Program details
The Master of Management Sciences (MMSc) Online program is a part-time coursework degree.
Students who successfully complete the program and meet the Management Sciences degree requirements will be conferred the Master's in Management Sciences graduate degree from the University of Waterloo, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Management Sciences. The final degree does not distinguish between full-time, part-time, online, or on campus pathways.
The Department of Management Sciences has endeavoured to maintain the same excellence in the online program offerings that is available to the on campus students. In order to maintain flexibility within the program for our professional students, the variety of the courses offered is not as expansive as that offered on campus, focusing more on technology management skills and integration of information technology. In creating and growing the MMSc Online program the department has firmly adapted the same academic standards to our online learning environment that has become a Waterloo staple.
"Every day I help my organization get even better at putting our people, their knowledge and our technology together to deliver business value for our clients and our firm.
The skills and knowledge from my University of Waterloo Master in Management Sciences degree have been invaluable to me."
Gordon Vala-Webb National Director Knowledge Management, PWC Management Services LP, MMSc Online Graduate
Required courses
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.
Course requirements in the MMSc Online program include:
- MSCI 602 Principles of Management of Technology
- MSCI 603 Principles of Operations Research
- MSCI 605 Organizational Theory & Behaviour
- MSCI 606 Foundations of Senior Management
- MSCI 607 Economic Concepts for Management
- MSCI 609 Quantitative Data Analysis for Management
- Plus two (2) electives.
For a full listing of Management Sciences courses visit the graduate calendar.
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. 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.
Program delivery
The entire MMSc Online program is completed online within a virtual classroom. Students and faculty participate in tutorials, lectures, discussion, group projects, and course assignments. While we invite you to stop by and visit the campus at any time, it is not necessary to travel to Waterloo.
Using the Waterloo LEARN system, and the Adobe Connect platform, we are able to host interactive tutorials, quality lectures, and real-time discussions.
MMSc Online learning
In the MMSc Online program you become part of an international network of graduate students made up of professionals such as team leaders, consultants, managers, executives, and CEO's working in a wide variety of fields.
The online classroom enables students to work with each other on projects, case studies, business simulations and seminar discussions and presentations creating a vibrant online learning community that most students apply directly to real world situations in their work place.
Getting just the right balance, and maintaining it
We are saturated today with technology and its applications. Applying the necessary tools to integrate the materials needed in a high caliber graduate degree, without overwhelming bandwidth limitations and sensory perceptions, is a constantly evolving production. We are proud to have pulled together a solid online program led by leading academics in the Management Sciences, utilizing today's technology to enable the creation of high-quality and intensely interactive online learning.
Flexibility
Lecture times and tutorials vary from instructor to instructor. As room bookings are not a concern, most instructors in the program will work very hard to arrange a time compatible to the majority of their class.
We encourage all students to participate via the live lecture, however, time zones, careers and families are often not as flexible as we would like. Each lecture is, therefore, archived for later accessibility. Participating via the archived materials is possible but we do stress the value of live interaction.
"Waterloo's MMSc [online] program allowed me to get a highly respected management masters degree while continuing my full-time job and being a mother to a young family. I worked intensively online with my fellow professionals in organizations internationally and constantly applied what I learned to help my company perform better. I could never have done this in a classroom program."
Karen Dudinski National Technical Manager, Acklands-Grainger Inc., MMSc Online Graduate
Exams
The MMSc Online exams are arranged through Waterloo's Center for Extended Learning, and invigilation services located worldwide.
Duration
The University of Waterloo operates on a three term per year basis, with each term being four months in total (Winter: January-April, Spring: May-August & Fall: September-December).
The MMSc Online program is a part-time program. Most students complete one course per term; at this pace, the entire program is usually completed within two and a half years.
We try very hard to keep it flexible enough to also allow for inactive terms, doubling or even tripling (not recommended) up your course load.
It's important to remember that these are graduate level courses, and each course requires on average 12-15 hours each week to dedicate to your studies.
In the end, the duration of the program is dependent on you and how you are able to proceed within the program guidelines, parallel priorities, and other financial commitments.
Cost
Tuition for the MMSc Online program is assessed on a per course per term basis.
Please view the student fees site for current tuition rates.
The total program cost would be tuition per course multiplied by the number of courses (8).
Additional expenses include textbooks; however on average, course instructors select course materials within the $100 - $150 range.
There are no travel costs. Exam proctoring fees are covered by the program.
Most standard computer systems are sufficient for the online system requirements. Any additional software you may not currently have are available as free downloads.
OSAP & other traditional funding sources
Most traditional academic funding sources, including OSAP, are not available to part-time students. However, 95% of our student body is either fully or partially funded by their employers.
We recommend you get in touch with your Human Resources Department and find out about academic advancement/career development funding opportunities that may be available to you.
"Managers of the future will work in organizations that are based on strategic application of information technology, innovation and intrapreneurship. This program is a superior choice to an MBA."
Kenneth Law, MBA, MMSc Online Graduate
Becoming a student
To apply to the program, you will need to review the Management Sciences application requirements and procedures.
Note: Some of the program's required courses will need a background in calculus and probability. If you don't have the required calculus and/or probability qualifications:
- MMSc Online applicants can enrol in MATH 127.
- You will apply for post-degree admission to the required MATH course. The site outlines what is required and the deadlines.
- After you have received an email confirming your acceptance as a post-degree student, please contact us and let us know you are an MMSc Online applicant and require this course in order to be eligible for admission to our program.
- If you are offered admission to our MMSc Online program it will be conditional upon the successful completion of MATH 127, achieving a grade of no less than 70%.
If you have any questions, concerns, or require assistance through the application procedure, feel free to contact the MMSc Online Coordinator for support.
