Programs

Graduate Program in Spatial Analysis

Curriculum and Degree Requirements

This page provides an overview of the program of studies for the MSA degree. For detailed information on degree requirements, see the Graduate Calendar at http://www.ryerson.ca/graduate/graduate_calendar/

Given the location of the University in the core of Canada's largest metropolis with its heavy concentration of information-based employment, The MSA is offered to students on either a full-time or part-time basis. Core courses are scheduled at either 4-6pm or 6-8pm when full-time and part-time students may attend as one group. The full-time program is scheduled to be completed in one year (12 months), the part-time program takes two years (24 months). The program is the same for full-time and part-time students, except that the practicum requirement is waived for part-time students in appropriate program-related employment. Students are not normally admitted to the part-time program unless they are in program-related employment.

Full-time option - are you considering to continue your education immediately after a Bachelor's degree, or to take a year off from work?

The typical schedule to complete the MSA program on a full-time basis starting this Fall (MRP = major research paper)

• September to December: 4 core courses; develop ideas for MRP
• January to April: 2 elective courses and practicum; start work on MRP
• April 30th: MRP proposal due
• May to August: research and writing of MRP
• May 31st: literature review due
• June 30th: analysis completed
• July 31st: complete MRP draft due to supervisor
• Mid-August to early September: oral defence of MRP
• By mid-September: required MRP revisions completed and submitted to the Yeates School of Graduate Studies

Part-time option - are you thinking of upgrading your education while working as a data analyst, GIS or geomatics professional?

The MSA program is set up deliberately to encourage those working in related fields to be able to continue their education while working. Indeed, part-time students with suitable jobs are exempted from the practicum requirement in the program.

The typical schedule to complete the MSA program on a part-time basis starting this Fall (MRP = major research paper):

• September to December: 2 core courses; develop ideas for MRP
• January to April: 2 elective courses; develop ideas for MRP
• April 30th: MRP short proposal due
• May to August: start work on MRP
• August 31st: literature review due
• September to December: 2 core courses (coursework now finished); work on MRP
• December 31st: methods chapter due
• January to July: research and writing of MRP
• April 30th: analysis completed
• July 31st: complete MRP draft due to supervisor
• Mid-August to early September: oral defence of MRP
• By mid-September: required MRP revisions completed and submitted to the Yeates School of Graduate Studies

Time commitment for both options - You should assume that each course will take one day per week of your time. In addition, the practicum is for two full work days per week and any funded teaching or research assistantship will require an additional time commitment. The successful completion and defence of the MRP requires your full-time commitment during the period of May to September (full-time students).The vast majority of students are completing the MSA in the scheduled time. At the last program evaluation (2007), 84% of full-time students and 81% of part-time students had completed the degree on time. The extra time needed by the remainder can usually be attributed to personal circumstances such as changing jobs (part-time students), moving, becoming a parent, or illness, through which the program director will counsel the student to successfully return and complete the program.