Strategic Human Resources Management

As a professional interested in the concept of learning organizations, you see opportunities to learn on every level. And you know that developing your own approach to human resources management is part of that learning.

With the Graduate Certificate in Strategic Human Resources Management, you'll gain the skills to be more effective as a human resources professional. You'll also gain the tactical understanding it takes to know how to use those skills in your organization, and with diverse workforces.

In this program, you'll explore emerging perspectives about effective HR and change strategies. You'll consider the problems, prospects and challenges of leading change. And you'll discover how you can lead your organization to develop and maintain adaptive systems. By looking at various change models, you'll learn what makes an effective change strategy, and what can get in its way.

You'll also build your change leadership abilities through coaching. With hands-on practice in coaching individuals and teams, you'll build skills to lead change in a meaningful way—and help your organization meet its goals. And you'll improve resilience, creativity and performance for individuals in the change cycle.

You can build from here

When you successfully complete this program you have career advancing options:

• You can apply for advanced standing in Royal Roads University's MBA program, and have a portion of the MBA tuition fee waived. You can also transfer 9 credits into the MA in Interdisciplinary Studies or the MA in Tourism Management.

Earn professional credentials

• Through a partnership with the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of British Columbia & Yukon (CPHR BC and Yukon), the hours spent in this program may be credited toward your CPD hours for your Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation.

Focus on one thing at a time

• You can take any two of the courses from the Graduate Certificate in Strategic Human Resources Management as part of our General Studies program. You can transfer credit from these courses to certificates, diplomas and degree programs later if you decide to take your studies further.

Program outcomes

Once you have completed this program, you will have skills like change leadership, coaching and other strategies that are transferable to your human resources work across industries.

Admission to this program is based on the applicant's balance of work and life experience, including volunteer and community activities, practical experience or related training.

Standard admission

• Completion of either an undergraduate four-year (or comparable) degree or a graduate degree in a related field from a recognized post-secondary institution.
• Normally, at least three years of relevant full-time work experience.

Flexible admission

• To be considered for Flexible admission, applicants would normally require at least five years of extensive, relevant work experience and some post-secondary education.

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.

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.