Ts”kel: Indigenous Educational Leadership and Resurgence Ed.D Pathway

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.

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.

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.

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 24- credit doctorate in 4 years.

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.

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.

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 theonline application system.

The application deadline for the July 2025 cohort will be January 15, 2025.

Step 1: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-admission/apply-online

Choose one that applies to you:

Step 2: Select the degree program: Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy in Tskel – Indigenous Educational Leadership and Resurgence

Step 3: Apply

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Deadlines