Master of Arts Geography Specialization in Science, Society and Policy

The objectives of the Department are to foster awareness of the field of Geography, and to add to the body of geographic knowledge and methodology through teaching and research. The Department also endeavors to prepare specialized teachers and researchers to meet the demands of the teaching profession and of various public and private agencies. The Department of Geography offers a master of arts (with thesis), a master of science (with thesis), and a PhD in geography. In certain cases, students may be admitted to the master's in geography on a part-time basis.**

The MA in Geography and MSc in Geography are two programs participating in the collaborative program in Environmental Sustainability as well as in the collaborative program in Science, Society and Policy (at the master's level only). The Department participates in a collaborative program in Canadian Studies at the PhD level. For more information on this program, see Admission Requirements.”

The objective of the collaborative program in Science, Society and Policy is to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to evaluate the challenges confronting decision-making at the interface of science and policy. Students will have an opportunity to explore how evidence is used in decision-making, how current policies shape the scientific enterprise, and how emerging technologies interact with society.

The programs are governed by the general regulations in effect for graduate studies.

**Part-time students must normally complete course requirements, except the thesis, within a period of not more than 24 months. For more information, consult the Department.

For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the specific requirements webpage.

To be admissible to the master's program, the student must hold an BA with honours in geography or in a related discipline with an academic record indicating at least (B+) or the equivalent. Candidates whose bachelor's degree with honours (or the equivalent) is in an area other than geography may be admitted for a qualifying period, during which they must take selected courses required in the department's BA with honours program.

Additional Coursework

The Admissions Committee may, depending on the candidates’ background, require them to successfully complete additional courses, including language courses, beyond the basic MA degree requirements.

Collaborative Programs

The Department of Geography is one of the units participating in the collaborative programs in Canadian Studies (PhD level only) and in Science, Society and Policy (master’s level only). Students should indicate in their initial application for admission that they wish to be accepted into one of the collaborative programs. 

Admission to the collaborative program in Science, Society and Policy is governed by the general regulations in effect for graduate studies. 

Applications for admission may be submitted at the time of application to a participating master’s program (i.e. primary program) at the University of Ottawa or upon acceptance into a participating master’s program at the University of Ottawa.  

To be accepted into the collaborative program candidates must:

• Be admitted to one of the programs participating in the collaborative program;
• Submit a collaborative program enrollment form;
• Submit a 1-page cover letter (500 words maximum) outlining their interest in the collaborative program and how their research topic or area aligns with the scope of inquiry at the Institute for Science, Society and Policy;

In the case of a thesis-based program, the collaborative enrollment form must be signed by the student’s thesis supervisor, as consent to participate in the collaborative program.

Note that some of the primary programs have a co-op option. Students in the collaborative program may also have access to the co-op option provided that space is available, that they meet the co-op admission requirements, and that required courses do not conflict with the schedule of co-op placements.

Additional Information

For additional information, refer to the Department of Geography's website.

• Apply online through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), by completing form 105.
• Declare all your current and previous postsecondary studies, completed or not, even if they are not related to your application. Failure to do so may lead to the cancellation of your application or the withdrawal of your offer of admission at any time.
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• Pay the application fees for all your admission applications. Applications are forwarded to the University of Ottawa only after fees are paid in full and the payment has cleared. Learn more about application fees.
• Note that OUAC is not part of the University of Ottawa. It handles applications to all Ontario universities and is responsible for transferring your application to our admission office.