Future Students

The MUI program was established for students with a keen interest in urban issues and economic development.

Who should apply?

Students graduating or who have graduated from any one of many disciplines including: political science, urban economics, urban planning, urban studies, geography, management/ commerce, or a related field such as architecture or civil engineering.

Why should I apply?

MUI is a 20-month professional masters degree at the University of Toronto Mississauga. It is aimed at students interested in Urban Issues & Economic Development.

The program was designed to train students to find innovative ways in which we can build and promote more liveable, vibrant, equitable, supportive, and sustainable cities and city regions.

We accept students from a number of different backgrounds, including geography, political science, urban studies, planning, urban economics, management, commerce, as well as related fields such as architecture and civil engineering.

MUI is an interdisciplinary program that combines various areas. Students will learn from faculty with expertise in: Economic development, public policy, management, government administration, and much more.

Program structure

The Master of Urban Innovation is a 20-month program.

Academic courses

Year 1 consists of a set of core courses common to all incoming students. Sample courses offered:

Fall
- MUI 1010H Intro to Management of Urban Innovation
- MUI 1020H Civic Engagement and Economic Development
- MUI 1060H Local and Regional Government: Management and Policymaking
- MUI 1090H Technology, Strategy & Policy
- MUI 1040H Socially Sustainable Cities: Theory, Policy and Practice
Winter
- MUI 1075H Digital Cities
- MUI 1030H Urban and Regional Economic Development Theory
- MUI 1050H Urban Politics
- MUI 1080H Economic Development Planning

Year 2 is comprised of elective courses and a capstone course (see more information below) that includes a Major Research Project.

In Year 2, students will enroll in 4 elective courses in the Fall term and 3 elective courses as well as a research-intensive capstone course in the Winter/Spring Term. Year 2 courses are drawn from a variety of disciplines and programs including: Engineering, Geography, Global Affairs, Management, Political Science, Planning, Sustainability Management and Urban Innovation.

Students have the opportunity to take electives* with other departments dependent on the approval of the home department.

Below are sample electives offerings that students may be interested in taking.

Sample Elective Courses

MUI 2010H Sectoral Analysis
MUI 2040H Real Estate Development
MUI 2055H Cities Industry and the Environment
MUI 2080H Intelligent Communities/Smart Cities
POL 2394HH Innovation and Knowledge Flows in City-Regions
GLA 2018H Innovation and the City
GGR 1610H Geography of Finance and Financial Crisis
JPG 1512H Place, Politics and the Urban
JPG 1558H Transportation: Historical and Geographic Perspectives
JPG 1607H Geography of Competition
JMG 2020H Big Data and Global Cities
PLA 1801H Urban Infrastructure Planning
RSM 2132H Prosperity and Competitiveness
SSM 1080H Strategies for Sustainability Management

_{*Electives offerings are subject to change year to year}

Summer internship

In the summer term between Year 1 and Year 2, students will participate in a required PAID summer internship opportunity. The Internship and Placement Coordinator will facilitate the internship process. They will assist you in securing an internship placement as well as curate PD opportunities throughout the entire length of MUI.

For more information on past internship opportunities, please see HERE

Capstone course

In their 2^nd year of studies, MUI students are required to complete a full-year Capstone Course whereby students will be assigned to work in groups of 2-3 students, under the supervision of the MUI capstone project faculty instructors, Ian Bromley and Professor Shauna Brail. Student teams will be assigned to projects in September and will work on their project until the end of March on a project with the sponsor acting as a non-paying “client”.

For more information about Capstone, please see HERE.