Planning (Aeronautics) - 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 while tackling challenges facing the future of aviation, aerospace and space with the Master of Environmental Studies in Planning Collaborative Aeronautics 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, with the choice of two study options: a thesis or a master’s research paper.  

Along with developing expertise in your area of research, you’ll complete aeronautical training with Collaborative Aeronautics Program students from other fields, strengthening your interdisciplinary skills to apply your research towards impactful solutions.

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.

Program overview

Department/School: School of Planning
Faculty: Faculty of Environment
Admit term(s): Fall (September - December)
Delivery mode: On-campus
Program type: Collaborative, 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

  • Review the degree requirements on the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar, including the courses that you can anticipate taking as part of completing the degree

Application materials

  • Resume/Curriculum vitae
  • Supplementary information form (SIF)
    • The SIF contains questions specific to your program, typically about why you want to enrol and your experience in that field. Review the application documents web page for more information about this requirement

      If a statement or letter is required by your program, review the writing your personal statement resources for helpful tips and tricks on completion
  • Transcript(s)
    • Two official academic transcripts from each post-secondary institution
  • 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