Program Overview

Master of Planning (MPLAN) 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, offering a practice-oriented and conceptually-rigorous planning education from one of Canada's leading universities.

Program Overview

• The MPlan and GDip programs are tailored for professionals with experience in planning, allowing them to count their courses toward continuous professional learning requirements.
• The programs provide students with the skills and perspectives necessary for successful careers in planning and related fields.

Degree Requirements

• 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
• 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)

Program Duration

• Master of Planning (MPlan): 3.3 years - 10 terms of part-time enrollment
• Graduate Diploma in Planning (GDip): 1.3 years - 4 terms of part-time enrollment

Admission Requirements

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

Application Deadlines

• 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

• The University of Waterloo uses the course management system LEARN to deliver online courses.

Professional Accreditation

• The MPlan and GDip programs are designed to provide students with the skills and perspectives necessary for successful careers in planning and related fields, although they are not accredited by the Professional Standards Board (PSB) for the Planning Profession in Canada.