Graduate Diploma in Leadership

About This Course

Leaders at all levels of responsibility in faith-based organisations, including senior, executive, departmental, and other areas of leadership, are expected to function successfully and appropriately within their professional context. This not only requires a deep understanding of and engagement with their specific context but also the capacity to lead people well by discerning and managing responsible action in the face of complex demands. In order to succeed here, leaders need an advanced understanding of core leadership theories, underpinnings and practices, and how these principles are effectively implemented in their professional context. All of Tabor’s leadership courses involve thoughtful engagement with the richness of the Christian tradition, making them ideally suited for people with responsibility for leading faith-based organisations.

Tabor’s Graduate Diploma in Leadership is designed for people who have some leadership experience, and who are looking to be better equipped for their current role and / or to take the next step on their leadership journey. Building on the foundation laid by the Graduate Certificate in Leadership, students are introduced to the key elements of innovative and entrepreneurial thinking and change management, essential requirements and skills for leading modern organisations. Opportunities for enhanced personal reflection, awareness and formation continue to be a key element of the course, which concludes with a leadership project where students are given the opportunity to design and implement a leadership ‘intervention’ in their professional context. Graduates emerge with increased capacity to lead their teams and organisations in an informed, reflective, and innovative fashion.

Professional Outcomes

Tabor’s Graduate Diploma of Leadership is aimed at mid-level leaders in faith-based organisations and seeks to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills they need to function as successful leaders in their professional context.

The course is designed to provide a sound understanding of leadership theories, ethical responsibilities of leaders, the fundamental principles and practices of self-leadership, and key components in leading teams in innovative ways, all in conversation with the rich tradition of Christian thought. As a result, students who complete the award will have at their disposal an advanced education that enables them to lead as Christians in their context in a more effective and productive manner. Furthermore, students will also develop the ability to critically analyse leadership structures and practices in their organisations with the goal of developing and improving these organisations.

Students who graduate from this award may choose to enrol in a Master of Leadership that will further develop their leadership potential.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge 

• Graduates of a Graduate Diploma will have advanced knowledge within a systematic and coherent body of knowledge that may include the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills in a new or existing discipline or professional area 

Skills 

Graduates of a Graduate Diploma will have: 

• cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge and identify and provide solutions to complex problems
• cognitive skills to think critically and to generate and evaluate complex ideas
• specialised technical and creative skills in a field of highly skilled and/or professional practice
• communication skills to demonstrate an understanding of theoretical concepts
• communication skills to transfer complex knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences

Application of knowledge and skills 

Graduates of a Graduate Diploma will demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills:  

• to make high level, independent judgements in a range of technical or management functions in varied specialised contexts
• to initiate, plan, implement and evaluate broad functions within varied specialised technical and/or creative contexts
• with responsibility and accountability for personal outputs and all aspects of the work or function of others within broad parameters

Graduates will be able to…

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of contemporary organisational leadership theory, principles, and practice, as it specifically pertains to faith-based organisations
• Review, analyse, consolidate, and synthesise knowledge and identify and provide solutions to complex problems encountered in leading faith-based organisations
• Generate, critically analyse and evaluate complex leadership ideas
• Communicate complex leadership ideas to other leaders, members of their organisation, and various stakeholders
• Make high level, independent judgements that are required when leading faith-based organisations
• Initiate, plan, implement, and evaluate effective and responsible team leadership activities, processes and initiatives in faith-based organisations
• Initiate, plan, implement, and evaluate innovation and change in faith-based organisations
• Reflect on their vocation and practice of leadership in the light of what constitutes a meaningful life.
• Explain their own strengths as a leader and identify ways in which they can develop so that they are able to lead faith-based organisations more effectively