Non-Credit Diploma in Professional and Leadership Studies

About the Program 

The Non-Credit Diploma in Professional and Leadership Studies is a 24-month, non-credit program designed to give you high-demand leadership skills and hands-on experience. You will complete foundational courses in leadership and human resources management, and then specialize in Construction Site Management, Agricultura and Farming Operations Management, Sustainable Energy Technologies Management, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Data Management for Professionals or English-Medium Instruction (EMI). In partnership with the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS), our Diploma offers a supportive experience that includes Canadian workplace training, one-on-one career counselling, and job search support led by the ISANS team, culminating in a 4-month work term in your field of study. For more information, visit the program page.

What You Will Learn 

The Non-Credit Diploma in Professional and Leadership Studies provides a comprehensive grounding in key skills that will allow you to make effective and successful short, medium, and long-term decisions as a leader in your organization. The focus of the Diploma is to help you develop as a leader, pursue specialized knowledge, and gain hands-on experience in your field. Graduates of the program will develop a personal leadership style and learn to: 

• Flexibly adapt your leadership choices to different complex dynamic contexts and situations; 
• Combine your understanding of leadership, ethics and strategy to lead with excellence; 
• Approach challenges and problems analytically and systematically; 
• Use data effectively in your problem-solving and decision-making; 
• Critically evaluate communications, ideas, perspectives, information and data; 
• Select solutions to current problems through an objective solution evaluation process appropriate to the context; 
• Manage ambiguity and uncertainty in your decision-making and problem-solving; 
• Leverage specialized skills in Construction Site Management.

Why Choose This Diploma? 

You should take this Diploma if: 

• You have full-time work experience, aspire to a leadership role and want to build a solid foundation of knowledge and practice around leadership; 
• You have some leadership experience and would like to tailor your knowledge to the Canadian work context; 
• You want to gain high-demand skills and hands-on experience to launch your career in Canada; 
• You would benefit from Canadian work culture training, 1-on-1 career counselling, and job search support; 
• You want to live and study in Halifax, one of Canada’s safest and friendliest cities. 

How Will You Benefit? 

Posses tangible skills in Construction Site Management, Agriculture and Farming Operations Management, Sustainable Energy Technologies Management, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Data Management for Professionals or English-Medium Instruction (EMI).

Diploma Requirements 

The following courses are mandatory for completion of the Diploma: 

Graduates of this Diploma have six options of specialization in the following fields of study: 

Agricultural and Farming Operations Management

Associated CIP codes and titles:

Construction Site Management

Associated CIP codes and titles:

Sustainable Energy Technologies Management

Associated CIP codes and titles:

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

Associated CIP codes and titles:

Data Management for Professionals

Associated CIP codes and titles: 

English-Medium Instruction

Associated CIP codes and titles:

Admissions Requirements 

• Completion of an undergraduate degree in a related discipline
• A minimum overall average of 70% (around a B- or 2.7 GPA) as calculated in your undergraduate degree OR most recent degree
• Meet the English language requirement of IELTS 6.5, with no band below 6.0 
• Receive two (2) positive academic or professional references  
• Demonstrate three years of full-time work experience (strongly recommended) 

Do you meet all the admission requirements but need to upgrade your English? We offer in-person or fully remote courses to help you achieve your goals. See Dalhousie’s department of English Language Studies to explore your options. Before applying, please read though our Frequently Asked Questions to make sure you understand all application requirements. 

Schedule and Fees 

The program admits two cohorts annually, starting in September and January. Applications are accepted year-round and reviewed on a rolling basis. As admissions are competitive, early application is strongly recommended. This is a full-time program, requiring a commitment of at least 30 hours per week dedicated to coursework, study, and experiential learning.

*Textbook costs are not included in the program tuition (Approx. $400.00). The estimated cost may vary according to the specialization of choice. Fees outlined in this section are an estimate for the full 24-month program. Total program fees may vary depending on delivery format, student service fees, textbooks and taxes. Tuition and fees are subject to review. Note: The program cost does not include the processing of the relevant visa or living expenses.

For more information, please visit the program page or contact openlearning@dal.ca.