Geography - Master of Arts (MA)

Environment 3

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

Gain a deeper understanding of the world around you with the Master of Arts in Geography program.

Geography bridges social science, environmental information technology, and physical science to enhance the protection and sustainable use of both the natural and built environments.  

The MA program offers two study options:    

  • The thesis option allows you to conduct research in your chosen topic (environmental and resource management, environmental science, geomatics or human geography), and produce an academic contribution to the field of Geography.  
  • The research paper option allows you to explore a broad range of topics in human geography, physical geography and geomatics, often within an applied context. This option is normally completed in one year through coursework.       

Our graduates work in many different sectors including professional, scientific and technical services, public administration, educational services, and social advocacy organizations. 

Research fields

  • Environmental and Resource Management
  • Environmental Science
  • Geomatics
  • Human Geography

Research project opportunities for this program

'Blackwards' to the Future: Past, present, and futures of the African American community of South Phoenix, AZ

Blackward to the Future is a community-led, participatory action research initiative dedicated to reclaiming the past, present, and future of the African American community in Phoenix, Arizona. The project seeks to address the erasure of Black histories from the city’s cultural landscape by documenting oral histories, preserving community archives, facilitating intergenerational dialogue, and co-creating future urban visions. Drawing on the Adinkra concept of sankofa—the principle of looking to the past to move forward—the project emphasizes joy, resistance, and self-determination over damage-centered narratives.

Spatial Data Sharing Between Government and the Private Sector

The Waterloo Civic Map Lab is a research team focused on how geospatial technologies and data are used to meet the needs of community, government, and civic organizations. Student researchers at all levels (undergraduate, graduate, post-doctoral) work to create applied and theoretical research that matters - understanding the challenges, benefits, and issues created by civic technologies and geospatial data.

Program overview

Department/School: Geography and Environmental Management
Faculty: Faculty of Environment
Admit term(s): Fall (September - December), Winter (January - April)
Delivery mode: On-campus
Program type: Master's, Research
Length of program: 24 months (full-time; thesis option), 12 months (full-time; master's research paper option)
Registration option(s): Full-time, Part-time
Study option(s): Thesis, Master's Research Paper

Application deadlines

  • February 1 (for admission in September)
  • June 1 (for admission in January of the following year)

Key contacts

Alan Anthony
aanthony@uwaterloo.ca

Julius Jebuni

I believe my research will not only contribute to empowering women and girls but also promote public awareness and understanding of the harm and risks of water insecurity, leading to improved access to socio-economic opportunities for them. That makes me so happy.

Julius Jebuni, Geography and Environmental Management

Supervisors

Admission requirements

  • An honours undergraduate degree or equivalent with at least a 75% average. Normally, the undergraduate degree will be in Geography, but applications are welcomed from superior students regardless of background. However, students must demonstrate that they have the necessary background to pursue graduate work in their field of specialization.
  • Please note that a supervisor is required for admission and supervisors are not assigned in the Department of Geography. Full agreement from a faculty member to supervise prior to initiating the application process is not necessary, however it is strongly recommended to contact professors to discuss the possibility of supervision and funding in order to better inform your decision whether or not to apply. Please see the full list of the Department of Geography faculty.

Degree requirements

Application materials

  • Resume
  • 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.
  • Transcript(s)
  • References
    • Three references are required, unless a professional reference is specified.
  • 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