Program description
You're fascinated by how people learn. And you want to improve the learning experience.
The Graduate Diploma in Learning and Technology is designed for people who create or manage contemporary learning environments, whether you train staff, facilitate sessions, lead workshops or coordinate programs.
In the graduate diploma program, you'll study learning theories and technology and assess their impact on learning design and delivery.
You'll examine learning environments and the innovations that make them exemplar.
You'll learn leadership skills, so you can successfully create and implement digital learning environments in your workplace.
In this textbook-free program, you'll take some of the same courses as the Master of Arts in Learning and Technology.
Program features
Open education
One of this program's principles is openness and open educational practices. To promote the "open first" approach, the program content of Graduate Diploma in Learning and Technology, as well as the related MA in Learning and Technology, is publicly available through the program's website, which can be accessed by anyone interested in learning about this field.
The program website is a great source of information for you to explore courses, activities, assignments and outcomes. You'll also be able to read the blogs of current students in the program. Every student creates a digital presence that fosters meaningful collaboration and contributes to broader conversations about digital learning.
Virtual symposium
In April, at the beginning and end of the program, you'll participate in a virtual symposium, a week-long series where you'll listen to speakers and engage in discussions about digital learning.
The virtual symposium is open to the public. You are invited to join in live or listen to recordings of sessions, which feature leaders in the field as well as Royal Roads students and alumni. Watching the recordings will give you an idea of what you'll study in the Graduate Diploma in Learning and Technology and the Master of Arts in Learning and Technology. You can also invite your colleagues or staff members to join; the symposium is a great professional development opportunity.
Who it's for
This program is designed for individuals who wish to incorporate learning innovations into their educational environments.
The program is for anyone who trains or teaches people and who wishes to create conditions that maximize learning.
People who could benefit from the program include training and development professionals and leaders; facilitators, trainers or instructors; educators; and those tasked with creating learning opportunities in their organizations.
The program attracts students from multiple sectors including government, business, healthcare, not-for-profit, K to 12 and higher education.
You can build from here
You can keep learning about this field and apply credits from this program to the Master of Arts in Learning and Technology.
Program outcomes
The goal of this program is to build the knowledge and practical skills of professionals working at the intersection of learning and technology.
This program helps meet the growing need for effective facilitators in digital learning environments and people at the management level who have the knowledge and skills to assume leadership roles in program design, development and evaluation.
Graduates will have the skills to:
- develop, evaluate and facilitate digital learning environments
- analyze, design, develop, implement and evaluate instructional design projects
- evaluate current educational technology research and recommend appropriate learning strategies
Graduates may find themselves working as:
- training and development coordinators or managers
- instructional developers
- learning analysts, leaders, coordinators or managers
- education and development managers
- educational program leads
- training advisors, coordinators or managers
- learning designers, managers or directors
- faculty members or instructors
- K–12 educators or administrators
Program delivery
You can choose to complete this program in one of two ways:
- entirely online
- through a blend of online learning and an on-campus residency
Online learning
Online courses consist of assigned readings, synchronous or asynchronous sessions, 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. Because of the program design principles, much of the online learning uses open educational practices.
Each 3-credit online course requires approximately 100 hours of work.
You'll start your program with a non-credit, but required, course focused on building community with your fellow classmates and learning about academic integrity.
Blended
The blended program option has one two-week residency.
Blended programs include online courses and on-campus residencies.
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 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
- complete homework and individual and team assignments outside of class hours
- take part in extracurricular activities
Courses
Faculty
Transfer agreements
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Standard admission
- Four-year (or comparable) undergraduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution.
- At least three years of professional experience in a leadership or management* position that is directly related to the MALAT program learning outcomes.
Flexible admission
To be considered for flexible admission, applicants would normally require:
- A minimum of seven years of work experience, with a minimum of two years of professional experience in a leadership or management* position, that is directly related to the learning outcomes of the MALAT program.
*Leadership experience could include one or more of the following:
- Roles in which you consult, negotiate with, or manage diverse interest groups through relationship, in a complex environment.
- Roles in which you lead others toward shared goals and outcomes.
- Roles in which you influence, organize, and coordinate groups of people.
- Leadership roles in volunteer organizations.
- Formal organizational leadership roles in which you directly supervise staff or complete performance-oriented work with individuals, groups, or teams.
- Overcoming a challenging life experience (for self or others), which involved navigating complex systems and resulted in positive community change beyond the individual.
English language proficiency
- If English is not your primary language, please review our English language requirements.
Additional recommendations
- Applications are assessed based on an integrated and consolidated examination of academic credentials, work experience, and personal experience. Applicants should be educational professionals. Experience in a technology-mediated learning environment is an asset.
- 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.
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 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
Applicants are responsible for arranging for the submission of official transcripts from ALL post-secondary (higher education) institutions currently or previously attended, for all credit courses and/or programs. Transcripts are not required for non-credit programs or courses, though some programs may require proof of professional certifications or designations.
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.
All international transcripts or credentials are subject to an international transcript and/or credential evaluation.
Personal statement
A personal statement should consist of, but is not limited to, a two to three page letter of intent that outlines educational experience, technology experience, personal and career goals and discusses alignment between those and the goal of the Graduate Diploma in Learning and Technology program.
Letters of reference
Your application requires two letters of reference that speak to your ability to research, critically analyze, synthesize and problem solve in ill-structured domains. One reference letter should be based on work experience and the other based on academic performance. Reference letters must be completed by individuals that have worked closely with the applicant such as a supervisor or manager. Knowledge of the applicant's ability must be within the last two years.
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 (month & year), and a brief description of duties.
- Training and professional development: List career related training and professional development programs completed within the past five years. Include the source of training, and the duration and year completed. List other training and personal development programs not already identified.
- Voluntary/unpaid work experience: List and describe any voluntary/unpaid post-secondary employment and/or community service experience. Please include name of the organization, length of service and a brief description of your duties.
- Leadership/change agent/trainer experience: Briefly describe any specific training and/or experience you have had as a group/project leader, coordinator of change initiatives, or trainer.
- 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.
- Innovative learning methods: Briefly describe any training and/or experience you have had in the use of innovative learning methods including distance learning, community and team-based learning, mentoring, etc. Include both your experience as a 'learner' and as an 'educator/trainer'.
- Professional memberships/affiliations: List memberships and positions you hold/have held in professional associations, service clubs, the 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. For example, electronic or digital copies (disk or flash drive) of business papers/documents/business plans, etc., might be useful. In certain cases we may require such documentation for individual candidates.
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.
Financial aid and awards
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This program is textbook-free. Assigned readings are available at no cost through open educational resources, ebooks, journals and online sources.
These types of courses are known as Zero Textbook Cost and aim to improve access to education and enhance student outcomes.