Program Overview

Program Overview

The Practical and Transformational Leader certificate is designed to provide practical skills for transformational leadership. It covers strategic planning, budgeting, human resources, and transforming an organization to achieve its mandate.

Program Details

• The certificate is offered fully online, with a mix of real-time classes and self-paced learning.
• It requires regular internet access, a camera, and a microphone.
• A high-speed internet connection is recommended but not required.
• The program starts in the fall semester and takes eight months to complete.
• It follows the UCalgary academic calendar, with specific assignment deadlines.

Courses

The certificate includes the following courses:

• Organizational Structures and Management: This course deconstructs organizational structures and management in human service, government, and community-based contexts.
• Transformational Leadership and Supervision in Human Services: This course studies leadership theories and supervisory practice models in human service workplaces.
• Innovation and Establishing Credibility: This course focuses on practical knowledge about budgeting, financial management, and social enterprise/finance.
• Advocacy and Diplomacy: This course teaches the necessary skills to work with others inside and outside organizations, utilizing advocacy and diplomacy to manage dilemmas and challenges.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the program, applicants must:

1. Hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from an accredited institution.
2. Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 point system over the past two years of full-time study.
3. Have the equivalent of two years of full-time paid work or 3,000 hours of paid and/or volunteer work in the human services field.
4. Meet English Language Proficiency requirements.

Degree Award

Applicants' degrees must be awarded prior to the start of the program. The final transcript noting the degree must be received by June 30.

Application Process

• Applications open on January 15, 2026, and the deadline is April 15, 2026.
• Required documents include a resume, unofficial transcripts, test scores (if applicable), and a self-calculated GPA.
• Applicants can follow step-by-step instructions for the application process.

Information Session

Information sessions are available to learn more about the innovative Graduate Certificates:

• February 4, 2026: 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm MT
• March 9, 2026: 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm MT
• March 25, 2026: 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm MT

Laddering to an MSW

The certificate provides graduate education and formal credentials. If applicants plan to apply to the MSW program, they will need this certificate and one in Advanced Social Work Practice.

Earned BSW Abroad

If an applicant completed an undergraduate degree in Social Work or equivalent in another country, they must have their degree assessed by the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) as equivalent to a Canadian BSW prior to applying to the MSW program.