Leadership today requires courage, reflexivity and an understanding of the complex systems that influence our work. And leadership requires a commitment to values, ethics and care to navigate challenging issues today and in the future.
The two-year Master of Arts in Leadership program can help you improve your leadership skills, whether you wish to advance to a more senior position, make your next career leap, or simply implement effective approaches to creating innovation in your workplace.
Through interdisciplinary studies, you'll learn about theoretical and applied approaches to leadership in personal, supervisory, team and strategic contexts in the following six leadership competency areas:
personal mastery
learning, creativity and innovation
strategic and collaborative leadership
engaged inquiry
systems change
evidence-based scholarship
Learn from faculty who are leaders in organizations and communities, and from fellow students who bring a wide range of life experiences and perspectives.
You'll study through a combination of online courses and learning experiences on campus. This means that you can apply your learning, while balancing your studies with your career and life.
Your studies will culminate in a capstone project or thesis. You'll help move an organization or community toward change to respond to a key challenge or opportunity.
Program outcomes
Once you have completed this program, you'll be able to:
adopt a systems mindset to navigate complex leadership challenges
lead with greater self- and cultural awareness, courage, confidence, humility and caring
bring diverse teams together to engage in meaningful dialogue and move towards change
You can apply the skills you have learned in your own organization or in other organizations, or communities where you feel called to lead.
While students in this program are already typically mid-career professionals in leadership positions, this degree can help you to advance to more senior leadership positions.
Specialization options
Executive Leadership Specialization
The Master of Arts in Leadership (Executive Leadership Specialization) is specifically designed for mid- to senior-level leaders in public, private and civil sectors. Students are serving in roles such as deputy minister, assistant deputy minister, director, president, CEO, VP, CFOs, directors, health care administrator, commissioner, assistant superintendent and chief.
Recognizing the importance of values and cultural alignment, you'll develop your capacity to lead organizational culture, change and innovation. Study with industry experts and a group of other working professionals from a variety of sectors.
Continue to work while you learn. The program includes a combination of online courses and two intensive residencies on campus. The Graduate Certificate in Values-Based Leadership serves as the first term of the Master of Arts in Leadership (Executive Leadership Specialization). Deepen your learning with three elective courses, which you can take individually or as an approved 9-credit Royal Roads University graduate certificate. Lead change in practice by completing an organizational leadership project.
For international students
STANDARD ADMISSION:
Four year (or comparable) undergraduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution, with a minimum GPA of B+ (3.33/4.33).
Normally a minimum of five years of leadership* experience.
Applicants who meet the degree requirement, but not the GPA, or have been away from academic writing for more than 10 years, will normally be required to take the “Academic Writing and Critical Thinking” course offered through Continuing Studies at Royal Roads University, and obtain a minimum B+ (77%) prior to commencing the program. (This course must end a minimum of five weeks prior to your program start date.)
FLEXIBLE ADMISSION:
Applicants who do not meet the Standard Admission Requirements will be considered for Flexible Admission and assessed as follows:
At least 10 years of professional experience, with five years of leadership* experience.
Flexible admission applicants will normally be required to take “Academic Writing and Critical Thinking” and obtain a minimum B+ (77%) prior to commencing the program. (This course must end a minimum of five weeks prior to your program start date.)
English Language Requirements:
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic 6.5 overall with a minimum 6.5 in writing and speaking and 6.0 in listening and reading
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT 88 overall with a minimum 24 in writing and 20 in listening, reading and speaking
Pearson Test of English – Academic (PTE-A): 60 overall with a minimum 60 in writing and speaking and 58 minimum in listening and reading
with attendance2 Years - Online
![Fee]()
Fee
CAD$18,642.00 (US$ 13,399) per yearCAN $35,851 for the entire program. Please check with institution*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
![Start Date]()
Start Date
![Address]()
Address
Royal Roads University, 2005 Sooke Road, VICTORIA, British Columbia (BC), V9B 5Y2, Canada
with attendance2 Years - Online
![Fee]()
Fee
CAD$18,642.00 (US$ 13,399) per yearCAN $35,851 for the entire program.
![Start Date]()
Start Date
![Address]()
Address
Royal Roads University, 2005 Sooke Road, VICTORIA, British Columbia (BC), V9B 5Y2, Canada