The Master of Climate Change (MCC) program is a specialized one-year course-based (non-thesis) program that may be pursued with full or part time attendance by one of two program options: the research paper or a four-month professional internship option. Admission and degree requirements are outlined in the following information.
Admission Requirements
Applicants for the Master's program must have completed a four-year Bachelor honours degree (or equivalent) in a humanities, social science, health, engineering, science, or business discipline with an overall average of at least 75% in the final 20 courses (or last 2 years). Applicants must supply a Supplementary Information Form, required transcripts and three letters of reference, at least two of which must be from academic referees.
In some instances, students with a three-year degree are accepted into a "qualifying period" whereby they take one or two terms of prescribed undergraduate courses and then, if grades on these are high enough (usually 75%), the student is allowed to proceed into the MCC program. Please contact the department coordinator for more information on qualifying years.
International Students: Provide proof of proficiency in English (if applicable); accepted examinations and required minimum scores for graduate studies are listed on the English Language Proficiency page.
Applications to the MCC program should be made as early as possible before the deadline of February 1. The Program Admissions Committee begins to evaluate applications at the beginning of February for program entry in September.
Degree Requirements
The structure of the MCC program requires completion of three required core courses, three climate change electives (from a designated list), two open electives, and either a major research paper or a four-month professional internship (that includes a reflective experiential learning report). MCC students are assigned an academic advisor upon acceptance to the program, to assist in course selection, and supervise the research paper or advise on professional internship options.
For MCC students, failure to maintain a course average of 75% or better results in an automatic review of the student's status in the program. The review committee will consist of the student's advisor, the Program Director, and the Graduate Officer. The review committee may require that the student withdraw from the program.
Research Paper Option
Requires the successful completion of 5 units of credit comprised as follows:
- 3 required courses (1.5 units): GEMCC 601, GEMCC 602, and GEMCC 603;
- 3 climate change electives (1.5 units): from a designated list;
- 2 open electives (1.0 units) selected in consultation with academic advisor from other areas of specialization within the program or from partnering programs (suitable courses can be drawn from any other academic program that is willing to allow the student to enroll in a course); and,
- Major Research Paper (1 unit): with advisor.
Students are able to tailor their program of study based on their individual interests by completing three elective courses from the list of designated climate/climate change focused electives, including the sample below. The availability of MCC designated electives varies year-to-year, including newly approved courses.
The research paper will normally be completed in the Spring (third) term. Each student undertaking the research paper option will identify a topic and a suitable advisor in the first two terms in the program. The student will develop a research proposal for approval by her/his advisor. The research paper should be approximately 12,000 words/50 pages in length, and include clearly defined sections on 1) problem statement, 2) status of research, 3) research procedure, 4) findings, and 5) conclusions. The research paper is evaluated by the advisor and one reader designated by the Program Director.
Professional Internship Option
Requires the successful completion of 5 units of credit comprised as follows:
- 3 required courses (1.5 units): GEMCC 601, GEMCC 602, and GEMCC 603;
- 3 climate change electives (1.5 units): from a designated list;
- 2 open electives (1.0 units) selected in consultation with academic advisor from other areas of specialization within the program or from partnering programs (suitable courses can be drawn from any other academic program that is willing to allow the student to enroll in a course); and,
- Internship Practicum (1 unit): approved by the Program Director.
Students are able to tailor their program of study based on their individual interests by completing three elective courses from the list of designated climate/climate change focused electives, including the sample below. The availability of MCC designated electives varies year-to-year, including newly approved courses.
A research or policy/planning focused internship is available for students to integrate theoretical and practical knowledge and experience they gain and reflect upon it in a written report that will be evaluated by the advisor. Requests to undertake the four-month internship must be approved by the Program Director. It is the student’s responsibility to identify potential organizations with which to undertake their internship. Students will prepare an internship proposal, outlining the how the work of the organization relates to the student’s area of concentration and the professional experience sought through the internship. A letter of support from the organization indicating the role and location of the internship and willingness of the direct supervisor to mentor the intern will be submitted to the advisor and Program Director. Upon completion of the internship, the student will submit a written report (no more than 25 pages) to the advisor and Program Director that summarizes the work experience gained (day to day activities, specific projects and key accomplishments) and reflects on linkage to the program curriculum and professional development goals.