Alberta professionals gain local access to Royal Roads University

Royal Roads University (RRU) and Mount Royal University (MRU) are expanding access to graduate education in Alberta through a new partnership that will, for the first time, offer Royal Roads in-person residencies within the province.

Beginning in fall 2026, Alberta-based learners enrolled in select Royal Roads graduate certificate programs will be able to complete a required in-person residency in Calgary, reducing the need for interprovincial travel while maintaining RRU’s flexible, primarily online delivery model.

“We recognize the value of learners being able to stay rooted in their communities while advancing their education,” said Philip Steenkamp, President and Vice-Chancellor of Royal Roads University. “Partnerships like this are increasingly central to how universities expand access, strengthen programming, and respond to evolving learner needs.”

“Increasing accessibility to graduate education is important to Mount Royal and for our community,” said Tim Rahilly, President and Vice-Chancellor of Mount Royal University. “We’re thrilled to partner with Royal Roads University to expand access to high-quality programs for Albertans, in Calgary, and in more flexible ways from their home province.”

Programs launching in September 2026 and January 2027 will include a one-week, in-person intensive hosted at MRU’s Calgary campus as part of Royal Roads’ online graduate certificates. Designed for working professionals, the programs focus on leadership, innovation, and applied skills development, while enabling learners to remain connected to their local communities.

This residency offering marks the first academic initiative under a broader Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two institutions. The agreement aims to enhance academic and research opportunities, facilitate student and faculty exchanges, and foster innovative collaborations on joint research projects, academic programs, and community engagement initiatives.

The graduate certificate programs with Calgary-based options are:

• Graduate Certificate in Change Management — September 2026 (Residency: Online or Calgary, Alberta)
• Graduate Certificate in Management and Leadership — October 2026 (Residency: Colwood, B.C. or Calgary, Alberta)
• Graduate Certificate in Corporate Social Innovation — January 2027 (Residency: Online or Calgary, Alberta)
• Graduate Certificate in Systems Leadership in Higher Education — January 2027 (Residency: Online or Calgary, Alberta)

As two of only seven institutions in Canada recognized as Ashoka Changemaker Campuses, MRU and RRU share a commitment to innovation and responsive, future-focused programming. This designation recognizes institutions with a demonstrated, campus-wide commitment to social innovation and changemaking. Building on that shared foundation, the partnership expands access to education across provincial boundaries while advancing new opportunities for learners. Learn more.