Teaching

Program Overview

The Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) offers a graduate program in Teaching, leading to the Master of Teaching (MT) degree. Students have a unique educational opportunity that combines teacher qualification with advanced study of educational theory and an opportunity to conduct research. The program provides students with a strong grounding in curriculum, human development, ethics, educational law, diversity, educational technology, teaching, and learning.

This teacher education program offers the opportunity for elementary and secondary student teachers to deepen their knowledge of all aspects of teaching. The high level of academic rigour, combined with increased practice teaching experiences enhances and extends the theoretical and practical knowledge of students preparing to become teachers. The program includes formal coursework, teaching and research seminars, practice teaching, internship, and a major research project.

University of Toronto students may also be interested in a combined degree program. See Combined Degree Programs for options.

The Master of Teaching program is one of two degrees offered at OISE that allow graduates to teach as licensed teachers in the province of Ontario. For information on the Master of Arts in Child Study and Education (CSE) offered by the Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development at the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study (Jackman ICS), please review the CSE program’s fact sheet or the website of the Jackman ICS.

Quick Facts

Master of Teaching

Program Description

This program involves two years of full-time study leading to a Master of Teaching (MT) degree. Upon successful completion of this program, students will be recommended to the Ontario College of Teachers for an Ontario Teachers' Certificate of Qualification, which qualifies them to teach in either the Primary and Junior (P/J) divisions, the Junior and Intermediate (J/I) divisions, or the Intermediate and Senior (I/S) divisions of Ontario schools.

The MT program offers students a unique educational opportunity, which combines teacher qualification with advanced study of educational theory and an opportunity to conduct research. The program provides students with a strong grounding in curriculum; human development; ethics and educational law; equity diversity and inclusion; Indigenous education; educational technology; instructional planning; instructional design; and learning theory. Students have three practice teaching experiences in which they develop their skills as teachers and extend the theoretical and practical knowledge they acquired in the academic portion of the program.

The program includes: formal coursework, teaching and research seminars, and practice teaching.

The 20-month program is normally completed on a full-time basis in 5 terms:

• Terms 1 and 2 (Fall and Winter sessions [September to April])

• Term 3 (Summer session [May to August])

• Terms 4 and 5 (Fall and Winter sessions [September to April]).

Registration in Terms 4 and 5 is contingent upon successful completion of all courses in Terms 1, 2, and 3 and two successful placements.

Applicants must select one of the following teaching divisions:

• Primary/Junior (junior kindergarten to grade 6)

• Junior/Intermediate (grades 4 to 10)

• Intermediate/Senior (grades 7 to 12).

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Applicants must have an appropriate bachelor's degree with the equivalent of a University of Toronto mid-B or better in the final year.

• Applications are submitted to the specific division(s) of interest (i.e., Primary/Junior, Junior/Intermediate, or Intermediate/Senior). Applicants are required to respond to three questions in which they describe significant teaching and/or teaching-related experiences that they have had, especially with groups of learners. With reference to these experiences, applicants should identify insights gained about teaching and learning, and explain how, based on these insights, they might contribute to the education of students in today's schools. In their resumé, applicants are requested to list, in chart form, the extent of their teaching experiences.

• Applicants to the Junior/Intermediate (J/I) division within the Elementary field must select one subject specialization, known as "teachable" or "teaching subject." Before applying to the J/I division, applicants must ensure they have the required number of prerequisite courses for the teaching subject. The prerequisites for teaching subjects in the J/I division are a minimum of 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) for the teaching subject from a recognized university. Note that the prerequisite for French (Second Language) is 5.0 FCEs. For more details about subject specializations and their prerequisites, visit the MT program website.

• Applicants to the Intermediate/Senior (I/S) division within the Secondary field must have two subject specializations, known as "teachable" or "teaching subject", of which one subject is selected as their first subject specialization and one as their second subject specialization. Before applying to the I/S division, applicants must ensure they have the required number of prerequisite courses for the teaching subject. The prerequisites are a minimum of 6.0 FCEs in the first teaching subject and a minimum of 3.0 FCEs in the second teaching subject from a recognized university. Note that the prerequisites for the teaching subjects French (Second Language), Science-Biology, Science-Chemistry, Science-Physics, and Science-General are 6.0 FCEs regardless of whether these teaching subjects are first or second subject specializations. For more details about subject specializations and their prerequisites, visit the MT program website.

• Not all eligible applicants are guaranteed admission.

• A police record check is required in both Years 1 and 2 as part of the practice teaching experiences, as well as any necessary vaccination requirements that placement sites may have in place.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must complete 11.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) consisting of:

  • 8.0 FCEs: 16 (or equivalent) compulsory core courses; Primary/Junior and Junior/Intermediate divisions include quarter-credit courses.

  • 1.0 FCE: 2 elective courses.

  • 2.0 FCEs: 3 practice teaching courses: CTL7080H, CTL7081H, and CTL7090Y. There is one placement per course, totalling three teaching placements (two shorter 0.5 FCE placements and one longer 1.0 FCE placement).

• On successful completion, students receive the MT degree and a recommendation to the Ontario College of Teachers for an Ontario Teachers' Certificate of Qualification.

• Eligible students registered in the Primary/Junior division who, in addition to an Ontario Teachers’ Certificate of Qualification, wish to pursue the French as a Second Language (FSL) qualification, must successfully complete the following requirements:

  • Pass an OISE French Proficiency Test prior to completing the following two courses.

  • Complete both CTL7200H Curriculum and Teaching in French as a Second Language — Primary/Junior and CTL3204H L’immersion française: enseignement et recherches within the elective space.

  • Complete one practicum placement in a French classroom following successful completion of the French Proficiency Test and both CTL7200H and CTL3204H.

• Advanced standing is not granted in this program.

• Students registered in the Primary/Junior and Junior/Intermediate divisions must successfully complete the non-credit seminar course CTL7100H Mathematics Concepts for Elementary Teacher Candidates (0.0 FCE), also known as MathPlus, during their first session of registration.

Program Length

5 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W)

Time Limit

3 years full-time