Program Options

The Program consists of three streams: a 3.0 credit Thesis Stream; a 4.0 credit Major Research Paper Stream; and a 4.0 Co-op Stream. All streams include a core course on sustainability, and participation in a Student Faculty and Community Colloquium. A number of elective courses are offered, in collaboration with other graduate programs at Trent, to allow students to pursue selected issues in research methods, sustainable enterprise such as strategic management, non-profit management, ethics, sustainability marketing, social enterprise and entrepreneurship with greater depth.

Program Structure and Streams

Full-time and part-time MA students may choose between the streams described above. The Thesis stream requires the completion of a scholarly monograph with multiple chapters and will be assessed by an external examiner. The candidate will defend the Thesis before a committee of at least three faculty members including the external. The Major Research Paper will be modeled on a scholarly journal article and assessed by at least one faculty member. An academic supervisor will be appointed for all streams. Students will select research topics for the Major Research Paper or Thesis in consultation with their supervisor. The co-op placements includes a core course on sustainability, participation in a student- faculty- and community colloquium, a research methods course, a professional foundations course and the co-op course. The placements offer students practical experience alongside practicing professionals.

The Streams for completing the MA Sustainability Studies program are summarized below (reflective of the 2026-27 Academic Calendar, please note requirements may differ based on your intake):

1. Thesis

SUST 5000Y: Perspectives on Sustainability -1.0 credit

SUST 5010/5020H: Colloquium -1.0 credit

SUST 5002H: Research Methods -0.5 credit

1 elective course -0.5 credit

2. Major Research Paper

SUST 5000Y: Perspectives on Sustainability -1.0 credit

SUST 5010H: Colloquium -0.5 credit

SUST 5002H: Research Methods -0.5 credit

SUST 5800H: Major Research Paper -0.5 credit

3 elective courses -totalling 1.5 credits

3. Co-op

SUST 5000Y: Perspectives on Sustainability -1.0 credit

SUST 5010H: Colloquium -0.5 credit

SUST 5002H: Research Methods -0.5 credit

CO-OP 5000H: Professional Foundations -0.5 credit

SUST 5600H: Social Innovation & Leadership -0.5 credit

SUST 5700Y: Internship & Leadership in Sustainability -1.0 credit

Students who are not able to complete, obtain or are not successful in their placement will graduate as part of the Major Research Paper stream. 

Co-op students are required to pay a $750 administrative co-op fee during their Summer work term. The Co-op Assistance Program is available to support students in financial need with co-op expenses

Students are encouraged to meet with their Co-op Coordinator at CareerSpace for support with their co-op job search and career development.

In order to successfully complete your Program in the suggested timeline and maintain your GTA placement as a full-time student, please view the below schedule for your suggested 'Program Pathway'.

Students entering the program will, in their first term of study, establish an advisory committee for their program of study.

In conjunction with their committee, students will complete a detailed Plan of Study that will establish specific course and research expectations for completion of their degree.

For example, a student pursuing the thesis option would normally be expected to develop an adequate thesis proposal before the end of their second term of study. A student pursuing a community-based research project would be expected to establish the details of their research project before the end of their second term, in anticipation of completing this project during the summer.

*Degree Requirements reflect the most recent changes made for 2026GF start. Please note: students are expected to graduate following the calendar they entered upon.

Program Pathway