Climate Action Leadership - Dip

You feel, as we do, that the climate emergency is the most pressing challenge facing our world. And you know that solving this problem calls for strong leadership. You want to step up to lead change, through the social, political, cultural and economic responses that point to a low-carbon, socially just and climate resilient future. And you want to align your educational journey with a meaningful career path.

The Graduate Diploma in Climate Action Leadership gives you the tools to integrate climate action in your existing work or launch into a new profession. Join an international movement of climate action leaders working to change the climate story from a tale of disaster to one of transformation.

There's widespread demand for change leadership across sectors. You'll become able to translate climate science into action to reduce risk and impact, and create new opportunities for a low carbon future. You'll develop the knowledge and skills to envision, design and mobilize new solutions to emerging climate challenges.

Through this 12-month transdisciplinary program, you'll develop competencies that provide a foundation for navigating, designing and leading climate action.

The program uses a learner-centered, open learning curriculum that challenges students to reach beyond the walls of the classroom to respond to real-world problems and generate real-world solutions.

You'll start to shift the underlying behaviour, beliefs and systemic issues that continue to fuel the climate crisis. And you'll discover how, by reducing vulnerability and increasing resilience in communities, systems and organizations, we can build a sustainable future together.

The unique, flexible design allows you options that support your professional and personal learning goals. By sharing your learning in blogs and other open resources, you'll rapidly become a thought leader in your field, influencing change before you even graduate.

The program covers the same foundational material as you'd cover in the related Master of Arts in Climate Action Leadership. In fact, if you want to continue your education after you've completed this program, you can formally apply to the Master's degree, and transfer your credits when you are accepted.

Program Outcomes

Once you have completed this program, you'll have skills in climate communication, climate risk management, building a business case for climate action, design thinking, and change management to work in sectors focused on the environment and community development.

You'll also develop your learning in the following areas:

• climate adaptation and resilience literacy
• critical, creative and transdisciplinary thinking
• research literacy
• adaptive leadership and decision making
• communication and knowledge mobilization
• change making orientation and implementation

Find out more about this program's learning outcomes.

Standard admission

• Four-year (or comparable) Education, Arts, Science or other undergraduate degree in a related field from a recognized post-secondary institution with a GPA of at least 3.33/4.33 in the final 20 courses (or last 2 years).
• At least 3 years of professional experience in a leadership or management position that is directly related to the GD Climate Action Leadership program learning outcomes.

Flexible admission

Applicants who do not meet the Standard Admission requirements will be considered for flexible admission and assessed as follows:

• Normally, some undergraduate education or equivalent and 7+ years of work experience in a relevant field, which includes at least two years in a leadership or management position that is directly related to the GD Climate Action Leadership program learning outcomes.
• All flexible admission applicants will be required to complete "Academic Writing and Critical Thinking" several weeks prior to starting the program and obtain a minimum final grade of B+ (77%).

English language proficiency

• If English is not your primary language, please review our English language requirements.

Application requirements

All applications to this program require submission of the following information and supporting documents before your file can be assessed for admission:

Application form

In order to apply online, you will be required to create a log-in account using your email address. You will be required to list all credit courses and/or programs you have completed or are currently enrolled in. An application fee will be required. If your application fees are being paid by a third party, review sponsored student information. Once submitted, you may check the status of your application at any time.

Official transcripts

Applicants are responsible for arranging for the submission of official transcripts from ALL post-secondary (higher education) institutions currently or previously attended, for all credit courses and/or programs. Transcripts are not required for non-credit programs or courses, though some programs may require proof of professional certifications or designations.

Transcripts are considered official only if submitted directly by the Registrar or other recognized authority of the providing institution in the institution's original, sealed envelope. If the envelope has been opened, the transcripts are no longer official and new (official) transcripts will be required to complete your application.

All international transcripts or credentials are subject to an international transcript and/or credential evaluation.

Personal statement

Your personal statement should outline educational experience, leadership* experience, personal and career goals, and discuss alignment between these and the learning outcomes of the GDCAL program. Keeping that in mind, please organize your statement as follows using the following questions as subheadings. You must address all questions.

1. Why do you wish to enrol in the Climate Action Leadership program?
2. How is this program relevant to your career goals?
3. What experience (academic courses and/or training, work experience) have you that directly relate to the learning outcomes of the program?
4. What experience have you had with distance education and self-directed study?
5. Please assess and make clear the linkages between your previous experience (paid or volunteer work; academic or training) and the focus of the program and learning outcomes. Consider the questions as you respond to this:
   1. How is my prior experience relevant to the program's focus on climate action, change leadership, and working in the context of complex challenges?
   2. What relevant strengths or competencies (knowledge and skills) would you bring to the program?

Letters of reference

Two letters of reference are required; one reference letter should be based on work experience and the other based on academic performance.

The letters of reference must be from referees who have worked closely with the applicant, such as a supervisor or manager, and who can speak to the applicant's ability to research, critically analyze, synthesize and problem solve in ill-structured domains. Knowledge of the applicant's ability must be within the last two years.

Detailed and structured resume

Your detailed resume should include the following:

• Education: List all post-secondary education, degrees, diplomas, and certificates you have achieved.
• Work experience: Please include name of organization, length of service (month & year), and a brief description of duties.
• Training and professional development: List career related training and professional development programs completed within the past five years. Include the source of training, and the duration and year completed. List other training and personal development programs not already identified.
• Voluntary/unpaid work experience: List and describe any voluntary/unpaid post-secondary employment and/or community service experience. Please include name of the organization, length of service and a brief description of your duties.
• Leadership*/change agent/trainer experience: Briefly describe any specific training and/or experience you have had as a group/project leader, coordinator of change initiatives, or trainer.
• Innovative learning methods: Briefly describe any training and/or experience you have had in the use of innovative learning methods including distance learning, community and team-based learning, mentoring, etc. Include both your experience as a 'learner' and as an 'educator/trainer'.
• Professional memberships/affiliations: List memberships and positions you hold/have held in professional associations, service clubs, the community/volunteer sector.
• Other relevant information : Provide any other information which you believe is relevant to your application and will be of assistance to the review committee.

* Leadership experience could include one or more of the following:

• • Roles in which you consult, negotiate with, or manage diverse interest groups through relationship, in a complex environment.
  • Roles in which you lead others toward shared goals and outcomes.
  • Roles in which you influence, organize, and coordinate groups of people.
  • Leadership roles in volunteer organizations.
  • Formal organizational leadership roles in which you directly supervise staff or complete performance-oriented work with individuals, groups, or teams.

If applicable:

• Applicants declaring permanent resident or Convention Refugee status in Canada, must submit a copy of their Permanent Resident Card (PR card) along with their application.
• Transcript evaluation fee or credential evaluation report, if submitting international transcripts.
• An official English language proficiency score report or other evidence of proficiency if English is not your primary language.
• Other information or documents as may be requested to determine your eligibility.

For information on how and where to send your supporting documents, please refer to the document submission guidelines.