IX. Graduate Programs
Rural Planning and Development
MSc (Planning) Program
Rural Planning and Development provides the opportunity for graduate study, research and professional development in rural planning and development in either Canadian or international development contexts. The program leads to an MSc (Planning) degree. It is a professionally accredited (Canadian Institute of Planners) program that requires substantial commitment to professional performance and ethics.
Graduate students in Rural Planning and Development find employment in rural planning departments, governments, non-governmental organizations, and private consulting firms in Canada and overseas. Graduates are prepared for both local development and planning as well as national-level research and policy planning in international and Canadian contexts.
The program goal is to ensure that students have the knowledge and skill to conduct interdisciplinary research and, in a professional capacity, guide processes of change in rural planning and development.
Where appropriate, faculty from other academic units participate in an advisory capacity in students' research programs.
Admission Requirements
The program is open to qualified graduates from all disciplines including geography, international development, sociology, agriculture, environmental studies, landscape architecture, economics and planning. Applicants are required to demonstrate their specific interest in the program and relevant work experience in rural planning and development. A four-year honours degree with a B- average is considered the normal basis for admission.
Degree Requirements
MSc (Planning) in Rural Planning and Development (Canadian)
This field offers both course-based (with major research paper) and thesis options. Both of these options are aimed at providing substantive professional, contextual and specialized knowledge and skill in the domestic rural planning and development context.
All students enrolled in this field are required to complete a set of core courses that provide a foundation for rural planning and development research and practice in the Canadian context.
For the Course-based (with Major Paper) Option, students must complete:
| RPD*6170 | [0.50] | Rural Research Methods |
| RPD*6380 | [0.50] | Application of Quantitative Techniques in Rural Planning and Development |
| RPD*6240 | [0.50] | Planning and Development Theory |
| RPD*6260 | [0.50] | Land Use Planning Law |
| RPD*6250 | [0.50] | Foundations in Rural Planning Practice |
| RPD*6360 | [1.00] | Major Research Paper |
Plus a minimum of seven elective Rural Planning and Development courses or alternative open elective courses approved by their advisory committee.
For the Thesis Option, students must complete:
| RPD*6170 | [0.50] | Rural Research Methods |
| RPD*6380 | [0.50] | Application of Quantitative Techniques in Rural Planning and Development |
| RPD*6240 | [0.50] | Planning and Development Theory |
| RPD*6260 | [0.50] | Land Use Planning Law |
| RPD*6250 | [0.50] | Foundations in Rural Planning Practice |
Plus a minimum of five elective Rural Planning and Development courses or alternative open elective courses approved by their advisory committee plus the Thesis.
Students may develop an area of specialization with their advisory committees through course work, selection of elective courses, and student research leading to the major research paper or thesis, and in many cases, an internship. The program makes available a set of options to assist in developing the area of emphasis.
In the delivery of the Canadian rural planning and development field, the program draws on courses and faculty from other units on campus as well as on the resources of the school. The field of rural planning and development (Canadian) is formally recognized by the Canadian Institute of Planners, and three faculty within the program along with two faculty from other programs within the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development are Registered Professional Planners.
MSc (Planning) in Rural Development Planning (International)
This field prepares students for research and practice in international rural planning and development. Students may choose either the course-based (with major research paper) option, or the thesis option. An internship is not a field requirement but is strongly recommended.
All students enrolled in this field are required to complete a set of core courses and electives that provide a foundation for international rural planning and development research and practice.
For the Course-based (with Major Research Paper) Option students must complete:
| RPD*6170 | [0.50] | Rural Research Methods |
| RPD*6380 | [0.50] | Application of Quantitative Techniques in Rural Planning and Development |
| RPD*6240 | [0.50] | Planning and Development Theory |
| RPD*6030 | [0.50] | International Rural Development Planning: Principles and Practices |
| RPD*6291 | [0.50] | Rural Development Administration |
| RPD*6360 | [1.00] | Major Research Paper |
Plus a minimum of seven elective Rural Planning and Development courses or alternative open elective courses approved by their advisory committee.
For the Thesis Option, students must complete:
| RPD*6170 | [0.50] | Rural Research Methods |
| RPD*6380 | [0.50] | Application of Quantitative Techniques in Rural Planning and Development |
| RPD*6240 | [0.50] | Planning and Development Theory |
| RPD*6030 | [0.50] | International Rural Development Planning: Principles and Practices |
| RPD*6291 | [0.50] | Rural Development Administration |
Plus a minimum of five elective Rural Planning and Development courses or alternative open elective courses approved by their advisory committee plus the Thesis.
Students may develop an area of specialization with their advisory committees through course work, selection of elective courses, student research leading to the major research paper or thesis and, in many cases, an internship. The program makes available a set of options to assist in developing the area of emphasis.
In the delivery of the International rural planning and development field, the program draws on courses and faculty from other units on campus as well as on the resources of the School. The field of rural planning and development (International) is formally recognized by the Canadian Institute of Planners, and three faculty within the program along with two faculty from other programs within the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development are Registered Professional Planners.