Graduate degree programs & requirements

This page is out of date. Please see the individual program pages for their degree requirements.

Below you will find degree requirements for the graduate degrees and their corresponding programs offered in Management Sciences. Waterloo operates within a three term academic schedule. Each term is four months in duration. Full-time graduate studies at Waterloo is typically three courses a term. 

Waterloo operates within a three term academic schedule. Each term is four months in duration. 

Below you will find degree requirements for the graduate degrees offered in Management Sciences. For a full list of all the graduate courses offered in Management Sciences see the University of Waterloo Graduate Calendar.

MMSc (oncampus) - 1 year program as a full-time on campus student
* GDDA (completed in conjunction with the MMSc on campus)
MMSc (online) - 2 - 3 year program as a part-time off campus student
MASc - 2 year program full time on campus
PhD - 4 -5 year program

Details on Exemptions are also outlined below as pertaining to the different degree programs.

Master of Management Sciences (MMSc) - Coursework Program

Students who choose the Master of Management Sciences (MMSc) degree must complete a total of eight courses (.50 weight) normally at the 600 or 700 level. However, up to two (2) 500 level Management Sciences courses may count toward the MMSc degree. 

Of the eight courses, four are required, MSCI 603, 605, 607 & 609 and four are electives. No more than two credit courses may be taken outside of the department. This includes OVGS courses. Any courses completed outside the Department must be approved by the Associate Chair in Management Sciences, before you enrol in quest, for it to count towards your degree requirements.

Students must maintain an overall average of at least 73% at the end of each term, with no more than two failed courses overall.

A grade less than 65% in any course counts as a failure ("F"). A failed core course must be repeated (one time only) and a failed elective must be replaced. A failed course will count towards your overall GPA but does not count towards the 8 course requirement.

Duration

The minimum period of full time registration for our MMSc degree is two terms. The maximum allowable time is six terms of active registration.

Exemptions

Students may apply for an exemption for any of the required courses. In the MMSc program each of the exempted courses must be replaced as eight courses are required to meet the degree requirements.

Graduate Diploma in Data Analytics (GDDA)

Students in the Master of Management Sciences (MMSc) program may complete the requirements for the GDDA in conjunction with their MMSc requirements. Students must complete the following courses:

  • MSCI 603 Principles of Operations Research
  • MSCI 605 Organizational Theory & Behaviour
  • MSCI 607 Applied Economics for Management
  • MSCI 609 Quantitative Data Analysis for Management Sciences
  • MSCI 718 Statistical Methods for Data Analytics
  • MSCI 719 Operations Analytics
  • MSCI 723 Big Data Analytics
  • 1 pre-approved elective course See the GDDA Elective Approval form.

Master of Management Sciences - MMSC Online (MMSc) - Coursework program

Students who choose the Master of Management Sciences (MMSc) degree must complete a total of eight courses (.50 weight) at the 600 or 700 level.

In the MMSc Online program requirements, eight courses are required. Six are core courses; MSCI 602, 603, 605, 606, 607 & 609 plus two additional electives. 

You must maintain an overall average of at least 73% at the end of each term, with no more than two failed courses overall.

A grade less than 65% in any course counts as a failure ("F"). A failed core course must be repeated (one time only) and a failed elective must be replaced. A failed course will count towards your overall GPA but does not count towards the 8 course requirement.

Exemptions

Exemptions do not apply to the MMSc Online program requirements. 

Master of Applied Science (MASc) - Thesis Program

Students who choose the Master of Applied Sciences (MASc) degree must complete a total of five courses (.50 weight) normally at the 600 or 700 level. However, one (1) 500 level Management Sciences courses may count toward the MASc degree. 

Of the five courses, three are required, MSCI 603, 605 & 607 and 2 are electives.

No more than two credit courses may be taken outside of the department. This includes courses taken through the OVGS agreement. Any courses completed outside the Department must be approved by the Associate Chair in Management Sciences, before you enrol in quest, for it to count towards your degree requirements.

Students must maintain an overall average of at least 73% at the end of each term, with no more than two failed courses overall.

A grade less than 65% in any course counts as a failure ("F"). A failed core course must be repeated (one time only) and a failed elective must be replaced. A failed course will count towards your overall GPA but does not count towards the 5 course requirement.

Master's Seminar Milestone

The Master's Seminar is a 30 minute presentation on the topic of the student's thesis. This is not a formal defence, but a milestone that each MASc student is required to complete. 

Master's Thesis

Students pursuing a Master of Applied Science (MASc) degree must submit an accepted thesis which contains some elements of original work. This thesis is supervised by a faculty supervisor, examined by a committee including two or more other members and placed on display in the Faculty of Engineering Graduate Office. 

Exemptions

Students may apply for an exemption for any of the required courses. 

Any exempt courses must be replaced to meet the minimum five course requirement.

When dealing with approved exemptions, a minimum of five courses, thesis presentation and a thesis are needed to meet the degree requirements.

Exemptions for University of Waterloo undergraduate students applying to the MASc program.
An MASc applicant with a grade of 80% or more in the Waterloo course: will be exempted from:
MSCI 331 or MSCI 332 or CO 370

MSCI 603
MSCI 211 or MSCI 311 or PSYCH 338 MSCI 605
MSCI 263 or ECON 201 MSCI 607
 

Doctoral (PhD) - Th​esis Program

Students who choose the PhD program must complete a total of six courses (.50 weight) at the 600, 700, or 800 level.

Of the six courses, three are required, MSCI 603, 605, & 607 and three are electives. No more than two credit courses may be taken outside of the department. This includes courses taken through the OVGS agreement. Any courses completed outside the Department must be approved by the Associate Chair in Management Sciences, before you enrol in quest, for it to count towards your degree requirements.

Students must maintain an overall average of at least 73% at the end of each term, with no more than two failed courses overall.

A grade less than 65% in any course counts as a failure ("F"). A failed core course must be repeated (one time only) and a failed elective must be replaced. A failed course will count towards your overall GPA but does not count towards the 6 course requirement.

Comprehensive Exam

Students must pass a comprehensive exam, normally taken with 16 months or 4 terms or commencing the program. This exam will focus on three issues:

  1. Suitability of the proposed thesis topic.
  2. Adequacy of the preparation of the student for completing the proposed research
  3. Knowledge of the fundamental concepts of the management sciences.

Thesis

Lastly, students must write, submit, and defend a thesis of independent and original research.

Exemptions

Students may apply for an exemption for any of the required courses. A maximum of three of the required courses can be exempted with credit (in the PhD program they do not need to be replaced).

When dealing with approved exemptions, a minimum of 3 courses, completion of the comprehensive exam and PhD thesis are required to meet the degree requirements.