9507y course.

The 9507y TVDSB Oriented Seminar in School Leadership course is offered over 12 friday afternoons, spanning the Fall and Winter terms. Students receive release time from TVDSB to attend these class.

The program will take 6-8 terms to complete, depending on the study route. A typical part-time course load for those working full time is one course per term. Where opportunity allows, part-time students may seek permission to take two courses per term maximum.

On-line Study

Online study - Students registered in onsite programs may request to register for an on-line elective course if space permits after on-line students have registered.

WebCT OWL - both on-line and onsite courses are accessible via the WebCT OWL platform, although instructors of onsite courses use this tool to varying degrees (some not at all). Access to a course in WebCT OWL is opened on the first business day of each term, but please note class start dates on the applicable timetable on the Graduate Programs & Research web site. Content may not be posted until closer to the first scheduled day of a class.

Typical Program of Study

Term	Academic (Thesis) Part-Time	Professional (Course-based) Part-Time
1-Fall	9500 Power, Politics & Policy in Education 9507y TVDSB Oriented Seminar in School Leadership	9500 Power, Politics & Policy in Education 9507y TVDSB Oriented Seminar in School Leadership
2-Winter	9501 Theories of Educational Administration 9507y TVDSB Oriented Seminar in School Leadership (Continued from Fall term)	9501 Theories of Educational Administration 9507y TVDSB Oriented Seminar in School Leadership (Continued from Fall term)
3-Summer	1 of: 9503* Education Finance for School Leaders or 9508 Educators and the Law	9503 Education Finance for School Leaders 1 Elective Course
4-Fall	9678 Diverse Traditions: Approaches to Educational Research 9684 IPP	9678 Diverse Traditions: Approaches to Educational Research
5-Winter	9684 IPP (continued from Fall term) 9590 Master's Thesis	9508 Educators and the Law
6-Summer	9590 Master's Thesis	9691 Master's Seminar

*Students in the academic study route have a choice of taking either 9503 or 9508
IPP = Individual Proposal Preparation (calendar description above in "Study Routes")

Timetables are posted on-line one at a time a month before the start of each new term. Classes generally meet as follows:

Fall Term/Winter Term:

Onsite courses meet one evening (6:30 pm - 9:30 pm) per week for 12 weeks
On-line courses run for 12 weeks

Summer Term

Intersession (onsite): Two evenings per week for 6 weeks beginning in May
Summer Session (onsite): 3 mornings or afternoons per week for 4 weeks in July
Summer On-line: courses run for 12 weeks on-line beginning in May

Courses

Course Descriptions