Program Overview

Introduction to the Graduate Diploma in Pharmacy Leadership

The Graduate Diploma in Pharmacy Leadership (GDPL) is a unique program designed to prepare pharmacists with leadership aspirations to respond to the profession's demand for outstanding leaders. The program is offered by the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of British Columbia and is designed to be completed in 11 months.

Program Overview

The GDPL program is an online program comprised of five courses, designed to be completed in 11 months. The program is intended for pharmacists who want to elevate their readiness for leadership roles in just 11 months. The program is designed to prepare pharmacists with leadership aspirations to respond to the profession's demand for outstanding leaders with a broad perspective of the healthcare system, and a solid understanding of how pharmacy connects with it.

Why are pharmacists pursuing the GDPL?

Pharmacists are choosing to pursue the GDPL to achieve career goals, personal aspirations for success, and to stay relevant with current professional demands, including:

• Advancing career potential: gaining a competitive edge and standing out for promotion opportunities
• Enhancing leadership knowledge and skills in response to organizational needs
• Accelerating professional and personal growth and development
• Improving job performance
• Improving their ability to lead the profession in an evolving landscape
• Engaging in networking opportunities

Why a graduate diploma in pharmacy leadership?

The profession demands a new cadre of pharmacists who can not only lead, but also support leadership development in others. The GDPL program was designed to meet this need. Historically, pharmacy leadership roles have been filled by pharmacists with many years of experience in the profession, but the current labour market, the evolving healthcare system, and the profession all demand market-ready leaders who cannot wait years to gain enough experience to lead effectively.

Program Details

The GDPL curriculum is grounded in the latest thinking on leader development and is intentionally designed to cultivate leadership through a contemporary, evidence-informed approach. The program supports pharmacists in exploring their passions, building on their lived experiences, and navigating leadership challenges authentic to the workplace.

The Curriculum

The program grants a Graduate Diploma in Pharmacy Leadership (GDPL) credential and is comprised of five courses, designed to be completed in 11 months. The curriculum is delivered online, making it accessible and flexible for pharmacists who live and practice across urban and rural areas.

Five Sequential Courses:

1. Leadership and organizational behaviour: This course focuses on leadership skills in team-based organizations using OB principles and best practices.
2. Effective decision- and policy-making in healthcare: This course explores evidence-based policy decisions and their impact on regulation, organizations, government, and patient care.
3. Contemporary leadership issues in pharmacy: This course prepares pharmacists for healthcare leadership roles by emphasizing teamwork, conflict management, and collaborative problem-solving.
4. Leaders as educators: This course equips pharmacists with the essential skills to be leaders who can effectively educate their teams and audiences.
5. Leadership effectiveness: This course focuses on researching and critically evaluating the leadership styles, behaviours, frameworks, principles, and practices of contemporary pharmacy and healthcare leaders.

Admissions

The program is designed for pharmacists with or without leadership experience. The program welcomes a diverse pool of applicants, including those with leadership experience aiming to elevate their skills and abilities, those who have recently assumed leadership roles seeking further development and growth, and those ready to explore new job opportunities.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition is calculated per credit as listed in the UBC Academic Calendar for graduate diploma programs, plus applicable additional fees. Program tuition for the 2026-2027 academic year for domestic and international students is assessed in three equal instalments.

The GDPL Faculty

The GDPL leverages the Faculty's experience and track record of excellence within the UBC and pharmacy communities. The quality of faculty involved in the design of the GDPL have the expertise, innovation, and scholarly record to deliver program excellence.

Who is the GDPL for and what will graduates be able to do?

The GDPL curriculum stems from an extensive consultative process involving stakeholders and employers from across the profession. The program enables pharmacists to:

• Apply organizational behaviour and change management principles to the critique of existing leadership and practice models.
• Apply best practices and latest thinking to current leadership issues, challenges, and opportunities confronting pharmacy.
• Apply evidence supporting pharmacy decision- and policy-making to the design, development, and implementation of healthcare policy.
• Apply specific models of communication and principles of conflict management to lead in challenging circumstances.
• Interpret and apply best practices and pedagogical principles to lead and educate diverse audiences.
• Enhance and support leadership development in the self and in others, leveraging individual strengths, values, and roles.