Graduate-Level Electives
All of our courses combine theory and practice. Most are offered online with both synchronous (on Zoom) and asynchronous components ('On-Campus' or 'Online' is indicated beside each course title). Any synchronous sessions are in Mountain Time (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada). Dates and times are determined by the course instructor. Sessions are not recorded; attendance is required.
These are graduate-level, credit courses, requiring between five and ten hours of coursework per week in the fall and winter terms (13 weeks). Courses offered in the spring and summer terms are condensed (six and three weeks respectively), so the amount of time spent on coursework is increased. This includes time spent on readings, assignments, presentations (group and individual), and writing papers.
These courses can be taken as a Non-Degree Graduate Student or through Open Studies, or as an elective in a graduate program (in consultation with your program advisor). See this page for enrolment options. Preference is given to students in the various Professional Learning programs; students in other graduate programs or Open Studies will be enrolled if space is available. Please read the course descriptions carefully and consult with your program advisor to be sure the elective is approved for your program.
Notes:
- These courses are offered at an increased rate of assessment. Tuition is listed with each course below, or you can check your statement on Bear Tracks. Tuition for these courses may be listed at a higher rate. However, to maintain tuition rates across all Professional Learning programs, the Faculty of Education will provide a bursary to keep the amount paid by domestic students at $1,529.00 per course. If applicable, the bursary will be applied after the add/drop deadline. All tuition fees and bursary amounts are subject to change.The amount of the bursary varies by program; not applicable to ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥ staff, doctoral students or international students.
- Please take note of the non-instructional fees associated with graduate studies, which are over and above of the cost of tuition.
- Course availability is dependent upon sufficient enrollment.
Questions? Contact the graduate administrator at the email address listed with each course.
Winter 2026 Electives
Winter term runs from January 5 to April 10, 2026. See specific course dates under each listing.
Instructor: Bonnie Stelmach
Explore the foundational dimensions of school leadership including instructional leadership, fostering effective relationships, supporting the application of foundational knowledge about Indigenous Peoples, visionary leadership, leading learning communities, modelling continuous professional learning, developing leadership capacity, understanding the social context influencing schooling, and managing school operations and resources.
Synchronous Zoom sessions are included; attendance is required.
Note: This course is partial fulfillment of the academic requirements for leadership certification through .
Domestic tuition: $1529.00 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2253.72 plus non-instructional fees
This is a core course in the Graduate Certificate in School Leadership and in the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies-Leadership and Mentoring, and is an approved elective in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. There are other enrolment options, however, priority registration is given to students in Professional Learning programs. For details or to enrol, contact gcslinfo@ualberta.ca. Students in the GCES Leadership and Mentoring, contact edmentor@ualberta.ca; MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca.
Instructor: Joe da Costa
Hone leadership practices grounded in research to demonstrate mastery of Alberta's Leadership Quality Standard (LQS). Includes a job-embedded learning component in which participants visit, observe, and collaborate with a school leader or leadership team in a school setting of their choice, in which the Alberta Program of Studies is offered.
Synchronous Zoom sessions are included; attendance is required.
Note: This course is partial fulfillment of the academic requirements for leadership certification through .
Domestic tuition: $1529.00 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2253.72 plus non-instructional fees
This is a core course in the Graduate Certificate in School Leadership and in the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies-Leadership and Mentoring, and is an approved elective in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. There are other enrolment options, however, priority registration is given to students in Professional Learning programs. For details or to enrol, contact gcslinfo@ualberta.ca. Students in the GCES Leadership and Mentoring, contact edmentor@ualberta.ca; MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca.
Instructor: Diana Steinhauer
Dates and times TBA
This course is designed for existing and aspiring school leaders. The course supports the development of foundational knowledge about First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. It explores the history of policy and legislation in relation to First Nation, Métis, and Inuit peoples in Canada. It will further inform knowledge of the current state First Nation, Métis, and Inuit education and explore some of the existing theory in First Nation education policy.
Domestic tuition: $1529.00 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2253.72 plus non-instructional fees
This is an approved elective in the Graduate Certificate in School Leadership and in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. There are other enrolment options, however, priority registration is given to students in Professional Learning programs. For details or to enrol, contact gcslinfo@ualberta.ca. MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca.
Instructor: Kathy Howery
Optional synchronous sessions: Sunday afternoons (recorded and posted in Canvas).
This course introduces classroom teachers and educational professionals to the practices, issues and importance of providing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies and supports to students with complex communication needs. The course will focus on implementing AAC systems to support students’ communication, language and literacy development, and meaningful participation in all aspects of learning experiences.
Pre-course work will be required for non-certificate students. Contact gcesinfo@ualberta.ca by for details.
Domestic tuition: $1529.00 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2253.72 plus non-instructional fees
This is a core course in the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies - Teaching Students with Complex Communication Needs, and is an approved elective in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. There are other enrolment options, however, priority registration is given to students in Professional Learning programs. For details or to enrol, contact gcesinfo@ualberta.ca. MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca.
Instructor: Nancy Musica
Synchronous sessions: Wednesday evenings from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
This course focuses on developing English language learners’ listening and speaking proficiency in English to support their academic learning in Alberta’s K-12 classrooms. Educators will explore models of listening and speaking development and evidence-informed methodologies for improving listening comprehension and speaking proficiency.
K-12 teaching experience is required for this course.
Domestic tuition: $1529.00 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2253.72 plus non-instructional fees
This is a core course in the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies - Teaching English Language Learners, and is an approved elective in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. There are other enrolment options, however, priority registration is given to students in Professional Learning programs. For details or to enrol, contact gcesinfo@ualberta.ca. MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca.
Instructors: Elizabeth Fulton-Lyne and Allison Sivak
Synchronous sessions: TBA
Drawing on current education theories and practices, this course delves into particular teaching strategies that can be employed in correctional environments. Students will explore issues such as incorporating technology, adapting to multi-level classrooms, responding to trauma, creating educational environments, following institutional procedures and requirements, and working with justice professionals. A number of teaching modalities will be discussed, including face to face, self-directed study, student-led study groups, and the emergence of e-learning.
Non-certificate students must provide a brief statement outlining reasons for taking the course. Email your statement to gcesinfo@ualberta.ca by November 15, 2025.
Domestic tuition: $1529.00 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2253.72 plus non-instructional fees
This is a core course in the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies - Prison Education, and is an approved elective in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. There are other enrolment options, however, priority registration is given to students in Professional Learning programs. For details or to enrol, contact gcesinfo@ualberta.ca. MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca.
Instructors: Kim Friesen Wiens and Anita Perlau
Synchronous sessions: Tuesday evenings from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
This online seminar-style course is an examination of teaching and learning processes in the elementary music classroom based on the integration of research, content and pedagogy appropriate for K-6 music instruction. We aim to understand how music education has developed into its current forms, including a critical examination of music curricula (both broadly conceived as well as specific to the Alberta context). This course will move through major developments in the process of repertoire selection and delivery. Current and relevant pedagogy, with an eye towards equity, diversity and inclusion, that is immediately applicable in the context of today’s diverse classroom will be experienced.
Domestic tuition: $1529.00 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2253.72 plus non-instructional fees
This is a core course in the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies - Elementary Music Teaching and Learning, and is an approved elective in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. There are other enrolment options, however, priority registration is given to students in Professional Learning programs. For details or to enrol, contact gcesinfo@ualberta.ca. MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca.
Instructors: Glen Wilcox
Online synchronous sessions: TBA
This course is designed for aspiring, new and experienced school leaders who are seeking to develop and enrich their understanding of human resource principles and practices specific to an educational context. Regardless of organization, human resource principles and practices are at the heart of individual, school and division performance, success, and culture. By developing an understanding of Human Resources within an educational context, students will have the opportunity to explore and develop skills and understandings from an educational leadership perspective in the following areas: an overview of HR management in education, performance appraisal and evaluation, leadership and supervision, legal and ethical considerations, conflict resolution, and change management.
Domestic tuition: $1529.00 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2253.72 plus non-instructional fees
This is an approved elective in the Graduate Certificate in School Leadership and in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. There are other enrolment options, however, priority registration is given to students in Professional Learning programs. For details or to enrol, contact gcslinfo@ualberta.ca. MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca.
Instructors: JC Couture, Sean Lessard, Stephen Murgatroyd, P. Jean Stiles
Online synchronous sessions: Tuesdays from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., dates TBA
This course explores the intersection of social justice, Indigenous perspectives, and artificial intelligence to design culturally grounded learning and assessment that resists extractive practices and advances community sovereignty in data, pedagogy, and evaluation.
Students examine how AI systems encode and amplify historic inequities, and develop competencies to audit models, datasets, and policies for bias, consent, and cultural fit, aligning design choices with community protocols, OCAP/GIDA-aligned principles, and Indigenous data governance. The course integrates sociocultural responsive assessment frameworks with human-centred, participatory AI design, emphasizing co-creation with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, educators, and learners to ensure validity, fairness, and contextual relevance.
Domestic tuition: $1529.00 plus non-instructional fees
International tuition: $2253.72 plus non-instructional fees
This is an approved elective in the Graduate Certificate in School Leadership and in the Master of Education in Educational Studies. There are other enrolment options, however, priority registration is given to students in Professional Learning programs. For details or to enrol, contact gcslinfo@ualberta.ca. MES students, contact mesinfo@ualberta.ca.
Note: more electives will be added as they are scheduled.