About
Overview
The Office of Indigenous Education (OIE), in partnership with the Department of Educational Studies (EDST), has proposed a sub-specialization focused on Indigenous Educational Leadership and Resurgence that will be offered to learners enrolled in the EdD in Educational Leadership and Policy degree program offered by the Department of Educational Studies within the Faculty of Education (FoE). This sub-specialization, which is pending government approval, is proposed to begin in July, 2025. This new Indigenous-focused sub-specialization responds to UBC’s Indigenous Strategic Plan, as well as the UBC and the Faculty of Education Strategic Plans, aimed at Indigenous community engagement and increasing educational opportunities and pathways for Indigenous learners.
Ts”kel: Indigenous Educational Leadership and Resurgence Ed.D Program will support Indigenous scholars, educators, policy-makers, and leaders interested in a cohort-based model of learning, who wish to remain in community-based settings while aspiring to leadership roles in Indigenous education, such as formal and informal leadership in K-12 classrooms and administration, post-secondary educational institutions, government, curriculum development, teaching and learning in higher education, human resources educational management, student affairs, community-based work and other associated professionals in educational roles in health, governance-, and social-service-related fields.
The sub-specialization will have three areas of focus: 1) Indigenous leadership development; 2) Indigenous knowledges and methodologies; and 3) Indigenous transformation with the goal towards the advancement of Indigenous priorities and self-determination in local and global contexts.
* Ts”kel means golden eagle in the hul’q’umi’num’ language.
Style of Instruction
The flexible and blended delivery model allows students to stay in their community and continue working full-time. The September to June coursework will be delivered online, with summer intensive courses offered in-person in the July-August period.
Interdisciplinary cohorts of 10 to 15 doctoral students will journey together, alongside their supervisors and instructors to foster life-long professional networks and invest in scholar-practitioner communities world-wide.
This program centers Indigenous research methodologies and programming grounded in Indigenous perspectives, pedagogies, and ways of knowing.
Admission
General Admissions Requirements for Graduate Study
A master’s degree (or equivalent) from an approved institution, with clear evidence of research ability or potential with overall first-class standing (a minimum of A- or 80%), and a minimum overall average in the B+ grade range (76-79% at UBC) in all graduate courses.
- The master’s degree does not need to be thesis-based.
- Understanding and experience with Indigenous worldviews, knowledges, and ways of being are expected along with evidence of active engagement in Indigenous education or community contexts. The program will consider the full range of academic, cultural, personal and professional knowledge that Indigenous applicants bring to their preparation for graduate study.
More Information
Visit the UBC Vancouver Academic Calendar* for full admission and program requirements; the calendar is a comprehensive guide to all programs, courses, services and academic policies at the University of British Columbia.
* In case of a discrepancy between this webpage and the UBC Calendar, the UBC Calendar entry will be held to be correct.
General English Language Requirements for Graduate Study
English Proficiency Test Score: Applicants whose degrees are from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must present evidence of competency to pursue studies in the English language prior to being extended an offer of admission. Acceptable English language proficiency tests for applicants to graduate studies are:
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): Minimum score of 600 (paper version), 250 (computer version), 92 with a minimum of 22 in each component (iTB) is required for admission to all programs in Educational Studies. Visit TOEFL’s website
IELTS (International English Language Testing Service): Minimum overall band score of 6.5 with no other component score less than 6.0.
MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery): Minimum overall score of 81.
Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application. The official test score must be sent directly from the test centre to Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at UBC. Please follow the instructions on score submission on the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-admission/english-language-test.
Please note that satisfying minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission.
FAQ
More info coming soon!
Funding
More info coming soon!
Requirements
Program Requirements
Ts”kel: Indigenous Educational Leadership and Resurgence Ed.D Program completion requirements include 18 credits of required coursework (listed below), 6 credits of approved elective coursework, a comprehensive exam, and a dissertation that meets the Faculty of Graduate and Post-Doctoral Studies requirements.
Students are expected to complete the proposed 24- credit doctorate in 4 years.
Program Worksheets are available here: TBC
Program schedule
| Year 1: | EDST 601 (3) EDST 505 (3) | EDST 593 (3) | EDST 546 (3) | Cohort Offering TBD |
| July | Sept – Dec | Jan-April | May-June |
| Year 2: | Elective (3) Elective (3) | EDST 604 (3) | EDST 602 (3) | Comprehensive Exam |
| July | Sept – Dec | Jan-April | May-June |
| Research and Dissertation Phase | Research (Seminar | Pods) | Write Dissertation (Seminar | Pods) | Dissertation Defense (Prep) |
| Time frame dependent upon research/dissertation proposed |
Required Courses
- EDST_V 505 (3) First Nations and Educational Change
- EDST_V 546 (3) Indigenous Methodology and Epistemology
- EDST_V 593 (3-6) Ethics and Education
- EDST_V 601 (3-6) Doctoral Seminar
- Required of students in the first year.
- EDST_V 602 (3-6) Doctoral Seminar
- For students in the second year.
- EDST_V 604 (3) Advanced Seminar in Researching Educational Practice & Policy
- EDST_V 699 (0) Doctoral Dissertation
- Elective 1 – Selected by students in consultation with the Cohort Advisor or research supervisor.
- Elective 2 – Selected by students in consultation with the Cohort Advisor or research supervisor.
Comprehensive Examination
All students in the EdD program are required to successfully complete a comprehensive examination after most of their coursework is completed and before they present their research proposal. The examination is prepared by the student’s program adviser or research supervisory committee. Details about the mechanics of the examination and the options in format of the examination can be obtained from advisers or the program’s Graduate Program Assistant.
Apply
Please note that the application process will not be open until approximately November 15th. If you wish to be notified when the application portal is activated, please contact the Office of Indigenous Education (indigenous.education@ubc.ca ). We recommend you check back on this site on November 15th .
Application Process
https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-admission/apply-online
A complete application package will contain:
- Online application and application fee
- Official transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended
- English Language Proficiency test (if required)
- Statement of Intent
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resumé
- Three reference letters:
- At least one of which must be an academic reference detailing how the applicant is suitable for academic work at the doctoral level.
- At least one of which must speak to the candidate’s understanding and experience with Indigenous worldviews, knowledges, and ways of being along with evidence of active engagement in Indigenous education or community context.
After submitting your application, it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all supporting materials are submitted by the application deadline. The Admissions Committee will only review completed applications. You can check the status of your application and supporting materials through the online application system.
The application deadline for the July 2025 cohort will be January 15, 2025.
Prospective Applicant Email List
Register to receive emails about information sessions, application open dates, deadline reminders and program updates.
International Applicants
Applicants from outside Canada should be aware of additional requirements that may apply. Please read the following to determine which of these requirements may apply to you.
International Credentials Equivalency
Please see the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website:
http://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-admission/minimum-academic-requirements-international-credentials
Digital Copies of Official Transcripts
For official tuition and fee information, visit the UBC Vancouver Academic Calendar, the comprehensive guide to all programs, courses, services and academic policies at the University of British Columbia.
International Transcript and Translation Requirement
Tuition and Deadlines
Contact
If you require any assistance with the application process, please contact:
Hui Jia
Graduate Program Assistant
Email: