Diploma in Development Leadership

July 29 - December 7, 2013

What you can expect

Our chaotic global context holds both danger and opportunity for how people and communities envision, organize and mobilize for just and sustainable development. It demands creative, collaborative and dynamic leadership within organizations, communities and society-at-large. The Coady International Institute’s 19-week diploma provides a critical and reflective framework for experienced development practitioners to enhance their leadership competencies and their abilities to motivate and support people in creating a better world for future generations. The program is inspired by cutting-edge action research and deeply rooted in a community-driven approach that draws on over 50 years of experience. The program strengthens the capacity of development leaders to ask the questions confronting development and social justice today – and proposes pragmatic strategies for change.

Throughout the program a collaborative relationship is fostered among facilitators and participants to draw out lessons and insights from their rich and diverse experiences.

All participants choose a combination of mandatory, elective, and specialized courses. This flexibility enables each participant to customize the program to match personal and organizational learning needs. This allows everyone to deepen their understanding and develop skills in particular aspects of development work. Participants choose to focus their learning in two of our specialization areas:


Participants may also choose to complete an independent study on a topic of their choice under the guidance of Coady teaching staff.

As members of the St. Francis Xavier University community, participants will have opportunities to share their experiences with faculty and undergraduate students on campus, as well as people working in community development locally. Participants graduate at the university's Fall Convocation ceremony in December.

Personal benefits

  • Build your capacity to be a more effective leader
  • Gain practical skills in a broad range of participatory methodologies
  • Learn innovative practices grounded in action research findings
  • Interact with and learn from development practitioners immersed in contemporary issues and trends in development
  • Develop and strengthen competencies in self-directed research and learning
  • Explore conceptual linkages between participation, good governance and social change
  • Learn strategies for nurturing a culture of peace and non-violence

Organizational benefits

  • Strategies for managing development organizations, programs and projects
  • Capacity to plan, monitor and evaluate community-driven development initiatives
  • Strategies for acting collectively through knowledge sharing, networking and multi-stakeholder processes

Who is best suited for the program?

This innovative program is designed for experienced mid to senior level leaders of civil society organizations and social movements, as well as private sector and government departments that work in partnership with communities, internationally or in Canada. Preferred candidates are leaders in organizations that represent community-based, faith-based, indigenous people's, voluntary, and private sector, national and international, as well as co-operatives and governmental departments.

Participants should meet the following requirements:

  • At least five years of relevant professional experience, preferably related to participatory development
  • Mid-to senior level position with an organization working in development
  • University degree (preferred) and/or other relevant education
  • Competence in English (minimum TOEFL 550)


As members of the St. Francis Xavier University community, participants will have opportunities to share their experiences with faculty and undergraduate students on campus, as well as local community development organizations. Diploma participants graduate at the university's Fall Convocation ceremony in December. The university awards up to 30 credits for the successful completion of the Diploma Program which is the equivalent of one undergraduate year.

Detailed admission requirements

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