Graduate Diploma – Management is a postgraduate diploma in Management & Leadership programme taught at Athabasca University in Athabasca, Canada. The programme runs for 14 months, delivered fully online. Tuition is CAD 20,856 per total for local students.
At a glance
Degree:Postgraduate Diploma
Field:Management & Leadership
Duration: 14 months
Delivery: Online
Local tuition: CAD 20,856 / total
Last checked September 2026 · Source: athabascau.ca ·
Program details
Overview
The Graduate Diploma – Management at Athabasca University is an 18-credit online program consisting of an orientation component plus six core courses: 15 credits of Phase 1 core courses and one specialized Phase 2 core course worth three credits. Topics covered include strategy, human resources, operations, marketing, finance, and economics. Delivered as online grouped study with defined start and end dates, the program typically requires a commitment of about 20 to 25 hours per week and can be completed in as little as 14 months, with up to three years allowed. The business school offering it holds AACSB International accreditation. The diploma is designed for people seeking to advance their management education, including those without an undergraduate degree who have at least eight years of managerial experience, and it also functions as an alternative entry route into the university's online MBA program, into which credits can be laddered. It suits experienced managers who want a shorter, focused management credential or who need to build academic standing before pursuing the full MBA.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: Admission offers three possible routes into the program: a baccalaureate degree plus 3 years of managerial experience; an approved professional designation plus 5 years of managerial experience; or 8 years of substantial managerial experience combined with relevant education or training — an undergraduate degree is not required if you have at least 8 years of managerial experience. There are three annual intakes, each with its own application deadline and start date. Completing this diploma lets you transfer into the remainder of the MBA program.
Application Details
Start Date:Aug. 2027, Jan. 2027, or May 2027
Application Deadline:June 15, 2026 (for Aug. 2027 start); Oct. 15, 2026 (for Jan. 2027 start); or March 15, 2027 (for May 2027 start)
