Masters Certificate in Public Sector Leadership

Make an impact as a public sector leader.

The decisions made in the public sector today can impact governance frameworks for years to come—and it all starts with a powerful leader. In this Masters Certificate, you’ll gain insights on the three leadership mindsets that every public sector professional needs to deliver effective services: strategic leadership, results leadership and executive leadership.

Masters Certificate in Public Sector Leadership

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Fees: $9,850
Length: 9 days of study over 5 months
Next Session: February 10, 2025 to
June 11, 2025
  • Location:
  • Online

Masters Certificate in Public Sector Leadership

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  • Programs
  • Masters Certificate in Public Sector Leadership

The Ultimate Program
For Government and Public Sector

Today’s public sector leaders face a string of uncertainties in a rapidly changing cultural, economic and political climate. To make a difference and succeed in your role, you need a reliable professional network, dynamic leadership skills, and confidence—especially in moments of crisis.

Taught by accomplished faculty from Canada’s government and public sector, this comprehensive Masters Certificate gives you the practical tools and knowledge to design and deliver effective services in the public sector. 

Develop the necessary political acuity to manage stakeholder relations, create strategic partnerships, and achieve public management goals. Establish frameworks of governance with leadership techniques that encourage innovation in new public sector projects. Address major leadership issues in today’s public sector with up-to-date materials on public management trends, topics and cutting-edge best practices.

Though most participants take the modules in order, you can begin your program with any module. To receive the full Masters Certificate experience and qualify for tuition savings, complete all modules in 12 months of study. Participants can also take standalone modules individually.

This program is designed for mid-career and senior leaders at the federal, provincial or municipal levels of government, as well as the broader public and not-for-profit sectors, who are looking to increase the effectiveness of their department or agency.

 

Supplement In-Class Instruction

To supplement in-class instruction, participants will apply program learnings and insights to coursework and readings outside the classroom.
 
DISCLAIMER: Schulich ExecEd requires a non-refundable deposit from all students as part of the enrolment process. Domestic students are required to submit a $1,000 deposit, while international students are required to submit a 50% deposit. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our advisors for assistance.

Get Training in Marketable Skills

Leadership Skills
Critical Thinking
Organizing Teams & Resources
Strategic Thinking
Political Acuity

6 Reasons to Enrol

Amazing Education for Busy Professionals

This program packs rich learnings for public sector leaders into 9 days of study. Take the modules in any order within 12 months and receive the full Masters Certificate.

Stand Out from the Crowd

Gain sought-after leadership skills specific to the public sector and make a meaningful difference in your role.

Learn from the Pros

Train with top-rated Schulich instructors that are consistently ranked among the world’s best.

Build A Meaningful Network

Connect with and learn from experienced peers and leaders in the public sector.

Tackle Exciting Challenges

Apply your new skills and learnings in an Integrative Case Study, where you’ll analyze, prepare options and propose recommendations to the sector.

Earn Higher Pay

Schulich ExecEd students gain the confidence, skills and perspective to attain better roles, launch new ventures and lead their teams to new heights.

Who Will Benefit

Mid-Career Leaders

Managers and mid-career leaders at the federal, provincial or municipal levels of government, as well as the broader public and not-for-profit sectors, will gain the cutting-edge insights needed to advance to more senior positions.

Senior Leaders

Senior leaders in the government or not-for-profit sectors will improve their capacity to transform organizations and create sustained success as part of their leadership legacy.

What Difference Will You Make?

“The experience thus far, has been amazing – really good content, the structure is superb – breakouts, the conversations are lively and the overall interaction is amazing. In all honesty, the virtual experience seems to be providing more value than any in-person learnings I have done.”

- Asher Jaffri Manager, Application Services, City of Richmond Hill

“This program taught us cutting-edge models to address sophisticated issues… I am able to put forward better policies and programs.”

- M. Pierre Director, Historic Sites Planning and Programs Branch, Parks Canada

“An excellent program for senior public officials to develop and share methods and techniques to tackle today’s changing issues in the public sector.”

- S. Hamilton Manager of Design and Construction, City of Burlington

Program Overview

  • A strategic outlook stands as among the most important capacities for Public Sector leaders, especially in today’s ever-changing environment. Dive into aspects of strategy most relevant in our uncertain world: leadership agility and strategic thought, leading with innovation, and advanced stakeholder relations. Touch on topics like:

    • The difference between strategic planning and strategic thinking
    • The concepts of complicated and complex problems
    • Frameworks that move through a development process
    • Approaches to using your enhanced stakeholder relationships in functions related to issues or crisis management
  • The modern marketplace is surrounded and challenged by numerous and compelling technological and operational disruptions. Explore how Public Sector Leaders can best adapt to and confront these marketplace evolutions. Dive into topics like:

    • Entrepreneurial leadership in government
    • Systems thinking and a “whole of Government” approach
    • Technological disruption and its implications for Canada’s public service
  • Character-based leadership has arisen as one of the primary principles motivating leader behaviour, motivation and practice in Canada’s public sector. Culminate preceding modules by presenting an in-depth and scientifically validated model of character-based leadership intended to best poise public sector leaders for the challenges presented by today’s volatile marketplace. Explore topics like:

    • Character-based leadership
    • Creation of a personal development plan (Capstone Project)
  • Winter 2025 Dates Time
    Cultivating Strategy in Public Sector Leadership 2/10/2025 - 2/12/2025 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Cultivating Disruption In Public Sector Leadership 4/7/2025 - 4/9/2025 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Cultivating Character in Public Sector Leadership 6/9/2025 - 6/11/2025 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Faculty

JP Gedeon,
PhD

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Gail Levitt,
PhD, MA

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Lee-Anne McAlear,

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Peter Constantinou,
PhD

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Zachary Spicer,
PhD

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What You Get

After completing the Masters Certificate in Public Sector Leadership, you'll receive an authentic digital badge from the #1 business school in Canada that employers will recognize.

As more and more companies look for candidates with specific skills, this badge on your CV will be a credible assurance of your achievements and expertise, allowing the right roles to find you faster.

Masters Certificate

Awarded when a series of more extensive programs are completed and a greater skill set achieved.

Custom Programs for Organizations

Use this program as we designed it, or alter it to fit your company’s needs. Either way, we can help you improve your organization's talent pipeline. Get in touch with our custom programs team today.

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