Donate NowThe MEERL program allows our students to combine full-time professional responsibilities from anywhere in the world with part-time graduate studies. In this 20-month part-time program, you will take 10 courses and participate in two immersive in-person sessions held in Kingston, ON and Calgary, AB.
The program begins each year in mid-August with the first in-person session at Queen’s University in Kingston. This session marks the start of the MEERL experience and brings the cohort together before transitioning into the online portion of the program.
Program Launch
In person kickoff and program start.
- Orientation and program overview
- Residential session 1 (Kingston)
- Cohort building activities
- EERL 807 Module 1
Semester 1
- EERL 801 Resource Life Cycle Overview
- EERL 803 Part 1
- EERL 807 Module 1 (continues)
Semester 2
- EERL 802 Leadership and Decision Making
- EERL 805 Law, Policy, and Ethics
- EERL 807 Module 2
Semester 3
- Residential session 2 (Calgary)
- EERL 811 Project begins
- EERL 804 Part 2
- Optional EERL 810 Field course
Semester 4
- EERL 808 Mineral Life Cycle
- EERL 806 Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
- EERL 807 Module 3
- EERL 811 Project continues
Semester 5
- EERL 809 Energy Life Cycle
- EERL 807 Module 4
- EERL 811 Project completes
Dates are subject to change. Additional mandatory and optional workshops are not listed here.
In-Person Sessions
The MEERL program includes two mandatory in-person sessions designed to strengthen community, deepen learning, and connect theory to practice.
The first session takes place at the start of the program and is held over six days at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. During this session, students meet their cohort and instructors, begin their first courses, and learn strategies for success in the online learning environment.
The second session is held midway through the program and takes place over seven days in Calgary, Alberta. Students complete one of the core courses in an intensive format, reconnect with their cohort, and participate in networking events and workshops. This session includes EERL 804: Economic Essentials Part Two.
An optional field-based elective course is paired with this session, providing hands-on learning through visits to industry sites and locations of geological interest.
Weekly Learning Format
While most course content can be completed on your own schedule throughout the week, the MEERL program includes weekly live virtual sessions that bring course material to life through discussion, applied examples, and interaction with faculty and classmates.
Students should plan to dedicate time on Sundays to participate in these live sessions and complete related coursework. These sessions are a core part of the learning experience and help build connection and continuity across the cohort.
Planning Expectations
MEERL is designed for working professionals and follows a consistent, predictable schedule to support planning alongside full-time work and personal commitments.
Students should expect to spend approximately eight to ten hours per course per week, with two courses running concurrently during most terms. While much of the coursework is completed on your own schedule, students should plan for a regular Sunday commitment for weekly live sessions and related activities.
A predictable, part-time schedule designed for working professionals.
MEERL is structured so you can plan your life around it. The program is delivered primarily online, with two high-impact in-person experiences. Most students complete the program while working full-time.
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Part-time, completed in approximately 20 months
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Mostly online, designed to fit around full-time work
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Two in-person experiences
What a Typical Term Looks Like
Weekly Rhythm
Most learning happens asynchronously during the week, with live virtual sessions (often on Sundays). The schedule follows a predictable weekly cadence so you can plan around work and personal commitments.
Course Load
Students typically take one to two courses per term. The workload is designed to be rigorous but manageable alongside a full-time job.
Learning Format
Courses combine online content, discussions, group work, and applied projects focused on real-world resource leadership challenges.
Most students spend approximately 8–10 hours per course per week on MEERL coursework.
Your Journey Through the Program
Program Launch (In Person, Kingston)
The program begins with an immersive, in-person experience in Kingston that sets the foundation for the entire journey.
- 6 days in person
- Orientation and cohort building
- Foundations for leadership, collaboration, and the program ahead
This experience establishes the relationships and shared context that carry through the rest of the program.
Core Program Terms (Mostly Online)
Following the program launch, the majority of the program is completed online.
- Predictable weekly rhythm
- Combination of asynchronous learning and live virtual sessions
- You move through the program with your cohort
This structure allows you to maintain your career while progressing steadily through the program.
Mid-Program In-Person Experience (Calgary)
Midway through the program, you will participate in a second in-person experience in Calgary.
- 7 days in person
- Includes the in-person component of EERL 804 (a core course)
- Highly applied, immersive, and cohort-based
Many students describe this as one of the highlights of the MEERL experience.
Final Phase of the Program
In the final phase, you will:
- Complete advanced coursework
- Integrate learning across the program
- Apply leadership, technical, and strategic skills to complex resource challenges
This phase focuses on synthesis, integration, and impact.