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: 1) Canadian rural planning and development; or 2) International rural planning and development. 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 the MSc (Planning) program 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 regional, provincial and 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
Students enrol in one of two study options: 1) thesis or 2) course work or course work and major research paper.
Canadian Rural Planning and Development
This field offers an all course work option; major research paper (MRP) option and a thesis option. All three 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.
Thesis
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 |
In addition the student is required to complete an additional five (5) 0.5 credit elective courses in consultation with their advisory committee.
Course Work and Major Research Paper (MRP)
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 |
In addition the student is required to complete an additional seven (7) 0.5 credit elective courses in consultation with their advisory committee.
Course Work
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 |
In addition the student is required to complete an additional nine (9) 0.5 credit elective courses in consultation with their advisory committee.
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. An internship is not a field requirement but is strongly recommended. 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.
International Rural Development Planning
This field prepares students for research and practice in international rural planning and development. Students may choose the course work option; major research paper (MRP) option or the thesis option.
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.
Thesis
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 |
In addition the student is required to completed an additional five (5) 0.5 credit elective courses in consultation with their advisory committee.
Course Work and Major Research Paper (MRP)
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 |
In addition the student is required to complete an additional seven (7) 0.5 credit elective courses in consultation with their advisory committee.
Course Work
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 |
In addition the student is required to complete an additional nine (9) 0.5 credit elective courses in consultation with their advisory committee.
Students may develop an area of specialization with their advisory committees through course work, selection of elective courses, student research. 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.