Application Information

Application Period

The Catholic Education cohort begins in the Fall term only. Applications are open between November 1 and June 30.

Have Your Supporting Documents Ready

Your application will require you to upload some documents. Having them ready will expedite your application process.

  1. A 1-2 page résumé outlining teaching experience and other relevant experience

  2. Letter of Intent (1-2 pages). In your letter, please indicate how your current work would benefit from participation in the GCES program and/or how you may be able to enter or alter your career because of receiving the certificate.

  3. GCSL Student Information Form (also available on the application portal). Be sure to check off the cohort you want to join.

  4. Scanned, up-to-date official transcript(s) from each post-secondary institution you attended (including incomplete studies, exchange and transfer credit courses).
  • The transcript must be scanned in its entirety (front and back pages),including the transcript legend typically printed on the back of the transcript, and be legible. Ensure that no information is cut off during scanning.
  • Up-to-date transcripts are defined as transcripts dated or issued in the fall/winter session of the year of application (if currently registered) or within a year of the term for which you are applying (if not currently registered).

Please DO NOT send official hard-copy documents unless the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR) requests them from you in a conditional admission offer letter.

Application Requirements for Academic Documents

International Applicants

International students may apply, but due to the part-time nature of this program, admission into this program may not qualify the student under the Canadian Study Permit and/or Post Graduation Work Permit programs. For more information, visit University of Alberta International's page on Immigration.

In addition to the Supporting Documents mentioned above, international students must also provide the following:

  1. An official degree certificate accompanied by official (original) mark sheets and an English translation of each mark sheet outlining all courses taken and grades obtained for all post-secondary institutions attended

  2. English Language Proficiency through one of the following:
  • A TOEFL score of 580 (paper-based), 237 (computer-based) or a total score of 93 with a score of at least 24 on speaking and writing and 21 on reading and listening (internet-based)
  • An Academic IELTS overall score of 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.5 on each band
  • A PTE Academic score of 63
  • Duolingo (see Special Note)

Application Process

When you click the yellow Apply Now button below, you will be redirected to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR) webpage. Read carefully the steps and "Application Requirements for Academic Documents" before you click "Apply Now" at the bottom of that page.

  1. Create a login account if you are logging in for the first time.

  2. Once you have created an account, click 'Start a New Application'.

  3. On the Program Search page, choose 'Education' as your Department and 'Part-time' as your Mode of Study; then click 'Search Now'.

  4. Choose "Graduate Certificate in Education School Leadership - Part time' in the search results.

  5. Choose your Program Start Date and click Apply to fill out the application.

Apply Now

Please note: you must hold an Alberta Permanent Professional Certificate (PPC) in order to obtain principal and superintendent certification in Alberta.The Graduate Certificate meets the academic requirements for those certifications.