MPLAN and GDip (Online)

Master of Planning (MPLAN) PLAN and Graduate Diploma in Planning (GDip)

The Master of Planning (MPlan) and Graduate Diploma in Planning (GDip) are designed to fit into your busy schedule. Get a practice-oriented and conceptually-rigorous planning education from one of Canada's leading universities. If you're a professional with experience in planning, you can count your courses toward your continuous professional learning requirements (pdf program guide).

Degree Program Degree Requirements Program Duration
Master of Planning (MPlan)
  • six obligatory one-term PLAN courses: 625, 700, 702, 704, 705, 706, for a total of 3.0 units
  • four elective one-term graduate courses drawn from the School of Planning, Master of Public Health, or Master of Environment and Business, for a total of 2.0 units
 3.3 years - 10 terms of part-time enrollment
Graduate Diploma in Planning (GDip)
  • one obligatory one-term course: PLAN 700 (0.5 unit)
  • three elective one-term graduate courses drawn from an approved list of 600 and 700-level PLAN courses (1.5 units)

1.3 years - 4 terms of part-time enrollment

Program Details

Students may begin the MPlan or GDip program in fall, winter, or spring term. Application deadlines are as follows.

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

Online Learning @ UWaterloo

The University of Waterloo uses the course management system LEARN to deliver online courses. For more about the online course experience, including a demonstration video, please see the Centre for Extended Learning webpage. 

Professional Accreditation

Applicants to the MPlan or GDip program are expected to have prior professional experience in planning. Unlike our MA and MES programs, the MPlan and GDip programs are not accredited by the Professional Standards Board (PSB) for the Planning Profession in Canada.

All of the School's programs and courses provide students with the skills and perspectives necessary for successful careers in planning and related fields.