About

Through the pursuit of individual and collective interests, students will enhance their knowledge and practice of science education as well as develop their online teaching capacity and expertise. Graduates of this program are well equipped to advance the quality of education and assume leadership roles in the field.

Upon completing the MEd in Science Education, students will be able to:

• Critically analyze dominant and alternative theories and discourses of science learning and teaching in a variety of environments
• Identify the influences of multiple perspectives (i.e., Local, Aboriginal, International) in facilitating science learning experiences in formal and informal learning environments
• Better understand how to affect change (i.e., cognitive, affective, emotional, and behavioural) among a diversity of students and learning environments
• Develop learning opportunities for integrating modern technologies in various science learning environments
• Develop tools to implement and sustain diverse science education programs
• Develop skills and knowledge to understand and address the increasing complexities of issues for modern science educators
• Evaluate the potential for science educators working with a variety of learning communities
• Analyze different approaches to science teaching and program development, settings, and perspectives
• Apply for a TQS category upgrade after 2 years in the program

This well-established online program has optional in-person elective courses for those who want a blended format.

Schedule

2026-2028

The UBC MEd in Science Education consists of 30 credits of course work, typically completed in two years and one term.
This program is designed to be completed entirely online. Elective courses may be taken online or face-to-face at UBC Vancouver, or elsewhere with the Program Advisor’s permission.

Courses and schedule are subject to change.

Elective options:

Notes:

• A maximum of 6 credits may be taken at the 300-400 level.
• A maximum of 6 credits of any EDCP 585 courses may count towards the MEd degree.
• A minimum of 12 credits of Science Education courses at the 500 level is required for the MEd degree.

Approved electives may be taken at other universities subject to the terms of the Western Deans’ Agreement and Graduate Exchange Agreement (McGill University, University of Toronto and University of Montréal).

There are a wide variety of on-campus (UBC-Vancouver or Okanagan) and online courses which are acceptable as electives and vary in their offerings from year to year. See the full OPL course offerings.

For more information on requirements, see the Master’s Program Guidelines.

Application Requirements

All students must meet the requirements for this program, which include:

• A completed bachelor’s degree in Education and/or Science with a minimum average of 76% (B+) on all senior-level courses, or equivalent
• A 2-page statement of intent outlining your reasons for enrolling in this particular program with this focus area
• CV / Resume
• Statements of support from three referees who can speak to your academic and professional background and expertise. Please provide one academic and two professional references.
• Evidence of English Language Proficiency, if applicable

Fees

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are reviewed annually by the UBC Board of Governors and may be adjusted without prior notice. For the most accurate and up-to-date information on tuition and fees, visit the official UBC Calendar. In case of a discrepancy between this webpage and the UBC Calendar, the UBC Calendar entry will be held to be correct.

Graduate tuition is assessed as an annual program fee, which is divided into three equal installments due at the beginning of academic terms starting in September, January and May. Students in this program will pay a minimum of 7 installments.

Student Fees

Student fees include fees established and authorized by the UBC Board of Governors and fees established and authorized by students societies. These fees are in addition to tuition fees. Please see the UBC Calendar for details on student fees.

Funding Eligibility

As this program is part-time, it is not eligible for student loans or other types of funding.

How to Apply

Application Status: Closed
Application Deadline: TBD
Document Deadline: TBD

1. ONLINE APPLICATION

• Navigate to grad.ubc.ca/apply/online/.
• When you are ready to apply, click “Apply Online”.
• Read the instructions, and either log in with your CWL or create a CWL if you have never attended UBC.
• Once logged in, on the “Degree Program Selection,” type the 4-character cohort designation SCE5 into the “Program Keyword” field.
• IMPORTANT: The program name should be Master of Education in Science Education – Professional Cohort and the cohort code should be SCE5. Please ensure you are applying to the correct program – this part-time Professional Cohort is different than the regular on-campus program.
• Select the program.
• When you reach the “Experience & Interests” page of the application, please make sure you choose the appropriate program, as there may be more than one. It should include SCE5.
• When finished entering your information, you must click “Declare & Submit”.
• You will automatically receive an email acknowledgement, with instructions on documentation and deadlines.

References:

• When adding your references to your application, you will be asked whether they are professional or academic references. Academic references are those who know you in an academic capacity (e.g. former professors). Professional references would include your principal, vice-principal, or someone who has supervised you.
• You are strongly encouraged to submit electronic letters of reference. Simply fill in the email addresses of your three referees when completing the online application (an email address is required). References with free, web-based email addresses (e.g. Gmail, Hotmail, etc.) will receive a link to the paper reference form, which must be mailed to our office (address on the reference form). NOTE: Please see “Supporting Documents” below for more information on paper references.

Once you submit and pay for your online application, your referees will automatically receive an email with a link and instructions for completing the electronic reference form or the link to the paper reference form, as above.

A letter can take the place of the reference form as long as it addresses the questions posed in the reference form. Despite the apparent size of the text box, referees may type as much as they want.

2. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

Please have these ready to upload when you apply:

Transcripts, degree certificates (if applicable), English language assessment report (if applicable), statement of intent, and an up-to-date resume must be uploaded to your application.

In cases where referees are unable to submit an electronic reference, sealed and endorsed reference letters may be sent by mail. Your reference will receive a link to a reference form that they should complete and send back to us.

 Important: Please ask your references to include the 4-character cohort designation SCE5 when they submit their reference. All references must arrive in sealed envelopes with the reference’s signature on the seal.

The form is also available here.

Kelvin Mok
SCE5 Graduate Cohort
Faculty of Education, OPL Office
University of British Columbia
1304-2125 Main Mall
Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4

ASSISTANCE

If you require any assistance with the application process, please contact:

Kelvin Mok
Senior Program Assistant
604-827-5662
opl.educ@ubc.ca

Info Sessions

Meet Dr. David Anderson and Dr. Marina Milner-Bolotin – the Program Advisors, as well as the Senior Program Assistant, and learn more about this program and about applying to become a UBC graduate student.

UPCOMING SESSIONS:

• • There are currently no info sessions scheduled for this program.

Watch a recorded session from January 22, 2026:

Contacts

For program content questions:

Dr. Marina Milner-Bolotin
Cohort Advisor
Dept. of Curriculum & Pedagogy
604–822–4234
marina.milner-bolotin@ubc.ca

Dr. David Anderson
Cohort Advisor
Dept. of Curriculum & Pedagogy
604-822-2086
david.anderson@ubc.ca

For application questions or assistance:

Kelvin Mok
Senior Program Assistant
604-827-5662
opl.educ@ubc.ca