Globally renowned for academic and research excellence, McGill’s Faculty of Education has been advancing human development since 1857 and continues to make meaningful positive impacts in today’s society. With award-winning academic leadership, McGill Education prides itself on innovation and discovery in both social science and scientific fields in the areas of teaching and learning, educational and counselling psychology, and kinesiology and sport science. The Faculty offers a variety of on-campus undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, internship opportunities, local and international workshops, and in-community Indigenous education. We invite you to peruse our website to learn more about the Faculty’s world-renowned programs, research, departments, and experts!
Our Vision
The mission of McGill’s Faculty of Education is to advance knowledge and applied research about human development across the lifespan. Devoted to training emerging leaders through mentorship and academic excellence, we provide insightful challenging curricula and exploratory experiences for students in a supportive atmosphere. Advocates of independent critical and creative thinking, we strive to uphold high-caliber interactive learning opportunities through courses, lab work, and field placements. Fostering active life-long knowledge acquisition, we encourage skill-enhancing continuing education opportunities for alumni, practicing professionals, and those seeking new careers. We promote forward-thinking evolving professional practices and encourage transdisciplinary research, collaborations, educational activities, and collegiality both within our University and through global outreach. As part of the McGill community, we pledge to uphold the values of equity, diversity, inclusion, professional ethics, and social responsibility as we collectively contribute to our scholastic communities.
Our Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Mandate
McGill Faculty of Education assembled its Committee for Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) in late 2020 to establish policies and practices that seek to enhance the diversity and representativeness of our community while ensuring equitable opportunities and a sense of inclusion and belonging for all. In accordance with McGill University's EDI movement, the Faculty of Education is committed to:
- Widen diversity within our student body, our faculty, and our administrative and support staff.
- Advance and deepen our understanding and practice of equity within the Faculty.
- Create accessible and accountable processes for responding to equity feedback.
As part of its EDI strategy, McGill Education has a working group comprised of academics, students, and admin/support staff known as FEEDIC (Faculty of Education's Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee) to help guide new initiatives that drive forward the principles of EDI and foster a positive environment for social change and support.
Our Location
Resting at the foot of Montreal's picturesque Mount Royal, McGill University's Faculty of Education traces its beginnings to 1857. With our Faculty housed in the Education Building, McGill Sports Complex (Sir Arthur Currie Gymnasium), Duggan House, and at 2001 McGill College, students enjoy being close to the picturesque nature of Mount Royal and Rutherford Park, while still being at the heart of downtown with easy access to the Underground City and public transit. Newcomers to Montreal will discover that the city is wonderfully diverse, affordable, and easy to navigate, with a vast array of recreational and cultural activities for every season. Access a complete interactive McGill Campus Map and McGill's Virtual Tour to explore further.
Explore McGill Education's facilities, equipment, and other Faculty resources.
Our Location Photo Gallery
Our History
1857
McGill Normal School (Belmont Street, Montreal) was established at McGill by agreement between the University and the Government of Quebec, with the mandate to educate Quebec's public elementary and secondary school teachers. William Dawson was the first Principal and the first class was only 40 students. From 1857 to 1907, the McGill Normal School trained 2,989 teachers and issued 4,118 diplomas.
1900s
McGill Normal School was re-named the School for Teachers and was moved to Macdonald College (Ste. Anne de Bellevue) in 1907. The Macdonald Chair of Education was established at McGill University and a Department of Education was created within the Faculty of Arts and Science. In 1912, The McGill School of Physical Education was founded.
1930s
The first graduate program in Education was inaugurated.
1950s
The University established the Bachelor of Education degree in 1950. In 1955, the School for Teachers and the Department of Education were combined to become the Institute of Education, within the Faculty of Arts and Science. The McGill School of Physical Education became a part of the Institute of Education in 1957.
1960s
The Institute was reconstituted as the Faculty of Education in 1965, with work taking place on both the McGill and the Macdonald campuses.
1970s
In 1970, St. Joseph Teachers College and the Faculty of Education merged and the Faculty was relocated in a new building at 3700 McTavish, on the McGill Campus. The McGill Native and Northern Education Program, was created in the mid-1970s partnering the Faculty with the Kativik School Board (now Kativik Ilisarniliriniq) to provide community-based teacher education for Inuit school staff.
Present
The Faculty of Education encompasses more than 80 programs within its three departments, advancing the study and research in multiple facets of human development, and continues to support numerous institutes, offices, initiatives, and partnerships. Currently, approximately 1,500 undergraduates and 1,100 graduate students are mentored and supported by 100 academic staff and 70 administrative team members.
