Nanaimo-Info-blog

MALASPINA ADDS MASTER'S DEGREE
IN EDUCATION LEADERSHIP

Malaspina University-College, soon to be Vancouver Island University, has been approved to offer a master’s degree in educational leadership, Advanced Education Minister Murray Coell announced today.

The Ministry of Education predicts there will be more than 1,000 administrative vacancies over the next five years in school districts around the province. School districts require their principals and vice-principals to have master’s degrees, so this new degree will help to meet market needs and address vacancies created by administrators retiring.

“New degrees give students more choice and prepare them for opportunities in both today’s and tomorrow’s economy,” said Coell, who approves all new degrees in B.C. “Malaspina’s commitment to providing students with relevant training for the marketplace will help ensure British Columbia’s competitiveness.”

The master of education in educational leadership program is supported by the British Columbia Principals and Vice-Principals Association and the Teacher’s Qualification Service. The program is already full for its first students in September 2008 and has a wait list for the next intake. The degree will be offered part-time over two years, including summer sessions, and requires a final major project.

“The master’s degree in educational leadership is a natural extension of Malaspina’s undergraduate degrees in education,” said Malaspina’s dean of education, Harry Janzen. “This program will enable teachers on mid and northern Vancouver Island to pursue graduate studies while continuing to work full-time. The program addresses the need of local school districts for well-qualified formal and informal school leaders.”

The educational leadership program is Malaspina’s second master’s degree program. In January 2007, a master of business administration program was also approved.

“Having another master’s program for educators will be a significant help to school districts facing human resource challenges,” said Education Minister Shirley Bond. “Adding capacity on Vancouver Island means more opportunities for educators to upgrade their qualifications without having to leave their communities.”

“Nanaimo is fast becoming a centre of economic, social, and educational advancement,” said Ron Cantelon, MLA for Nanaimo-Parksville. “It is only natural that our new university would have a strong demand for innovative graduate programs, and Malaspina is fulfilling that need.”

Since 2001, the Ministry of Advanced Education has approved more than 160 new undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The new degrees are helping B.C. improve its competitiveness and productivity through education and skills training.