MT About Our Program
The Master of Teaching Program is a two-year (20 month) graduate level teacher education program that leads to a Master of Teaching (MT) degree. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be recommended to the Ontario College of Teachers for a Certificate of Qualification and Registration, which certifies you to teach in Ontario schools. Although pay scale assessments are based on individual qualifications, most Master of Teaching graduates are assessed by the Qualifications Evaluation Council of Ontario (QECO/COEC) and Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) at an A3 / Group 3 level.
Program Divisions
You can choose from among the following MT Program Divisions:
Primary-Junior
Kindergarten to Grade 6
Junior-Intermediate
Grades 4 to 10
Intermediate-Senior
Grades 7 to 12
Each Junior-Intermediate teacher candidate specializes in one of the following subjects: Dramatic Arts, English, French, Geography, Health and Physical Education, History, Mathematics, Music (Instrumental or Vocal), Science, or Visual Arts.
Each Intermediate-Senior teacher candidate specializes in two of the following subjects: Biology, Business Studies (General or Accounting), Chemistry, Dramatic Arts, English, French, Geography, Health and Physical Education, History, Mathematics, Music (Instrumental or Vocal), Physics, Religious Education, Science General, Social Science, and Visual Arts.
Program Structure
The program spans across 5 terms as follows:
Terms 1 & 2
September 2024 to April 2025
• Two practicum blocks
Term 3
May 2025 to August 2025
Terms 4 & 5
September 2025 to April 2026
• One practicum block
Program Options & Opportunities
The following options and and opportunities are available to Master of Teaching applicants:
Program Pathways:
Black Future Educators' Pathway
Black applicants to OISE’s Master of Teaching program may choose to select the Black Future Educators’ Pathway (BFEP) through a dedicated application process.
French as a Second Language Pathway
Primary-Junior candidates interested in pursuing French as a Second Language (FSL) qualification can self-select into the PJ-FSL Pathway
School-Based Cohort Options:
YRDSB Cohort @ Herbert H. Carnegie P.S. (P/J)
The Herbert H. Carnegie Public School (YRDSB) Cohort Option offers a school-based teacher education option for Primary/Junior (Gr. K-6) teacher candidates
UTS Cohort @ University of Toronto Schools - Independent (I/S)
The University of Toronto Schools (UTS) Cohort Option provides Intermediate/Senior (Gr. 7-12) teacher candidates with an extended opportunity to be part of a school community over two semesters.
TDSB Central Cohort @ Central Technical School (I/S)
The Central Technical School (TDSB) Cohort Option offers a school-based teacher education option for Intermediate/Senior (Gr. 7-12) teacher candidates
TDSB Scarborough Cohort @ Winston Churchill C.I. (I/S)
The Winston Churchill Collegiate Institute (TDSB) Cohort Option offers a school-based teacher education option for Intermediate/Senior (Gr. 7-12) teacher candidates
Courses
Each of our courses interweaves theory and practice to help you gain a deep understanding of the teaching-learning process while acquiring an extensive repertoire of teaching strategies. You will complete courses in both curriculum, such as literacy and mathematics, and foundations, such as psychology and special education. Our curriculum is carefully designed to guide you through your development as a teacher.
Graduation Requirements
To graduate with an MT degree and teacher certification, you will be required to complete 18 half-courses and 3 practice teaching placements. The program is taken on a full-time basis. Advanced standing is not granted in this program. You will also complete a research project on a topic related to teachers’ work. Registration in second year is contingent upon successful completion of first-year work and practice teaching placements.
Graduate Research
Over the two years of the program, you will study the latest educational research and conduct your own research on a topic related to teaching and learning. In your first year of the program you will take an introductory research course that focuses on research literacy. In the second year, you will design and carry out a qualitative research study. Prior research experience is not a requirement or an expectation for admission to the program. Your research investigations will examine both the educational theory relating to a topic and its practical application to teaching. You will be carefully guided through all research activities.
The titles of some recently completed projects are:
- Bringing the Environment Home: Environment Education in Low-Income Urban Communities
- Fostering literacy success among English language learners in the mainstream classroom
- Experiential Learning for the History Classroom: Engaging Learners on Different Levels and in
- Different Ways to Encourage a Lifelong Love of Learning
- Inclusive Classrooms for Students with Internalized Disorders: Teachers’ Perspectives and Practices
- Conceptual Learning in Mathematics: How Number Talks Benefit Students with Math Anxiety
- A Case for Social Justice: An Integrative Approach to Incorporating Social Justice Education within the Classroom
Please check out our Doctoral Pathway FAQ for more information about doctoral programs and how to plan for an eventual application. For more information about graduate research please visit our MT Research section of the site.
Practice Teaching
Practicum is an important and highly valued component of the MT program. Becoming a certified teacher in the province of Ontario requires the successful completion of 80 days of practicum. Teacher Candidates complete two one-month blocks of practicum in Year 1 and an extended practicum in Year 2 of the program. Each practicum is preceded by several practicum preparation days.
Practicum
Practicum is an evaluated full-time experience in a classroom with an Associate Teacher. During practicum, you will be involved in a wide-range of activities including observing the Associate Teacher, teaching the whole class, engaging with small groups of students, and working one-on-one with a pupil. Your Associate Teacher will mentor you in all aspects of teaching including planning, delivering lessons, assessment, classroom management, and more. As you gain experience and proficiency, you will be eased into fuller responsibilities over the placement. (Additional details can be found at Weekly Expectations). As part of the assessment and evaluation of the practicum, Associate Teachers will complete a Summative Evaluation.
Practicum Preparation Days
Practicum Preparation Days are days in which you visit your placement classroom in the weeks prior to the beginning of the practicum block. During Practicum Preparation Days, you will have an opportunity to meet your Associate Teacher, meet the students, learn classroom routines, and learn more about the school.
MT Practicum Handbook
The MT Practicum Handbook provides many additional details about the MT practicum. We have also developed an MT Practicum section that contains additional resources for Associate Teachers and Teacher Candidates. If you have any inquiries or questions about the practicum, please email us at mtpracticum@utoronto.ca.
MT June Jumpstart
Welcome & Introductions session recording from June 5th, 2024.
This virtual event is an initial welcome to the Year 1 class beginning in September 2024. The event will provide important information to support your start in the program and help you be ready for September. It will include information related to the flow of the two-year program - courses and practicum blocks, a Getting Started Checklist, Accessibility Services, Scholarship Awards, Financial Aid, divisional sessions, and pathways within the program.
Presentations:
