School of Planning

• The Master of Arts (Planning) (MA) and
• The Master of Environmental Studies (Planning) (MES) programs are two-year thesis degrees which require the completion of five one-term grad 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 Master of Applied Environmental Studies (Planning) (MAES) program is a one-year course work degree which requires the completion of eight one-term graduate courses (five required and three elective courses - see chart below - for a total of 4.50 units).

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%); two years planning related work experience; 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 - not required for MAES program)
• 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.
• curriculum vitae or resume
• proof of English Language Competency: Applicants who have not completed three or more years of post-secondary work at a Canadian institution or at an institution at which English was the primary language of instruction, or have not been employed for a similar period of time in a position in which English was the primary language of business will be required to provide certification of English language proficiency.

  TOEFL: minimum score of 100, with minimum skill scores of 26 in each of speaking and writing;

  Paper-based TOEFL - minimum of 600 overall is required and 4.0 on the TWE and 50 in the TSE.

  Computer-based TOEFL - minimum of 250 overall, 50 in the TSE and 5.0 in the essay.

  Other tests of English language proficiency accepted include:

  IELTS (International English Language Testing System ) - minimum score of 7.5;

  MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery) - minimum score of 90;

CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Assessment ) - minimum score of 70 is required with 70 in writing and 70 in speaking.

EFAS (English for Academic Success [Renison University College, University of Waterloo]) - 80% overall in level 400

These tests are offered in Canada, the United States and many other countries.

Degree Requirements for MA/MES/MAES

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

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 a minimum of the student's Supervisor, one Committee member and one Reader as per the requirements listed in the Graduate Calendar under Master's Minimum Degree Requirement.

The MA and MES master's degrees are offered on either a full-time or a part-time basis. See Residency Requirements.

Master of Applied Environmental Studies (MAES)

The MAES program provides students with a stimulating, academically sound, course-based professional Master's Degree program that equips them to further their planning related careers.  Students must have two years planning related work experience;  OR, registered in a program at another university that is part of a dual degree program with the MAES degree program.

The MAES degree is offered  as a three-term (Fall, Winter, Spring) full-time calendar year program, or a maximum of 8 terms part-time starting Fall term (September) of each year.

Transfer Between Programs

Permission to transfer from the MAES program to the MA or MES programs, or from the MA/MES programs to the MAES program, may be granted after the end of the first term of year one by the Associate Director, Graduate Studies (Graduate Officer) providing the student fulfills the requirements of the program he/she wants to transfer to.  A key requirement for MAES students transferring to the MA or MES program is the written agreement of an appropriate faculty member to advise the students and of another appropriate faculty member to act as a committee member.  The transfer does not imply any financial commitment by the School of planning to support the student after the change in program of studies.  However, this does not preclude a faculty member providing research support from grants or contract funds.

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