Master of Business Complex Project Leadership

The Master of Business in Complex Project Leadership is offered by the Telfer School of Management. The program is delivered in an executive delivery mode through Telfers Centre for Executive Leadership.

The program focus is the holistic development of experienced project and program practitioners and managers with respect to professional skills that will enable them to design, implement, and successfully lead complex projects and programs.

The program is offered in English only. In accordance with University of Ottawa regulations, students have the right to produce their work and to answer examination questions in French or in English.

For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the specific requirements webpage.

Candidates are normally sponsored by their employer, signaling that the employer understands and accommodates for the time commitment required while pursuing the program, and that participants will undertake projects within their workplace. This implies that although organizations may engage their talent management process as part of their internal selection of candidates, the final admission decision resides with the University of Ottawa.

To be considered for admission, applicants must: 

1. Hold a Canadian undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in any field.¹
2. Have an admission average of B (70%) calculated at admission according to graduate studies guidelines.
3. Have a minimum of 5 years management experience and responsibilities, as demonstrated by their CV. 
4. Have a minimum of 2 years in a project or procurement environment, as demonstrated by their CV. 
5. Provide 3 confidential references; one each from a supervisor, a peer and a subordinate. 
6. Provide a statement of interest outlining career goals and how this master’s program will assist in meeting them. 
7. Provide a letter of support from their employer, if applicable. 
8. Be proficient in English (see Language requirements below). 
9. Selected candidates may be interviewed by a member of the admissions committee. 

Note(s) 

Language Requirements 

Candidates whose first language is not English must submit evidence of proficiency by providing any of the following: 

• A score of at least 100 on the internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The TOEFL is administered by Educational Testing Service: www.toefl.org.
• A score of at least 7 in at least three of the four International English Language Testing System (IELTS) tests (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking) and at least 6 in the fourth. The IELTS is administered by the British Council: www.ielts.org. 
• Proof of completion, within the last five years, of a previous degree program in an English language university. 
• Proof of recent prolonged residence and employment in an English-speaking country (at least four of the last six years). 

Mode of Delivery 

The delivery mode of the Master of Business in Complex Project Leadership combines both on-site, face-to-face interactions and the use of distance learning technologies. This delivery mode, captured by the term is analogous to executive retreats, and accommodates the needs of senior managers and executives.

• Apply online through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), by completing form 105.
• Declare all your current and previous postsecondary studies, completed or not, even if they are not related to your application. Failure to do so may lead to the cancellation of your application or the withdrawal of your offer of admission at any time.
• Enter your email address, making sure it is accurate. We will use this address to communicate with you for all matters. Also, check your inbox (and junk mail folder) regularly for messages from the University of Ottawa.
• Pay the application fees for all your admission applications. Applications are forwarded to the University of Ottawa only after fees are paid in full and the payment has cleared. Learn more about application fees.
• Note that OUAC is not part of the University of Ottawa. It handles applications to all Ontario universities and is responsible for transferring your application to our admission office.