University of Toronto Masters Programs enhance the quality of teaching in Ontario

UofT Masters Programs enhance the quality of teaching in Ontario

TORONTO – On May 2, 2014, the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) announced that it is phasing out its Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) and Diploma programs in teacher education and is becoming an all-graduate institute of teaching, learning and research.

“We know that the quality of teaching is at the root of a successful education system and is one of the most important variables in student achievement”, said Julia O’Sullivan, Dean of OISE. “Students in Ontario and around the world will benefit from OISE’s master graduates,” she added.

There is a strong and increasing demand for OISE’s distinct graduate programs in teacher education. Graduates of OISE’s Master of Teaching (MT) and Master of Arts in Child Study and Education (MA-CSE) programs earn both a graduate degree and are eligible for certification to teach in Ontario. Many of these OISE graduates go on to assume leadership positions not only in education but in healthcare, government and the private sector. There is teaching and learning everywhere in our society and their expertise is needed and highly valued in many different contexts.

“This is an important and exciting change for OISE. Teaching is the most important profession in the world. Graduates of our MT and MA-CSE programs become education leaders who possess the expertise to improve teaching and learning and to work with other educators to drive change and improvement in the system. OISE has a responsibility to make our distinct contribution to the teaching profession,” said Dean O’Sullivan.

The new direction is part of OISE’s strategic objective to provide the highest quality graduate education and research programs in the nation and to attract the best and brightest students from Canada and from around the world.

“This is a much needed investment in the professional capital of the teaching profession in Canada,” said Joan Green, founding CEO of Ontario’s Education Quality and Accountability Office, former Director of Education of the City of Toronto Board of Education, and member of the Order of Ontario. “OISE graduates are leading innovators, reformers and thinkers who create successful change in our education system. There is no doubt that we have great teachers in the province. Their reflective practice will be enhanced by colleagues whose investment in inquiry and graduate study provides leadership and focus to take us to the next level of student achievement and well being,” added Ms. Green who is also an OISE graduate and an OISE Distinguished Educator.

Admission to the Bachelor of Education and Diploma programs will cease in 2015.  The change aligns both with the Government of Ontario’s request to universities to develop differentiated program offerings and with the University of Toronto’s goal to be recognized as a research-intensive university.

In the most recent QS World University Rankings, OISE rose to ninth overall in the world and to first in North America among public institutions. OISE has more than 100,000 alumni worldwide, 3,000 students, and about 7,000 continuing education students.