Program description

The School of Leadership, Ecology and Equity of the Faculty of Human Sciences at Saint Paul University offers a Master of Arts in Leadership, Ecology and Equity. This degree is conferred jointly by the Senates of Saint Paul University and the University of Ottawa under the terms of the federation agreement between them.

The purpose of the M.A. in Leadership, Ecology and Equity is to foster the development of leaders capable of responding to the most pressing needs of our time, including issues arising from social inequalities and environmental degradation. Offered with two options, the program allows students to specialize in either transformative leadership or integral ecology.

The Transformative Leadership option combines self-reflection and critical thought to develop the capacity of organizational and community leaders to meaningfully engage a diversity of stakeholders. With a primary focus on the integration of theory and practice, the courses enable learners to think about transforming the social world around them by working with their imagination, emotions, values and faith.

The Integral Ecology option also integrates theory and practice, addressing the dynamic interplay between social injustice and a wide range of ecological issues, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, energy production and extractive industries, animal welfare, loss of natural habitat and other emerging concerns. It enables the development of leaders capable of making a commitment to environmental justice.

This program is designed for people from all backgrounds who wish to discover and develop their leadership capacity and bring about constructive social change. A thesis profile is also available for those who wish to develop advanced research skills, and who apply for this option during the course of their studies.