59 MA Degree Programs in Canada

Master of Arts in Tourism Management In an unknown global climate, we need leaders in tourism and hospitality to spearhead change, adapt the way we understand business and develop innovative processes to be successful and sustainable in the industry. During the Master of Arts in Tourism Management (MATM) program, you’ll learn firsthand from industry experts and experienced faculty members how to address the challenges facing today’s tourism and hospitality organizations. As part of your program, you’ll analyze innovative approaches to sustainable tourism, learn how to develop effective strategies for destination marketing and development, learn contingency planning and disaster management, practice corporate leadership skills, understand policy planning, explore the heritage and culture of tourism destinations and more. Choose from three new specialization options: Social Entrepreneurship, Disaster and Emergency Management or Sustainability to focus on your desired research area and complete your degree. The MATM is a two-year program and offered in two delivery formats – on-campus or a blended model – the MATM program is your ticket to make a difference in the global tourism industry. Program Description The global tourism industry demands passionate entrepreneurs and leaders with advanced, industry-specific training. The Master of Arts in Tourism Management (MATM) program is designed to help you fulfill that demand by empowering you to lead and adapt to change. If you have a passion for travel, sustainability, community development, culture or any other facet of the tourism industry, the MATM program can help you acquire the skills and experience to thrive in any number of exciting and highly rewarding career paths. With the support of industry experts, the MATM program equips you with leadership skills, advanced knowledge specific to tourism research, and immersive opportunities. Together these learnings help you to better understand and navigate current tourism trends. Together with your cohort, you’ll develop individual resiliency and strong collaboration within your learning community. The MATM program is built around three central themes: leadership, sustainable community development, and global understanding of travel and culture. The course content expands upon a conceptual foundation in the social sciences and business. These areas of academia help to enhance your personal development and provide unique insights into tourism, both as an adaptive economic engine and a global social instrument for change. A variety of engaging elective courses and specializations allow you to customize your educational journey and align it with your desired research interest and future career path. Learn the skills you need to respond, pivot quickly and lead change. You’ll examine real-life case studies that showcase different approaches to sustainable tourism development, engage with knowledgeable, highly experienced faculty and learn how to address workplace challenges within tourism and hospitality organizations. Our field-study invites you to apply your theoretical and applied learnings from your program in global communities. In addition, our internship option offers you the opportunity to build valuable industry experience both domestically and internationally. The MATM program is offered in two delivery models: on-campus or blended delivery that combines online learning with two one-week residencies on our stunning Victoria campus. If you’re unsure about committing to a master’s level program, Royal Roads also offers a Graduate Certificate in Tourism Management that fully ladders into the MATM program. You may be able to transfer previously earned credits from a RRU Graduate Certificate program. For more details contact an enrolment advisor. Who it’s for This program is for anyone with a tourism-related background who wants to obtain the skills, confidence and strategic vision to lead change in an exciting career in the global tourism industry. To learn more about the application requirements for the program visit our Program Admissions page. Key Features The Master of Arts in Tourism Management is a 36-credit program that covers a wide array of topics integral to your success in the highest levels of the tourism industry. The program, which combines team-based work and online learning, consists of six required courses, a range of electives courses, field studies, semester abroad opportunities, an optional internship, three optional specializations and three completion options. Field study The MATM on-campus program includes a field study to a world-renowned destination. During this trip, you’ll conduct field research on a topic of your choice while connecting with local agencies and experiencing the destination from a tourist’s perspective. This week-long trip includes both group activities and individual time to explore on your own. The field study is an optional component for our students in the blended MATM delivery. Please note, there’s an additional field trip cost associated with the field study. Internship As part of the MATM program, you’ll have the chance to develop valuable industry connections and experience during an optional 420-hour internship. Your internship is an opportunity to intimately explore a specific career path - either in Canada or abroad. Students are required to seek out their own internship positions however RRU staff and faculty support the search process through career learning and development workshops, community networking events and skill building. Learn how our Career Learning and Development office supports Royal Roads students. Specializations The MATM has three specialization options: Social Entrepreneurship, Disaster and Emergency Management or Sustainability. Selected due to areas of high demand in the market, these specializations allow you to personalize your learning experience, customize your program, and gain the knowledge and practical experiences in areas that interest you most. Learn more… Completion options You’ll be able to choose from three different program completion options: course-based, major research project (MRP) or thesis option. Both the major research project and thesis options are recommended if you’re considering pursuing a doctorate in the future. Course-Based: The course-based option includes the six required courses plus five elective courses that you’ll choose depending on your research interests. You’ll complete the program with a capstone course which consolidates your program. Through this completion option, you’ll have the opportunity to customize your learning by focusing on themes within the tourism and hospitality industry and expanding your consulting and entrepreneurial skill sets. Major Research Project (MRP): Following the six required courses, you’ll select three elective courses and complete a major research project. This research project integrates both theory and applied research. You’ll complete your project with guidance from a faculty advisor. An MRP includes 1) a paper 2) a video, spoken presentation, forum, or other approved presentation medium If you’re looking to apply your research learnings in your current workplace or if you’re interested in getting some applied project experience, this path is ideal for you. This completion option gives you an opportunity to deep-dive into a specific topic of interest. Thesis: In addition to the six required courses, you’ll choose two elective courses as well as develop a thesis. The thesis option requires approval from the program head. This approval process is in place to ensure you are committed to finishing the thesis within the duration of your program. You'll complete a comprehensive research paper which includes both primary and secondary research on a particular topic of interest. You’ll work with your faculty advisor to identify your topic, methodology, theoretical framework and appropriate literature. In addition, you’re required to select an academic committee and are expected to defend your thesis at the end of your program. Admission Requirements Standard Admission Four year (or comparable) undergraduate degree, preferably in a related field, from a recognized post-secondary institution, normally with a minimum admissions GPA of ‘B’ (3.00/4.33). At least two years of full-time work experience within the tourism or hospitality industry. Flexible Admission Under flexible admission, the combination of work experience, education, and professional development is assessed. Applicants must show evidence of having sufficient knowledge, skills and abilities to complete a demanding academic course of study at a graduate level and have significant industry related experience. As a general guideline: Applicants with no post-secondary education would normally require a minimum of seven years of progressive work experience, three years of which would be in a leadership role. Applicants who have completed some post-secondary education (but who do not meet our 4-year degree requirement) will be adjudicated on a case-by-case basis with greater emphasis placed on the quality and years of work experience. English Language Proficiency If English is not your primary language, please review our English Language Requirements Additional Recommendation(s) Academic writing skills are required for success in this program and an English composition course focused on academic writing is therefore recommended. The Academic Writing and Critical Thinking course offered through Continuing Studies at Royal Roads University meets this recommendation. Outcomes Graduates of the Master of Arts in Tourism Management program possess a broad range of applied technical, interpersonal, analytical, and advanced communication skills that transfer directly to entrepreneurial and management roles within the tourism industry. The curriculum focuses on developing skills across four broad areas: 1. Knowledge and Critical Thinking You’ll hone your critical thinking skills in applying interdisciplinary research to the study of tourism and hospitality, and you’ll learn to demonstrate integrity when collaborating with a diverse array of industry stakeholders. You’ll also learn how to effectively – and ethically – use research methods, concepts and theories to examine a range of challenges and solutions in the building of successful tourism organizations and destinations. 2. Global Awareness You’ll learn to evaluate the impact of both local and global affairs on tourism organizations and destinations, and you’ll develop innovative strategies for building personal, organizational and community resilience. You’ll leave this program with an acute understanding of the important role of tourism and hospitality professionals as responsible global citizens. 3. Effective Communications You’ll develop an arsenal of highly effective communication tools, including speaking, writing, listening and feedback skills. You’ll learn how to effectively gather and analyze information, and how to compile your research into written materials using the APA reference method. You’ll rely upon these skills in a number of situations you’ll face throughout your career in tourism and hospitality, including negotiation, conflict resolution, change management and networking. 4. Leadership and Collaboration Building on your existing leadership skills, you’ll learn sophisticated techniques to network more effectively, support collaborative decision-making, and foster mutual understanding in order to achieve both individual and team results. On a more personal level, you’ll acquire vital self-assessment and self-awareness skills that will lead to more positive and mutually beneficial relationships with stakeholders from diverse professional and personal backgrounds. Careers The Master of Arts in Tourism Management (MATM) program opens the door to an array of exciting opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sector, both locally and internationally. Graduates of the program hold management and executive-level positions within resorts, destination management organizations, inbound tourism companies, government agencies and more. Because a master’s degree is often required for attaining upper-level positions within the global tourism industry, many of our graduates find that combining their prior tourism industry experience with the academic credentials acquired in the MATM program is the key to unlocking their professional potential. The MATM program will enable you to explore a wide variety of rewarding career paths, including upper-level positions with hotels, resorts or cruise ship operators; professional consulting in the information technology or real estate sectors; leadership positions within destination, recreation or event management organizations; and myriad roles in other sectors such as government, finance, education and more. If you’re a passionate believer that tourism matters – in your community and around the globe – and you’re ready to take your career to the highest possible level, then the MATM program holds the key to unlock your potential. Courses ITAI: Introduction to Academic Integrity TRMNIP: Career Development TRMNOT: Orientation to Tourism Graduate Studies DEMN502: Foundations in Disaster and Emergency Management DEMN553: Disaster Response and Sustainable Recovery ENVP500: Developing a Sustainability Perspective IHMN505: Trends and Issues in Hospitality Management IHMN520: Finance for Tourism and Hospitality Management IHMN550: Research Methodology TRMN501: Tourism Leadership TRMN502: Critical Perspectives on Global Tourism TRMN503: Transforming Destinations TRMN505: Strategic Tourism Marketing TRMN506: Sustainable Tourism Management TRMN507: Responsible Stewardship: An Examination of Ethics in Tourism IHMN650: Strategic Planning for Tourism and Hospitality TRMN625: Social Entrepreneurship TRMN640: Major Research Project TRMN680: Tourism Management Capstone TRMN690: Thesis TRMN692: Internship Financial Aid & Awards

The concentration in Spiritual Care is designed for those intending to pursue vocations as spiritual care practitioners in settings such as healthcare facilities, prisons and correctional facilities. This specialization has been designed to be in sync with the BC provincial government framework standards as well as the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care certification requirements. Within 24 months students can meet the BC standards requirements for a spiritual health practitioner.

The Master of Arts in Environment and Management (MEM) is designed for those of you who want to make a difference in your community, in your professional practice, through your work to a more sustainable world for all, and not just some.

The Masters of Arts in Public and Pastoral Leadership recognizes the kinds of leaders that are needed for the changing nature of Christian communities and supports persons engaged in various forms of leadership, from congregations to social entrepreneurship, faith-based social services, NGOs, community-based development, mediation services and community-based justice initiatives.

The MA in Global Leadership program addresses the need in society to educate and develop professionals and business leaders in both the private and public sector to be capable of working in global or multicultural contexts. The globally-minded professional and business leader is capable of thinking systemically and communicating with diverse peoples across a multi-cultural context. The global-minded leader possesses comprehensive knowledge of the social-political and economic dynamics that drives the global world, is anchored in a core set of values that respects all people regardless of race, religion, gender, age, socio-economic status, class, geography, etc., and is capable of self-growth, self-awareness, resiliency and adaptability.

With TRU's interdisciplinary Master of Arts in Human Rights and Social Justice, you can become a leader in the advancement of a just society — locally and globally. This new continuous 16-month program offers a number of completion pathways.

Vancouver School of Theology continues its long-standing partnership with First Nations communities and its partnerships with inter-religious communities to make possible an M.A. in Indigenous and Inter-religious Studies.

The Master of Arts in Intercultural and International Communication program at Royal Roads University is an innovative personal, professional, and academic development program, designed for students who want to pursue a communication career in our increasingly diversified and globalized world.

The Master of Arts in Theological Studies degree program is for those wishing to develop further perspectives in theological thought for personal or professional enrichment, for those interested in further academic study, or for those seeking further development in their spiritual journey in relation to other professions.

The Department of History offers the opportunity for graduate study leading to the MA degree. The program’s regional specifications are Canada, Britain and its empire, and the Iberian world. Gender, legal, environmental, and indigenous histories are particular areas of strength. Students will be accepted subject to the availability of an appropriate supervisor.

Our Master of Arts (MA) in History program is part of the Tri-University Graduate Program in History, a partnership of Laurier, the University of Waterloo and the University of Guelph. The integration of history departments makes this program one of the biggest graduate history programs in Canada, while retaining the small classes and supportive professor-student relationship associated with History at Laurier.

The Masters of Arts in Sustainable Leisure Management program is offered at VIU’s Nanaimo campus on beautiful Vancouver Island – in a region of Canada that is noted for leisure and tourism opportunities. This two-year program delivers a non-traditional approach to studies in ecotourism and innovative leisure practices, with courses that combine field experience and classroom instruction, all within a global context. Leisure studies and sustainability studies engage students with experiential learning opportunities, delivered by expert faculty who are leaders in their field.

Guelph’s Master of Arts (MA) in Leadership program is a life and career changing experience that will enhance your leadership competencies, transforming you into the leader you want to be.

According to the January 22, 2024 IRCC news release, applicants pursing master’s and doctoral degree programs are not included in the intake cap on international student study permit applications that the Government of Canada has recently announced. IRCC noted that current study permit holders will not be affected.

In Sustainability Studies at Trent, you will have the opportunity to turn interdisciplinary inquiry into insight to solve problems and increase sustainability. The first program of its kind in Canada, this program encourages you to tailor your educational experience. Pursue your interests as you explore the sustainability of human societies and the natural environment.