Appendix 2: Master of Counselling and Master of Education

The Capstone supervisor

Education 6006 and Education 6020 are offered according to schedules for the Master of Education cohorts. One (1) faculty member will coordinate and supervise students registered in the Capstone course.

Registering in the Capstone

Students register in the Capstone course in the final academic term of their programs.

About the Capstone

The Capstone consists of a single question proposed and refined through the academic term that integrates the substantive, methodological, and reflective issues raised during the process of completing a graduate degree at the University. A student must demonstrate and assess their knowledge by developing a question or topic related to their professional life as a teacher, administrator, or counsellor. The question will allow students to include three (3) main elements:

1. Analysis of changes in the understanding of a topic or theme because of experiences in the master’s degree program.

2. Analysis of changes in the understanding and conduct of their professional practice as classroom teachers, administrators, or counsellors.

3. An action plan for the student’s own further professional growth, and/or for providing leadership in the further education and development of professional colleagues.

To maximize the personal relevance and learning of each student, the precise nature and composition of the question or topic is open to negotiation with the Capstone supervisor, within the limits of required academic and professional standards.

The Capstone response

Answers to the Capstone question should be approximately 45 pages (9,000 words) in length. Quality is more important than length, however, and papers may be shorter if particularly concisely written, or slightly longer if successful development of the argument requires it.

The student’s answer will satisfy the criteria for the Capstone response:

• Posits a central cogent theme supported by research, thoughtful analysis, logical arguments, and carefully selected supportive detail.
• Presents theory arising out of research, reflection, practice, and current thinking on the chosen topic.
• Builds arguments to a consistent conclusion.
• Demonstrates an ability to think critically in the analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of relevant information.
• Demonstrates a comprehensive grasp of Master of Education course material—including an in-depth understanding of the relevant concepts, theories, and issues related to the topic addressed—by applying this understanding where relevant.
• Synthesizes recent research (as covered in course work) to support the themes that emerge in the paper. It is not expected that the student embarks on new reading, but he or she should be able to show that their has mastered the research literature in at least one area.
• Demonstrates an awareness of differing viewpoints and, where relevant, includes a rigorous assessment of these viewpoints.
• Presents reflective analysis of the student’s learning and shows growth over the course of the program.
• Demonstrates originality, insight, and creativity, and a new understanding of theory or practice related to the question or topic addressed in the examination.
• Is clear, fluent, organized, and well-written.
• Shows mastery of grammar, structure, style and conforms to the Thesis, Project, and Capstone Format Regulations on pg. 36.
• Demonstrates the ability to communicate in writing at the level expected for publication in an academic journal, especially those journals intended for a teacher audience.

The Capstone presentation

Students participate in a symposium in which they present their final papers in a five (5) to 10 minute oral presentation, followed by a five (5) to 10 minute open discussion period.

Capstone format regulations

The Capstone document must conform to the School of Graduate Studies formatting requirements (see Thesis, Project, and Capstone Format Regulations on pg. 36)

Grading

Grading of the Capstone is Pass/Fail.

Key deadlines for Capstone route

Table 13: Key deadlines for Capstone Route

Students must familiarize themselves with all content related to the thesis and associated committees found throughout this document.

Deciding on the Thesis

Completing the Thesis is dependent on the availability of appropriate supervision and approval by the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research in Education. Students should be familiar with their responsibilities relative to the Thesis (see Graduate student responsibilities on pg. 8), as well as the responsibilities of the Supervisory Committee (see Supervisory Committees on pg. 13). If the Thesis option is chosen, the student must first establish a Supervisory Committee.

Establishing the Supervisory Committee

The Establishment/Change of Supervisory Committee form is submitted via the SGS Portal. The Supervisory Committee must be approved prior to commencing the Thesis (see Supervisory Committees on pg. 13).

Registering in the Thesis

After receiving notification of Supervisory Committee approval, the student must contact the relevant Graduate Program Office to register in the thesis.

Statement of Progress and Standing

A minimum of every six (6) months, the student meets with the Supervisory Committee (see Progress and standing reports on pg. 20)

Thesis Proposal

The student discusses the Thesis topic with their Thesis supervisor and, in conjunction with the Thesis supervisor, prepares a proposal outlining the components of the study (see Thesis/Project Proposal requirements on pg. 23).

The Thesis Proposal Defence is intended to provide the student and the Supervisory Committee with an opportunity to present the work completed to date and to receive input, suggestions, and questions from a wider community of scholars before finalizing the Thesis Proposal. It is a discussion for clarifying methodology, terminology, the research question, and so on (see Thesis/Project Proposal requirements on pg. 23).

The Thesis supervisor chairs the Thesis Proposal Defence.

Scheduling the Thesis Proposal Defence

The Thesis Proposal Defence is scheduled during the preparation of the Thesis Proposal in consultation with the Supervisory Committee.

At least two (2) weeks before the scheduled Thesis Proposal Defence, the Thesis supervisor notifies the relevant Graduate Program Office of the time, date, and location of the Thesis Proposal Defence. Normally, all Supervisory Committee members will be present.

The relevant Graduate Program Office reserves the room and distributes notices to faculty graduate students, and appropriate guests suggested by the Thesis supervisor.

Conducting the Thesis Proposal Defence

The Thesis supervisor introduces the student and the Supervisory Committee members and provides the audience with brief background information about the student and the student’s work.

The student spends approximately 20 to 30 minutes presenting the proposal which includes:

• Title
• Introduction
• Background or rationale
• Brief summary of the literature review
• Research question
• Methodology
• Analysis

The Thesis supervisor then facilitates a discussion, with the goal of receiving input from the audience.

Approving the Thesis Proposal

Following the Thesis Proposal Defence, the student makes any appropriate changes and additions to the Thesis Proposal and submits the Thesis/Project Proposal form, attaching the proposal. The student may not proceed with the study until the Thesis Proposal has been approved.

Approval by the University of Alberta Research Ethics Board

Following approval of the Thesis Proposal, any study involving human participants must receive approval from the University of Alberta Research Ethics Board (REB).

Conducting the study

After receiving approval from the REB, if required, the student conducts the study as described in the approved Thesis Proposal. The student submits drafts of the work to the Thesis supervisor on a periodic basis. As appropriate, the Thesis supervisor forwards thesis drafts to the Supervisory Committee members, who provide input back to the Thesis supervisor.

When the student and Supervisory Committee are confident that the Thesis is in the final draft stage, they should proceed with establishing the Thesis Examination Committee for the Thesis oral defence.

Thesis Format Regulations

The Thesis must conform to the School of Graduate Studies formatting requirements (see Thesis, Project, and Capstone Format Regulations on pg. 36)

Establishing the Thesis Examination Committee for the Thesis oral defence

The Final Thesis/Project Examination Request form is submitted via the SGS Portal. This form lists all proposed Thesis Examination Committee members, including the Chair and External Examiner, as well as the proposed date, time, and location of the Thesis oral defence. The External Examiner’s curriculum vitae and Conflict of Interest form must be submitted to the Education Graduate Program Office (see Thesis Examination Committee on pg. 18).

Holding the Thesis oral defence

For details on scheduling and holding the Thesis oral defence see Thesis Defence on pg. 37 and Table 10: Recommended dates to submit request for Thesis oral defence by program on pg. 41.

During the Thesis oral defence, the Chair has four main responsibilities:

1. Introduce the student, the Thesis Examination Committee, and any special guests.

2. Explain the procedure of the Thesis oral defence.

3. Chair the proceedings in an organized and timely manner, allowing all committee members, including the Thesis supervisor, to participate fully in the Thesis oral defence.

4. Complete the Thesis Examination Report form.

Following the Thesis oral defence, the student completes any required revisions to the Thesis,

Submission of final documents

Once the required revisions to the Thesis are completed, the Thesis supervisor submits the Recommendation of the Award of the Degree form via the SGS Portal. The student will be contacted to submit the final PDF copy of the Thesis in the e-thesis system. The Thesis undergoes further review by the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research in Education and the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Applying to graduate

Students should ensure all degree requirements are met as per the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue. Students must apply to graduate by submitting the online Application for Graduation form via the Bridge (www.ulethbridge.ca/bridge/uofl_grad_app.apply). See Graduate on pg.46.

Key deadlines for Thesis Route

When planning for deadlines, students should budget sufficient time for submission of Thesis in e-thesis system and final approvals (see Table 10: Recommended dates to submit request for Thesis oral defence by program on pg. 41).

Students must familiarize themselves with all content related to the project and associated committees found throughout this document.

Deciding on the Project

Completing the Project is dependent on the availability of appropriate supervision and approval by the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research in Education. Students should be familiar with their responsibilities relative to the Project (see Graduate student responsibilities on pg. 8), as well as the responsibilities of the Supervisory Committee (see Supervisory Committees on pg. 13). If the Project option is chosen, students must first establish a Supervisory Committee.

The Project makes a significant contribution to the field of education or counselling. It typically involves the creation of a product that can be readily utilized in a practice setting. The format of the product varies and is an application or extension of the student’s theoretical expertise into their professional practice. Examples include, but are not limited to, creation of a manual, a website, a series of podcasts, etc.

The Project Paper is a defence of the Project (i.e., the product the student created). The Project Paper:

• Provides a rationale for the focus of the Project and its significance
• Explains the process of development and potential implementation
• Thoroughly situates it within the relevant research and theoretical literature that informs it

Establishing the Supervisory Committee

The Establishment/Change of Supervisory Committee form is submitted via the SGS Portal. The Supervisory Committee must be approved prior to commencing the Project Thesis (see Supervisory Committees on pg. 13).

Registering in the Project

After receiving notification of Supervisory Committee approval, the student must contact the relevant Graduate Program Office to register in the project.

Statement of Progress and Standing

A minimum of every six (6) months, the student meets with the Supervisory Committee (see Progress and standing reports on pg. 21).

Approving the Project Proposal

The student discusses the Project topic with the Project Supervisor and, in conjunction with the Project Supervisor, prepares a Project Proposal outlining the components of the study (see Thesis/Project Proposal requirements on pg. 23).

Once the student makes any appropriate changes and additions to the Project Proposal and the Supervisory Committee has formally approved the Project Proposal, the Thesis/Project Proposal form is submitted via the SGS Portal, with a copy of the proposal attached. The student may not commence the study until the Project Proposal has been approved.

Approval by Human Participants Research Committee

Following the approval of the Project Proposal, any study involving human participants must receive approval from the University of Alberta Research Ethics Board (REB).

Conducting the Project

After receiving approval from the REB, if required, the student submits drafts of the project work as described in the approved Project Proposal. The process and final product must conform to the approved Project Proposal. The student submits drafts of the work to the Project supervisor on a periodic basis. As appropriate, the Project supervisor forwards drafts to the Supervisory Committee members, who provide input back to the Project supervisor.

Project Format Regulations

The Project must conform to the School of Graduate Studies formatting requirements (see Thesis, Project, and Capstone Format Regulations on pg. 36).

Submission of Final Documents

Once the required revisions to the Project are made to the satisfaction of the Supervisory Committee, the Project supervisor submits the Recommendation of the Award of the Degree form. The student will be contacted to submit the final PDF copy of the Project in the e-project system. The Project undergoes further review by the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research in Education and the Dean of Graduate Studies. When planning for deadlines, students should budget sufficient time for submission of Project in e-project system and final approvals.

Applying to Graduate

Students should ensure all degree requirements are met as per the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue. Students must apply to graduate by submitting the online Application for Graduation form via the Bridge (www.ulethbridge.ca/bridge/uofl_grad_app.apply). See Graduation on pg. 46.

Key Deadlines for Project Route

Table 14: Key Deadlines for Project Route

The Professional Portfolio supervisor

CAAP 6697 is offered according to schedules for the Master of Counselling cohorts. One (1) faculty member will coordinate and supervise students registered in the Professional Portfolio course.

About the Professional Portfolio

The Professional Portfolio route engages students in a variety of independent and highly interactive opportunities to clearly articulate their strengths and “growing edges” related to self‐growth and counsellor skills/abilities. Reflective tasks will be integrated into each student’s Professional Portfolio; the Portfolio is an expression of who the student is as a counselling psychology professional and should reflect their voice. The student will have opportunities to integrate artifacts and examples that demonstrate their competencies, personal identity as a counsellor, and ongoing professional development plan. Professional Portfolios can be used as an employment tool, marketing a private practice, and/or record of the student’s ongoing professional development.

Registering in the Professional Portfolio

Students register in the Professional Portfolio in the final academic term of their program.

Grading

Grading of the Professional Portfolio is Pass/Fail.

Key deadlines for Professional Portfolio route

Table 15: Key deadlines for Professional Portfolio route