Frequently Asked Questions
General
What languages are the courses offered in?
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.
Are there admission requirements?
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.
When will I receive the course agenda, access information, and course materials?
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.
Will I receive a certificate?
How do these courses differ from courses held at the Balsillie School?
Courses held at the Balsillie School are delivered as requirements for the completion of graduate degrees in Global Governance, International Public Policy, and Development Practice. To learn more about these degree programs, click here.
Are the classes recorded?
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.
What if I am unable to complete the course due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. illness)?
If unforeseen circumstances prevent you from completing the course, the BEI will offer a placement in the next online offering of the same course, subject to availability. One course deferral is permitted within one calendar year from the course end date.
Does the BEI offer custom courses?
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 info@balsillieinstitute.ca for more information.
Courses
What does a typical day look like?
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.
What are the completion requirements?
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.
Are the courses offered part-time?
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.
When will I receive the course agenda, access information, and course materials?
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.
Do courses require additional study time beyond classes?
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
What is a masterclass?
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.
What are the completion requirements?
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.
What is the delivery mode?
Masterclasses can be delivered online or in-person, allowing the participants the opportunity to network. For more information, please check the masterclasses individual pages.
The masterclass I am interested in is part of a 'masterclass series'. What does that mean?
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.
Registration & Payment
What is the cost for each course?
The fee for each course, masterclass, or executive certificate program is listed on the respective course pages. A non-refundable registration fee is included in the cost.
When are the course fees due?
Full payment is due one week prior to the start of the course or masterclass.
Will I receive a tax receipt for the cost of the course?
Under the provisions of the Canadian Income Tax Act, course fees paid for professional development are not tax deductible.
Will I receive a receipt for my payment so I can submit it to my organization for reimbursement?
Yes, you will receive a BEI receipt for the full cost of the course.
Which methods of payment do you accept?
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 info@balsillieinstitute.ca for other payment options.
What is your refund policy?
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 info@balsillieinstitute.ca 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.
What is included in my course fee?
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.
Are there any discounts available?
The BEI offers discounted rates for alumni and members of partner organizations. To see the list of partner organizations and register, please visit the Affiliate 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 info@balsillieinstitute.ca for more information on series-specific discounts.
Why has my receipt been issued by the Balsillie School of International Affairs?
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.
Certificates
What is the difference between a badge, a microcredential, and a certificate?
At the Balsillie Executive Institute, learners receive digital credentials that recognize different types of achievements.
- Badges are awarded for the successful completion of an individual executive course, masterclass, or self-paced (OnDemand) module.
- Microcredentials are awarded to learners who complete the requirements for a BEI Executive Certificate, recognizing the achievement of a broader set of competencies across multiple learning experiences.
Throughout our website and communications, we often use the terms certificate or digital certificate as a general way to refer to the official digital credentials issued through MyCreds®. Depending on the program you complete, your digital credential may be issued as either a badge or a microcredential, but all are secure, verifiable, and issued through the MyCreds® platform.
How will I receive my BEI certificate?
After successfully completing your BEI course, you will receive an email notification from MyCreds® advising you that your digital certificate is available.
Do I need a MyCreds® account?
Yes. The first time you access a credential through MyCreds®, you will be prompted to create a free learner account and set up account security measures.
Is my digital certificate an official credential?
Yes. Certificates issued through MyCreds® are official digital credentials issued directly by the Balsillie Executive Institute and can be independently verified by recipients.
How can I share my certificate with an employer or colleague?
You can securely share your certificate directly from the MyCreds® platform by generating a secure link or granting recipient access through the MyCreds® portal.
Can I download a copy of my certificate?
Yes. MyCreds® allows learners to access and download copies of their credentials for personal records while maintaining a verified digital version online.
Can I add my certificate to LinkedIn or my résumé?
Yes. BEI certificates issued through MyCreds® can be referenced on résumés, CVs, professional portfolios, and LinkedIn profiles. The digital credential provides a trusted way for employers and professional contacts to verify your achievement.
What makes a MyCreds® certificate different from a PDF certificate?
A MyCreds® credential includes built-in verification features that allow recipients to confirm its authenticity. Unlike a standard PDF attachment, a MyCreds® credential is securely issued and can be independently validated.
Will my certificate remain available in the future?
Yes. Your credential remains stored in your MyCreds® learner wallet, allowing you to access and share it whenever needed.
Who should I contact if I have questions about my certificate?
For questions about your course completion or certificate issuance, please contact info@balsillieinstitute.ca. For technical questions related to accessing your MyCreds® account, please consult the MyCreds® support resources available through the platform.
BEI Intranet
What is the BEI Intranet?
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.
Who has access to the BEI Intranet?
Access to the BEI Intranet is granted to all participants registered in BEI courses, masterclasses, and executive certificate program.
How do I log into the BEI Intranet?
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.
What if I forgot my login credentials?
If you have forgotten your username or password, please contact info@balsillieinstitute.ca for assistance.
What should I do if I encounter technical issues on the BEI Intranet?
If you encounter any technical issues, contact info@balsillieinstitute.ca. Please include a description of the issue and any relevant screenshots to help troubleshoot.
Technical
Which platform are the online classes offered in?
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.
What equipment will I need to take classes online?
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.
Am I required to turn on my camera and microphone during classes?
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.
Troubleshooting the learning platform
The BEI intranet, Zoom and MS Teams are very user friendly platforms. Please contact info@balsillieinstitute.ca 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)
