Educational Leadership and Management

K to 12 educators wanting to advance their careers are looking for recognized, accessible programs through which to develop administrative and leadership skills.

The Graduate Diploma in Educational Leadership and Management lays the foundation for your career advancement in public or independent education.

In this texbook-free program, you'll acquire the skills, strategies and expertise to lead in an educational environment.

You'll study leadership theory and research and examine how to put them into practice in schools.

You'll learn to build a strong school community using effective communication.

And you'll consider the role culture plays in creating an environment that helps students thrive.

Who it's for

This program is designed for K to 12 educators and administrators who want to advance their careers by becoming qualified as leaders and managers.

You can build from here

You can keep learning about this field and apply credits from this program to the Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Management.

Standard admission

• Applicants should be educational professionals with a four-year undergraduate degree in a related field from a recognized post-secondary institution.
• Relevant work experience.

Flexible admission

• Candidates with some undergraduate education and significant relevant work experience may be eligible for flexible admission. All applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis. 

English language proficiency

• If English is not your primary language, please review our English language 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 consist of a one or two page letter indicating your motivation for seeking entrance to the program. Your statement should comment upon your personal and career goals, the expectations you have for the program in relation to the achievement of your goals, and the strengths you feel you can bring to the program. You are also encouraged to demonstrate your interest in/experience with team work, collaborative practice, professional learning communities or communities of practice. 

Letters of reference

Two letters of reference are required and should consist of a personal character reference and a work related reference. 

• Personal character reference: Your personal character reference should consist of a letter from someone who has known you for several years outside of the context of your work. The writer should indicate the length of time and context in which they have known you, and consider the following attributes in their letter about you: honesty, integrity, responsibility, adaptability, concern and respect for others, sense of self-esteem and confidence.
• Work-related reference: This letter should attest to your performance in the context of your current or previous work. The letter can address such areas as leadership potential, career commitment, human relations and supervisory skills, flexibility, communication, and technical skills.

Detailed 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.
• Information technology training and experience: Briefly describe your level of training and experience in the use of information technology including computers, software and telecommunications networks as tools for business, education, teaching and personal use.
• 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. For example, electronic or digital copies (disk or flash drive) of business papers/documents/business plans, etc., might be useful. In certain cases we may require such documentation for individual candidates.

 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.