CMA Strategic Leadership Program

Most candidates proceed through the two-year CMA Strategic Leadership Program (SLP). Known as the regular stream, the SLP consists of 24 months of part-time study concurrent with full-time employment. The SLP is the hallmark of the CMA designation. It teaches candidates the practical theory needed to succeed in the strategic management profession and how to apply the theory to their daily job activities. Through its focus on business processes, the program equips candidates with the strategic management capabilities and the CMA competencies demanded by today's leading enterprises.

Six interactive sessions are at the heart of the program. Here, candidates exchange views and experiences about program concepts under the guidance of experienced moderators. Each session is two days long and is designed to mirror teamwork situations professionals face in the workplace.

The program consists of a series of individual and group management projects. Candidates take six different modules throughout the program: modules 1 – 3 are completed in the first year and modules 4 – 6 are completed in the second year.

Through the program, candidates will develop six functional competencies that are at the core of the CMA knowledge set:

• Strategic management
  
• Performance measurement
  
• Performance management
  
• Financial resource management
  
• Risk management and governance
  
• Financial reporting

You will also develop four enabling competencies. These abilities often create the most effective senior executives and are just as important as the technical skills. They are:

• Problem-solving and decision-making
  
• Leadership and group dynamics
  
• Professionalism and ethical behaviour
  
• Communication

Practical experience requirement
Concurrent with the CMA training, you must achieve a minimum of 24 months of relevant, full-time or equivalent, progressive practical experience. As a CMA candidate, you won't have to article. Instead, you'll have the opportunity to gain real-world experience in industry while you complete your training.

This integration of on-the-job experience and education ensures you will be able to apply management principles and operational knowledge in a practical environment, thereby honing your decision-making and leadership capabilities. Candidates must be able to apply the acquired knowledge and skills from the CMA Competency Map at an overall Professional Proficiency level (formerly Career Stage 2 (CS-2)) upon completing the Strategic Leadership Program.

You should be employed in a relevant position upon entering the Strategic Leadership Program; however, CMA Alberta may use discretion to grant conditional acceptance for candidates who are not employed in a relevant position upon entering the program. To see if your position qualifies as a relevant position, view the practical experience report example. Practical experience is evaluated based on the functional and enabling competencies outlined in the CMA Competency Map.

Program Prerequisites:
To qualify for the Strategic Leadership Program, candidates must:

• have a recognized degree from a post-secondary institution;
• meet the CMA prerequisite course requirements; and
• pass the CMA Entrance Exam.

Program intake
The Strategic Leadership Program intakes occur in fall and winter. The Strategic Leadership Program is offered in Calgary and Edmonton.

Evaluation
To successfully complete the Strategic Leadership Program, candidates must:

• receive a “grade” of Meets Expectations (ME) for all interactive sessions and pre- and post-session assignments for each module;
• pass the CMA Case Exam at the end of year one with a minimum grade of 60 per cent; and
• achieve a team-based score of at least 60 per cent on the written and presentation components of the Board Report at the end of year two.

About the CMA Case Exam
At the end of the first year of the SLP, candidates must write the CMA Case Exam. The Case Exam is a four-hour business case problem which tests candidates' skills in developing and implementing a sound business plan for an organization. Candidates are evaluated on an individual basis and must achieve a mark equal to or greater than 60 per cent to enter into the second year of the SLP.

About the CMA Board Report
At the end of the second year of the SLP, candidates complete a comprehensive, team-based written evaluation and presentation of a business situation as outlined in a case representing different sectors of the economy. The written report is developed by candidate teams and submitted for evaluation by CMA Canada. Each team also presents its analysis and recommendations to a simulated board of directors comprised of CMA members and/or non-CMA public business leaders from Alberta. Nationally developed evaluation guidelines are used to assess the Board Report. Candidate teams must achieve a combined grade of 60 per cent to pass.

2011/2012 Program costs:

• $3,600 for Year 1 (modules 1-3) plus GST
• Case Exam (at the end of year one): $350 plus GST
  
• $3600 for Year 2 (modules 4-6) plus GST
• Board Report (at the end of year two): $750 plus GST
• Annual candidate dues: $460 plus GST

All costs are subject to change. Please note that the cost for the upcoming 2012/13 program year will be available after June 14, 2012.

Program schedules

Please note that the 2012/13 program schedules will be available by June 14, 2012.

For your reference, please see the current program schedules. Traditionally candidates select one preferred schedule on their SLP application.

Year one fall 2011 Schedule A
Year one fall 2011 Schedule B
Year one winter 2011 Schedule A
Year one winter 2011 Schedule B

For SLP Accreditation Policies and Requirements, click here.

How to apply
Candidates who successfully passed the CMA Entrance Exam are eligible to enter into the Strategic Leadership Program. You must fill out the SLP application form and complete the online practical experience form and send your application form to the CMA Alberta office.

Fall 2012 SLP Application will be available by June 14, 2012. Tentative deadline for the Fall 2012 Application will be August 10, 2012. 

The application must be signed and can be submitted to our office via mail or scanned and submitted via e-mail to applications@cma-alberta.com . If you are e-mailing the application, please ensure that in the subject line, you indicate “SLP Application Fall 2012”.

If you are unsure of how to fill out the practical experience report form, view the practical experience report example.

For questions regarding the Strategic Leadership Program:
Henry Teng, Coordinator, Professional Programs
Direct Line: 403.984.6233

For questions regarding the CMA for MBA Program or practical experience:
Karmen Kwok, Coordinator, Professional Programs
Direct Line: 403.984.6232

For Questions regarding Payments:
accounting@cma-alberta.com 

If you have other questions, you may contact our office directly at:
403.269.5341 or toll-free at 1.877.CMA.2000.