Planning - Master of Environmental Studies (MES)

Environment 3

Environment 3 (EV3) Building located on Waterloo's Campus, across from Laurel Creek.

Delve into the complexities of contemporary urban planning with the Master of Environmental Studies in Planning program.

Accredited by the Professional Standards Board for the Planning Profession in Canada, you’ll gain a practice-oriented and conceptually rigorous education that offers unparalleled opportunities for personal and professional growth.  

Through your research, explore some of the most pressing societal issues such as affordable housing, climate change, environmental conservation and policy, active transportation, urban economies, participatory planning processes, and equity and inclusion, among many other subjects. You'll have the choice of two study options: a thesis or a master’s research paper.  

While much of the research in the School of Planning is multidisciplinary, professors' research activities generally fall into two major theme areas; the physical/natural environment and the human and built environment. Funding packages are available for incoming Planning graduate students who meet certain levels of academic merit and apply by the application deadline. Graduates from this program have gone on to work in a variety of positions in government and private industry.

 

Research fields

  • Human and Built Environment

  • Physical/Natural Environment

Program overview

Department/School: School of Planning
Faculty: Faculty of Environment
Admit term(s): Fall (September - December)
Delivery mode: On-campus
Program type: Master's, Research
Length of program: 24 months (full-time)
Registration option(s): Full-time, Part-time
Study option(s): Thesis, Master's Research Paper

Application deadlines

  • January 15 (for admission in September)

Key contacts

Tracey Beirness
env-plan@uwaterloo.ca

Supervisors

Admission requirements

  • A four year honours bachelor degree (or equivalent), with a minimum overall average of 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.
  • The name of one or more School of Planning faculty member(s) who would be a suitable advisor.

Degree requirements

Application materials

  • Resume/Curriculum vitae
  • Statement of interest
    • A statement of maximum 500 words explaining your interest in and fit for the program you’re applying to, uploaded as a supporting document in the online application. Review the writing your personal statement resources for helpful tips and tricks on completion.
  • Program-specific questions (PSQ)
    • These are questions specific to the program you’re applying to. They can be viewed once you’ve started an application and are completed through a form in the online application.
  • Transcript(s)
  • Writing sample
    • 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.
  • References
    • Three references are required, at least two academic.
  • Proof of English language proficiency, if applicable
    • TOEFL 100 (writing 26, speaking 26), IELTS 7.5 (writing 7.0, speaking 7.0)

Tuition and fees