The Graduate Diploma in Critical Leadership in Social Services and Communities aims to enhance progressive leadership in the community and social service sectors. This Graduate Diploma is grounded in a recognition of the contemporary conditions of social service and community work, and in expansive and critical definitions of leadership.

Students who complete the program will deepen their understanding of how contemporary social, political and economic forces are (re)shaping social services and communities, and particularly how these forces shape leadership and leadership practices, including practices of research and evaluation. They will engage a range of theories of critical leadership and of social / organizational change and  demonstrate a capacity and identify, analyze and convey how leaders (can) create space for justice-oriented social service and community work.

Students will take one of two courses that consider specific contexts of practice (institutional contexts or community contexts). They will take two courses focused explicitly on aspects of leadership: a theory and practice course, and a course focused on leadership specifically in contemporary social services and community settings. Their final course considers critical approaches to evidence and evaluation, a key feature of contemporary leadership

All students admitted will have experience as leaders in community or social service settings. The Graduate Diploma enhances critical leadership practicethrough an academic exploration of issues that deliberately and consistently draws on students’ own leadership experiences.