Application Information

Application Period

You can begin studies in the Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer semesters:

Program Start - Fall Term (September)
Applications open on November 1st and close on June 30.

Program Start - Winter Term (January)
Applications open on May 1st and close on October 31.

Program Start - Spring Term (May)
Applications open on November 1st and close on February 28.

Program Start - Summer Term (July)
Applications open on November 1st and close on April 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 and other relevant work experience

2. A letter of intent (1-2 pages). In your letter, please indicate how your current work would benefit from participation in the 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 in the application portal). Save this document to your computer, then fill it out and upload it to your application.

4. Scanned, up-to-date transcripts from all of the post-secondary institutions you have attended (including incomplete studies, exchange and transfer credit courses). Note: your application will not be processed until up-to-date transcripts from all post-secondary institutions are provided.

  • Up-to-date is 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). For example, if you are a new student applying for the Fall term, the print date on your transcript must be no later than September 1 of the previous year.
  • 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.
  • The following are acceptable for uploading to GSMS:
    • PDF copies of transcripts that have been mailed to you from the issuing institution
    • PDF copies from Bear Tracks for U of A students
    • PDF copies from other institutions' student portals (must have the institution's URL clearly visible)
    • PDF copies from MyCreds (email to yourself, then upload PDF copy to GSMS).

Please review the Application Requirements for Academic Documents page to ensure that your transcripts meet ALL of the listed requirements.

When you receive your letter of admission from the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS), you will be asked to send official transcripts directly to them.


International Applicants

International applicants are welcome, but due to the part-time nature and blended delivery format of this program, admission into this program will not qualify the applicant 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 applicants must also provide the following:

  1. An official degree certificate

  2. Official (original) mark sheets and

  3. Certified English translations of each mark sheet outlining all courses taken and grades obtained for all post-secondary institutions attended

  4. 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 Graduate Studies Management Solution (GSMS) webpage. 

  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 click 'Search Now' (leave 'keyword' and 'mode of study' as they are).

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

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

Remember: you must take a course in the term for which you apply, so be sure to choose carefully.


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.