Explore emerging perspectives about change management strategies. Discover how to lead your organization to develop and maintain adaptive systems. Earn credit toward a master's degree at Royal Roads.
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April 20, 2026
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Become an effective leader in your organization
Unlock the potential of your organization by cultivating a people-centered approach to leadership and culture. In this program, you’ll gain the skills to lead and manage diverse teams with a focus on inclusivity, collaboration, and continuous learning.
Designed for professionals committed to fostering cultural excellence, this certificate will equip you with the tools to shape and sustain a positive organizational culture.
Throughout the program, you’ll explore advanced strategies for creating environments where people thrive, driving cultural transformation, and embracing diversity as a strength.
You'll delve into the complexities of leading organizational change, understanding the human dynamics at play, and learning how to guide your organization through transitions with empathy and strategic insight.
The program also emphasizes the role of coaching in leadership, providing you with practical experience in supporting and developing others. You’ll build the capability to foster resilience, creativity, and collaboration within your teams, ensuring that your organization is not only adaptable but also a leader in cultural excellence.
With a strong foundation in people-focused leadership, you'll be prepared to navigate the challenges of modern workplaces, inspire meaningful change, and contribute to a culture that promotes growth and innovation.
Program delivery
This program is delivered through a blend of online learning and on-campus residencies.
Online learning
Online courses consist of assigned readings, synchronous or asynchronous lectures, interactive discussions, and individual and team assignments.
You’re expected to meet deadlines and contribute meaningfully to your class. Your contributions are a big part of everyone’s learning.
You’ll take one online course at a time for a period of nine weeks each. Each online course requires approximately 15-20 hours of work per week.
Your first course consists of two weeks of online learning leading to a five-day on-campus residency.
You'll start your program with a non-credit, but required, course about academic integrity.
Residency
This program has a five-day in person residency in the third week of the first course.
Residencies are intensive and immersive. Many students say this time together is the highlight of their program.
During your residency, you can expect to:
- attend classes full time (e.g., Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- complete homework and individual and team assignments outside of class hours
- take part in extracurricular activities
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Refine results
Admission to this program is based on the applicant’s balance of work and life experience, including volunteer and community activities, practical experience or related training.
Standard admission
- Completion of a four-year (or comparable) undergraduate degree or graduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution.
- Normally, at least three years of relevant full-time work experience.
Flexible admission
- To be considered for Flexible admission, applicants would normally require at least five years of extensive, relevant work experience and some post-secondary education.
English language proficiency
- If English is not your primary language, please review our English language requirements.
All applications to this program require submission of the following information and supporting documents before your file can be assessed for admission:
Application form
In order to apply online, you will be required to create a log-in account using your email address. You will be required to list all credit courses and/or programs you have completed or are currently enrolled in. An application fee will be required. If your application fees are being paid by a third party, review sponsored student information. Once submitted, you may check the status of your application at any time.
Missed your application deadline? While we can’t make any guarantees, we may be able to accommodate late applications if there's still space and enough time to process. If you're interested in an intake that is now closed to applications, apply for the next available intake and email Admissions with your preferred start date. Make sure you’re prepared to submit your program's required documents right away. We can't make an admissions decision without them.
Official transcripts
In accordance with RRU's admissions policy and practices:
- All applicants must declare all post-secondary studies (courses, programs, transfer credit, etc.) in their application.
- At a minimum, applicants are expected to provide unofficial transcripts from all institutions currently or previously attended. Admissions will determine which official transcripts will be required, and these requirements will be noted as a condition of admission.
Applicants are responsible for arranging for the submission of official transcripts if/when required as a condition of admission. Transcripts are considered official only if submitted directly by the Registrar or other recognized authority of the providing institution in the institution's original, sealed envelope. If the envelope has been opened, the transcripts are no longer official and new (official) transcripts will be required to complete your application.
Transcripts are not required for non-credit programs or courses, though some programs may require proof of professional certifications or designations.
All international transcripts or credentials are subject to an international transcript and/or credential evaluation.
Personal statement
Your personal statement should be approximately one page in length and should outline your motivation for seeking entrance to the program. The statement should address the topic of how the Graduate Certificate in People and Culture will contribute to your future career. Relate this to who you are, what you feel you will gain from the program, and the strengths you feel you could bring to the program.
Two reference letters
These documents can be written in a variety of formats. In essence, we expect the letters of reference to confirm that you are a suitable candidate for the program, why s/he feels you will succeed in the program, and describe how the program will benefit you. The context in which the referee has come to know you should also be mentioned (professional, academic, personal, volunteer, etc).
Detailed résumé
Your detailed résumé should include the following:
- Education: List all post-secondary education, degrees, diplomas, and certificates you have achieved.
- Work experience: Please include name of organization, length of service and a brief description of duties.
- Voluntary/unpaid work experience: List and describe any voluntary/unpaid post-secondary employment and/or community service experience. Please include the name of the organization, length of service, and a brief description of duties. List positions you have held in this service.
- Information technology training and experience: Briefly describe your level of training and experience in the use of information technology including computers, software and telecommunications networks as tools for business, education, teaching and personal use.
- Professional memberships/affiliations: List memberships and positions you hold/have held in professional associations, service clubs, community/volunteer sector.
- Other relevant information: Provide any other information which you believe is relevant to your application and will be of assistance to the review committee.
If applicable:
- Applicants declaring permanent resident or Convention Refugee status in Canada must submit a copy of their Permanent Resident Card (PR card) along with their application.
- Transcript evaluation fee or credential evaluation report, if submitting international transcripts.
- An official English language proficiency score report or other evidence of proficiency if English is not your primary language.
- Other information or documents as may be requested to determine your eligibility.
For information on how and where to send your supporting documents, please refer to the document submission guidelines.
