Directors Education Program

Program Overview

The Alberta School of Business, in partnership with the Institute of Corporate Directors and the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, is pleased to deliver the Directors Education Program, the most definitive course of study for board directors in Canada. The Directors Education Program is the first step in attaining the ICD.D designation granted by the Institute of Corporate Directors, the professional body representing the director community in Canada.

Structured as four 3-day modules, this program connects you to an extended network of leading directors who bring better governance to Canada and the business community. In your quest to be a better director, clarify your mission and fully exercise your Director potential.

Learning Outcomes

This highly interactive 12-day program incorporates roundtable discussions, real-time case studies and on-point insights from leading academic thinkers, experts in the field of board behaviours and guest executives. You will be better equipped to:

• Explore fundamental board tasks and processes including director legal duties and responsibilities.
• Oversee strategic decisions.
• Manage group dynamics, communication and decision-making in the boardroom.
• Understand the board's responsibility to oversee and monitor financial performance, health and disclosure.
• Effectively organize and run audit committees.
• Improve personal effectiveness in the context of the board meeting.
• Enhance human performance as part of a board, including the appointment, evaluation, compensation and renewal of the executive team.
• Improve board effectiveness through board selection, director skill development and director evaluation.
• Understand the issues influencing your organization, including mergers and acquisitions and technology investment.

Who Should Attend

• Board directors of public, private or not-for-profit organizations

Module Dates

Directors Education Program 17

• Module 1 = September 21 - 23 (2023)
• Module 2 = October 26-28 (2023)
• Module 3 = November 30 & December 1-2 (2023)
• Module 4 = January 18-20 (2024)
  • Graduation = January 20, 2024

Directors Education Program 18

• Module 1 = September 19-21 (2024)
• Module 2 = October 24-26 (2024)
• Module 3 = November 28-30 (2024)
• Module 4 = January 23-25 (2025)

How to Apply

The Institute of Corporate Directors handles all program applications & admissions. The next cohort begins in September 2024. Find out more about the application process: 

ICD Directors Education Program

ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program (DEP) Diversity Scholarship

The ICD-Rotman DEP Diversity Scholarship aims to facilitate the development of a diverse representation in boardrooms across all sectors of the Canadian economy by providing access to governance education, to advance and strengthen directors' contributions to Canada's boardrooms and beyond.

This scholarship program allows underrepresented individuals to gain a strong governance education through Canada's leading director education program, the ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program (DEP). Preference is given to those who demonstrate a financial need and belong to one of the following groups: women, Indigenous Peoples, people with visible or invisible/episodic disabilities, members of racialized communities, and those who identify as 2SLGBTQI+ .

Click here for additional information on the scholarship, application, and review process.

The scholarship program has been made possible by the Institute of Corporate Directors, Rotman School of Management, and its network of partner business schools across Canada.