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Schulich School of Business at York University 
416-736-5079 Schulich Mini-MBA:
Essentials of Management
Management Capability for Canada’s Changing Business Environment
59%* of senior managers have expressed concern about the long-term relevance of their roles. This reflects how management expectations are evolving across industries. The Schulich Mini-MBA focuses on building core management capabilities that support adaptability, sound decision-making, and continued effectiveness as business priorities change.
December 5, 2026
Schulich Mini-MBA: Essentials of Management
- Programs
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- Schulich Mini-MBA: Essentials of Management
Essential Management Skills for an Economy in Transformation
Building Stronger Managers for a Changing Workplace: Developing the Skills, Confidence and Insight to Lead Through Disruption
Across Canada, organizations are operating in an environment shaped by ongoing disruption and changing expectations. Managers are increasingly expected to contribute more directly to organizational priorities and decision-making. This shift requires a reassessment of established practices and a focus on strengthening core management capabilities.
This program supports managers in developing essential skills through applied learning and practical insight. Participants build greater confidence in decision-making, communication, and people leadership, helping them remain effective as organizations adapt to current conditions and future change.
Convince Your Supervisor: here’s a justification letter for you to edit and send to your supervisor to provide reasoning for attending this program. Our expert advisory team can assist with customizing the letter to suit your needs!
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.
*Source: KPMG
Who is this Program For?
Action Learning Project (ALP): Applying Management Principles to Real-World Challenges
All Schulich Mini-MBA participants complete a team-based Action Learning Project (ALP) that runs throughout the program, enabling learners to apply management principles to real-world challenges as concepts are introduced and built upon.
Teams progress through structured stages of ideation, analysis, and solution development, supported by ongoing guidance from experienced instructors and coaches who help refine thinking, challenge assumptions, and connect theory to practice.
Participants conclude the ALP by presenting a clear, well-grounded proposal to a panel of Mini-MBA faculty, building confidence in strategic thinking, problem solving, and executive-level communication, while taking practical tools and insights back to the job.
For participants interested in focusing their project on a specific sector (such as Healthcare, Supply Chain, Construction, Energy, and more), there is an opportunity to pursue a Mini-MBA Specialization Badge, subject to approval and resource availability. To explore this option, speak with our Education Advisor to assess eligibility and receive guidance on specialization topics.
Program Overview
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Elevate your leadership prowess by identifying and challenging assumed norms and fostering innovative thinking. Enhance your leadership capacity through the ‘EQ and Thinking-Intentions-Profile TIP Assessment,’ and apply acquired skills to real-world strategic challenges in the ‘ALP Strategy Project.’ Then, gain a comprehensive understanding of modern investment and finance and delve into strategic planning processes.
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Master strategic management processes for informed business analysis and decision-making. Gain a deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to high-performing teams and learn strategies that will help unlock your team’s potential. Explore the crucial role of branding and product positioning while also honing your ability to communicate complex data effectively. Top it all off by diving into the ethical challenges of modern business and examining the social and ethical dimensions faced by contemporary organizations.
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Explore the managerial realm of human resources, gaining fresh perspectives on career management. Explore the dynamics of change and manage resistance to strategic shifts. Hone your negotiation skills and culminate your learning journey with group presentations. Conclude the program with the ‘WIN Thinking Keynote and Graduation Ceremony,’ wrapping up the experience and celebrating your graduation.
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As part of the Schulich Mini-MBA: Essentials of Management, all participants complete a team-based Action Learning Project (ALP) to bridge theory with practice in a real-world setting. Participants may request to focus their ALP on a specific sector or organizational need, subject to approval and the availability of appropriate support resources. Approved projects will be recognized with a Mini-MBA Badge with Specialization in the chosen field.
This hands-on experience allows employer-sponsored teams or individuals to work on strategic projects that align with their industry goals. Where possible, participants with a shared specialization interest will be grouped to collaborate on a common project. Specialization examples include:
Mini-MBA in Healthcare
Projects have explored areas such as expanding clinical operations, implementing telemedicine systems, and improving patient-facing services like lab testing and pediatric care.Mini-MBA in Supply Chain
Participants have led initiatives on decarbonizing logistics, digitizing procurement workflows, and streamlining last-mile delivery.Mini-MBA in Energy
Participants may work on initiatives related to energy transition, renewable integration, operational efficiency, sustainability planning, or workforce development in the evolving energy sector.Mini-MBA in Construction
Projects may examine ways to enhance project delivery, modernize construction workflows, integrate digital tools, improve safety practices, or strengthen cost and risk management.To learn whether a specialization is suitable for your professional or organizational needs, talk to our Education Advisor to explore your options and receive project guidelines.
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Fall 2026
Module 1
Course Dates Time Critical Thinking for Leaders 10/1/2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Confidence Code Assessment 10/1/2026 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Action Learning Project 10/2/2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Storytelling with Data Visualization 10/2/2026 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Part 1: Strategic Management 10/3/2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Presentation Skills: Essentials 10/3/2026 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Module 2
Course Dates Time Part 2: Strategic Management 11/5/2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Creating High-Performance Teams 11/5/2026 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Managerial Finance 11/6/2026 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Marketing Strategy 11/7/2026 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Module 3
Course Dates Time Essentials of Human Resource Management 12/3/2026 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Leading Change 12/4/2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Business Negotiation 12/4/2026 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm ALP Presentations & Graduation 12/5/2026 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Get Training in Marketable Skills
Strategic Thinking
Leadership Skills
Decision Making
Organizing Teams & Resources
Risk Management
Communication Skills
Negotiation Skills
Who Will Benefit
Mid-Career Professionals
Perfect for managers or non-business professionals looking to perform their current role better and expand their business acumen.
Entrepreneurs
An excellent program for startup leaders who need to learn the business and people-oriented skills that are crucial to growing their company.
6 Reasons to Enrol
Amazing Education for Busy Professionals
This program packs rich learnings into a flexible, manageable timeframe. Attend three, 3-day modules over two months. Between modules, engage at your own pace with online material, videos and readings.
Stand Out from the Crowd
Get a unique business education directly related to your professional career. This program covers core MBA topics, from finance and marketing to strategy and business analysis.
Learn from the Pros
Train with top-rated Schulich MBA and EMBA instructors that are consistently ranked among the world’s best.
Tackle Business-oriented Challenges
Apply learning through an in-depth strategic project. Address diverse challenges across various public and private sectors to elevate your job performance.
Build A Meaningful Network
Connect with and learn from peers and leaders across a wide range of sectors, industries and professions.
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.
What Difference Will You Make?
I thought I signed up to learn management. What I gained was something deeper. The program provided a strong foundation in core management principles, covering a wide range of topics.
What truly set the experience apart, though, was the unexpected journey of self-discovery. The program helped me develop a deeper sense of self-awareness – one that made me believe I have far more potential as a growing leader.
- Guan Yue Manager, Strategic Initiatives, President's Office, Esri Canada
The faculty at Schulich ExecEd are world-class. The instructors’ dedication went beyond just teaching—it was about truly engaging with students and making a lasting connection. The insights challenged conventional thinking and brought fresh perspectives to my leadership approach. Learning from experts with real-world experience was invaluable, and it’s clear that Schulich ExecEd carefully selects instructors who are both knowledgeable and deeply invested in their participants’ growth.
- Lavanya Perez Director of Sales, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company
I have taken 20 courses with Schulich ExecEd and they all resonate with me on an almost daily basis. Perhaps none more so than the Mini-MBA. So grateful that this course was made available.
- A.D. Jess Director – Operations & Facilities Management, CONMED Canada
Faculty
What You Get
After completing the Schulich Mini-MBA: Essentials of Management program, 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.
For custom programs, organizations may leverage the Schulich Mini-MBA Certificate to boost employee retention while equipping the team to deliver tangible ROI.
Schulich Mini-MBA Certificate
Awarded when a series of more extensive programs are completed and a greater skill set achieved.
PMI Credits
54 PMI-PDU
Successful completion of this program will earn PMI® Members, in good standing, Education PDU's in alignment with the PMI Talent Triangle. If this applies to you, you will receive a PDU Claim Code at the conclusion of your program. For more information on how to earn your PDU's, we recommend logging into your Continuing Certification Renewal System (CCRS) to report PDU's and view your certification records. Following this, if you require additional assistance, please contact PMI Support directly.
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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.
Make the Right Choice. Try Our Advisory Services.
The next step of your career matters. A Schulich ExecEd program advisor can help you choose a course that fits your budget and schedule. Get in touch with us today.
Talk to an Advisor