How to Apply

All students in the Bachelor of Commerce program who are beginning their final two years of study in the Fall term are encouraged to consider applying to the Leadership Certificate program.

Students in the Bachelor of Commerce program may apply to pursue the Certificate in Leadership by meeting the following admission requirements:

  1. Students must apply to the Undergraduate Program Office by May 21.
  2. Applications must be accompanied by a resume, at least one letter of reference, and a letter of intent. Following May 21, applicants will be short-listed. Short-listed applicants will be given a set of questions and asked to submit a 5-7 minute video response (see the 'Apply' link for more details).
  3. Students must have completed or be in the process of completing all of the required primary core courses in the Bachelor of Commerce Program.
  4. Students must have completed a minimum of *51 and a maximum of *69 towards their Bachelor of Commerce degree, including courses in progress during the Winter or Spring term in which they apply.
  5. Students must be in satisfactory academic standing.

There are only a small number of spaces exist in the Certificate in Leadership Program. Only students who meet these qualifications will be considered.

*This program is not normally open to students who have completed more than two years in a Bachelor of Commerce Program, or to students in the After-Degree Program. Students in the Co-operative Education Program may have to consult with both the Undergraduate Office and the Careers and Work Integrated Learning Office to see if the certificate will fit with their current program.

The Leadership Certificate Program (LCP) application involves a two-stage process:

  1. Qualified* students must submit an application and supporting documentation by May 21.
  2. Short-listed students will be contacted approximately 1 week following the May 21 application deadline and will be given a set of questions and asked to submit a video response to those questions by the end of May.

Application and Supporting Documents

By May 21, Leadership Certificate applicants must submit the application form, all required and any optional documents from the following CHECKLIST:

  1. Application Form (online submission)
    Please also submit the following documents to ugradbus@ualberta.ca by May 21 with the subject "Additional Documents for Leadership Certificate"
  2. Official Transcript of Grades if not a continuing University of Alberta student (Required for students who are not currently attending the University of Alberta)
  3. Letters of Reference (one or more required) - At least one letter of reference is required from an individual who can speak to the student's potential for leadership within their community. Community is broadly defined to include any community, from business, to ethnic, to sports, etc. Referees should comment on both leadership activities and potential.
  4. Statement of Purpose (required) - must outline the student's reasons for wanting to enter the Leadership Certificate Program, and the student's assessment of why he or she is an ideal candidate for the program. The student should discuss what he or she hopes to achieve through the program and also how he or she will contribute to the success of the program. A student might wish to give a specific vocational goal after graduation including any special field of interest or type of employment planned. This statement is not to exceed two pages in length.
  5. Resume (required)
  6. Additional documentation student feels may assist Committee (optional)

Adjudication Procedure

Admission decisions will be made by a Faculty Admissions Committee on the basis of the student's character and leadership readiness based on a combination of a personal interview, resume, letter of intent and letter(s) of reference.

The Director will short-list candidates based on the application materials outlined above. The short-listed candidates will be contacted and asked to complete the second stage of the application process (video submission).

The entire application package (all forms outlined above plus video submissions) will be evaluated by a committee. The Admissions Committee will consist of the Director of the Leadership Certificate Program, Dean of the Alberta School of Business and/or the Associate Dean Undergraduate and additional members composed of both Alberta School of Business members and/or external members. Any external members will be successful community leaders chosen by the Dean of the School of Business.

If you have any questions about the Leadership Certificate admission requirements, please contact the Undergraduate Office.