Higher Education Administration and Leadership

Higher education institutions need administrators specifically trained to manage the complexities of the post-secondary environment.

In the Graduate Diploma in Higher Education Administration and Leadership, you'll take some of the same courses as the Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration and Leadership. The master's program has additional courses plus a major project at the end.

In the graduate diploma, you'll learn theory and best practices unique to working in leadership roles in universities and colleges.

You'll examine issues facing administrators — finance, marketing, working with faculty and stakeholders, managing change, influencing culture — and learn to solve them.

And you'll study research concepts relevant to the field of higher education and learn to translate them into action-oriented strategies.

Specialization

You'll choose a specialization in the Graduate Diploma in Higher Education Administration and Leadership: business development in international education or systems leadership in higher education.

You'll be able to customize your program of study and focus on the area of higher education that interests you most.

Who it's for

This program is designed for current and aspiring administrators and leaders in post-secondary educational environments.

You can build from here

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

Program outcomes

Once you've completed this program, you'll have:

• a systems thinking approach to strategically address current challenges and opportunities that post secondary institutions are facing
• an enhanced understanding of higher education scholarship and how to apply theory to practice
• the ability to engage in self-assessment and self-awareness to enhance your leadership skills, improve relationships and meet your professional goals

Our graduates find success in roles such as:

• senior leadership in a university or college (e.g., vice president, director, coordinator, dean)
• leadership and administration in student affairs, enrolment services, IT, advancement and business development

Standard admission

• Four-year (or comparable) undergraduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution.
• Minimum of three years of relevant, paid work experience within recognized higher education institutions (i.e., public or accredited colleges, universities, poly-techniques, or institutions providing formal tertiary programs), including some leadership* experience.

Emerging leaders who have fewer than three years of leadership* experience, yet have been in recent leadership or people management role(s) for two years or more, demonstrate exceptional leadership potential through their professional and life experiences, are preparing for further leadership roles, and otherwise meet the standard admissions criteria, are encouraged to apply.

Flexible admission

• To be considered for flexible admission, applicants would normally require a minimum of 7 years of work experience in higher education institutions (i.e., public or accredited colleges, universities, poly-techniques, or institutions providing formal tertiary programs), including a minimum of 3 years of leadership* experience.

*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
• Overcoming a challenging life experience (for self or others), which involved navigating complex systems and resulted in positive community change beyond the individual

English language proficiency

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

Additional recommendation(s)

• Applications are assessed through an integrated and consolidated review of academic credentials, work experience, and personal experience; because of the holistic nature of this review, all applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• Please ensure that you demonstrate your leadership experience in your detailed resume, and clearly indicate how your years of experience meet the standard or flexible admission 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.

Statement of intent

The statement of intent should consist of (but is not limited to) a two to three-page essay and must address the following questions:

• What influenced your decision to apply to RRU's Graduate Certificate in Asia Pacific Trade and Investment program? 
• What do you hope to contribute to this program and the university?
• In 5‐10 years, how do you anticipate this program will add value?
• How is this program relevant to your personal and career goals?
• What training and/or academic courses have you done that relate to management?
• What experience have you had with distance education and self‐directed study?
• What experience do you have working collaboratively in a team?

If there is any other information that you feel might be of interest or relevance to your application, please include it in the statement of intent . 

Detailed resume

A detailed or structured resume is one that provides a comprehensive professional profile of the applicant. We are interested in knowing where an applicant has worked, for how long, and what they were responsible for in the positions held. Provide as much information as possible, with special attention to the past ten years of your career. 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, position, length of service (month and year), and a brief description of responsibilities.
• Training and professional development: List career related training and professional development programs completed with 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 organization, length of service and a brief description of duties. 
• 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. 
• Professional memberships/affiliations: List memberships and positions you hold/have held in professional associations, service clubs, 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.

Letters of reference

One reference letter should be based on work experience and the other based on either academic performance or community service. However, two work-related references are acceptable in certain cases.

The reference letters should confirm that an applicant is a suitable candidate for the Graduate Certificate in Asia Pacific Trade and Investment program. The writer(s) should articulate why they feel the applicant will succeed in such a program, whether they feel it will benefit the applicant (and why), and any other information about the applicant which could identify them as a good fit for the program. The context in which the referee has come to know the applicant should also be mentioned. Length and level of detail in the letters may vary; there is no set standard.

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.