Healthcare Leadership

Credential:: Post-Diploma Certificate
Program length:: 1 year
Location:: In person (Main Campus) or Online
International applicants:: Accepted PGWP eligible
Faculty:: School of Health and Public Safety
CAJG Eligible

Credit credentials

A credit credential includes courses with post-secondary credit applied.

These credits will be used towards your specific program and may be accepted towards a credential at SAIT or a different post-secondary institution.

The credit credentials include a bachelor's degree, applied degree, diploma, certificate and post-diploma certificate.

Bachelor Degree

SAIT has bachelor's degree programs in business, construction, and hospitality and tourism management.

Bachelor's degrees are generally four-year programs, but you have up to 10 academic years to complete your courses.

Applied Degree

SAIT's full-time applied degree programs involve one year of study through classes and lab work followed by one year of directed studies in a workplace setting. This builds on the completion of a recognized two-year diploma, which you must have to be admitted to an applied degree program.

You then have seven academic years to finish your applied degree, starting from the day you begin the first course in that program.

Diploma

At SAIT, over 40 full-time diploma programs cover a broad range of areas, from aircraft maintenance to travel and tourism.

Most diploma programs are completed in two years, though you can take up to seven academic years to complete the requirements.

Certificate

SAIT has several certificate programs in the sciences, health and trades.

These programs provide the essential skills to start a career but are shorter in length than SAIT's diploma programs - usually a year or less. However, you have up to five years to complete your program.

Post-Diploma Certificate

These programs build on skills developed through a diploma or degree program and combine classroom instruction with a workplace practicum.

They are often completed in a year or less.

Journeyperson

A certified journeyperson is recognized as a qualified and skilled person in a trade and is entitled to the wages and benefits associated with that trade. You must complete all apprenticeship periods and pass the exams to earn a journeyperson designation.

Non-credit credentials

A non-credit credential comprises courses and programs designed for professional or personal development.

Because these do not have post-secondary credits attached, they cannot be used towards any of the credentials above. We also cannot guarantee an external institute will accept these courses or credentials for transfer credit.

SAIT's non-credit certificates of achievement and completion are offered through Continuing Education and Professional Studies.

Certificate of Achievement

Certificates of achievement recognize the completion of a program that includes a formal evaluation of performance and a minimum of 144 (required and elective) course hours.

Certificates of achievement typically develop broader, complex skill sets. As of July 1, 2022, you have up to three years to complete the certificate. If you began these programs before July 1, 2022, you still have five calendar years to complete the program from when you began the first course.

Certificate of Completion

Certificates of completion recognize the completion of a program that includes a formal evaluation of performance and a minimum of 30 to a maximum of 143 course hours.

These certificates are shorter in duration than certificates of achievement and offer a focused education program. As of July 1, 2022, you have up to three years to complete the certificate. If you began before July 1, 2022, you will have five calendar years to complete the program from when you began the first course.

Professional Certificate

Program certificates recognize completion of a program that includes the formal evaluation of performance, and that is a minimum of one year in length.

These certificates have program-specific admission requirements.

Micro-credential

A micro-credential recognizes the completion of a non-credit course that includes a formal performance evaluation and verifies you have demonstrated specific competencies.

Micro-credentials focus on the mastery of specific skills. You receive a digital, shareable badge upon completing a SAIT micro-credential (SAITMicro).

Mandatory requirements

To apply for this program, you must have previously completed post-secondary studies at an accredited post-secondary institution or provide proof of related work experience.

Review admission requirements for more details.

Overview

The Healthcare Leadership program is tailored for aspiring leaders with existing healthcare experience, focusing on essential skills for navigating the complex healthcare landscape.

You will receive instruction and guidance from seasoned professionals in healthcare and business to:

learn the fundamental principles to lead and manage healthcare teams
learn strategies to manage and resolve workplace conflicts
learn effective ways to interact and communicate within healthcare environments
gain an understanding of healthcare finances and economics
gain insight into the structure and policies governing healthcare institutions
learn about service quality and patient care
get the tools for measuring and improving healthcare services
learn how to prepare for and manage emergencies
develop resilience and the ability to lead confidently through emergencies and unpredictable
situations.

This interdisciplinary program culminates in a capstone project where you apply your knowledge to real-world challenges or practical applications, demonstrating your ability to innovate and lead effectively.

The curriculum was designed in consultation with numerous healthcare organizations, including representatives from the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA), College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta (CRPNA) and College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA). These industry insights ensure you graduate with the highly sought-after skills the healthcare industry needs.

As a graduate, you will be prepared to pursue various health administration and leadership roles, such as administrative manager, client care manager, client services manager, and even director of care.

If you seek to positively impact patient outcomes and the efficiency of the healthcare system by mastering the skills needed to lead and innovate in a rapidly evolving industry, this program is for you.

Those in healthcare leadership roles need:

people skills, including the ability to work well with a variety of different people
critical thinking
strong communication skills
the ability to work well under pressure, maintain professional behaviour and regulate their emotions
the ability to build consensus
excellent negotiation skills.

You should enjoy team-building activities and developing, implementing and evaluating plans.

You are strongly encouraged to refer to the ALIS website for career, learning, and employment information for health service administrators.

The opportunity to advance your education by transferring into this program or gain credit for previous postsecondary courses may be available.

There may also be opportunities to further your education once you graduate.

Learn more about program and institution transfer options.

In your Healthcare Leadership capstone course, you may choose to focus your work on a healthcare management problem at your current workplace or find an industry partner willing to provide a scenario and mentor you through the process.

Upon successful completion of this program, you’ll be awarded a SAIT Healthcare Leadership post-diploma certificate.

Download program info

Careers and opportunities

Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.

Associated National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes: 30010, 13112, 41404, 40010, 31300.

Career counselling and support

Unsure which career path is for you? SAIT offers career planning services to help you decide your future.

You can also get started by taking our online career finder quiz, which can help you narrow down your search based on your current skills and interests.

Finally, you can also head to Alberta alis for various tools and resources, including additional quizzes and labour market information to help you narrow down a career path.

Services and workshops

Courses

The Healthcare Leadership certificate requires 27 credits (eight courses) to complete.

The program spans one year, with two semesters.

View classes by semester

Suggested schedule of study

First year

Semester 1

Course code	Course name	Credit
HCAR-401	Health Economics	3.0
HCAR-403	Healthcare Systems and Governance	3.0
LDSH-405	Leadership	3.0
MNGT-408	Project and People Management	3.0
Semester 1 total		12.0

Semester 2

Course code	Course name	Credit
HCAR-400	Emergency Preparedness and Planning	3.0
HCAR-402	Healthcare Leadership Capstone*	6.0
HCAR-404	Quality and Performance in Healthcare Services	3.0
LDSH-401	Applied Leadership I	3.0
Semester 2 total		15.0
Program total		27.0

Course	Credits
This course introduces the broad elements of crisis or emergency planning for healthcare systems and the measures that must be implemented immediately and continuously. Topics include preparation for the medical, environmental, economic and communication aspects of an emergency while also examining potential opportunities and consequences of action or inaction. Coursework involves analyzing varied perspectives of managing a crisis (e.g., legal, ethical, historical) while considering disaster psychology.	3
This course provides practical tools and techniques for emerging leaders to improve financial decision-making in evolving healthcare settings. Topics include the organization, financing, and utilization of healthcare services. Coursework will apply an analytical toolkit to real-world scenarios and evaluate resource allocation decisions for efficiency and equity implications.	3
This course integrates and further develops the learning outcomes of the Healthcare Leadership program. Students will work individually and collaboratively on a series of activities and simulations, drawing from the program's multiple disciplines to research, analyze, evaluate, and recommend solutions to healthcare management problems. Learners will be expected to apply a wide variety of concepts presented in other courses, including the impact of the problem on organizational culture and performance, leadership, finances, policy and strategic operational goals and patient safety. Pre-requisites: HCAR 401 HCAR 403 LDSH 405 MNGT 408 Corequsites: HCAR 400 HCAR 404 LDSH 401	6
This course provides a foundation of governance knowledge tailored for healthcare system leaders, explaining how to meet health governance responsibilities effectively. Tools for developing decision-making competencies will be provided, and topics include components of the governance structure in a healthcare organization. This course will enhance the learner's knowledge to support their professional healthcare management progression.	3
Using quality assessment measures viewed through a health services lens, learners will explore how to manage emerging performance issues that impact patient safety. Topics include building an organizational culture devoted to quality, how to monitor and reporting on performance, and expanding learners’ understanding of corporate governance as it relates to quality and patient safety. This course provides accountability tools to strengthen the influence of leaders on the organization’s performance.	3
Entrepreneurs are responsible for creating and communicating the vision for their enterprise, developing the plans that will guide business decisions and providing the leadership and team management required for the business to run smoothly. Students will discuss the characteristics of successful leaders and how to build an effective team by motivating and inspiring people on the way to creating a corporate culture.	3
Business Leadership is a course that will take you on a journey of self-discovery and an inside look at current perspectives of Leadership today. We all take on leadership roles in our lives. In business, success is often attributed to great leadership. However, today, in business, this role has evolved, as has the business environment. Teamwork is an essential component of an organization’s efficiency and effectiveness. Occasionally, you may be called upon to take on a leadership role for your workgroup, even without a title. Throughout this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills to help you fulfill your leadership role through your understanding of personal and organizational leadership. Equivalents: LDSH 3050 LDSH 360	3
This course provides leadership tools to help manage, motivate, influence, and inspire diverse teams and individuals. Learners will develop and demonstrate competence in project oversight, from understanding and assessing project plans to execution. Coursework combines communication and technical skills with strategies that enable learners to model resiliency and inclusivity and guide teams through change or disruption.	3

Progression

Students must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better in each semester and pass the necessary prerequisite courses to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, students must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.

Review our grading and progression procedure >

Admission requirements

Applicants educated in Canada

Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and meet the following requirements or equivalents:

you must have a post-secondary diploma or degree in a healthcare discipline from a recognized university, institute, or college
a post-secondary certificate in combination with relevant work experience may be considered and approved at the discretion of the Academic Chair.

All applicants who were educated outside of Canada must demonstrate English Language proficiency and provide proof they meet the program admission requirements with an international document assessment. Find out what educational documents are accepted and assessment options.

SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.

Academic Upgrading

Missing an admission requirement for this program? Upgrade your prior education to help you receive admission into one of SAIT's career programs.

Upgrade

English language proficiency

All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.

Learn more

Available intakes

Spring 2024

Start dates:

May 06, 2024

Domestic students: Open: Application deadline: Extended
International students: Closed: Application deadline: Jan. 22, 2024

Fall 2024

Start dates:

Sep 03, 2024

Domestic students: Open: Application deadline: June 28, 2024
International students: Closed: Application deadline: May 29, 2024

Winter 2025

Start dates:

Jan 06, 2025

Domestic students: Open: Application deadline: Oct. 25, 2024
International students: Open: Application deadline: Sept. 30, 2024

Costs

2024/25 tuition and fees

The following estimated costs are effective as of July 1, 2024.

Domestic students

The estimated total cost of tuition and fees for domestic students is based on the recommended course load per year.
Year	Number of semesters	Tuition fees	Additional fees	Total per year
1	2	$7,992	$1,608	$9,600
Total cost:				$9,600

The estimated total cost of tuition and fees for international students is based on the recommended course load per year.
Year	Number of semesters	Tuition fees	Additional fees	Total per year
1	2	$19,980	$1,608	$21,588
Total cost:				$21,588

Books, supplies and uniforms are approximately $2,500.

This is a bring-your-own-device program with a standard computer hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.

Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore's website. The booklist will be available closer to the program start date.

Can’t find your program or course? The bookstore didn't receive a textbook list. Contact your program directly to determine if they’re still refining course details or if you're in luck; no textbook purchase is required this term.

2023/24 tuition and fees

The following costs are effective until June 30, 2024.

Domestic students

The estimated total cost of tuition and fees for domestic students is based on the recommended course load per year.
Year	Number of semesters	Tuition fees	Additional fees	Total per year
1	2	$7,992	$1,570	$9,562
Total cost:				$9,562

The estimated total cost of tuition and fees for international students is based on the recommended course load per year.
Year	Number of semesters	Tuition fees	Additional fees	Total per year
1	2	$19,980	$1,570	$21,550
Total cost:				$21,550

Financial aid

Paying for your education may feel overwhelming, but we have resources and programs that can help, including information about payment options, student loans, grants and scholarships.

Learn more

This program is eligible for Canada Alberta Job Grant funding.

Fees

Your fees are calculated based on the number of course credits you take per semester (approximately 16 weeks of study). In most cases, your fee is determined based on whether you're taking more or less than nine (9) course credits (more than nine credits in a semester are considered full-time studies.)

Fees are adjusted for programs with start dates outside the typical 15-week program.

2024/25 fees per semester

Fees are subject to change without notice.

A breakdown of mandatory fees based on whether you are taking less than or more than nine credits per semester
SAIT fees	Less than 9 credits/semester	9 or more credits/semester
Campus athletic and recreation fee: supports the provision of recreation and fitness facilities, movement classes, wellness programs, events, intermural activities, varsity sports programs, and a variety of initiatives offered throughout the academic year. Exemptions to recreation fees are made in some circumstances.	$51.50	$103
Student support fee: supports services and resources to help you succeed throughout your academic career, including Career Advancement Services and Student Development and Counselling.	$53.75	$107.50
Student technology fee: supports improvements to cybersecurity to protect student and institutional information, access to learning material outside the classroom, and technology to enhance your experience.	$53.75	$107.50
UPass: provides you with unlimited access to Calgary Transit. Additional eligibility requirements apply to obtain a UPass.	n/a	$165
Saitsa fees
Saitsa fee: supports the student-led, non-profit organization representing students. Fees support the operation of various student services, activities, and programming. Saitsa fees are paid per credit to a maximum amount of $146 per semester.	$16.23/credit	$146 maximum
Health and dental plan: provides access to thousands of dollars in coverage for prescription medication, dental treatments, paramedical services, and multiple other benefits. Health and dental fees are charged per semester to an annual maximum amount of $172 for health and $158 for dental. Find more details at saitsa.com/benefits. In most cases, your fees are quoted based on paying for a full year of health and dental coverage. International students are charged these fees regardless of course load. Domestic students with existing health and dental coverage may opt-out.	n/a	$91 for health $84 for dental

Application process

Ready to apply?

Follow our step-by-step guide to submitting a successful application.

Learn how to apply

Communication during admission

Email is the primary source of communication during the admission process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications.

We recommend you add hps.info@sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.

Begin your application

Apply now using the online application portal.

Ensure you have a valid Visa or Mastercard to pay the non-refundable application fee of $120 for domestic applicants or $150 for international applicants.

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Information sessions

Prepare for a strong start in your chosen program or get the details you need to decide your future path.

Our expert staff and faculty are ready to answer your questions and provide information about the following:

What sets SAIT apart
An introduction to the program and area of study
Admission requirements
Future career paths
Information on the earning potential and graduate employment rates.

Healthcare Leadership

On this page:

Mandatory requirements

Overview