Learning and Technology

You're fascinated by how people learn. And you want to improve the learning experience.

The Graduate Diploma in Learning and Technology is designed for people who create or manage contemporary learning environments, whether you train staff, facilitate sessions, lead workshops or coordinate programs.

In the graduate diploma program, you'll study learning theories and technology and assess their impact on learning design and delivery.

You'll examine learning environments and the innovations that make them exemplar.

You'll learn leadership skills, so you can successfully create and implement digital learning environments in your workplace.

In this textbook-free program, you'll take some of the same courses as the Master of Arts in Learning and Technology.

Program features

Open education

One of this program's principles is openness and open educational practices. To promote the "open first" approach, the program content of Graduate Diploma in Learning and Technology, as well as the related MA in Learning and Technology, is publicly available through the program's website, which can be accessed by anyone interested in learning about this field.

The program website is a great source of information for you to explore courses, activities, assignments and outcomes. You'll also be able to read the blogs of current students in the program. Every student creates a digital presence that fosters meaningful collaboration and contributes to broader conversations about digital learning.

Virtual symposium

In April, at the beginning and end of the program, you'll participate in a virtual symposium, a week-long series where you'll listen to speakers and engage in discussions about digital learning.

The virtual symposium is open to the public. You are invited to join in live or listen to recordings of sessions, which feature leaders in the field as well as Royal Roads students and alumni. Watching the recordings will give you an idea of what you'll study in the Graduate Diploma in Learning and Technology and the Master of Arts in Learning and Technology. You can also invite your colleagues or staff members to join; the symposium is a great professional development opportunity.

Who it's for

This program is designed for individuals who wish to incorporate learning innovations into their educational environments.

The program is for anyone who trains or teaches people and who wishes to create conditions that maximize learning.

People who could benefit from the program include training and development professionals and leaders; facilitators, trainers or instructors; educators; and those tasked with creating learning opportunities in their organizations.

The program attracts students from multiple sectors including government, business, healthcare, not-for-profit, K to 12 and higher education.

You can build from here

You can keep learning about this field and apply credits from this program to the Master of Arts in Learning and Technology.

Program outcomes

The goal of this program is to build the knowledge and practical skills of professionals working at the intersection of learning and technology.

This program helps meet the growing need for effective facilitators in digital learning environments and people at the management level who have the knowledge and skills to assume leadership roles in program design, development and evaluation.

Graduates will have the skills to:

• develop, evaluate and facilitate digital learning environments
• analyze, design, develop, implement and evaluate instructional design projects
• evaluate current educational technology research and recommend appropriate learning strategies

Graduates may find themselves working as:

• training and development coordinators or managers
• instructional developers
• learning analysts, leaders, coordinators or managers
• education and development managers
• educational program leads
• training advisors, coordinators or managers
• learning designers, managers or directors
• faculty members or instructors
• K–12 educators or administrators

Standard admission

• Four-year (or comparable) undergraduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution.
• At least three years of professional experience in a leadership or management* position that is directly related to the MALAT program learning outcomes.

Flexible admission

To be considered for  flexible admission, applicants would normally require:

• A minimum of seven years of work experience, with a minimum of two years of professional experience in a leadership or management* position, that is directly related to the learning outcomes of the MALAT program.

*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 recommendations

• Applications are assessed based on an integrated and consolidated examination of academic credentials, work experience, and personal experience. Applicants should be educational professionals. Experience in a technology-mediated learning environment is an asset.
• 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.

Personal statement

Your personal statement should indicate your motivation for seeking entrance to the program. It 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. In your personal statement, it would be useful to discuss the type of project that you would be interested in pursuing as part of your studies. Length of the personal statement should be two pages.

Letters of reference 

Ideally, one reference letter is based on your work experience; the other on either your academic performance or your community service. However, two work-related references are acceptable in certain cases.

Reference letters are individual documents that can take a number of formats. Length and level of detail can vary; there is no set standard. That said, your reference letters should confirm that your referee feels you are a suitable candidate for the MA in Environmental Education and Communication, that you will succeed in the program and why, how he or she feels it will benefit you, and any additional information from the referee that indicates you are a good fit for this program. The context in which the referee has come to know you should also be mentioned.

Detailed resume

Your detailed resume should include the following:

• Education: List all post secondary education, degrees, diplomas, and certificates you have achieved.
• Training/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.
• Work experience: Please include name of organization, position, length of service and brief description of duties.
• Voluntary/unpaid work experience: List and describe any voluntary/unpaid post-secondary employment and/or community service experience. Please include the name of the organization, length of service, and a brief description of duties. List positions you have held in this service.
• 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 and affiliations: List memberships and positions you hold/have held in professional associations, service clubs, community/volunteer sector.
• Publications and relevant projects: List of publications and relevant projects.
• Other relevant information : Provide any other information which you believe is relevant to your application and will be of assistance to the review committee.

 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.