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Program Information

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Community Leadership Development

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DIPLOMA

  • School of Academics, Applied Arts & Tourism
  • Duration: Two Years


 APPLY NOW 

LOCATION/DELIVERY MODES & DATES
Show Legend Definitions
Hide
Delivery Legend:
C
On Campus
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On Campus: All courses in this program will be delivered onsite at a CNA campus or at an approved location. Some courses may have online elements.
 | 
B
Blended
close
Blended: Some courses, or parts of courses, in this program will be delivered onsite at a CNA campus or at an approved location, while other courses, or parts of courses, will be delivered online or virtually to students at another location.
 | 
OA
Online - Asynchronous
close
Online - Asynchronous: Delivered fully online with no scheduled classes, and allows students to learn on their own schedule, in a flexible environment, within a certain time frame.
 | 
OS
Online - Synchronous
close
Online Synchronous: Delivered fully online with live, scheduled videoconference classes. The instructor and the students in the course engage with the course content and each other at the same time, from different locations.
Bay St. George - On Campus delivery - September 2025

  • Overview
  • Admission Requirements
  • Courses
  • Careers & Pathways
  • Tuition & Fees

Overview

Show me more about...PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS | DID YOU KNOW? | OBJECTIVES | REFERENCES

LOCATION/DELIVERY MODES & START DATES
Show Legend Definitions
Hide
Delivery Legend:
C
On Campus
close
On Campus: All courses in this program will be delivered onsite at a CNA campus or at an approved location. Some courses may have online elements.
 | 
B
Blended
close
Blended: Some courses, or parts of courses, in this program will be delivered onsite at a CNA campus or at an approved location, while other courses, or parts of courses, will be delivered online or virtually to students at another location.
 | 
OA
Online - Asynchronous
close
Online - Asynchronous: Delivered fully online with no scheduled classes, and allows students to learn on their own schedule, in a flexible environment, within a certain time frame.
 | 
OS
Online - Synchronous
close
Online Synchronous: Delivered fully online with live, scheduled videoconference classes. The instructor and the students in the course engage with the course content and each other at the same time, from different locations.
Bay St. George - On Campus delivery - September 2025

Empowering communities.
 
Effective community leaders bring people together. They help create a supportive environment that fosters a sense of belonging and empowerment for individuals to thrive. They engage citizens, strengthen agency and foster community resilience.
 
Community leadership development involves working with community agencies, non-profit organizations, and both the public and private sectors, along with the people they represent. Effectiveness in community leadership requires specific core competencies such as communication and listening skills, public relations and marketing, cultural intelligence, financial and project management, board governance and ongoing personal and professional development. It means advocating for the needs and rights of community members and helping to build strong, cohesive communities.
 
With the Community Leadership Development program at CNA, you will explore different leadership styles, best practices and models used when coordinating service delivery, managing projects, and evaluating services while responding to a variety of community needs, including working with diverse populations.

In this exciting two-year diploma program, you will engage in developing individual leadership capacity while exploring and researching social and economic situations in a community. You will explore skill development that includes communication skills, leadership development and problem-solving, with a goal of becoming an agent for change and empowerment.
 
Be a part of driving positive change – be a community leader.
 
 

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
  • Certifications built into the program for immediate entry-level community leadership development work (Mental Health First Aid, CPI Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)
  • Covers topics such as family studies, working with an aging population, child and youth justice, disability studies, mental health and addictions
  • Participate in on-going group activities and community initiatives, and two field placements with an employer under the direction of a field placement supervisor
  • Participate during a non-profit organization’s strategic planning *A requirement leading up to the field placement experience includes a current Certificate of Conduct and Vulnerable Sector Check. This is also required for volunteer opportunities within the program and by the field placement employers. 
DID YOU KNOW?
  • The community is one of the foundations of our modern society (Putnam, 2001).1
  • Community development is one of the most productive ways to improve the lives and livelihoods of individuals within a community (Syme & Ritterman, 2009).
  • The average salary for Community Support Worker is $51,708 per year in Canada.2
OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
  1. Work effectively and professionally with communities to address current needs and issues (e.g. working with diverse populations, child and youth care, seniors and age-friendly communities, immigration, disabilities and inclusion, mental health and well-being, violence, addictions).
  2. Demonstrate leadership competencies with innovative approaches to problem-solving, decision-making and managing projects and/or community programs/services.
  3. Work effectively with individuals, families, groups and organizations, by having a foundational knowledge of the stages of human development and recognizing the value of social and cultural diversity.
  4. Participate during a non-profit organization’s strategic planning, volunteer recruitment, advocacy and governance.
  5. Utilize social media and technology for professional purposes, particularly with non-profit community-based organizations and their networking/stakeholder engagement activities.
  6. Research, organize, facilitate and manage community projects and initiatives.
  7. Demonstrate a capacity to act as change agents to amend conditions within communities.
  8. Communicate with proficiency, clarity, accuracy and confidence among groups and stakeholders.
  9. Write professional proposals, complete grant applications and fundraise secure funds and sustain existing initiatives and projects.
  10. Demonstrate by example the importance of self-care and healthy living while also exploring proactive measures towards mental health, well-being and healthy aging by lifelong learning and collaboration with others.
  11. Cultivate community partnerships, build relationships and raise awareness of common issues and goals among partners and stakeholders (e.g. non-profit organizations, government agencies and the private sector).
REFERENCES
[1] Journal of Leadership Education, 2017 – Vol. 16, Issue 3, Community Leadership: A Theory-Based Model - Journal of Leadership Education
[2] Glass Door, April 29, 2024, Salary: Community Support Worker in Canada 2024 | Glassdoor

Admission Requirements


1.  High School
Provincial High School Graduation Certificate with a 60% average in eight level 3000 credits or equivalent
2.  College Transition (prior to 2024, students would have completed Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) Transition)
College Transition Certificate
3.  Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with General College Profile (or Business-Related College Profile or Degree and Technical Profile) with an average pass mark of 60%
4.  Mature Student Requirements
Applicants who do not meet the education prerequisites for this program, are at least 19 years of age at the time of application and have been out of school for at least one year may be considered on an individual basis under the Mature Student Requirements; for more information regarding the Mature Student Requirements please refer to Procedure AC-102-PR Admission.

International Applicants – English Proficiency
All international applicants must meet the College’s English language proficiency requirements for acceptance into our regular programs; for more information regarding the College’s English language proficiency requirements please refer to AC-102-PR, Admission Procedures, Section 5.2 English Proficiency.

Additional Admission Requirement - Required Documentation
Certificate of Conduct
A clear Certificate of Conduct, including a vulnerable sector category, will be required. This Certificate can be obtained from the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and must be dated no more than three months prior to the first scheduled day of classes for the program. Please note that this documentation is required in order to be accepted into the program.

Please note:
  1. Factors contributing to student success within this program include the following: good writing skills, volunteer work and the enjoyment of helping others.
  2. Additional documentation may be required by organizations for field placements and volunteer activities.
  3. Students should be aware that additional fees apply for certifications.

Courses


CODE TITLE Hrs/wk
Semester 1   Cr Le La
CM1100
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Writing Essentials 3 3 1
HR1120
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Human Relations 4 4 0
LD1200
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Intro to Human Services 4 4 1
LD2100
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Community Development 3 3 0
PS1140
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Psychology I 4 4 0
SC1110
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Intro to Sociology 4 4 0
         
Semester 2   Cr Le La
CM2100
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Workplace Correspondence 3 3 0
CY1010
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Intro to Mental Health Issues 3 3 0
FW1235
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Field Placement Preparation 1 1 0
LD1120
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Leadership Theory 3 3 1
LD1210
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Media & Public Relations 3 2 2
PS1145
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Psychology II 4 4 0
SC1130
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Family Studies 4 4 0
         
Semester 3 Intersession Cr Le La
FW1445
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Field Placement I 5 5 wks
(35 hrs/wk)
 
LD1300
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Professional Certifications I 0 2 wks
(24 hrs/wk)
 
Intersession hours are actual and will not be adjusted.      
         
Semester 4   Cr Le La
LD1121
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Leadership Practice 3 2 2
LD2220
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Interviewing Skills 3 2 2
LD2250
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Diverse Populations 4 4 0
LD2300
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Intro to Social Research 3 3 1
PS2200
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Development Psychology 3 3 0
Community Leadership Development Elective* 3 3 0
Elective (minimum credit value of 3) 3 3 0
         
Semester 5   Cr Le La
CJ2110
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Canada's Justice System 3 3 0
LD2110
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Change Leadership 3 2 2
LD2400
close
Voluntary Non-Profit Sector 3 3 0
LD2500
close
Project Management 3 2 2
PS1200
close
Drugs & Behaviour 3 3 0
SC1240
close
Healthy Aging 3 3 0
Community Leadership Development Elective 3 3 0
         
Semester 6 Intersession Cr Le La
FW1451
close
Field Placement II 5 5 wks
(35 hrs/wk)
 
FW2801
close
Field Placement Reflection 1 1 wk
(20 hrs/wk)
 
LD2511
close
Professional Certifications II 0 1 wk (22 hrs/wk)  
Intersession hours are actual and will not be adjusted.      

*Community Leadership Development (CLD) Electives
 
Community Leadership Development (CLD) Electives include the following:
 
Semester 4:
CY1011
close
Intro to Child & Youth Care
CY1041
close
Mental Health & Addictions
DB2100
close
Intro to Disability Studies

Semester 5:
CJ2210
close
Youth Justice in Canada
DB2110
close
Disability Studies
PS1240
close
Understanding Addictions

 
Please note: Each CLD elective has a credit value of 3 (3 Le/0 La). One CLD elective is taken in Semester 4 and one in Semester 5. Please check the CLD elective offering/s at the campus you plan to attend and seek academic advice (e.g. course prerequisites) before registration.
 
General Elective Courses:
 
A list of general elective courses to be offered in the fourth semester will be made available prior to registration. Please check the general elective offering/s at the campus you plan to attend and seek academic advice (e.g. course prerequisites) before registration. Other courses may be chosen provided that:

 
  1. All prerequisites have been met,
  2. The course is offered during the semester,
  3. The maximum enrolment for the course is not exceeded,
  4. The student’s schedule can accommodate all scheduled classes for that course.

Careers & Pathways


CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Working within the human services field offers profoundly rewarding opportunities and work experiences. Graduates of the Community Leadership Development diploma program may find employment with diverse populations among a myriad of organizations and agencies within community, private and public sectors.This may include, but is not limited to, employment in the following areas:
  • Addiction Services 
  • Child and Youth Care       
  • Community Education      
  • Disability Services
  • Family Services
  • Mental Health & Wellness
  • Residential Support
  • Senior Wellness
  • Violence Prevention          
  • Youth Justice

FURTHER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Cape Breton University
1.  Graduates who have completed the Community Leadership Development diploma program from CNA will receive up to a maximum of 45 credit hours of transfer towards the 90 credits required for Cape Breton University's (CBU) 3-year Bachelor of Arts Community Studies (BACS) degree program. Students must meet CBU's entrance criteria and have obtained the CNA's minimum passing grade in all courses to be accepted for advanced standing and direct entry to CBU's BACS Degree Program.
OR
2.  Graduates who have completed the Community Leadership Development diploma program from CNA will receive up to a maximum of 60 credit hours of transfer towards the 120 credits required for Cape Breton University's (CBU) 4-year Bachelor of Arts Community Studies Major/Minor degree program.  Students must meet CBU's entrance criteria and have obtained CNA's minimum passing grade in all courses to be accepted for advanced standing and direct entry to CBU's BACS Degree Program.

Saint Mary’s University
Graduates who have completed the Community Leadership Development diploma program from CNA may apply for admission to the Bachelor of Arts program at Saint Mary’s University (SMU). CNA students who meet SMU admission requirements and have obtained an overall average of 70% in their courses, may be granted up to 60 hours in a 120-credit hour degree program.
 


Tuition & Fees


Canadian Students

The confirmation fee is due within two weeks of receipt of your Letter of Acceptance. It is required in order to hold your seat in the program.

Base Fees

Mandatory Fees

  • Application Fee - $30.00 per program (non-refundable) | Application Page
    Application fees must be paid for each application to the College.
    Application fees are only refundable if the program does not go ahead, and the applicant does not want to transfer the application to another program.
  • Confirmation Fee - $103.00 per program annually (non-refundable)
    Student must pay a non-refundable fee on confirmation of acceptance to each program at the College. The fee covers registration and student association fees and is paid annually for the duration of the program.
  • Academic Audit Fee (once per program) - $50.00
  • Technology Fee (per semester) - $83.00
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Full-Time Student Fees

Certificate & Diploma Programs:

Regular Term (15-weeks)
Academics, Applied Arts & Tourism (per semester) - $1,197.00

Intersession (up to 7-weeks)
Academics, Applied Arts & Tourism (per semester) - $572.00
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Part-Time Student Fees

Certificate & Diploma Programs:

Tuition Fee (per course) - $320.00

Regulations

Regulations Governing Payment of Fees & Charges

  1. All student fees must be paid by the date specified in each term.  The dates are listed in the Academic Calendar on page. Students receiving Student Aid must present their notification of Student Aid form on the first day of classes. These students are permitted to have fees outstanding until receipt of the Student Aid, at which time these students must pay their accounts in full.
  2. Students who have not paid all fees within the time limits given in these regulations may have their registration cancelled by the College.
  3. Students with outstanding accounts will be ineligible for a subsequent term, will not be awarded a diploma or certificate, access to register, and will not be issued a certificate of standing (transcript), grade report, or access to on-line grades until the outstanding account has been paid in full. It is the student’s responsibility to address outstanding balances and to work with their respective campus student services office on inquiries related to their account balance.
  4. Should the College cancel a program, all tuition and fees paid will be refunded.
  5. Out of sequence students registering or withdrawing within a term will pay a prorated tuition and equipment and materials fee per week.
  6. Students taking courses above their normal term load (requires application to extend normal course load per semester) will pay tuition for each additional course taken.
  7. Senior Citizens, 60 years and older, are required to pay 50% of confirmation fee and tuition.
  8. Students wishing to audit a course will pay 50% of the tuition and 100% of the technology fees (if applicable).

 

International Students

A fee, which is applied toward program tuition and compulsory fees and includes a deposit fee, is due within two weeks of receipt of your Letter of Acceptance.

Base Fees

Mandatory Fees

  • Application Fee - $100.00 per program (non-refundable) | Application Page
    Applicants must pay a non-refundable fee for each application to the College.
  • The following fees are due within two (2) weeks of date of Letter of of acceptance to each program at the college:
    • Confirmation Fee - $103.00 per program annually (non-refundable)
      Student must pay this non-refundable fee on confirmation of acceptance to each program at the College. The fee covers registration and student association fees and is paid annually for the duration of the program.
    • First Semester Tuition- which includes the $1500 Deposit Fee
      Deposit fee - $1500 non-refundable, non-transferable fee.
  • Academic Audit Fee (once per program) - $50.00
  • Technology Fee (per semester) - $83.00
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Full-Time Student Fees

Certificate & Diploma Programs:

Regular Term (15-weeks)
Academics, Applied Arts & Tourism (per semester) - $4,581.00

Intersession (up to 7-weeks)
Academics, Applied Arts & Tourism (per semester) - $2,291.00
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Part-Time Student Fees

Certificate & Diploma Programs:

Tuition Fee (per course) - $1,046.00
Exceptions:
  • Heavy Equipment Operator (per week) - $354.00
  • Commercial Driver (per week) - $354.00
  • All other Trade programs (per week) - $313.00

Estimated Program Costs

The document below is meant to highlight estimated program costs for the intake of 2024-2025. The estimates apply only to International Student. All costs shown are subject to change without notice.

Estimated Program Costs for International Students (2024-2025) 


Making Payments

Application fee:
If applying online, the application fee must be paid via credit card when completing and submitting your application to College of the North Atlantic.

For all other tuition payments:
College of the North Atlantic has partnered with PayMyTuition for international tuition payments. All tuition payments, unless otherwise noted, can be paid via PayMyTuition. With PayMyTuition, you can pay your tuition payments from any bank, in any country in any currency at better than bank exchange rates. PayMyTuition is fast, simple, and cost effective.
Please note that you can only use PayMyTuition once you have being assigned a CNA student number.
PayMyTuition Logo


Regulations

Regulations Governing Payment of Fees & Charges

  1. All student fees must be paid by the date specified in each term.  The dates are listed in the Academic Calendar on page. Students receiving Student Aid must present their notification of Student Aid form on the first day of classes. These students are permitted to have fees outstanding until receipt of the Student Aid, at which time these students must pay their accounts in full.
  2. Students who have not paid all fees within the time limits given in these regulations may have their registration cancelled by the College.
  3. Students with outstanding accounts will be ineligible for a subsequent term, will not be awarded a diploma or certificate, access to register, and will not be issued a certificate of standing (transcript), grade report, or access to on-line grades until the outstanding account has been paid in full. It is the student’s responsibility to address outstanding balances and to work with their respective campus student services office on inquiries related to their account balance.
  4. Should the College cancel a program, all tuition and fees paid will be refunded.
  5. Out of sequence students registering or withdrawing within a term will pay a prorated tuition and equipment and materials fee per week.
  6. Students taking courses above their normal term load (requires application to extend normal course load per semester) will pay tuition for each additional course taken.
  7. Senior Citizens, 60 years and older, are required to pay 50% of confirmation fee and tuition.
  8. Students wishing to audit a course will pay 50% of the tuition and 100% of the technology fees (if applicable).



 APPLY NOW 
College of the North Atlantic reserves the right to cancel or alter the delivery date and location of any program offering and delivery method, and will do so in a timely manner in order to minimize the impact on applicants.
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