For applicants with a bachelor's and MBA plus several years of work experience (e.g., as an Assistant Professor) looking at Canadian master's programs, the discussion raised an important eligibility gotcha:
- A master's in Education or Leadership was initially suggested as a fit for an academic background, typically a 2-year program.
- Check prerequisite requirements before applying. Some Education-focused master's programs require a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) as a prerequisite — if you don't hold one, you may not be eligible even with a relevant academic work history.
- Rejections can happen even with a reasonable profile. One member noted their application to a Master's in Education-type program at the University of Regina was refused, reinforcing that these programs can be selective about prior credentials, not just work experience.
Takeaway: don't assume work experience in a related field automatically qualifies you for a specialized master's program — verify specific prerequisite credentials (like a B.Ed) with each university before applying, and have a backup program in mind in case of refusal.