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) (formerly Certificate in Special Education) is a hands-on 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. The program is administered by the McGill School of Continuing Studies.

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 graduates of 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

*Note: The process to apply for Winter 2025 will be through the Faculty of Education (instead of through the School of Continuing Studies). Please check back for updated instructions in Summer 2024. 
 

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 on official letterhead to ecpcont.education [at] mcgill.ca.

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 Certificate Programs - Proof of Proficiency in English.

6.      Submit two pieces of identification including proof of QC residency (See Continuing Studies - Legal Documents. Note that students who have completed CEGEP or university in Quebec do NOT need to complete the Permanent Code Data Form)

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

McGill's online application form is available at www.mcgill.ca/applying*. Applications for admission must be submitted online. Note that the Certificate in Inclusive Education program can be found under the application type, "Continuing Studies".

*Note: The process to apply for Winter 2025 will be through the Faculty of Education (instead of through the School of Continuing Studies). Please check back for updated instructions in Summer 2024.

Application Fee

A non-refundable application fee of $101.38. in Canadian or U.S. funds, payable by Visa or MasterCard, is required. This fee includes application for evaluation of transcripts for students requesting Advanced Standing in a program at the time of admission.

McGill's highly secured e-payment service minimizes cardholder risk. Your credit card information is passed instantly to the Moneris payment gateway and is not stored at McGill. Moneris handles 80% of all credit card transactions processed in Canada. McGill University cannot process online applications without a valid credit card. If you cannot pay by credit card, please call 514-398-6200 for assistance.

Tracking the Status of Your Application

A notice acknowledging receipt of your application to McGill University will be sent to the email address indicated on your application.

This acknowledgment notice will contain a McGill identification number and a PIN that you can subsequently use to log on to Minerva, McGill’s self-service web-based administrative system.

You will be able to check the status of your application, including the receipt of supporting documents, on Minerva.

Apply Now

Ready to apply? Please click here.

Tuition & fees

Visit the McGill Student Accounts' Continuing Studies Fees page. Information about application fees can be found on the Students Accounts website.

Courses & Timetables

• 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.

For a list of required and complementary courses being offered in the Fall 2023 and Winter 2024 terms, please click on the image below.

Schedules Fall 2023/ Winter 2024

IMPORTANT: Students must review the Calendar listing for an overall understanding of their program requirements. Please click on the following 'Courses' 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 view our FAQ before contacting our office. If you still have questions after reading the questions and answers, we will be happy to assist. Please ecpcont.education [at] mcgill.ca (contact us by email. )

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