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.
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 Summer Institutes, in the first term and 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 16-27, 2025, with a mandatory orientation the afternoon of Sunday, June 15.
Between the Summer Institutes
The rest of the program is completed through a mix of interactive and asynchronous online courses, as well as intensive and regular, one-term, on-campus electives for those who prefer those formats.
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.