Geography and Environmental Management

The Master of Environmental Studies (MES) Geography - Tourism Policy and Planning Program at the University of Waterloo provides a unique education. You will be part of a graduate program that integrates the social, cultural, environmental, economic and political perspectives on tourism. The degree is available to both full and part-time students.

The program, offered jointly by the Department of Geography and Environmental Management in the Faculty of Environmental Studies and the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies in the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, provides a constructive, critical, and interdisciplinary education that will prepare you for careers in government, business, tourism and recreation planning, and consulting. You will interact with professors with strong local, national and international research links from a variety of disciplines.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must:

• have an Honours Bachelor's (or equivalent) degree with at least a B standing (75%).
• submit three letters of reference, normally from academic sources, but may be from professional sources.
• provide proof of competency in English (if applicable). A score of at least 600 is required in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or equivalent test. A score of 100 is required on the internet version of the TOEFL. (See the Waterloo Graduate Calendar for acceptable English test scores.).
• Submit a University of Waterloo application form.

Students who do not meet the requirements outlined above may be considered for admission to a transitional, probationary or qualifying program depending on their academic background. (See Graduate Studies Calendar - Admissions and Categories of Admission).

Application Process

Deadline:

The deadline for applications to the Master's program is February 1.

• Apply online using the Waterloo Graduate Studies Application. A non-refundable application fee of $100.00 is required for each program to which you apply. Applications will not be processed without the application fee.
• Supplementary Information to be uploaded on Quest (Waterloo will provide you with information as to how to access Quest):
• Transcripts: Copies of unofficial academic transcripts, with an explanation of the grading scheme from each post-secondary institution that you have attended.
• Resume/CV; please include your past academic and professional experience, if any.
• Writing Sample: Please provide an academic example of written work in English (published refereed paper, an honours thesis, a major term paper, etc.)
• Recent (less than two years old) English Language Proficiency Test Scores. Please note that the Faculty of Environment uses higher minimum test scores than those required by the University of Waterloo.
• Copy of Permanent Resident card, if applicable
• Sponsorship Letter, if you are receiving funding from an outside agency
• Supplementary Information Form (statement of interest); this will be completed directly on Quest.

Your referees, as listed on your online graduate studies application, will be contacted directly by the University of Waterloo and will complete their references electronically and submit them directly to the University.

Study Permit: If you are an international applicant and intend to undertake full-time studies in Canada, you should inform the Canadian Immigration officials in your home country of this fact. Applicants should not leave for Canada until they have in their possession a Letter of Acceptance issued only by the Graduate Studies Office and a Student Authorization (IMM 1442) issued by Canada Immigration. The Study Permit does not need to be uploaded on Quest, but must be presented to the Graduate Studies Office on arrival at the University of Waterloo.

Additional information about each of these uploads is available on the Waterloo online application website.

Degree Requirements

The degree requirements for the MES program in Geography - Tourism Policy and Planning include five graduate level (0.50 unit weight) courses plus preparation and defence of a thesis. There are no formal language requirements, but students engaged in field work outside of Canada are encouraged to complete formal language training through either the University or an outside agency.

Students are required to spend a minimum of two terms of full-time registration on campus (or equivalent part-time registration of four terms). All degree requirements normally must be completed within two years of initial registration, although students may apply to the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies of the Faculty for a time extension.

Funding

You will be considered for financial support for your first year of studies at the same time as your application for admission is reviewed. There are no additional application forms for departmental financial support. Funding may be a scholarship, teaching assistantship and/or research assistantship; if you wish to be considered for TAs and/or RAs, please click the appropriate boxes on the online application.   If an offer of admission is made, financial support details will be included. Search our scholarship database for additional funding opportunities. 

University of Waterloo President's Graduate Scholarship (for Recipients of Tri-Council Scholarships and OGS)

University of Waterloo International Master's Student Award (IMSA) for eligible international students

All applicants are encouraged to seek financial support from sources outside of the University.  Government agencies, research councils and employer sponsorships (in Canada and abroad) are some examples of external funding sources.