Certificate in Public Sector Leadership

The Certificate in Public Sector Leadership consists of four (4) fully online courses that are designed to help learners understand the role of policies and bylaws in municipal governance and service delivery, explore the fundamentals and theories of leadership, and ensure that their leadership approach is one that values diversity, inclusion, and belonging.   

Courses

This certificate consists of three (3) required courses and a choice of electives. Click on each course name for more details and specific learning outcomes:

Required courses:

• OLCD-LGOV0038 Municipal Bylaws and Policies
• OLCD-IDEA0001 Understanding EDI: An Organization Imperative
• OLCD-PALS0012 Leadership Dynamics or OLCD-PALS0028 Leadership Essentials

Electives (Choose one course from the options below):

• OLCD-FIRE0022 Program Evaluation and Statistics
• OLCD-PALS0030 Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication
• OLCD-PALS0031 Organizational Behaviour

Please note:  The Certificate requires a passing grade of 70% in each course. See each course for applicable tuition fees and schedule. These courses fill up quickly, and registration in one course does not guarantee your spot in another.  You must register for each course individually to reserve your spot. Courses can be taken in any order.

Learning Outcomes

Students who complete this certificate will:

• Analyze the role of policy instruments in municipal governance and service delivery;
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate and present policy recommendations in a municipal context;
• Practice the leadership skills of communicating, planning, and giving and receiving feedback;
• Identify and analyze both good and bad leadership;
• Examine the dimensions of one’s identity and how it shapes their views, values, perceptions and behaviours within organizations;
• Learn practical strategies for advancing diversity and inclusion in the workplace; and
• Fill personal knowledge and skill gaps in different aspects of public sector leadership.

Prerequisites

Language Requirement: University-level English language proficiency required in writing, speaking and reading comprehension. It is recommended that students have an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall or a TOEFL-IBT score of 90 overall for this program. Please see the following guidelines from Dalhousie University for more information: English Language Requirements For Undergraduate Admissions - Admissions - Dalhousie University.

Program Delivery

The program is delivered through the flexibility and convenience of Dalhousie's enriched and engaging online learning platform (OpenDal). Courses include group activities, live streaming lectures and project work. Course delivery is designed to provide maximum benefit and flexibility through online study.

Who Should Take This Certificate?

This certificate is for municipal staff and elected officials who want to develop their leadership skills and competencies.

Recognition of Prior Learning

It may be possible to receive advanced standing in this certificate based on your prior learning from work or life experience. We provide two types of recognition of prior learning:

• Prior Certified Learning: Assessment of prior coursework or training through a provider, that is neither a university or college, for the purpose of advanced standing. Examples of certified learning may include military courses, accredited certificates, workplace training programs, etc.
• Prior Experiential Learning: Assessment of previous work and life learning that may be equivalent to learning outcomes of university courses/programs, for the purpose of advanced standing. Relevant prior learning may come from work or volunteer experience, participation on committees or boards, independent study, etc.

To discuss how to use your prior learning to apply for advanced standing, please contact rpl@dal.ca.