Admission to the program is on a limited and competitive basis.

1. To be considered for admission to the program an applicant will normally possess a relevant second-class or better undergraduate degree from a university of recognized standing.

2. In exceptional cases, applicants who have not completed an undergraduate degree may be considered for admission. Preference will be given to those who have at least 10 years of relevant professional experience, and have successfully completed several years of post-secondary studies. Applicants who do not meet normal admission requirements shall be required to complete, with a high level of achievement, certain undergraduate courses before being considered for admission.

3. Applicants who did not complete a baccalaureate or post-graduate degree at a recognized university where English is the primary language of instruction must normally complete either the:

   1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and achieve a paper-based score of 580 (or higher), computer-based score of 237 (or higher), or Internet based score of 92-93 (or higher); or

   2. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and achieve a score of 7 (or higher).

   Information regarding the TOEFL is available from the Educational Testing Service at www.ets.org. IELTS information is available at www.ielts.org. It is noted that other equivalent tests acceptable to the School of Graduate Studies will also be considered.

1. This program is an online program.

2. Students in the Master of Marine Studies (Marine Spatial Planning and Management) are required to complete either:

   1. 30 credit hours of course work and an Internship (MSTM 6019)

      1. Course work includes 7 Core Courses (21 credit hours) completed online, as well as 3 elective courses (9 credit hours).

      2. Students will choose one of two options for elective course selection:

         • two Category A Electives plus one Category B Elective; or
         • two Category B Electives plus one Category A Elective.

   2. 30 credit hours of course work and a Research Project

      1. Course work includes 7 Core Courses (21 credit hours) completed online, as well as 3 elective courses (9 credit hours).

      2. Students will choose one of two options for elective course selection:

         • two Category A Electives plus one Category B Elective; or
         • two Category B Electives plus one Category A Elective.

   3. 36 credit hours of course work on the Comprehensive Course Route.

      1. Course work includes 7 Core Courses (21 credit hours) completed online, as well as 5 elective courses (15 credit hours).

      2. Students will choose one of two options for elective course selection:

         • three Category A Electives plus two Category B Electives; or
         • three Category B Electives plus two Category A Electives.

3. Maximum course load

   1. Students with full-time status may register for a maximum of 9 credit hours in any regular semester and a maximum of 6 credit hours in intersession or summer session.

   2. Students with part-time status may register for a maximum of 6 credit hours in any regular semester and a maximum of 3 credit hours in intersession or summer session.

   3. Students may register additional courses in a semester or session with the permission of the Academic Director of the Program.

All students must complete MSTM 6019 Internship (6 credit hours) or a Research Project. Normally students would be permitted to register for MSTM 6019 Internship or the Research Project only after all other course requirements have been met, or during the student's last semester of studies. Evaluation of the Research Project shall be carried out in accordance with General Regulations, Theses and Reports in the School of Graduate Studies.

1. MSTM 6019 Internship - Requirements

   • Internships are normally proposed by the student and approved by the Academic Director in consultation with the Placement Officer. Internship placements may be local, national or international. Students seeking international internships must consult with the Academic Director early in the first year of their program.

   • Internships are for full-time employment hours for the duration of the semester (12 weeks).

   • Students must attend a scheduled pre-internship orientation workshop. See Pre-Internship Workshop below.

   • Each internship placement is supervised and evaluated by the on-site Supervisor assigned by the employer and the Academic Director. The internship shall consist of two components:

     • On-Site Student Performance as evaluated by the on-site Supervisor assigned by the employer, in consultation with the Academic Director and Placement Officer.

     • An Internship Report graded by the Academic Director in consultation with the on-site Supervisor assigned by the employer.

   • Evaluation of the Internship shall result in one of the following final grades: Pass or Fail.

   • A student must obtain a Pass in both the On-Site Student Performance and the Internship Report to obtain a final grade of Pass. If a student fails to achieve the internship standards specified above, the student may be required to repeat the internship. An internship may only be repeated once.

   • Students who voluntarily withdraw from the internship without prior approval from the Academic Director, or who conduct themselves in such a manner as to cause the host organization and the Placement Officer to terminate the placement, will normally be awarded a grade of Fail in the internship.

   • Students are not permitted to withdraw from the internship without prior approval of the Academic Director, in consultation with the Placement Officer. The Placement Officer will make a recommendation to the Academic Director who will make the final decision. Permission to withdraw from the internship does not constitute a waiver of degree requirements, and students who have obtained such permission must complete an approved internship or research project in lieu of the internship dropped.

2. Research Project Requirements

   • Research projects are normally proposed by the student and approved by the Academic Director.

   • Students must attend a scheduled pre-research project orientation workshop. See Pre-Research Project Workshop below.

   • Evaluation of the Research Project shall be carried out in accordance with General Regulations, Theses and Reports in the School of Graduate Studies.

   • Students are not permitted to withdraw from the research project without prior approval of the Academic Director. Permission to withdraw from the research project does not constitute a waiver of degree requirements, and students who have obtained such permission must complete an approved research project or internship in lieu of the research project dropped.

3. Workshops

   • Students are required to complete one of the following workshops:

     • Pre-Internship Workshop: This online workshop reviews MSTM 6019 Internship requirements. It aids students in writing resumes and cover letters, discusses interviewing practices and examines student/employer relationships. International internship opportunities and processes for application will be discussed.

     • Pre-Research Project Workshop: This online workshop reviews the Research Project requirements, aids students in preparing a project concept, proposal and establishing the research project timelines, and provides access to information and resources necessary for approval and completion of the Research Project. 

Students who have successfully completed the Marine Institute Advanced Diploma in Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management will be given advanced standing credit for MSTM 6012, 6016, and TECH 6022.

Up to three relevant elective courses (9 credit hours) may be transferred from other graduate programs within the School of Graduate Studies or from other post-secondary institutions recognized by Senate, subject to the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of the Academic Director.

1. Students in the Master of Marine Studies (Marine Spatial Planning and Management) program must obtain a grade of 'B' or better in all program courses.

2. Students who receive a grade of less than 'B' in any course will be permitted to remain in the program provided the course is repeated and passed with a grade of 'B' or better. Alternatively, the student may, on the recommendation of the Academic Director, and with the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies, substitute another graduate course. Only one course repetition or substitution will be permitted during the student’s program after which the student shall be required to withdraw from the program.

• MARI 6027 Coastal and Ocean Environmental Policies (credit may be obtained for only one of MARI 6027 and the former MSTM 6027)
• MSTM 6011 Introduction to Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management / Marine Spatial Planning
• MSTM 6012 Fundamentals of Geospatial Analysis
• MSTM 6013 Resource/Natural Environment and Ocean Use Characterization
• MSTM 6014 Geospatial Analysis for Marine Spatial Planning (prerequisites: MSTM 6011, 6012, and 6013)
• TECH 6022 Communication and Conflict Resolution in a Technical Environment (credit restricted with the former MSTM 6022)
• TECH 6034 Project Management in the Offshore, Health, Fisheries and Engineering Technology Environments (credit restricted with the former MSTM 6034

• ENVE/ENVS 6001 Earth and Ocean Systems
• MSTM 6001 Fisheries Ecology (credit may be obtained for only one of MSTM 6001 and the former FRM 6001)
• MSTM 6015 Marine Protected Areas
• MSTM 6016 Coastal Geomorphology / Oceanography
• OCSC 7100 Biological Oceanography

• MSTM 6003 Fisheries Economics (credit may be obtained for only one of MSTM 6003 and the former FRM 6003)
• MSTM 6005 Overview of World Fisheries (credit may be obtained for only one of MSTM 6005 and the former FRM 6009)
• MSTM 6008 Social and Philosophical Issues in Sustainable Fisheries
• MSTM 6017 Social and Cultural Aspects of Coastal Communities
• OTEC 6014 Introduction to Marine Renewable Energy

• MSTM 6019 Internship (6 credit hours)