Master of Arts in Global Leadership

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Do you have a passion for working in a cross-cultural context as a global leader and thinker?

The MA in Global Leadership program addresses the need in society to educate and develop professionals and business leaders in both the private and public sector to be capable of working in global or multicultural contexts. The globally-minded professional and business leader is capable of thinking systemically and communicating with diverse peoples across a multi-cultural context. The global-minded leader possesses comprehensive knowledge of the social-political and economic dynamics that drives the global world, is anchored in a core set of values that respects all people regardless of race, religion, gender, age, socio-economic status, class, geography, etc., and is capable of self-growth, self-awareness, resiliency and adaptability.

Program Description

The MA in Global Leadership (MAGL) is a 36-credit program to build and enhance globally minded leadership and management capabilities. It is currently offered as a 24 or 13-month blended program with both options comprised of online learning and on-campus residencies. In the 13-month intensive program, students take double the number of courses at a time.

New in 2021, we will offer a 24-month on-campus program delivered at Royal Roads University in Victoria, British Columbia.

Specific topics covered in the program include:

• The competencies of global leadership as foundational knowledge for all professionals and business executives working in an international context or having global purposes,
• Drivers of global change and how to respond to them
• Socio-political and economic analysis in the global context,
• Social purpose organizational dynamics and performance,
• Models of community development in a global context,
• Program evaluation theory and practice in a global context,
• How to manage conflict and tensions across multi-cultural contexts,
• Strategic analysis and decision making,
• Intercultural communication and skill-building, personal resiliency and adaptability.
• Project management and evaluation,
• Stakeholder analysis and authentic collaboration.

The program courses specifically support the development of core knowledge, aptitudes, and skills of global leadership at the personal, community, and organizational levels. Elective courses will further support students to explore topics of interest and/or relevance in specific sectors of practice. Elective offerings also include an international field trip* to embed experiential practice with theory.

MAGL graduates will develop the competencies to lead and manage change processes, build collaborative teams, create effective interagency partnerships, design and evaluate programs, foster innovation and creativity, communicate results and work effectively and respectfully across cultures, generations, and contexts.

These competencies areas are further enhanced and supported by RRU’s new vision of “Inspiring people with the courage to transform the world,” and RRU’s goals to:

• Implement the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), and honor the spirit of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
• Enhance the inclusion and engagement of people of diverse backgrounds and ideas in all aspects of university life in alignment with RRU’s Diversity Statement
• Promote an intersectional approach to diversity and inclusion
• Advance sustainability in all our academic programs and operations, with a focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals

*For the international field trip, students will be required to pay a field trip fee in addition to the GBLD535 course fee, meals, personal expenses, insurance and airfare. The field trip fee for previous trips to India and Ecuador has been approximately $2500 Canadian dollars. Fees and future international field trips are subject to change or cancellation.

Who it’s for

This program is well suited for professionals and executives who work in a global context within their own country or an international setting and who wish to be more globally-minded, self-aware and resilient. They are able to work with people of diverse needs and cultural backgrounds and are anchored to values of social purpose and sustainability. This includes professionals who work or desire to work in community-based organizations, government organizations, military, international NGOs, international government organizations, indigenous organizations, international training or institutions of higher education or other types of organizations that have a globally oriented social purpose or peacekeeping mission.

In the 24-month blended program, students take one course at a time with each course requiring approximately 12-18 hours of effort each week (depending on past academic experience), for a period of ten weeks. In the 13-month intensive program, the level of effort is double - approximately 24-36 hours per week. Previous academic experience with reading academic materials and writing papers is strongly recommended for those taking the 13-month intensive program. The 24-month on-campus program offers most courses in a face-to-face delivery mode, for students who are local to the Royal Roads University campus, or those who choose to move to Victoria to complete their studies.

While both 24-month delivery options allow students to continue to work while completing the program, the 13-month intensive program is better suited for individuals wishing to dedicate their complete attention to their studies or are at least working in a reduced capacity.

Outcomes

Graduates will be able to apply practical tools and strategies to address issues, challenges, and opportunities related to global leadership including:

• Personal awareness working in a global context,
• Leading in a diverse global context,
• Driving sustainable change in complex environments,
• Building global networks to support life-long learning, continued growth and development in the global context.

Admission Requirements

Standard Admission

• Four-year (or comparable) undergraduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution, with a minimum GPA of B (3.00/4.33).
• A minimum of three years of general leadership* experience.
• Demonstrate significant cross-cultural experience gained through travel or work.
• Applicants who meet the degree requirement but who 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 must obtain a minimum B+ (77%), prior to commencing the program.

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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 three years of leadership* experience.
• Demonstrate significant cross-cultural experience gained through travel or work.
• Applicants who are assessed under Flexible Admission, including those who meet the degree requirement, but not the GPA, will normally be required to take the “Academic Writing and Critical Thinking” course offered through Continuing Studies at Royal Roads University and must obtain a minimum B+ (77%), prior to commencing the program.

*Leadership experience could include one or more of the following:

1. Formal organizational leadership roles in which you directly supervise staff or complete performance-oriented work with individuals, groups, or teams.
2. Leadership roles in volunteer organizations.
3. Roles in which you consult, negotiate with, or manage diverse interest groups through relationships, in a complex environment.
4. Roles in which you lead others toward shared goals and outcomes.
5. Roles in which you influence, organize, and coordinate groups of people.
6. Overcoming a challenging life experience (for self or others), which involved navigating complex systems and resulted in positive community change beyond the individual.

Please ensure that you demonstrate your leadership experience in your detailed resume, and clearly indicate how your years of experience meet the Standard or Flexible Admission requirements.

English Language Proficiency

If English is not your primary language, please review our English Language Requirements

Additional Recommendation(s)

• Graduate-level English writing/composition skills are required for success in the program. If you are considering upgrading your writing skills, we recommend the Academic Writing and Critical Thinking course offered through Continuing Studies.
• Provide evidence in your personal statement and resume of where you may have needed to adapt in different human situations and work in multi-cultural contexts, illustrating an understanding of values, perspectives, and methods.

Courses

• GBLDIP: Internship Preparation
• ITAI: Introduction to Academic Integrity
• GBLD501: Personal and Theoretical Foundations to Global Leadership
• GBLD505: Personal Capacities for Working in Complex Global Systems
• GBLD520: Navigating Geo-Political Dynamics of Global Communities
• GBLD521: Community Development in a Global Context
• GBLD522: Managing Difficult Relationships Within and Across Community Dynamics
• GBLD535: International Cultural Leadership Field Trip
• GBLD538: Evaluation in a Global Context
• GBLD610: Project Planning and Management
• GBLD612: Leadership through Authentic Collaborations, Inquiry and Dialogue
• GBLD640: Capstone Project
• GBLD641: Internship in Global Leadership

Financial Aid & Awards

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Awards

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