Master of Education with a Specialization in Catholic Leadership

Key Facts

• 100% Online
• 36-Credit Program
• Designed for working professionals
• First intake: Spring 2026
• Applications open: October 1, 2025
• Last Day to apply and supporting document deadline: March 31, 2026

Why Choose St. Mary’s?

A University Rooted in Catholic Identity and Educational Excellence

• The only Catholic university in Western Canada
• Faculty with solid expertise in Catholic education and leadership
• Strong connections to Catholic school divisions across Alberta and beyond
• Faith-affirming curriculum and community

EDCI 631 H(3-0) Instructional Leadership in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

In this course, students will develop the instructional leadership skills needed to promote educational reform and to successfully lead district schools. Examine and apply a variety of growth, evaluation and supervision of staff, and assessment techniques for a diverse population.  

EDFN 607 H(3-0) Catholic Education in Alberta, Canada, and the World 

This course will examine and understand the global mission of Catholic Education in the context of Alberta; review the formation of Alberta in the context of Catholic Education; and examine challenges to past and present Catholic Education; within the Canadian context of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.

EDFN 609 H(3-0) Contemporary Issues in Catholic Education 

Students will examine and understand the contextual aspects of educational leadership such as school to district culture; commitments to responding to social movements such as Black Lives Matter and policy guidelines such as the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action; and on-going professional growth around topics such as diversity, equity, and inclusion as they relate to living out their Catholic faith in the classroom; school-based wellness; Witness of Charity; Principle of Solidarity; serving diverse learners.

EDLD 553 H(3-0) The Catholic Principalship

This course will provide an in-depth analysis of Catholic principalship, focusing on the spiritual and moral dimensions of leadership, theories of principal leadership, stewardship of learning, instructional leadership, staff capacity building, and change management.

EDLD 555 H(3-0) Theory and Practice in Educational Leadership I

This course assists future and current school administrators to develop leadership competencies aligned to the Alberta Leadership Quality Standard. Based in educational theory, research, and best practice, this course focuses on the development of the following competencies through the lens of a Catholic worldview: Fostering Effective Relationships; Embodying Visionary Leadership; Leading a Learning Community; Providing Instructional Leadership; and Managing School Operations and Resources. 

Note: Credit for both EDLD 555 and EDLD 551 will not be allowed. However, transfer credit for EDLD 551 will be awarded as EDLD 555 if the minimum required grade is received.

EDLD 557 H(3-0) Theory and Practice in Educational Leadership II

This course assists future and current school administrators to address the contextual aspects of educational leadership, ranging from school to district culture; the current context of on-going dialogue and reconciliation with Canada’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples; social movements and legislation; and on-going professional growth. Aligned to the Alberta Leadership Quality Standard, this course focuses on the development of the following competencies through the lens of a Catholic worldview: Developing Leadership Capacity, Modelling Commitment to Professional Learning, Supporting the Application of Foundational Knowledge about First Nations, and Understanding and Responding to the Larger Societal Context.

Note: Credit for both EDLD 557 and EDLD 552 will not be allowed. However, transfer credit for EDLD 552 will be awarded as EDLD 557 if the minimum required grade is received.

EDLD 653 H(3-0) Visionary Catholic Leadership 

Using the Catholic Education: Marks of an Excellent Catholic Leader, students will engage in self-discovery, personal growth and development through articulating and sharing a living educational theory that informs a vision of Catholic leadership. Topics include faith formation, ethical decision making based on Catholic teachings, etc. 

EDLD 655 H(3-0) Professional Practice and Organizational Behaviour in a Catholic Education Setting

Students will interpret and apply organizational behaviour, educational policy, and professional practice in Catholic schools. 

EDPH 501 H(3-0) Philosophical Foundations of Catholic Education

This course will provide a theoretical orientation to a holistic and responsive approach to educational problems and issues informed by the Catholic intellectual tradition. 

EDRS 521 H(3-0) Introduction to Educational Research

An introduction to the purpose and value of educational research, students will build competency to read, understand, and apply educational research for educational decision making. The course is based on the premise that research develops and evolves through an interactive process involving prior expertise and ongoing reflection in thinking, doing, and improving practice. Students will gain knowledge in reading and interpreting, research, decolonizing, and indigenizing educational research. 

EDRS 623 H(3-0) Designing Educational Research

This course will provide the framework in which MEd students design their research project and engage students in research design and introduces them to the techniques needed to enact the research project. Special attention will be given to qualitative and Indigenous methodologies. Students will gain knowledge in the application of research including ethics, applied methodology, data collection, and data analysis. 

EDRS 625 H(3-0) Presentation of Educational Research

This course is designed on a collaborative seminar model that brings together the practices of legitimate peripheral participation and writers’ workshop methodology. During this course students will engage in the process of refining their drafted research findings into effectively communicated research reports and presentations including principles of writing with and about Indigenous Peoples. Students will be expected to engage in the process of critique and refinement of the work of their peers under the direction of the course instructor.