Admissions
CCFI PHD
The CCFI PHD requires:
- A Master's degree with high standing in a relevant education discipline
- A sample of work demonstrating an ability to do scholarly writing
- A letter of intent describing the proposed focus of the program
- The support of three referees.
For students possessing a thesis-based Master's degree from other than a relevant education discipline, it may be possible, after consultation with the Graduate Advisor, to proceed into the Ph.D. by taking, and achieving a high standing in, the core course requirements of an appropriate Master's degree in education at UBC.
Intending PhD applicants are advised to contact the Director, Dr. Mary Bryson 604 822-6502 well before the December deadline.
Each year the CCFI Advisory Committee* may recommend admission of between 3 to 5 students** into a Cross-Faculty Ph.D. program. The Committee will consider:
- Good fit with the cross-faculty mandate of CCFI (as demonstrated by a clear statement of intent indicating why and how the proposed work is “across-the-faculty” and not better located within a Department).
- Outstanding scholarship (grades, awards) in comparison with all applicants.
- Substantial research experience (as demonstrated by a master’s thesis (or equivalent), and possibly by additional publications and conference presentations).
- Relevant professional background and leadership potential.
- Appropriate and willing pro-tem adviser and potential committee members.
The Committee will seek supporting evidence and documentation in the following:
- Referees’ letters
- Statement of Intent
- GPA and transcripts
- Curriculum Vitae or Résumé outlining professional and academic background
- Sample of scholarly writing
- Statement/s of support from potential pro-tem adviser/s and committee members
- Additional materials where applicable
CCFI MA/MED
The CCFI MA/MED requires one of four possible qualifications:
- An approved BA degree (four years) and one year of teacher education.
- A five-year BA.
- A four-year BA and a 15-unit program of approved senior undergraduate courses.
- The support of three referees. Students are admissible if they have an average of at least 76% (B+) in third and fourth year-level courses.
ECE MA/MED
The ECE MA/MED requires:
- Bachelor of Education degree or a four-year undergraduate degree in a related field. Related fields include, but are not limited to, Child and Youth Care, Nursing, Psychology, Social Work and Family Studies. Applicants whose degree is in an unrelated field (e.g., Arts, Commerce, General Studies) may be accepted if they have completed a college or university certificate program in early childhood education.
- Experience working with young children in an appropriate setting.
- An overall average of 76% or better in all third- and fourth-year courses.
- Students must have attained at least 12 credits at 80% or higher on senior-level credits.
For more information on the ECE MA/MED programs please visit the Institute for Early Childhood Education website.
Back to topApplication Packages
We ask that all applicants please apply on-line, the CCFI Program is currently listed under Cross-Faculty Inquiry in Education, and the ECED program is listed under Early Childhood Education (ECE).
Those applying to the Urban Learner Program or the External Cohort in Early Childhood Education, please contact Dan Kravinchuk in the External Programs and Learning Technologies at (604) 822-4499, or by e-mail at dan.kravinchuk@ubc.ca.
Please download and submit an application checklist to assist you in the application process, and an appointment form for a graduate teaching assistant, graduate academic assistant, or graduate research assistant position (full time students only). You must also include three references with your application. A reference form may be downloaded here. You can also have your referee submit their reference through the online application site. If you should encounter any problems or have any questions, please contact ccfi.grad.secretary@ubc.ca
A non-refundable application fee of $90.00 CDN for Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and a fee of $150 CDN for international students is required in the form of a cheque, certified cheque, bank draft (drawn in Canadian funds), or Money Order and made payable to the Faculty of Graduate Studies (if you apply using the electronic application form, you may pay the application fee by credit card). International students (from selected countries) are allowed to apply for a fee waiver.
All other application materials (i.e. transcripts, statement of intent, letters of recommendation, sample of scholarly writing-for Ph.D. only) should be sent directly to:
Graduate Program Assistant
Centre for Cross-Faculty Inquiry
Faculty of Education
The University of British Columbia
2125 Main Mall
Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6T 1Z4
Assessment of Applications
Initially, the student's grades are assessed for basic admissibility, and then the entire file is reviewed by the Centre's Advisory Committee, composed of representatives from the various Departments and units in the Faculty of Education. This Committee reviews the applications and, for students deemed admissible, identifies an appropriate Graduate Advisor for the student. Admission is based on:
- An evaluation of the student's academic performance and potential
- The match between student's interests and Centre programs
- The availability of a suitable advisor for the student. For PhD students a potential Cross-Faculty Committee should also be identified
Assignment of an Advisor
When students are admitted to a program, a pro-tem advisor is identified in the notification letter to assist the student in planning a program of studies.
The student's advisor is a faculty member who has been selected by the Centre to meet the expressed academic interests of the student. PhD Students especially may wish to approach specific instructors with requests to be their advisors prior to applying, letting the Director of the Centre know if a potential agreement to supervise is reached.
The advisor plays a major role in assisting the student in constructing a graduate program which meets the student's needs and interests. Students should consult with their advisors about the selection of courses and the identification of other committee members, as well as on general academic matters.
The advisor may be called upon to write supporting letters for scholarships and other purposes during and after the program. The pro-tem advisor becomes the student's program and thesis advisor unless the Centre is notified otherwise.
Students should feel free to request a change of advisor at any time by submitting a request to the Director of the Centre.
Back to top* The CCFI Advisory Committee consists of the Director of CCFI (Chair), the Associate Dean responsible for Graduate Programs and Research in Education, a representative from each of the four Departments in the Faculty of Education, the Director of the Institute for Early Childhood Education and Research, a representative from the Centre for the Study of Teacher Education, and another representative whose teaching, advising, and editorial responsibilities are primarily within CCFI.
** The number of students admitted will depend upon the quality of applicants and available funding. All students who are admitted are entitled to University Tuition wavers for the first four years of study until such time as the University changes this policy. Within a limited amount of available funding we also attempt to award merit-based scholarships for the first year of Ph.D. study. Because CCFI does not offer courses in the Teacher Education Program we cannot offer Teaching Assistantships (although a few CCFI students find employment as TA’s within Departments). Within the parameters of available funding, we are committed to trying to support some full-time CCFI students as Graduate Academic Assistants (GAAs) who work on Cross-Faculty initiatives, including the production of Educational Insights. Occasionally Research Assistantships (RA’s) are available – usually through the student’s adviser.
