Certificate in Inclusive Education

On this page: Overview | Application Deadlines | Admission Requirements | Applying | Tuition & fees | Courses & Timetables| Additional Information - Field Work

Overview

Are you: A teacher or future teacher? A parent volunteering in your child's school?

The Certificate in Inclusive Education (30 credits) is a part-time undergraduate certificate program, geared for those who face the complexities of educating or raising students and children with special needs on a daily basis. The Certificate covers such diverse topics as behavioural issues, giftedness, learning difficulties and Autism Spectrum Disorders. 

Primary audience

This program is geared towards:

• Educational professionals
• Those who wish to enter the field of education and have some experience in an educational institution
• Concerned parents who may have children with special needs and are involved with their respective schools, even if only as a volunteer

After Graduation
For those who are not certified teachers, typically students who complete the Certificate in Inclusive Education Program apply for jobs in daycares, as teacher aides, Resource Room workers and community organizations. 

PLEASE NOTE: the Inclusive Education Certificate is not a teaching certificate and will not qualify you as a teacher. The inclusive Education Certificate provides professional development to teachers and educators in the area of inclusive education.

Application Deadlines

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must:

1.      Submit a teaching certificate from Quebec (permis d'enseigner) or equivalent;

Note: Applicants who do not have a teaching certificate may submit a letter from an educational institution indicating applicant's employment as a teacher, non-teaching professional, or teaching assistant; or the applicant's school involvement as a parent or a community member. This is in addition to the letter of reference.

2.      Submit an unofficial undergraduate transcript demonstrating at least a 2.75 CGPA.

Note: Applicants who do not have an undergraduate degree are invited to email ecpcont.education [at] mcgill.ca to discuss their eligibility to the program.

3.      Submit one letter of reference addressing academic ability and/or qualifications for working with children and/or adolescents in a helping role, and general character. Letters of reference must be sent directly by the referee from an institutional email address.

4.      Submit a personal statement illustrating experience working with children and/or adolescents and reason(s) for seeking admission to the program. Please also include any additional relevant information, such as your personal trajectory (optional). Describe any special circumstances - i.e., personal and/or professional challenges encountered during course of your studies - that should be taken into consideration for your application.

5.      Since English is the primary language of instruction and communication at McGill, students must demonstrate an adequate level of proficiency in English, regardless of their citizenship status or country of origin. For more information on test requirements, submission of scores, and possible exemptions, please see the Admission Regulations for Undergraduate Certificate Programs - Proof of Proficiency in English.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the fact that the Certificate in Inclusive Education is offered on a part-time basis, we are unable to accept any international applicants.

Applying

All applications are done through McGill's Applicant Portal. The application steps and instructional video are on the University's Undergraduate Admissions website. The following documents must be part of your application: (Note that all uploaded documents to the portal must be in PDF format.)

1. A complete application form (accompanied by your application fee payment).
2. A copy of your unofficial transcripts from all previous university-level studies (undergraduate and graduate).  Official transcripts are required to be submitted by those who gain admission to the program. (Instructions on sending official transcripts will be sent upon acceptance.)
3.  A copy of your Quebec teaching certificate (Brevet d'ensiegnment). Applicants who do not have a teaching certificate may submit a formal letter from an educational institution indicating applicant's employment as a teacher, non-teaching professional, or teaching assistant; or the applicant's school involvement as a parent, volunteer, or community member.
4. Letter of Reference: Within the online application, applicants must provide valid institutional e-mail address for one (1) reference who can speak to your academic ability and/or qualifications for working with youth in a helping role, and general character. McGill University will contact the referee directly to submit their letter of reference.
5. Personal Statement (3-page maximum, double-spaced) in APA style. Please include the following information:
   • Relevant experience: Describe your past and current experience working with children and/or adolescents.
   • Objectives: Why are you applying to this undergraduate certificate program? How does this program match your general career or skills-acquisition objectives? Which knowledge would you like to gain?
   • Optional topics: Your personal trajectory, personal challenges along your scholastic/professional/personal journey, experiences or challenges you've encountered related to identity. Note that students who identify as being part of a minority group are encouraged to self-identify to facilitate access to any applicable financial aid and/or awards, as part of McGill's Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) mandate. All personal data submitted will be kept confidential and used only for operational decision-making.
6. English Language Proficiency Test Score (if applicable): Please arrange for test scores to be sent to McGill directly from the testing agency when applicable. You must indicate the McGill University institution code: 0935. 

Tuition & fees

Visit the McGill Student Accounts' Tuition & Fees page to view the tuition fees for undergraduate students, or see the  tuition rate chart which provides a breakdown of the fees. The application fee of the undergraduate certificate is $140.16 CAD (non-refundable). Once you have submitted your first application and paid the application fee, you can submit a second application at no extra cost. Both applications must be for the same term and level of study (undergraduate). Thereafter, each additional application submitted will incur a fee of $140.16 CAD. All applications must be submitted before the application deadline.

Courses & Timetables

Fall 2026/Winter 2027 Schedule

For a list of required and complementary courses being offered in the Fall and Winter terms, please click on the images linked above.

• Time Limitation Policy: Students have 4 years to complete this certificate.

• Progression of courses: It is recommended that students complete any 300/400 level courses before proceeding to 500 level courses and complete required courses prior to complementary options whenever possible.

• Course Load: Students have the option to pursue this Certificate on a part‐time or full‐time basis and may register for up to 12 credits per term depending on course availability.

IMPORTANT: Students must review the Calendar listing for an overall understanding of their program requirements. Please click on the following 'Course Catalogue' button.

Additional Course Information: EDPI 539 (Fall) / EDPI 540 (Winter)

Field Work Courses

Students in the Certificate in Inclusive Education Program have opportunities to gain experience in an applied setting. (EDPI 539; EDPI 540)

Purpose

Field Work provides the opportunity to expand your experiences working with students with diverse needs in a variety of settings. Students select Field Work sites that correspond to their own needs, interests, and professional growth in consultation with the McGill course instructor.

Field Work Sites

There are a variety of field sites available. We try to have sites both in specialized settings (e.g., Summit School, Jewish General Hospital, Taylor Adolescent Program) and in inclusive settings (e.g., Family and School Support and Treatment Team, Hampstead School, Mack Belson Program, Westmount Park, The Study, Westmount High School).  Students may choose another site as agreed upon in consultation with the Course Instructor. Sites must be chosen outside of the student's regular work site and cannot be paid.

Time Requirements in the Field

Students are required to spend a minimum of 150 hours for every 3-credits of Field Work. Often, a student’s time onsite will exceed this in order to ensure a meaningful experience. Students will need to spend approximately 10 hours per week onsite in order to accumulate the required 300 hours. Specific schedules will be determined by the Field Work Site Supervisor. Students must keep a detailed hours log of their Field Work using a template provided in class. This log serves to document the hours spent onsite and the activities/tasks which were completed. 

Time Requirements in the Course

Students taking EDPI 539 or EDPI 540 must attend bi-weekly seminars (alternate Monday evenings) with the McGill Course Instructor. In these seminars, students will engage in critical analysis of their practice, as well as engage in professional development activities. Case presentations, discussion, and resource sharing are all critical components of the Field Work course.  Attendance is mandatory.

Grading

Students are graded as pass/fail for these courses. Successful completion of the course requires engagement with aforementioned seminar activities, the submission of a completed hours log, and the submission of a passing evaluation from their Field Work Site Supervisor. 

Forms

All necessary forms and templates will be provided to students in the first day of class.

Need more information?

Questions? Please ecpcont.education [at] mcgill.ca (contact us by email. )

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