Expand your self-awareness and understanding of leadership in organizations and systems. Creative and innovative leaders like you are needed to solve complex challenges at work and in society.
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June 05, 2023
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Program description
The Graduate Diploma in Leadership is an 18-credit program that allows you to build on your leadership experience and apply your learning to your current or future career.
You'll study the theory and practice of personal leadership, and gain an understanding of how to lead from your strengths and how to overcome challenges.
You'll learn about leading productive teams and facilitating groups, and you'll practice these skills as you work with teams during your coursework.
You'll also explore leadership in systems and consider interconnections in organizations and communities.
Choose leadership electives that are relevant to your career and personal interests. With approval, you can complete another 9-credit 企鹅电竞查询v6.9 安卓版 graduate certificate for your elective options.
The program allows you balance your work, career and life commitments. You can study online and complete a short, immersive on-campus residency.
The program provides a flexible credential for working professionals allowing you to continue your education after receiving a graduate certificate or laying the foundation for a master's degree.
You can build from here
The diploma includes the first three courses of the Master of Arts in Leadership program.
You can take this as a standalone program and receive a diploma as your credential, or apply credits toward one of following degree programs:
- Master of Arts in Leadership
- Master of Arts in Leadership – Health Specialization (with sufficient health leadership experience)
Program outcomes
Once you have completed this program, you'll be a systems thinker with increased capacity for creativity, innovation and interpersonal communication.
Your concrete skills in team, strategic, and collaborative leadership will help you to advance within your own organization or move into leadership positions within your sector.
The colleagues you meet through your studies at 企鹅电竞查询v6.9 安卓版 will enhance your professional network.
Program delivery
The Graduate Diploma in Leadership is an 18-credit program delivered through a blend of online learning and a minimum of one two-week residency on campus.
Courses
To complete this diploma you'll take the first three courses of the Master of Arts in Leadership , which include the following:
- Fundamentals of Personal Leadership and Learning
- Communications and Leadership in Groups and Teams
- Leadership in Systems
After this, you'll choose three of the elective courses to complete 9 more credits.
Alternatively, with the approval of the program head, you can choose from three other ways to complete the program:
- by taking other relevant elective courses from 企鹅电竞查询v6.9 安卓版 University
- by taking a relevant 9-credit 企鹅电竞查询v6.9 安卓版 graduate certificate
- by taking courses at another post-secondary institution recognized through the Western Deans' Agreement
Schedule
This program includes the following four parts:
- Online learning for the first five weeks
- Two-week residency on campus
- Online learning for the final five weeks
- Three elective courses delivered online, on campus or blended to include a second residency
Online courses
Online courses consist of assigned readings, synchronous or asynchronous lectures, interactive discussions, and individual and team assignments.
You’re expected to meet deadlines and contribute meaningfully to your class. Your contributions are a big part of everyone’s learning.
Normally, you’ll take one or two online courses at a time for a period of 10 weeks. Each online course requires approximately 10 hours of work per week.
Residency
This blended program has a minimum of one two-week residency. The number of residencies you join will depend on the elective courses that you choose.
Blended programs include online courses and on-campus residencies.
Residencies are intensive and immersive. Many students say this time together is the highlight of their program.
During your residency, you can expect to:
- attend classes full time (e.g., Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
- complete homework and individual and team assignments outside of class hours
- take part in extracurricular activities
Courses
REQUIRED courses
ITAI
Introduction to Academic Integrity
0.0 Credits
Online
LEAD526
Fundamentals of Personal Leadership and Learning
3.0 Credits
Blended
LEAD527
Communications and Leadership in Groups and Teams
3.0 Credits
Blended
LEAD528
Leadership in Systems
3.0 Credits
Blended
ELECTIVE courses
Students choose 3 of the electives below. With Program Head approval, students may seek transfer credit or take other relevant electives from RRU, including a relevant 9 credit RRU Graduate Certificate.
LEAD516
Concepts and Theories of Leadership
3.0 Credits
Online
LEAD517
Self-Directed Studies
3.0 Credits
Online
LEAD519
Action-oriented Research
3.0 Credits
Online
GBLD511
Strategic Analysis, Decision Making and Evaluation
3.0 Credits
Online
Transfer agreements
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Standard admission
Our requirements for standard admission are:
- completion of a four-year (or comparable) undergraduate degree in a related field from a recognized post-secondary institution with a minimum GPA of B+ (3.33/4.33)
- normally a minimum of five years of leadership experience*
If you meet the degree requirement, but not the minimum GPA , or have been away from academic writing for more than 10 years , you will normally be required to:
- take the Academic Writing and Critical Thinking course through our Professional and Continuing Studies
- achieve a minimum B+ (77%) grade
- complete the course five weeks or more before your program starts
Emerging leaders encouraged to apply
If you meet the standard admission requirements, but have fewer than five years of leadership experience , you can still apply if you:
- have worked in a position leading or managing people for two or more years
- demonstrate exceptional leadership potential through your professional and life experiences
- are preparing for future leadership roles
*How we define leadership
Examples of leadership experience include the following:
- consulting, negotiating or managing diverse interest groups in a complex environment
- leading others toward shared goals and outcomes
- influencing, organizing and coordinating groups of people
- formal leadership roles in which you directly supervise staff or complete performance-oriented work with individuals, groups, or teams
- overcoming a challenging life experience (for yourself or others), which involved navigating complex systems and resulted in positive changes in the community
Flexible admission
If you don't meet the standard admission requirements, you can be considered for flexible admission to this program if you have the following:
- at least 10 years of professional experience with five years of leadership experience
If you are applying for flexible admission, you will normally be required to:
- take the Academic Writing and Critical Thinking course through our Professional and Continuing Studies
- achieve a minimum B+ (77%) grade
- complete the course five weeks or more before your program starts
English language proficiency
If English is not your primary language, review our English language requirements .
Documents required for your application include the following:
- application form
- official transcripts
- personal statement
- writing sample
- résumé
- reference letters
In some cases other documents may be required.
Application form
To apply online , you need to do the following:
- Create an account using your email address.
- List all credit courses and programs you have completed or are currently enrolled in.
- Pay an application fee.
If your application fees are being paid by a third party, review sponsored student information .
You can check the status of your application at any time after it’s submitted.
Official transcripts
Applicants are responsible for submitting official transcripts from current and previous post-secondary institutions. The transcripts should cover credit courses and programs.
Transcripts are considered official only if they are submitted to us in the following way:
- sent to 企鹅电竞查询v6.9 安卓版 directly by the registrar or recognized authority of the providing institution
- sealed in the institution's original, unopened envelope
If the envelope has been opened, the transcript is no longer official. We’ll require a new official transcript to complete your application.
Transcripts are not required for non-credit programs or courses, though some programs may require proof of professional certifications or designations.
International transcripts and credentials will be evaluated to determine their Canadian equivalency .
Personal statement
Write a personal statement that is no more than two pages long and describes the following:
-
your motivation for seeking entrance to the program — answer the following questions:
- Why are you interested in this program?
- What do you hope to learn?
- What excites you about 企鹅电竞查询v6.9 安卓版 University's Learning, Teaching and Research Model ?
- Why do you want to take this program now?
- the breadth and scope of your leadership experience — describe your current and past leadership experiences and how your training or life experiences demonstrate your leadership capacities and potential
- your experience working in teams and with others from different sectors, disciplines, cultures
- the specific skills and capacities that you believe are relevant and applicable to the program
- the gifts or unique strengths you can bring to the program
- the areas you would like to improve upon as a student in the program and as a leader
If applicable let us know how your life and work experience or related education satisfy requirements for flexible admission or consideration as an emerging leader.
Writing sample
Choose from the following three options for your writing sample:
- Include a recent academic writing sample with citations and a list of references. It should be from the last two years.
-
If you do not have a recent writing sample, you can write original, 500-word academic essay following these guidelines:
- Answer the question: “What is my leadership philosophy?”
- Organize your writing, take a position supported by evidence from academic books and/or peer reviewed articles, and use examples from your life experience.
- Format the paper using APA Style (7th ed.) , which is the preferred style for references in the School of Leadership Studies. Find a sample APA essay .
- As an alternative to a writing sample you can take the Academic Writing and Critical Thinking course offered through Professional and Continuing Studies . Your course may be in progress when you are applying, but must end five weeks before your desired program start date. Course completion with a minimum “B+” (77%) is required. If you have completed this course before with a B+ (77%) or above, submit your final grade confirmation letter with your application.
Résumé
Make sure your résumé demonstrates your five years of leadership experience for standard admission or 10 years of professional experience, including five years of leadership experience for flexible admission.
Your résumé should include the following:
-
Education
List all post-secondary education, degrees, diplomas and certificates you have achieved and the year completed. In-progress or incomplete credentials can be included if they are clearly described as such. -
Work experience
Include the organization, position, length of service (month and year) and a brief description of duties. -
Volunteer or unpaid work experience
List and describe any volunteer or unpaid post-secondary employment or community service experience. Include the position, name of organization, length of service and a brief description of duties. -
Information technology training and experience
Describe level of training and experience using information technology including computers, software and telecommunications networks, as tools for business, education, teaching and personal use. -
Professional memberships and affiliations
List current or past memberships and positions held in professional associations, service clubs, or community organizations.
Provide any other information that is relevant to your application and will help us to assess your years of leadership experience and how you will contribute to this program.
Reference letters
Provide two professional references from people who can comment on your commitment, knowledge, skills and ability to complete a demanding academic program. We prefer references from direct supervisors, if possible, and individuals you have worked with in the last five years. Please do not include references from family members.
Your referees need to submit the references directly.
Additional requirements
If applicable submit the following with your application:
- a copy of your permanent resident card (PR card) if you’re an applicant declaring permanent resident or convention refugee status in Canada
- your transcript evaluation fee or credential evaluation report if you’re submitting international transcripts
- an official English language proficiency report or other evidence of proficiency if English is not your primary language
We may request additional information to assess your application.
Sending documents
Find out how and where to send supporting documents .