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Urban Innovation

Program Overview

The Master of Urban Innovation (MUI) is a 20-month professional master’s program for students interested in urban issues and economic development. The program is uniquely designed to provide a new generation of practitioners with an in-depth understanding of the role that innovative, vibrant, liveable, and supportive city-regions play in sustaining the quality of life and economic well-being of Canadians.

Through the MUI program, students will be trained to lead and manage innovative urban economic development initiatives. Students will take classes taught by faculty with expertise in economic development, public policy, management, government administration, and finance. In addition, each student will participate in an academically supported and practice-oriented summer internship that will provide them with an opportunity to apply foundational knowledge and ideas in the workplace. The program will prepare graduates to play a critical policy and leadership role in implementing strategies that promote innovative, equitable, and sustainable cities and city-regions.

Quick Facts

Domestic International
Application deadline MUI:

Fall 2024 entry

02-Feb-2024

 MUI:

Fall 2024 entry

02-Feb-2024

Minimum admission average MUI:

mid-B in the final year of study

 MUI:

mid-B in the final year of study

Are any standardized tests required/recommended? MUI:

NA

 MUI:

Proof of English Language Facility (Ex: IELTS, TOEFL) if applicable

Master of Urban Innovation

Program Description

The Master of Urban Innovation (MUI) is a full-time, professional program that will encompass studies in urban economic development, community capacity building, innovation management, local and regional governance, urban sustainability, and real estate development for innovation. The MUI will complement the suite of programs in management, innovation, and sustainability currently offered in the Institute for Management & Innovation and will build on the strengths of other key academic units at UTM, including the Departments of Geography, Geomatics and Environment; Economics; Political Science; and the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology.

The objective of the MUI program is to respond to the growing job opportunities that exist for professionals trained in the fields of urban economic development and innovation through a cross-disciplinary approach. Upon graduation, MUI students will have acquired the analytical tools to enable them to produce effective economic development policies and plans, including a detailed knowledge of strategic management techniques, the role of real estate markets in local economic development, and critical tools for financial analysis.

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Institute for Management & Innovation's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university in social sciences, management/commerce, or a related field such as architecture or civil engineering, with a standing equivalent to a mid B in the final year of the program.

  • Successful completion of 0.5 full-course equivalent (FCE) in an undergraduate statistics course.

  • Letter of intent.

  • Three letters of reference.

  • A writing sample.

Program Requirements

  • Students must complete a total of 9.5 FCEs as follows:

    • 4.5 FCEs from core courses (MUI1010H, MUI1020H, MUI1030H, MUI1040H, MUI1050H, MUI1060H, MUI1075H, MUI1080H, MUI1090H)

    • 0.5 FCE summer internship (MUI1100H)

    • 1.0 FCE capstone group project (MUI2095Y)

    • 3.5 FCEs chosen from the elective course list below. Students are also strongly encouraged to select other electives not included in the list below. Course selections must be approved in advance by the program.

Program Length

5 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W)

Time Limit

3 years full-time