Program Overview

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Program Overview

The Master of Environmental Studies in Geography Collaborative Water program is designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of the world around them while discovering innovative ways to tackle global water challenges. The program bridges social science, environmental information technology, and physical science to enhance the protection and sustainable use of both the natural and built environments.

Program Details

• Department/School: Geography and Environmental Management
• Faculty: Faculty of Environment
• Admit term(s): Fall (September - December), Winter (January - April)
• Delivery mode: On-campus
• Program type: Collaborative, Master's, Research
• Length of program: 24 months (full-time; thesis option), 12 months (full-time; master's research paper option)
• Registration option(s): Full-time, Part-time
• Study option(s): Thesis, Master's Research Paper

Admission Requirements

• An honours undergraduate degree or equivalent with at least a 75% average. Normally, the undergraduate degree will be in geography, but applications are welcomed from superior students regardless of background. However, students must demonstrate that they have the necessary background to pursue graduate work in their field of specialization.
• A supervisor is required for admission and supervisors are not assigned in the Department of Geography. Full agreement from a faculty member to supervise prior to initiating the application process is not necessary, however it is strongly recommended to contact professors to discuss the possibility of supervision and funding in order to better inform your decision whether or not to apply.

Degree Requirements

• Review the degree requirements in the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar, including the courses that you can anticipate taking as part of completing the degree.
• Check out Waterloo's institutional thesis repository - UWspace to see recent submissions from the Department of Geography and Environmental Management graduate students.

Application Materials

• Resume
• Statement of interest: A statement of maximum 500 words explaining your interest in and fit for the program you’re applying to.
• Program-specific questions (PSQ): These are questions specific to the program you’re applying to.
• Transcript(s)
• References: Three references are required, unless a professional reference is specified.
• 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

• Visit the graduate program tuition page on the Finance website to determine the tuition and incidental fees per term for your program.
• Review living costs and housing.
• Review the funding graduate school resources for graduate students.

Research Project Opportunities

• 'Blackwards' to the Future: Past, present, and futures of the African American community of South Phoenix, AZ
• Blackward to the Future is a community-led, participatory action research initiative dedicated to reclaiming the past, present, and future of the African American community in Phoenix, Arizona.

Application Deadlines

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

Program Structure

The MES program offers two study options:

• The thesis option allows you to conduct research in your chosen topic (environmental and resource management, environmental science, geomatics or human geography), and produce an academic contribution to the field of Geography.
• The research paper option allows you to explore a broad range of topics in human geography, physical geography and geomatics, often within an applied context. This option is normally completed in one year through coursework.

Career Opportunities

Our graduates work in many different sectors including the professional, scientific and technical services, public administration, educational services, and social advocacy organizations.