School of Planning

• Master of Arts (MA - Planning) and Masters of Environmental Studies (MES - Planning) programs are two-year thesis degrees which require the completion of five one-term graduate level courses, three milestones and a thesis.

NOTE: Normally the MES program is for students interested in researching in the Physical/Natural field. The only difference between the two programs is that in the MES program, the two one-term 600-level elective courses must be environmental courses identified by the School of Planning.

• The Masters of Applied Environmental Studies  (MAES - Planning) is a one-year course work degree which requires the completion of eight one-term graduate (0.50 unit weight) courses (five required courses and three elective courses).

Admission Requirements

Admission to the MA/MES/MAES programs is normally in September and is open to students who have:

• MA/MES: a four-year honours bachelor degree (or equivalent) with a minimum overall average of B+ (78%) from a recognized university. The undergraduate degree may be in planning or other fields relevant to planning including: architecture, biology, civil engineering, economics, forestry, geography, geology, landscape architecture, law, political science, sociology, or other resource disciplines or social sciences.
• MAES: A four-year honours bachelor degree with a minimum overall average of B+ (78%); normally, two years work in a planning related work experience; OR, normally two years worth of combined work experience and planning related experience obtained by being a volunteer, intern or equivalent position; OR, registered in a program at another university that is part of a dual degree program with the MAES degree program.
• three letters of reference, at least two of which must be from academic sources
• two official academic transcripts from each post-secondary institution
• a 1/2 page statement of interest in the graduate program which describes the aspects of planning offered in our School in which you are particularly interested
• a one page statement of research interest (area in which you wish to do your thesis research)
• at least one substantial example of work completed during the last two years of academic study. Students with professional experience may submit a professional report of which they were sole or senior author.
• proof of English Language Competency: A score of at least 600 is required in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and 4.0 on the TWE. A score of 250 is required on the computerized version of the TOEFL. (See Academic Regulations - English Language Proficiency Certification for other acceptable tests of English.)

Degree Requirements for MA/MES/MAES

Master of Arts (MA)/Master of Environmental Studies (MES)s

Some elective graduate courses may be taken in other departments but the supervisor's advice and approval should be sought before registering. One half course may be a Reading Course.

All master's students write a thesis which contains evidence of research, analysis and synthesis. The thesis is supervised by a faculty advisor, examined by a committee of three or more members and is made available for anyone in the university or general public to use. The thesis must be defended successfully before an Examining Committee composed of the student's Supervisor, Committee member and two Readers.

The MA and MES master's degrees are offered on either a full-time or a part-time basis. On a full-time basis the minimum residence requirement is three terms; the maximum is six terms. On a part-time basis the minimum is six terms; the maximum is 15 terms. A calendar year at UW has three terms - Fall, Winter and Spring. 

Further information regarding university regulations of Masters Degrees see Minimum Requirements for the Master's Degree .

Master of Applied Environmental Studies (MAES)

The MAES program provides suitable qualified students with a stimulating, academically sound, course-based professional Master's Degree program that equips them to further their planning related careers.

The MAES master's degree is offered only on a full-time basis for one calendar year (three terms - Fall, Winter, Spring).

Students must select courses from an approved list of electives in a concentration area subject to supervisor approval. The concentration areas include:

• GIS and Planning Decision Support Systems
• Land Development Planning
• Water Resources Planning
• Restoration and Rehabilitation
• Urban Design

Note: Some concentration areas may require more than three one-term courses.

Transfer Between Programs

Permission to transfer from the MAES program to the MA or MES programs may only occur before the end of the first term of year one but is not automatic. A graduate committee, consisting of two faculty members, bases acceptance of transfer on submission and approval of a student research proposal. The transfer does not imply any financial commitment by the School of Planning to support the student. However, this does not preclude a faculty member providing research support from grants or contract funds.

Further information regarding university regulations of Masters Degrees see Minimum Requirements for the Master's Degree .