Curriculum & Instruction - Educational Theory and Practice: Master of Arts (MA) at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, Canada is a master's degree in Education & Teaching programme. The programme runs for 9 semesters, delivered on campus. Teaching is in English. Tuition for international students is CAD 2,193 per semester (CAD 2,193 per semester for local students).
The MA stream of this Curriculum and Instruction program develops practice in curriculum design and pedagogy through critical engagement with educational theory, research and philosophy, with an explicit focus on curriculum theory and the scholarship of practice. Students expand their understanding of curriculum development and their capacity to lead curriculum design attentive to socio-historical context across settings from K-12 schools, early childhood education and post-secondary institutions to museums, art galleries, health care centres and outdoor environments, with emphasis on decolonial and equity-based educational transformation. MA students complete the four mandatory core courses shared with the MEd, one further required course in qualitative educational research methods, and the 18-unit master's thesis: five courses plus a thesis in total. Classes are in person at SFU's Burnaby campus in the late afternoon and early evening; students enter via the MEd and ladder to the MA with faculty approval, and this stream provides the pathway to doctoral study in education.
Requirements
Minimum GPA:3.00 / 4.33
Admission Requirements: This SFU program in Curriculum & Instruction: Educational Theory and Practice (offered as MA or MEd) requires a bachelor's degree from SFU or an equivalent recognized institution, with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0/4.33 (B), or 3.33/4.33 (B+) based on the final 60 undergraduate or graduate units; in exceptional circumstances a lower formal qualification may be accepted where the applicant has significant relevant experience. Applicants submit three references, at least two academic and able to address readiness for rigorous graduate study; a sole-authored academic writing sample of 10-20 pages, double-spaced, from the last five years; a 500-word letter of intent covering educational background, research experience and goals; unofficial transcripts with grading scale, in English, French or fully bilingual; and a curriculum vitae of up to three pages. Non-native English speakers must submit TOEFL, IELTS or PTE scores valid within two years, unless exempted by a prior degree from an English-language institution in a majority English-speaking country. The page does not distinguish separate requirements for the MA and MEd tracks.
Application Details
Start Date:September 2027
Application Deadline:Domestic applicants apply through EducationPlannerBC, with one set of dates per applicant type rather than by citizenship. Fall 2027 entry: high-school-route applications open 1 October 2026 and close 31 January 2027, while transfer applications open 1 March 2027 and close 15 April 2027 (Education and Contemporary Arts transfer applicants may apply from 1 October 2026). Spring 2027 entry runs 1 July to 15 September 2026, and Summer 2027 entry runs 1 December 2026 to 15 January 2027. Admission documents are generally due 28 February 2027 (Fall) and offers must be accepted by 1 May. International applicants use the same EducationPlannerBC dates and portal; SFU publishes no separate international deadline. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.
