Science and Policy of Climate Change

You see climate change as among the greatest and most urgent issues facing humans today. As an environmental professional, you're also concerned about associated issues like biodiversity loss and air pollution. Or perhaps you're already working in another field, but feel committed to bringing climate action into your career portfolio.

The new Graduate Certificate in Science and Policy of Climate Change is the first of its kind in Canada. It gives you an efficient and engaging way to break into the climate science field, or to build on your current knowledge.

You'll begin your program by examining current science and policy innovations. You'll develop an interdisciplinary knowledge base about climate change causes and impacts.

You'll also build practical skills that will empower you to identify climate challenges and solutions, and to act on them locally, and globally.

To apply your learning, your final course includes a placement with a government, civil society, or Indigenous or community organization. You'll address their specific climate-related issues.

Not only will you gain the knowledge you need to understand climate challenges, but you'll gain the ability to do something about them.

You can build from here

You can complete the certificate as a stand-alone credential, or you may take individual courses as electives for the following Royal Roads programs:

• MA in Environmental Practice
• MSc in Environmental Practice
• MA in Environmental Education and Communication
• MA in Environment and Management
• MSc in Environment and Management
• MA in Interdisciplinary Studies
• MBA in Executive Management

Professional certification

The Graduate Certificate in Science and Policy of Climate Change is offered as part of the partnership between Royal Roads University and the Environmental Careers Organization of Canada (ECO Canada).

The content in the certificate reflects the National Occupation Standard (NOS) developed by ECO Canada. The NOS informs the skills and competencies required for the Environmental Professional in-training (EPt) Certification and the Environmental Professional (EP) Certification.

Program outcomes

Once you have completed this program, you'll have skills to respond to climate imperatives by applying science and developing policy innovations. You'll know how to develop, implement, and evaluate mitigation and adaptation strategies to address climate change, and to effectively communicate climate issues to the public, policymakers and the media. You can use these skills to work in a broad range of sectors including government, industry and non-governmental organizations.

Standard admission

• Four-year (or comparable) undergraduate degree in a related field, with a minimum GPA of 'B' (3.00/4.33), from a recognized post-secondary institution.
• At least two years of relevant work or volunteer experience.
• Applicants who meet the degree requirement, but not the GPA requirement, will normally be required to complete "Academic Writing and Critical Thinking" and obtain a minimum final grade of B (73%).

Flexible admission

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

• Normally, six years of relevant work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• All flexible admission applicants will normally be required to complete "Academic Writing and Critical Thinking" and obtain a minimum final grade of B (73%).

English language proficiency

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

All applicants will be required to submit:

• a personal statement;
• a detailed resume;
• a minimum of two letters of reference;
• official transcripts for all post-secondary credit courses and/or programs previously taken.

Learn more about the 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. A non-refundable 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 two-page letter indicating your motivation for seeking entrance to the program.

Your statement should comment upon your personal and career goals. You might consider describing passions for personal, community, or global change. Tell us how you see the program and its courses helping you learn the tools and create the capacities you need to achieve your goals.

Please offer in detail the strengths you feel you can bring to the program, and in particular those experiences related to global leadership and diversity (e.g., intercultural, gender, community, economic, social, political, and/or other intersectionalities). These can be through work, research, advocacy, activism, or volunteer engagements, as well leading through individual challenges or initiatives. Please describe the insights and learnings that you have gained from these experiences. Please consider the contexts and number of months or years you were engaged in such capacities. 

Guiding questions for the personal statement (please respond to all):

• Why do you wish to enroll in the Global Leadership program?
• How is this program relevant to your career or future goals?
• What global, international, intercultural or diversity-related experiences have you had that support your current leadership capacities and inspire goals for further education or work?
• What academic courses and/or training have you done that relate to development of global leadership?
• What other strengths or experiences do you bring to the program that you think might be relevant?

Writing sample

There are three options for your Writing Sample:

1. You may include a recent (within the last 2 years) writing sample from your professional or academic work that includes citations and a list of references.
2. If you do not have a recent writing sample on file, you may write an original, maximum 500-word academic essay addressing the question: “What is my leadership philosophy?” Your writing should be clearly organized, should take a position substantiated with evidence from academic books and/or peer-reviewed articles, and use examples from your relevant life experience. The paper should be formatted using APA 7 style, which is the preferred referencing style in the School of Leadership Studies. (Note that a sample APA essay is also available through Owl Purdue.
3. In lieu of a writing sample, applicants may register in the Academic Writing and Critical Thinking course offered through Continuing Studies at Royal Roads University. Your course may be in progress at the time of application. However, course completion with a minimum “B+” (77%) is required as a condition for entry to the Leadership program. Please select a course offering that ends a minimum of five weeks prior to your desired program start date.

Please note: Applicants must submit a Writing Sample OR proof of enrolment in RRU Continuing Studies' Academic Writing and Critical Thinking course as a part of their application package. Applicants who have previously completed RRU Continuing Studies' Academic Writing and Critical Thinking course with a “B+” (77%) or above should submit their final grade confirmation letter.

Detailed resume

A detailed or structured resume is one that provides a comprehensive professional profile of applicants, targeted towards their intended program of study. We are interested in knowing where applicants have worked, for how long, and what they were responsible for in the positions held. Provide as much information as possible, with special attention to demonstrating three years of leadership experience (and a minimum of 10 years of professional experience for flexible admission) as described on the admission requirements page. Personal strengths and experiences included in your personal statement should also be explicitly captured under applicable categories in your 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, position, length of service (month and year), and a 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, and, in particular, any leadership responsibilities. List positions you have held in this service.
• 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 in assessing what you could contribute to the learning community.

Reference letters

Your two letters of reference should consist of the following:

• Professional reference: This letter should be completed by someone from your current professional network (within the past five years) who can attest to your commitment, knowledge, skills, and ability to complete a demanding academic program. References from direct supervisors are preferred wherever possible.
• Personal reference: This letter should be from someone who has known you for several years outside of the context of work. Please ask the writer to indicate the length of time and context in which they have known you, and provide examples that demonstrate the following attributes about you: honesty, integrity, responsibility, adaptability, concern and respect for others, sense of self-esteem, and confidence.

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.