2021 CILS Previous

Offered as an embedded academic program, the Certificate in Interdisciplinary Leadership Studies is designed to be completed in conjunction with most undergraduate degrees offered by the University of Alberta and for no additional cost.

The program features a variety of leadership courses and students participate in a Stretch Experience in a hands-on way to apply leadership skills they've learned. More details about the program as well as admission requirements can be found below.

Program Components

Courses
  • Foundations of Leadership (INT D 301) »Prerequisite course
  • Leadership for Social Innovation (INT D 306) 
  • Innovation, Science & Leadership (INT D 406) 
  • Workshops in Leadership (INT D 407) 
Stretch Experience 
  • Students practice what they learn by tackling an issue of social impact or community benefit through a hands-on 200-hour leadership project 
  • Students can receive up to $5000 in support of eligible projects 

Application Requirements

Undergraduate students may apply to pursue the Certificate in Interdisciplinary Leadership Studies by meeting the following requirements:

  1. Students must normally have completed a minimum of ★30 and a maximum of ★84 towards their degree including courses in progress during the term in which they apply (students without the minimum number of credits may contact our office to discuss applying early).
  2. After-Degree students will be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the room they have in their programs to accommodate the Certificate.
  3. Students must be in satisfactory academic standing in their degree program at the time of application (a competitive GPA to enter this program is 3.0).
  4. Students must be current University of Alberta undergraduate students, or transfer students who have been accepted to an undergraduate degree program at the University of Alberta.

Students who do not meet one or more of the above eligibility requirements, but are interested in participating, are encouraged to enroll in INT D 301 and contact the Peter Lougheed Leadership College in the following semester.

Note: It is important to seek advice from your advisor to ensure that the certificate can be completed within the constraints of your degree program. View the Certificate in Interdisciplinary Leadership Studies on the University Calendar.

 

students work together to unlock a small metal box with overlaid text as if it's instagram and they're bragging their escape room success. Tagline reads where will leadership take you?

Thanks to PLLC, I now have friends across multiple faculties with whom I feel a great connection to, with whom I am proud of their accomplishments and of what they can and will achieve in the future.

Jo Ann Chew, PLLC alumni and Faculty of ALES graduate

Stretch Project

Make your mark with your own leadership passion-project! 

An important part of Peter Lougheed Leadership College's (PLLC) focus on experiential learning is the Stretch Project. This requirement for the certificate program is an intensive 200-hour leadership project that puts scholars' leadership skills into practice after completing Foundations of Leadership (INT D 301). 

PLLC scholars have used the Stretch Experience to tackle issues they are passionate about both at home and abroad. From archaeology digs in Thessaly, Greece to sustainability initiatives in Fez, Morocco, to urban beekeeping in Edmonton, these projects have contributed more than 30,000 hours to making change in the global community. For scholars, Stretch Experiences provide an opportunity to help fill gaps or highlight their strengths to further their personal goals and strategy. 

Discover the program through our IMPACT: Student Projects with Purpose publication, which marks five years of Stretch Experiences. 

 

Stretch Requirements 

Stretch Experiences are self-directed and independently designed, with approval from PLLC staff. Projects must fulfill the following objectives: 

  • Leadership: Scholars will have the opportunity to put into practice the leadership skills learned in INT D 301 - Foundations of Leadership and other PLLC courses. 
  • Social Benefit: A successful Stretch Experience will bring significant social benefit to the communities in which scholars are involved. 
  • Personal Strategy: The Stretch Experience will support each scholar's "personal strategy" (i.e. personal, career, and/or academic goals) bearing in mind that scholars will likely apply for a job or pursue further academic study or professional qualifications based on these goals. 
  • Growth: Scholars are expected to engage in an activity that stretches them beyond their comfort zones, as they will ideally be exposed to new and unfamiliar experiences, communities, and/or cultural contexts. 
  • Mentorship: The Stretch Experience provides scholars with the opportunity to benefit from mentorship, either through PLLC's Mentorship Team or elsewhere. 

Most Stretch Experiences are conducted over the Summer or in the Fall. This is a not-for-credit program element that will be evaluated on a pass-fail basis. 

Read more on the PLLC Stretch Blog