Master of Arts in Transformative Leadership and Spirituality

The Faculty of Human Sciences of Saint Paul University offers an interdisciplinary graduate program leading to the degree of Master of Arts in Transformative Leadership and Spirituality. The Senate of Saint Paul University and the University of Ottawa confer the degree jointly.

This degree integrates the spiritual, ethical and transformational dimensions of leadership. It is designed to build leadership capacity for enabling the social, cultural and systemic change required for meeting the challenges of the 21st century.

The first Graduate degree of its kind in Canada!

The Faculty of Human Sciences of Saint Paul University offers a new interdisciplinary graduate program leading to the degree of Master of Arts in Transformative Leadership and Spirituality. The degree highlights personal and social transformation, critical analysis and practice base learning.

Integrating the spiritual, ethical and transformative dimensions of leadership, this degree is designed to build leadership capacity for animating the personal, social, cultural and systemic change required for meeting the challenges of the 21st century. It allows participants to identify and develop their leadership capacities in order to become transformative agents within their respective environments.

Leaders and emerging leaders in health care, education, pastoral, government and non-governmental organizations are among those welcome to apply.

*Offered in English only.

BELLEHUMEUR Christian, Full Professor
BILODEAU Cynthia, Associate Professor
MARTIN Miriam K, Associate Professor
MICHELLE LEVESQUE Lauren, Associate Professor
PANDIMAKIL Peter, Associate Professor
STE-MARIE Lorraine

To be considered for admission, applicants must:

Hold an honours bachelor degree (4 years) in Humanities or Social Sciences (minimum admission average of 70% or B), with a minimum of two years of experience in a work environment as a professional or volunteer; or hold an honours bachelor degree (4 years) in another discipline (minimum admission average of 70% or B), with a minimum of five years of experience in a work environment as a professional or volunteer;
Have attained 12 credits of theology or religious studies;
Provide two confidential letters of reference: one professional (providing evidence of personal and professional maturity) and one academic (providing evidence of ability to succeed in a graduate program of study);
Provide a CV and a Statement of Purpose;
Pass an interview with the program coordinators to verify the candidate’s objectives and abilities for the program.

The requirements of the MA program in Transformative Leadership and Spirituality include successful completion of 39 credits of coursework that includes a major research paper (HUM5999).

Compulsory Courses ( 21 credits)

HUM5101 Leadership Theory, Practices and Approaches (3cr)
HUM5102 Research Methods for Transformative Leadership (3cr)
HUM5121 Transformative Leadership and Spirituality (3cr)
HUM5122 Transformative Leadership and Group Facilitation (3cr)
HUM5123 Transformative Leadership and Learning Communities (3cr)
IPA5321 Transformative Leadership and Psychology (3cr)
IPA5322 Worldview, Religion and Culture (3cr)

Practicums (9 credits)

HUM5301 Practicing Leadership and Professional Ethics: Practicum I (3cr)
HUM5302 Practicing Leadership: Practicum II (3cr)
HUM5303 Practicing Leadership: Practicum III (3cr)

Research (3 credits)

HUM5999 Research Seminar (3cr)

Optional Courses (6 credits)

HUM5103 Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (3cr)
HUM5104 Indigenous Spiritualties and Transformative Leadership (3cr)
HUM5113 Transformative Leadership, Spirituality and Ecology (3cr)
HUM5114 Women’s Spiritualties and Transformative Leadership (3cr)

Under exceptional circumstances, students may select an optional course from another graduate program with permission of both the Master of Arts in Transformative Leadership and Spirituality program director and the director of the other program.

Residence

The residence requirement for students admitted on a fulltime-basis is three terms. Part-time students are exempted from this requirement.

Minimum Standards

The passing grade in all courses is C+. Students who fail two courses are withdrawn from the program.

Duration of the program

Students are expected to complete all requirements within two years of full-time study. The maximum time permitted, whether full- or part-time, is four years from the date of initial registration in the program.

HUM 5101 - Leadership Theory, Practices and Approaches

Overview of current literature on the theories, practices and approaches to leadership. Exploration of definitions and the dynamics of transformative learning and their implications for the development of effective leadership.

HUM 5102 - Research Methods for Transformative Leadership

Examination of research methods and findings in the field of leadership and spirituality. Critical assessment of the frameworks and orientations of methods and their practical applications.

HUM 5103 - Justice, Peace and Ecology

Study of the interrelationship of justice, peace, and the ecology in the context of what it means to be human. Focus on the challenges that this poses for ethical action in the contemporary global context. Explores current issues in dialogue with social justice frameworks and other relevant sources.

HUM 5104 - Indigenous Spiritualities and Transformative Leadership

Study of Indigenous spiritualities and approaches for inclusive and connected practices of leadership. Examination of the spirituality-based knowledge of Indigenous peoples, including their philosophies, worldviews, sacred ways of knowing and modes of relationship to the natural world.

HUM 5113 - Transformative Leadership, Spirituality and Ecology

Reflecting on deep connections between ecological crises and lack of awareness of the sacred nature of creation, who we are as human beings and our relationships with the natural world. Implications for transformative leadership and ecological crisis.

HUM 5114 - Women’s Spiritualities and Transformative Leadership

Study of the creative connections between women, spirituality and transformative leadership. Biographies of women as transformative leaders. Shifts to new framings about how we think about human society and our collective beliefs, practices and policies. Exploration of how new framings can be put into action for positive social change.

HUM 5121 - Transformative Leadership and Spirituality

Study of approaches and methods of spirituality as a fundamental experience of lived faith and values for individuals and communities. Learning to lead from an articulated understanding of spirituality consistent with the student’s personally-defined values and the values of the organization in which the student works. The impact of spirituality on the student leader’s’ identity and practice.

HUM 5122 - Transformative Leadership and Group Facilitation

Theoretical perspectives of group dynamics and the development of skills for group facilitation and team leadership, interpersonal communication, and self-understanding in a team context. Methodologies, learning styles, growth processes and approaches tailored to the needs of various groups and settings.

HUM 5123 - Transformative Leadership and Learning Communities

Theoretical frameworks of learning communities that underline systemic and social change. Emphasis on use of language, feedback, vision, inspiration, influence, and creativity as tools for positive change.

HUM 5124 - Transformative Leadership and Psychology

The implications for leadership practice of psychological theories for individual and community dynamics. Impact on competencies, cognitive processes, emotions, behaviours, spirituality, and values. Psychological perspectives on the leader’s practice, role and identity.

HUM 5125 - Worldview, Religion and Culture

Explores secular and religious worldviews considering their formative nature on the development of leadership and communities. Analysis of social milieu, cultural perspectives, social and cultural change and the impact of global issues with reference to, social justice frameworks and socio-historical structures.

HUM 5301 - Practicing Leadership and Professional Ethics: Practicum I

Practice of leadership in a local organization with regular input from an onsite mentor. Introduction to the methods and skills of reflective practice; creation of a learning agreement; professional ethics; structured individual and group reflection and mentoring relationships. Cognitive, behavioural, motivational, ethical, emotional and spiritual elements that are embedded in students’ leadership practices. Graded S/NS.

Prerequisite : HUM 5101 Leadership Theory, Practices and Approaches.

HUM 5302 - Practicing Leadership: Practicum II

Building on the work of Practicum I, practice of leadership in a local organization with regular input from an onsite mentor. Methods and skills of reflective practice are strengthened for observing and analysing assumptions and issues in student’s practice. Graded S/NS.

Prerequisite: HUM 5301 Practicing Leadership and Professional Ethics: Practicum I.

HUM 5303 - Practicing Leadership: Practicum III

Building on previous learning in collaboration with the onsite mentor and practicum professor, students identify specific learning goals emerging from Practicing Leadership I and develop and evaluate action plans to enhance their leadership abilities. Leadership skills that serve transformative processes are emphasized. Graded S/NS.

Prerequisites: HUM 5301 Practicing Leadership and Professional Ethics: Practicum I.

HUM 5999 - Séminaire de recherche / Research Seminar

Un mémoire de recherche où les étudiants démontrent leur capacité à critiquer et à intégrer les connaissances et les compétences qu’ils ont acquises dans une pratique réfléchie et responsable du leadership transformatif. / A graduate level research paper where students demonstrate their ability to critique and integrate the knowledge and skills they have acquired into a reflective and responsible practice of transformative leadership.

Préalables : HUM5702, HUM5703, HUM5502 / Prerequisites: HUM5302, HUM5303, HUM5102.

Office of the Associate Vice-Rector, Strategic Enrolment Management
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CANADA

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