Adult Education and Community Development

Program Overview

The Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) offers the Adult Education and Community Development program, leading to the Master of Arts, Master of Education, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

The MA is a research-based degree and can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. During their program of study, MA students are expected to have exposure to both qualitative and quantitative approaches to research but can focus on either approaches or mixed-methods approaches for their thesis work.

The MEd is a non-thesis degree program which can be taken on either a full-time or part-time basis.

The PhD degree program is designed to provide opportunities for advanced study in the theoretical foundations of adult education and community development and in the application of such knowledge to practice. This program offers both full-time and flexible-time options. To be admitted to the flexible-time option, applicants should be active professionals who demonstrate connections between their professional work and their proposed course program, and/or between their professional work and their proposed research.


Quick Facts

Domestic International
Application deadline MA, MEd, PhD:

Please see http://uoft.me/oisedeadlines

MA, MEd, PhD:

Please see http://uoft.me/oisedeadlines

Minimum admission average MA, MEd:

Mid-B in final year of bachelor’s

PhD:

B+ average in Master’s

MA, MEd:

Mid-B in final year of bachelor’s

PhD:

B+ average in Master’s

Direct entry option from bachelor's to PhD? PhD:

No

PhD:

No

Is a supervisor identified before or after admission? MA, PhD:

After

MA, PhD:

After

Is a supervisor assigned by the graduate unit or secured by the applicant? MA, PhD:

Applicant

MA, PhD:

Applicant

Are any standardized tests required/recommended? MA, MEd, PhD:

N/A

MA, MEd, PhD:

N/A


Master of Arts

Program Description

The MA is a research-based thesis degree program which can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. The MA program focuses on learning that happens individually and collectively among adults in communities, workplaces, social movements, the street, and the virtual world — any place where people come together to create social change. The program serves individuals seeking to develop skills for education, community, and organizational roles in a wide range of settings in public, private, and voluntary sectors. Graduates work with newcomers, youth, women’s groups, LGBTQ agencies, organized labour, racialized people, and disenfranchised communities in positions that involve community engagement and education, policy development, leadership, mentorship, and organizational development. The department welcomes applicants with diverse but relevant backgrounds.

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline or professional program from a recognized university, with a grade equivalent to a University of Toronto mid-B or better in the final year.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must complete 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • Either LHA1100H Introduction to Adult Education (0.5 FCE) or LHA1102H Introduction to Community Development (0.5 FCE), to be taken at the beginning of the program.

    • LHA1183H Master’s Thesis Seminar (0.5 FCE).

    • At least one research methods course (0.5 FCE).

    • At least 2.0 FCEs must be from the Adult Education and Community Development program. Additional courses may be required of some students.

  • A thesis based on original research, which may lay the groundwork for doctoral research.

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S);
10 sessions part-time

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time

Master of Education

Program Description

The MEd is a non-thesis, course-based professional degree program which can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. The MEd program focuses on learning that happens individually and collectively among adults in communities, workplaces, social movements, the street, and the virtual world — any place where people come together to create social change. It serves individuals seeking to develop skills for education, community, and organizational development roles in a wide range of settings in public, private, and voluntary sectors. Graduates work with newcomers, youth, women’s groups, LGBTQ agencies, organized labour, racialized people, and disenfranchised communities in positions that involve community engagement and education, policy development, leadership, mentorship, and organizational development. The department welcomes applicants with diverse but relevant backgrounds.

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline or professional program from a recognized university, with a grade equivalent to a University of Toronto mid-B or better in the final year.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must complete 5.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • Either LHA1100H Introduction to Adult Education (0.5 FCE) or LHA1102H Introduction to Community Development (0.5 FCE), to be taken at the beginning of the program.

    • At least 2.5 FCEs must be from the Adult Education and Community Development program.

    • One research methods course is recommended (0.5 FCE).

Program Length

4 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F);
10 sessions part-time

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time

Doctor of Philosophy

Program Description

The PhD is a research-based thesis degree program which can be taken on a full-time or flexible-time basis. Designed to provide opportunities for advanced study in the theoretical foundations of adult education and community development and in the application of such knowledge to practice, the PhD focuses on learning that happens individually and collectively among adults in communities, workplaces, social movements, the street, and the virtual world — any place where people come together to create social change.

Except for the time to completion, requirements for both the full-time and flexible-time programs are the same. The department welcomes applicants with diverse but relevant backgrounds.

 

PhD Program (Full-Time Option)

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate master's degree from a recognized university in a relevant discipline or professional program, with a minimum standing equivalent to a University of Toronto B+.

  • In addition to responses to the Faculty questions in the online admissions application, a sample of written work is required, which will help the admissions committee to assess an applicant's readiness to succeed in rigorous coursework and to conduct systematic research for the PhD. Applicants typically submit a master's-level Major Research Paper or thesis as their sample of written work. Applicants who do not have a Major Research Paper or thesis must provide a sample of written work that showcases their ability to write clearly and analytically about issues related to adult education and community development. The admissions committee will look for evidence that applicants understand how to craft an academic document, define a research problem, devise an appropriate focus for an inquiry, assemble and analyze evidence and/or academic literatures, and develop conclusions in a rigorous manner. Examples include a master’s-level course paper or professional publication.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must complete 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • LHA3102H+ Doctoral Thesis Seminar (0.5 FCE), recommended to be taken in the first session of the program.

    • At least 1.5 FCEs must be from the Adult Education and Community Development program. Students with little background in the area of Adult Education and Community Development may be required to complete an additional 0.5 FCE providing such background.

    • At least one research methods course (0.5 FCE).

  • Comprehensive requirement. Normally, a major paper between 7,000 and 12,000 words in length (including tables, figures, and references), which consists of a comprehensive discussion of one or more literatures and/or debates of significance to Adult Education and Community Development.

  • Thesis.

  • Students must register continuously and pay the full-time fee until all degree requirements have been fulfilled.

  • Students cannot transfer between the full-time and flexible-time PhD options.

  • Students cannot transfer between the EdD and PhD programs.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years

+ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.

 

PhD Program (Flexible-Time Option)

Applicants to the flexible-time option should be active professionals who demonstrate connections between their professional work and their proposed course program, and/or between their professional work and their proposed research. Capacity to secure blocks of time to enable concentrated study is required.

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate master's degree from a recognized university in a relevant discipline or professional program, with a minimum standing equivalent to a University of Toronto B+.

  • In addition to responses to the Faculty questions in the online admissions application, a sample of written work is required, which will help the admissions committee to assess an applicant's readiness to succeed in rigorous coursework and to conduct systematic research for the PhD. Applicants typically submit a master's-level Major Research Paper or thesis as their sample of written work. Applicants who do not have a Major Research Paper or thesis must provide a sample of written work that showcases their ability to write clearly and analytically about issues related to adult education and community development. The admissions committee will look for evidence that applicants understand how to craft an academic document, define a research problem, devise an appropriate focus for an inquiry, assemble and analyze evidence and/or academic literatures, and develop conclusions in a rigorous manner. Examples include a master’s-level course paper or professional publication.

  • Applicants must demonstrate that they are active professionals engaged in activities related to their proposed program of study.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must complete 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • LHA3102H+ Doctoral Thesis Seminar (0.5 FCE), recommended to be taken in the first session of the program.

    • At least 1.5 FCEs must be from the Adult Education and Community Development program. Students with little background in the area of Adult Education and Community Development may be required to complete an additional 0.5 FCE providing such background.

    • At least one research methods course (0.5 FCE).

  • Comprehensive requirement. Normally, a major paper between 7,000 and 12,000 words in length (including tables, figures, and references), which consists of a comprehensive discussion of one or more literatures and/or debates of significance to Adult Education and Community Development.

  • Thesis.

  • Students must register continuously until all degree requirements have been fulfilled. They register full-time during the first four years and may continue as part-time students thereafter, with their department's approval.

  • Students cannot transfer between the full-time and flexible-time PhD options.

  • Students cannot transfer between the EdD and PhD programs.

Program Length

6 years

Time Limit

8 years

+ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.

Jennie Phillips

“My research looks at how citizens leverage technology to respond to crises in cyberspace.”

Jennie Phillips
PhD (2019), Leadership, Higher & Adult Education , Collaborative Specialization in Comparative, International & Development Education; Collaborative Specialization in Dynamics of Global Change
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