The Master of Conservation Leadership combines learning across a wide spectrum of conservation sciences with leadership studies to build capacity within the conservation sector to address complex challenges faced by conservation professionals and organizations. Graduates will be equipped to catalyze transformative change throughout the sector.

The objective of the Master of Conservation Leadership is to provide early to mid-career working professionals employed in conservation, resource management, and environment governance an opportunity to upgrade their knowledge base, enhance their research skills, and develop their leadership skills to address complex conservation issues at local, regional, and global scales.

The program is comprised of three residency components, online interactive learning modules, an Individualized Development Plan (IDP), and a final learning portfolio that addresses a contemporary need in the sector, preferably identified in collaboration with the student’s employer and/or stakeholders. The program has been intentionally designed to be completed in 24 months of full-time study, leading to a Master of Conservation Leadership.

Administrative Staff

Graduate Program Coordinator
Faisal Moola (HUTT 350, Ext. 54367)
fmoola@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Assistant
Erich Keyser
mconslead@uoguelph.ca

Graduate Faculty

This list may include Regular Graduate Faculty, Associated Graduate Faculty and/or Graduate Faculty from other universities.

MCL Program

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the Master of Conservation Leadership will have a minimum average of at least 77% (B+) in the last completed degree and at least three years working experience in the field of conservation post honours bachelor’s degree. Preference will be given to applicants with some experience in leadership or management roles. Applicants must submit a statement of interest. A letter of recommendation from a current employer or a conservation professional emphasizing the applicant's leadership potential is also required. Students are admitted in the Summer. Alternate admission may be offered to applicants who do not meet the admission requirements but have completed more than 5 years of relevant work experience. The Program office should be consulted for further admission information and deadlines.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Master of Conservation Leadership will be able to:

1. Employ both natural and social science perspectives to analyze regulatory and non-regulatory frameworks for conservation governance
2. Analyze and explain the significance of Canada’s settler colonial context to conservation and understand the principles of Indigenous law, Indigenous knowledge systems, and Indigenous approaches to conservation in order to facilitate change in the sector
3. Develop and utilize best practices for operating within ethical space as a basis for conflict resolution, negotiation, relationship building and collaboration in conservation initiatives
4. Synthesize knowledge, skills, and actions by initiating and implementing a project of significance for a host organization
5. Effectively communicate conservation initiatives, issues, and strategies to a variety of stakeholders and rights holders through the use of audience-appropriate tools and formats
6. Synthesize, critique, and assess existing multi‐disciplinary research on a conservation issue to inform evidence‐based decision making
7. Utilize and reflect on theories of leadership to develop the skills necessary to become a change agent
8. Evaluate a range of current and innovative techniques and tools utilized in conservation governance
9. Explain the significance of the trajectory of conservation governance nationally and internationally, in order to situate specific conservation initiatives within the broader context

Program Requirements

The Master of Conservation Leadership is comprised of 4.0 credits organized into four units: Foundations, Leadership and Communication, Innovation in Conservation, and Addressing a Conservation or Organizational Challenge. Each unit is comprised of a residency component and online modules, with the exception of Unit 4, which is dedicated to the final learning portfolio.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Year 1
Unit 1: Foundations
Residency 1: Program Orientation, IT Orientation, Collaborative Learning, Ethical Space, Individual Development Plans
CONS*6000	Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Governance Models	0.50
CONS*6100	Conservation Past, Present and Possible	0.50
CONS*6010	Conservation Biology for Professionals	0.25
Residency 2: Lectures and Assessment Activities, Leadership Self-Assessment; Discussions of Leadership in Conservation; Indigenous-led Conservation & Governance
Unit 2: Leadership and Communication
CONS*6000	Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Governance Models	0.50
MGMT*6200	Leadership Assessment and Development	0.50
CONS*6020	Public Communication for Conservation	0.25
CONS*6050	Partnerships for Conservation	0.25
Year 2
Unit 3: Innovation in Conservation
Residency 3: Lectures, Workshops, Assessment Activities, Innovation in Conservation Field Trips
CONS*6030	Conservation Tools and Technology	0.25
CONS*6040	Conservation in Working and Private Landscapes	0.50
Unit 4: Addressing a Conservation or Organization Challenge
CONS*6300	Final Learning Portfolio	1.00

Courses

Required Management Course

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
MGMT*6200	Leadership Assessment and Development	0.50