Marine Spatial Planning and Management (MS)

Provider: Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University (St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada)

Contact: Geoff Coughlan, Geoff.Coughlan [at] mi.mun.ca

Learning objective: The program aims to produce graduates who will have:

• A clear understanding of integrated coastal and ocean management (ICOM) and marine spatial planning (MSP) concepts/processes and their relationship to ecosystem-based management approaches;
• A broad level of understanding of governance, policy/legislative, ecological, social, cultural and economic elements of coastal and ocean areas;
• Technical capabilities/skills and knowledge necessary to make technology-supported management decisions and recommendations incorporating consideration of these elements;
• Strong communication, conflict management and facilitation skills to effectively engage coastal and ocean regulators and stakeholders; and
• The ability to apply coastal and MSP knowledge and skills to provide decision support and analysis and bridge the technical and theoretical aspects of ICOM and MSP.

Structure and content: Students in the Master of Marine Studies (MSP and Management) are required to complete 30 credit hours of course work and an Internship or Research Project. Course work includes 7 core courses: 6 courses (18 credit hours) completed online; and 1 intensive hands-on course (3 credit hours) offered in a face-to-face environment, as well as 3 elective courses (9 credit hours) offered either online or on campus.

Target audience: The recruitment market for the proposed program includes local and international students newly graduated from undergraduate programs (in fields such as Geography, Biology, Marine Sciences and Environmental Studies/Science) as well as mid-career professionals from a variety of coastal and ocean industry sectors, government departments or environmental non-governmental organizations.

Format: Primarily online with one core on campus geospatial analysis course offered over three weeks during the spring Intercession (May/June) and some on campus electives

Type of course: Master’s degree

Number of participants: Capped at 15 on a competitive basis

Costs and conditions for participating: The approximate cost of the program is $5700 for Canadian students and $7400 for international students. Information regarding our tuition and fees can be found online: http://www.mun.ca/become/graduate/fees_funding/Graduate_Tuition.php. Admission to the program is on a limited and competitive basis.

Duration: 2 years

Frequency: New cohort of students each September

Upcoming dates: Application deadline for September 2016 – June 15, 2016 (usually May 15th but extended for inaugural offering)

Regions/countries where offered: Online and on campus in St. John’s Newfoundland, Canada

Available trainers per region (names, contact information): N/A