Cohort Requirements & Schedules
The Educational Leadership & Policy (ELP) program offers cohort-based programming for MEd and EdD students is available in select years.
In order to support the cohort model, there is a specified sequence to the required courses. On this page, you'll find schedules for cohorts currently running. Previous year cohorts are available upon request.
2022 Doctor of Education (IELP Field) Cohort
This online doctoral cohort is specifically designed for mid-career professionals who work for international organizations, governments, foundations and nongovernmental agencies looking to enrich their education and improve their practice.
- 4.0 Full-course equivalents (FCEs)
- Comprehensive examination
- Thesis (dissertation-in-practice) proposal hearing
- Thesis (dissertation-in-practice)
- Students are full-time and must maintain continuous registration full-time and pay full-time fees until all degree requirements, including the thesis (dissertation in practice), are completed.
- Students cannot transfer between the EdD and PhD programs
| Session | Course |
|---|---|
| Fall 2022 | People and Power in Organizations (LHA3040H) |
| Winter 2023 | Doctoral Seminar on Policy Issues in Education (LHA3041H) |
| Spring/Summer 2023 | Introduction to Research Methods for the EdD (LHA3005H) Literature Review for the EdD, Research Institute (LHA3007H) |
| Fall 2023 | Data Analysis for the Education Doctorate II (LHA3006H) |
| Winter 2024 | Elective course* |
| Spring/Summer 2024 | Comprehensive exam Designing Research Proposals in ELP (LHA3003H) Research Institute |
| Fall 2024/Winter 2025 | Proposal hearing Professional Seminar/Dissertation Workshop in IELP (LHA3008H, year-long half-course, meeting bi-weekly) Thesis (dissertation in practice) |
| 2025 Onward | Thesis (dissertation in practice) completion and defence |
* Note: Winter term in Year 2 allows students to complete one required elective course and prepare for their comprehensive examination. Electives can also be taken in other terms during the program.
Questions about the 2022 Doctor of Education (IELP Field) Cohort?
Administrative questions about the 2022 Doctor of Education (IELP Field) Cohort:
Email: lhae.doctoral@utoronto.ca
Academic questions about the 2022 Doctor of Education (IELP Field) Cohort:
Please contact your supervisor.
If you do not have a supervisor or need additional academic information, please contact:
Prof. Karen Mundy
Email: karen.mundy@utoronto.ca
2022 Master of Education in Educational Leadership & Policy (Online/Hybrid) Cohort
The Educational Leadership & Policy program is excited to offer the 2022 Master of Education Online/Hybrid cohort. Designed to increase accessibility for students living in Ontario and beyond, this cohort allows students to earn an MEd degree entirely or partially online. Students complete one course per term and move through the program as a group.
- 10 half-courses in total
- 6 half-courses are offered in set terms for cohort members.
- 4 half-courses are open electives, chosen by each student individually; these can be taken online or in class.
There is no thesis or major research paper requirements; students wishing to go on to doctoral work should discuss their options with the Program Coordinator.
| Session | Course |
|---|---|
| Fall 2022 | Introduction to Educational Leadership and Policy (LHA1040H, online) |
| Winter 2023 | Research Literacy in Educational Leadership and Policy (LHA1004H, online) |
| Spring 2023 | Elective course |
| Summer 2023 | Elective course |
| Fall 2023 | Educational Leadership and Policy II: Social and Policy Contexts of Schooling (LHA1041H, online) |
| Winter 2024 | Elective course |
| Spring 2024 | School Program Development and Implementation (LHA1016H, online) |
| Summer 2024 | Elective course |
| Fall 2024 | Educational Leadership and Diversity (LHA1042H, online) |
| Winter 2025 | Issues in Policy, Leadership, Change and Social Diversity in Schools (LHA1050H, online) |
| Spring 2025 | Elective Course |
| Summer 2025 | Elective Course |
Note: There are 6 sessions available to complete 4 open elective courses.
Part-time students (such as online cohort students) can take no more than 1 half-course within in the ‘spring/summer term’ (i.e., one in the May/June session OR one in the July/August session). If you wish to take more than 1 half-course, you will need to contact the Registrar’s Office to change your status to full-time for the summer.
Questions about the 2022 Master of Education (Online/Hybrid) Cohort?
Administrative questions for current MEd students:
Email: lhae.masters@utoronto.ca
Academic questions for current or prospective students:
Dr. Karen Acton karen.acton@utoronto.ca
2023 Master of Education in Educational Leadership & Policy (Online/Hybrid) Cohort
The Educational Leadership & Policy program is excited to offer the 2023 Master of Education Online/Hybrid cohort. Designed to increase accessibility for students living in Ontario and beyond, this cohort allows students to earn an MEd degree entirely or partially online. Students complete one course per term and move through the program as a group.
- 10 half-courses in total
- 6 half-courses are offered in set terms for cohort members.
- 4 half-courses are open electives, chosen by each student individually; these can be taken online or in class.
There is no thesis or major research paper requirements; students wishing to go on to doctoral work should discuss their options with the Program Coordinator.
2023 Cohort Schedule
| Session | Course |
|---|---|
| Fall 2023 | Introduction to Educational Leadership and Policy (LHA1040H, online) |
| Winter 2024 | Research Literacy in Educational Leadership and Policy (LHA1004H, online) |
| Spring 2024 | Elective course |
| Summer 2024 | Elective course |
| Fall 2024 | Educational Leadership and Policy II: Social and Policy Contexts of Schooling (LHA1041H, online) |
| Winter 2025 | Elective course |
| Spring 2025 | School Program Development and Implementation (LHA1016H, online) |
| Summer 2025 | Elective course |
| Fall 2025 | School Leadership in Diverse Contexts (LHA1042H, online) |
| Winter 2026 | Issues in Policy, Leadership, Change and Social Diversity in Schools (LHA1050H, online) |
| Spring 2026 | Elective Course |
| Summer 2026 | Elective Course |
Note: There are 6 sessions available to complete 4 open elective courses.
Part-time students (such as online cohort students) can take no more than 1 half-course within in the ‘spring/summer term’ (i.e., one in the May/June session OR one in the July/August session).
If you wish to take more than 1 half-course, you will need to contact the Registrar’s Office to change your status to full-time for the summer.
There is no thesis or major research paper requirements; students wishing to go on to doctoral work should discuss their options with the Program Coordinator.
Questions about the 2023 Master of Education (Online/Hybrid) Cohort?
Administrative questions for current MEd students:
Email: lhae.masters@utoronto.ca
Academic questions for current or prospective students:
Dr. Karen Acton karen.acton@utoronto.ca
2024 Master of Education in Educational Leadership & Policy (Online/Hybrid) Cohort
The Educational Leadership & Policy program is excited to offer the 2024 Master of Education Online/Hybrid cohort. Designed to increase accessibility for students living in Ontario and beyond, this cohort allows students to earn an MEd degree entirely or partially online. Students complete one course per term and move through the program as a group.
- 10 half-courses in total
- 6 half-courses are offered in set terms for cohort members.
- 4 half-courses are open electives, chosen by each student individually; these can be taken online or in class.
There is no thesis or major research paper requirements; students wishing to go on to doctoral work should discuss their options with the Program Coordinator.
2024 Cohort Schedule
| Session | Course |
|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | |
| Winter 2025 | |
| Spring/Summer 2025 | Elective course |
| Fall 2025 | |
| Winter 2026 | |
| Spring/Summer 2026 | Elective course |
| Fall 2026 | |
| Winter 2027 | |
| Spring/Summer 2027 | Elective Course |
| Fall 2027 | Elective Course |
Note: Part-time students (such as online cohort students) can take no more than 1 half-course in the ‘spring/summer term’ (i.e., one in the May/June session OR one in the July/August session).
If you wish to take more than 1 half-course, you will need to contact the Registrar’s Office to change your status to full-time for the summer.
There is no thesis or major research paper requirements; students wishing to go on to doctoral work should discuss their options with the Program Coordinator.
Questions about the 2024 Master of Education (Online/Hybrid) Cohort?
Administrative questions for current MEd students:
Email: lhae.masters@utoronto.ca
Academic questions for current or prospective students:
Dr. Karen Acton karen.acton@utoronto.ca
2025 Doctor of Education Cohort
This doctoral cohort in Educational Leadership and Policy is designed for working professional educators who are interested in developing their skills as research-informed scholar-practitioners in policy, leadership, change, and social diversity in elementary and secondary schools and other educational settings for children and youth.
- 4.0 Full-course equivalents (FCEs)
- Comprehensive examination
- Thesis (dissertation-in-practice) proposal hearing
- Thesis (dissertation-in-practice)
- Students are full-time and must maintain continuous registration full-time and pay full-time fees until all degree requirements, including the thesis (dissertation in practice), are completed.
- Students cannot transfer between the EdD and PhD programs
| Session | Course |
|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | (In Person) |
| Winter 2026 | Research methods course |
| May/June 2026 | Elective course* |
| July/August 2026 | Elective course* |
| Fall 2026 | Research methods course |
| Winter 2027 | (online) |
| May/June 2027 | Comprehensive Exam (Guidelines) |
| July/August 2027 | Elective course* |
| Fall 2027 | (online) |
| Winter 2028 | (monthly in Years 1-3; mix of in person and online meetings) |
| 2028 Onward | Thesis (dissertation in practice) completion and defence (maximum time limit is 6 years) |
* Note: There are 3 sessions available to complete 2 open elective courses.
Questions about the 2025 Doctor of Education Cohort?
Administrative questions about the 2025 Doctor of Education Cohort:
Email: lhae.doctoral@utoronto.ca
Academic questions about the 2022 Doctor of Education (IELP Field) Cohort:
Please contact your supervisor.
2025 Master of Education in Educational Leadership & Policy (School Leadership in Diverse Contexts Field) Cohort
The field in School Leadership in Diverse Contexts (SLDC) within the MEd program in Educational Leadership and Policy is an online, course-based professional master's field designed for aspiring or current educational leaders working in elementary or secondary schools or other educational settings for children and youth. This field will engage educational professionals in opportunities to critically analyze and understand the practices and issues involved in the administration and leadership of schools with diverse student populations.
- 10 half-courses in total
- 6 half-courses are offered in set terms for cohort members.
- 4 half-courses are open electives, chosen by each student individually; these can be taken online or in class.
There is no thesis or major research paper requirements; students wishing to go on to doctoral work should discuss their options with the Program Coordinator.
2025 Cohort Schedule
| Session | Course |
|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | |
| Winter 2026 | |
| Spring/Summer 2026 | Elective Course Option Provided by Program |
| Fall 2026 | |
| Winter 2027 | |
| Spring/Summer 2027 | Elective Course Option Provided by Program |
| Fall 2027 | |
| Winter 2028 | |
| Spring/Summer 2028 | Elective Course Option Provided by Program |
| Fall 2028 | Elective Course Option Provided by Program |
Note: Part-time students (such as online cohort students) can take no more than 1 half-course in the ‘spring/summer term’ (i.e., one in the May/June session OR one in the July/August session). If you wish to take more than 1 half-course, you will need to contact the Registrar’s Office to change your status to full-time for the summer.
There is no thesis or major research paper requirement; students wishing to go on to doctoral work should discuss their options with the Program Coordinator.
Questions about the MEd Field in School Leadership in Diverse Contexts?
Administrative questions for current MEd students:
Email: lhae.masters@utoronto.ca
Academic questions for current or prospective students:
Dr. Karen Acton karen.acton@utoronto.ca
