Diploma or in-service programs are also offered, when possible, in an effort to provide leadership in the development of professional competencies of educators. Graduate students come into the department as experienced professionals, and are an essential part of our commitment to rethinking and renewing teaching and learning for various educational contexts and through new media. Scholarship within the department is enhanced as graduate students participate in research activities through their own theses, dissertations and projects, and by working with faculty members on broader research, development, and dissemination projects. Relevance is also a priority because we recognize that teacher education and diploma students are pursuing professional careers that demand relevance. In addition, many magistral students are pursuing professional rather than academic careers, and therefore seek to apply the benefits of part-time graduate studies within their work places.
Diversity is the strength that enables our mission.
The departmental programs bring together teacher education students, graduate students and faculty around scholarly and professional foci on teaching and learning. This rich mix gives our community multiple identities defined by academic expertise, research agendas, professional commitments, international experiences, and cultural backgrounds. The inevitable tensions that accompany this diversity make our discussions and work more productive and interesting, and are crucial to pursuing our mission of educational improvement through research, teaching, learning and service. Within our ongoing differences lie the continued success and future growth of our programs and research agendas. The challenge is to maintain this diversity as program strength.