Professional Development

Courses, conferences, campus workshops . . . professional development comes in many shapes and sizes. Whether you are looking to connect with colleagues at an off-site conference or take an online course to address a skills gap, Mount Royal University has resources to support your goals.

The University is dedicated to learning and growth, and that includes opportunities for employees to pursue both personal and professional development. Review the information below to see what supports you can access as part of your employee group.

Management and Exempt Credential Completion

Now accepting applications for Management and Exempt Credential Completion for the Winter 2024 Semester

The Management and Exempt Credential Completion Committee is now accepting applications from those taking courses starting on or after July 1st, 2024 and ending on or before December 31st. If interested, please fill out and complete the application form and send it to prodev@mtroyal.ca.

Deadline for Applications is May 31st, 2024.

Artificial Intellegence Panel Recording

Crucial Converations for Mastering Dialouge

Learn tools to hold conversations in ways that promote healthy relationships and yield better results. Register for Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue, a workshop that takes place over three half-days, June 3, 5, & 7, from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. The session has a capacity of 25 people. Learn more.

Professional development opportunities

Upcoming seminars, workshops and sessions (University-wide)

Faculty

Complimentary MRU credit courses (Article 18.4)

As a faculty member, if you take credit courses at Mount Royal University you will be reimbursed for the amount of tuition (excluding program fees, special programs or private instruction) upon completion of the course. For more information, contact ProDev@mtroyal.ca.

Complimentary Continuing Education and Conservatory courses (Article 18.5)

Faculty members can enroll free of charge in any non-credit course, workshop or seminar offered by the Faculty of Continuing Education and Extension and the Conservatory*. Spouses and dependents of employees receive a 50 percent discount on any non-credit course offered by the University*.

(*Excludes private and small group music lessons. Subject to the approval of the Dean of the Faculty of Continuing Education or the Director of the Conservatory, as appropriate. Exclusions may apply. Approval is dependent on the overall cost of the course, the number of registrants and the economic viability of the course.)

Individual professional development (Article 18.7)

For more information, see the Mount Royal Faculty Association Collective Agreement (Article 18.7).

PD Expense Form

Staff

Professional development (Article 28.3)

To support your professional development, the University provides funds for the education and professional development activities below.

Post-secondary courses at Mount Royal University or other accredited post-secondary institutions.
Professional designations and related coursework
Professional development seminars/workshops/ and conferences

For more information, visit the Mount Royal Staff Association website.

Personal development/interests (Article 28.4)

To support your personal development, interests, and wellness, the University provides funds for personal development/interest-based activities such as health, wellness, personal interest, conferences and/or workshops. Visit the MRSA website for details.

Credit-course tuition (Article 28.6)

To support employee development through post-secondary level coursework at the undergraduate and graduate levels, the University administers an annual grant for the purpose of reimbursing eligible credit course tuition. Visit the MRSA website for details.

Complimentary non-credit registration (Article 28.7)

Mount Royal employees can enroll free of charge in any non-credit course offered by the Faculty of Continuing Education.* Check out the full list of complimentary course options and register today. Spouses and dependents of employees receive a 50 percent discount on any non-credit course offered by the University*.

*Subject to the approval of the Dean of the Faculty of Continuing Education and Extension (exclusions may apply). Approval is dependent on the overall cost of the course, the number of registrants and the economic viability of the course.

Management and Exempt

Conference and seminars funding

On April 1st, of each year, the University will establish a fund for employees' professional development to attend conferences, seminars, or workshops. Disbursement of funds is to a maximum of $2,000 per employee, per year for travel, registration, meals and other related costs. For details, contact prodev@mtroyal.ca.

Application Form

Professional and personal tuition reimbursement

Professional Development

Management and Exempt employees may be reimbursed up to $1,000 for tuition related to professional development courses, professional designation coursework and professional membership fees, which will enhance an individual's performance of work responsibilities or career development.

Personal interest courses

Management and Exempt employees may be reimbursed up to $250 for courses related to leisure, recreation, or personal improvement.

For more details, contact prodev@mtroyal.ca.

Submit your application to prodev@mtroyal.ca for pre-approval.

(As of January 1st, 2024 PD applications require a manager's signature)

Credential Completion Program (NEW)

Credential Completion Program

Management and Exempt employees (who have completed one year of service) may be reimbursed up to $5,000 to assist with covering up to 50 percent of your costs associated with an advanced credential, including tuition, books, travel and residence accommodation.

Management and Exempt Employees are eligible to submit up to two (2) applications during their employment with MRU. The University will also support the employee for time away from work on a shared basis, whereby the employee will utilize vacation time for 50% of the time needed away from work, and the University will provide an equivalent amount of paid time off to a maximum to not exceed (3 weeks). The time off is contingent on the ability of the operations to accommodate the request and must be in writing in advance for consideration between the individual and the manager. No leaves will be granted if there is a negative impact on operations.

A management or exempt employee who is granted financial support for the credential completion under this program must agree to remain in the employment of the University for a minimum of two (2) years after completion of the program or two (2) years after the employee withdraws from the program, whichever is sooner. Should the employee voluntarily leave their employment before the end of these two years, they must repay the University for monies received, prorated to the amount of time left in the two (2) year period (for example, an Employee who resigns after one year will be liable for 50% of the monies received).

Under circumstances related to financial hardship, the committee may approve payment in advance of the program to assist with completion.

For more details, contact prodev@mtroyal.ca.

Submit your signed application to prodev@mtroyal.ca

Complimentary non-credit registration

As an employee at MRU, you are able to enroll free of charge in any non-credit course offered by the Faculty of Continuing Education and Extension.* Check out the full list of complimentary course options and register today. Spouses and dependents of employees receive a 50 percent discount on any non-credit course offered by the University*.

*subject to the approval of the Dean of the Faculty of Continuing Education and Extension (exclusions may apply). Approval is dependent on the overall cost of the course, the number of registrants and the economic viability of the course.

Contact

For inquiries regarding PD, please contact ProDev@mtroyal.ca.