Planning - Graduate Diploma in Planning (GDip) (Online)

Environment 3

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

The department’s tradition of collaboration and innovations offers a rich and varied graduate experience that’s unparalleled.  

In the program, you’ll work closely with a supervisor to perform original research in an area of physics, culminating in a PhD thesis. You’ll be provided with funding to cover tuition and some living expenses. 

Program highlights

  •     Be part of Canada’s largest and one of the longest-established Planning Schools in the country.
  •     Enable your career goals with a strong practical dimension.
  •     Count your courses toward your continuous professional learning requirements.
  •     Flexibility of a part-time, online workload so that you can cater your degree to your needs.
  •     Shorter program timeframe than the MPlan. 

Program overview

Department/School: School of Planning
Faculty: Faculty of Environment
Admit term(s): Fall (September - December), Winter (January - April), Spring (May - August)
Delivery mode: Online
Program type: Diploma
Registration option(s): Part-time
Study option(s): Coursework

Application deadlines

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

Key contacts

For program-specific inquiries: Tracey Beirness, env-plan@uwaterloo.ca
For application support: gradapply@uwaterloo.ca

The Graduate Diploma (GDip) in Planning program is not currently accepting applications.

Admission requirements

  • An honours Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in an acceptable discipline, from a university of recognized standing, with at least a 78% average or equivalent for international applicants
  • Two years of work experience in planning or a related field

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)
  • Writing sample
  • References
    Three references are required. References can be academic, professional, or a combination of the two. Professional referees need to have been the student's direct supervisor in a paid or volunteer position, at least one in a planning related field. Academic referees should normally have taught the student in a senior undergraduate class or acted as a supervisor for a major research paper/thesis
  • 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