Summer Institute

Each year, the first term for both the MPNL and DPNL programs starts in May (the start of the summer term). Students begin readings, engage in online discussions, and complete pre-assignments for the two-week Summer Institute on Carleton’s campus.

Jen Garden, a Director for Make-A-Wish Canada, explains why she likes the program, including the Summer Institute:

Requirements of the Summer Institute

The Institute involves taking two core courses and is an opportunity to meet fellow students and faculty — and to learn from other leading scholars, successful practitioners and thought leaders.

MPNL students are required to attend two in-person Summer Institutes, in the first term and in the second-last term of the program. DPNL students are required to participate in the first Summer Institute. The Summer Institutes are delivered Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., over a two-week duration.

The next Summer Institute will be held June 8-19, 2026.

Between the Summer Institutes

The rest of the program is completed through a mix of interactive synchronous and asynchronous online courses. In-person electives are possible for those who prefer that format. However, in-person attendance is not required outside of the Summer Institutes.

Location

The Summer Institute is located at Carleton University, situated on unceded Algonquin territory. Carleton is a green campus that’s bounded by the Rideau River and Rideau Canal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The university is minutes from downtown Ottawa and from the international airport.