Frequently Asked Questions
General Course Questions
All Balsillie Executive Institute courses are offered in English, with the potential for a French option in select courses. Please contact us for more details.
As our courses, masterclasses, and executive certificate program are geared toward executive development for early, mid-, to senior careerists, an undergraduate degree is desirable. Please refer to the course-specific pages for further information on prerequisites and/or target audiences.
The learning platform access information, the syllabus and agenda, and all required learning materials will be provided the week before the class commences. Any additional handouts developed by the course/masterclass instructor will also be shared through the BEI intranet.
Yes. Upon completion of the learning objectives of BEI courses, masterclasses, and executive certificate, participants will receive a BEI certificate.
Courses held at the Balsillie School are delivered as requirements for the completion of graduate degrees in Global Governance and International Public Policy. To learn more about these degree programs, click here.
All course discussions are held under the Chatham House rule, meaning participants are free to use the information received, but do not reveal the identity or affiliation of who said it. This helps to break down barriers and create a collaborative and safe environment that stimulates the generation of ideas.
Yes! BEI's courses are available in bespoke formats, which can be molded to suit the purposes of specific institutions and organizations, and delivered onsite or online. Please fill out the Contact form or email [email protected] for more information.
Courses Questions
A typical day will feature a combination of lectures, reflection exercises, breakout sessions, networking opportunities, sector-based guest speakers, interactive exercises, and group work.
In-person courses occur between 9am and 4pm, with a short morning and afternoon break, and an hour break for lunch. Virtual courses are usually held between 9am and 12 pm, with a short midmorning wellness break.
You must attend at least 80% of the course and meet the learning objectives to receive a certificate of completion. You are strongly encouraged to attend the entire course by arriving on time and staying until the end of the instruction time. This maximizes your learning and is least disruptive to the instructor and other participants.
Courses are generally offered as four full days or half days over the course of two weeks, making it a great option for busy people and those with full-time jobs. For more information on specific courses, please visit the Courses page.
The learning platform (BEI intranet) access information, the course syllabus and agenda, and all required learning materials will be provided the week before the class commences. Any additional handouts developed by the course instructor will also be shared throughout the course through the BEI intranet.
Although not required, all course agendas come with a list of recommended readings selected by the course instructor to deepen your understanding of the course's core topics. An additional time commitment per day to cover those readings averages between 1 and 2 hours.
Masterclasses Questions
A masterclass is a more in-depth educational experience in a specific field or topic led by an expert.
The masterclass format is a concise summary of 4-5 sessions delivered over a 3-hour period, which includes key issues, trends, challenges and possible approaches to addressing those challenges.
The masterclasses also offer topic-specific takeaways and short exercises, modelled to ensure knowledge retention.
You must attend the full 3-hour class and meet the learning objectives to receive a certificate of completion. You are strongly encouraged to arrive on time and stay until the end of the instruction time. This maximizes your learning and is least disruptive to the instructor and other participants.
Masterclasses can be delivered online or in-person, allowing the participants the opportunity to network. For more information, please check the masterclasses individual pages.
A masterclass series is an immersive learning experience in which two or more classes approach related topics and can be taken either individually or consecutively.
Executive Certificate Questions
We welcome professionals from diverse backgrounds with a range of experiences, however as the executive certificate program is geared toward executive development for early, mid-, to senior careerists, an undergraduate degree is desirable.
We are looking for applicants with demonstrated professional experience, leadership potential, or a strong interest in global governance and policy. While an undergraduate degree is desirable, a commitment to learning and growth is essential.
Participants typically include professionals, executives, policymakers, and leaders from diverse sectors, including business, government, non-profits, and academia. This mix ensures a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives.
A micro-credential is an official recognition of your achievement of a defined set of skills, knowledge, and competencies.
They are a fast, flexible, and reputable series of modules/courses that focus on enhancing or updating a particular skill set or subject area. When you complete a micro-credential, you receive a digital certification that you can attach to your resume, LinkedIn profile, or include in your portfolio.
Please note that BEI micro-credentials are non-academic, meaning all modules/course you take are non-credit courses that can be completed within the pre-scheduled 5 weeks.
The ‘Digital Transformation’ pathway equips professionals with essential skills to lead in a data-driven world. This pathway is ideal for professionals driving innovation and transformation across public, private, or non-profit sectors, this pathways fosters effective digital leadership.
The ‘Digital Public Policy’ pathway prepares participants to navigate policy challenges in the digital age. Designed for leaders in governance, this pathway equips participants to craft impactful, ethical, and future-oriented digital policy solutions.
Additional details about pathway-specific modules’ topics and learning outcomes are provided on the program webpage to help you decide.
Yes, you can enroll in the two shared modules and the 6 pathway-specific modules. In this case, upon completion of all learning objectives and course assessments, you will be entitled to receive both micro-credentials.
The total cost for the two pathways (Digital Transformation and Digital Public Policy), and the completion of all 8 modules, is $4200.
Upon registration and payment, you will gain access to the BEI-net the week before the program begins. All recordings and materials of modules/courses will be available on this platform.
All content will be made available on Saturday before each module's scheduled start date.
The course is delivered virtually through the BEI-net, combining flexible learning with interactive discussions. Each module includes 5 hours of online learning per week, featuring three hours of pre-recorded sessions and a two-hour live case study exercise on Fridays.
All content is made available the Saturday before the scheduled start date of each individual module. Participants also have access to instructor office hours, supporting materials, discussion board, Zoom link, and recommended readings through the BEI-net.
Assessment is based on a one-page submission, applying module learning objectives to the case study. Specific due dates are highlighted in the module page on the BEI-net.
Pre-recorded sessions are designed to prepare you for the case study exercise. Therefore, they should be completed in advance of the case study live session on Friday.
You will have access to course recordings and materials through the BEI-net for 2 weeks following the course completion day (case study live session) after the program concludes.
Attendance at live Zoom sessions is mandatory. In exceptional/extenuating circumstances, the BEI may consider individual assignments in lieu of participation.
If striving for a micro-credential, you must take the two shared and the three pathway-specific modules. If you have to miss one of them, you may take the individual module during the next offering of the program, as long as it is scheduled within the same year of registration.
Financial Questions
The fee for each course, masterclass, or executive certificate program is listed on the respective course pages. A non-refundable registration fee of $25 is included in the cost of the course to cover administrative costs.
Full payment is due one week prior to the start of the course or masterclass.
Under the provisions of the Canadian Income Tax Act, course fees paid for professional development are not tax deductible.
Yes, you will receive a BEI receipt for the full cost of the course.
We accept all major credit cards on the registration page of our website, using a service called Stripe. The charge on your credit card will say "BALSILLIE SCHOOL". Please email [email protected] for other payment options.
We will refund the full course fee for cancellations made up to five days prior to the start of the course, less the non-refundable registration fee.
We do understand unexpected situations may occur that prevent you from joining the course, in which case please contact us via [email protected] as soon as possible and we can discuss if there may be any other option, including a credit for future use, or a partial refund. A decision on refunds requested after the 5-day timeframe will be taken on a case-by-case basis.
The course fee covers all costs related to the teaching and reading materials provided, as well as a course completion certificate issued by the BEI.
Discounted rates are available to the alumni networks of the Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA) and the University of Waterloo. BSIA current students are also eligible for a discount on the fee for the Executive Certificate program. Please register through the Alumni Registration page to access these special offers.
The BEI also offers a price markdown on the total fee when participants choose to take all masterclasses in a series. Please contact [email protected] for more information on series-specific discounts.
The Balsillie Executive Institute (BEI) is a subsidiary of the Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA). Therefore, all receipts for BEI courses and masterclasses are issued by the BSIA.
BEI Intranet Questions
The BEI Intranet is an internal, secure platform for Balsillie Executive Institute participants to access content relevant to all BEI courses, masterclasses, and executive certificate program they have been registered to. It allows participants to conveniently access course summaries, session breakdowns, recommended readings, and links to the MS Teams meetings.
The content is regularly updated, and at the end of the course, participants can access and download their individual certificates.
Access to the BEI Intranet is granted to all participants registered in BEI courses, masterclasses, and executive certificate program.
You can log into the BEI Intranet using your BEI-issued credentials. The credentials will be sent to your email account after you receive a welcome email for the course you registered for. To log in, visit the BEI Intranet portal link, enter your username and password, and you will be directed to the main dashboard.
If you have forgotten your username or password, please contact [email protected] for assistance.
If you encounter any technical issues, contact [email protected]. Please include a description of the issue and any relevant screenshots to help troubleshoot.
Technology Questions
BEI courses are delivered in either Zoom or MS Teams. We will provide you with access information as well as the syllabus and all learning materials the week before the class commences. Any additional handouts developed by the course instructor will also be shared with you through the BEI intranet.
You will need reliable high-speed internet, a microphone, and a web camera. If the course/masterclass is run via Zoom, you will also need a Zoom account, which can be created through the platform's website.
While we don't adopt a 'cameras-on' policy, we encourage participants to do so whenever possible to support class engagement. If you are unable to turn on your camera and microphone during classes, you may choose to interact with the course instructor and other participants through the chat function, which is monitored by our administrative support team.
The BEI intranet, Zoom and MS Teams are very user friendly platforms. Please contact [email protected] should you encounter any problems with access or navigation and one of our support technicians will be standing by to help.
Below left photo of BEI Lecturer Jenna Hennebry by UN Women (CC BY-SA 4.0)
