Program

Master of Marine Management (MMM)

The Master of Marine Management is a professional and interdisciplinary degree program focusing on an applied research project and required classes in the marine and social sciences as well as a choice of electives from approved marine-related classes. The subject areas addressed include but are not limited to: arctic environmental knowledge, climate change adaptation, coastal tourism, community based co-management, development of non-living resources, ecolabelling and seafood certification, ecosystem based management, fisheries management, indigenous knowledge systems, integrated coastal zone management, marine conservation, marine law and policy, marine protected areas, marine spatial planning, maritime enforcement, maritime transport, risk management, ocean governance.  Students are required to prepare a graduate research project with an emphasis on management and planning.

The Master of Marine Management degree program is designed to start in September with a small class of students (approximately 20-25 each year) that take a combination of required core courses and elective courses at the graduate level (course = credit). The MMM does not allow for winter term (January) or summer term (May) admission.  

For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions section of this page, or head over to our admissions page.

Master of Marine Management Degree Program Structure

The MMM requires five (5) credits to to graduate, 3.5 credits are Core required credits and 1.5 credits are electives (at the graduate level), selected to personlize your MMM degree.

As of September 2022, the MMM program is offered on the Halifax campus following the guidelines of Dalhousie University's COVID-19 protocols.  

Core required Courses (3.5 credits)

Fall Term

MARA 5004 - Marine Management Skills Development (0.5 credit)
MARA 5010 - Contemporary Issues in Ocean and Coastal Management: Part 1 (0.5 credit)

Winter Term

MARA 5003 - Marine Science and Technology (0.5 credit)
MARA 5011 - Contemporary Issues in Ocean and Coastal Management: Part 2 (0.5 credit)*

Summer Term 

MARA 5002 Graduate Project (1.0 credit) (continues in the fall term)
 

Fall Term

MARA 5009 - Coastal Zone Management (0.5 credit)
MARA 5002 Graduate Project (continued)

 

*must be taken in the same academic year aas MARA 5010

Elective courses (1.5 credits) – 3 elective courses (worth 0.5 credits each) are selected in collaboration with a MAP Elective Selection Advisor over the course of the MMM program.

Sustainable Oceans Conference - annual MMM student-led conference

As part of the MMM degree, each MMM student class is required to plan and host the Sustainable Oceans Conference which is supported by the Sobey Fund for Oceans. The conference is the only ocean related student-led conference of its type in Atlantic Canada and has been successfully executed since 2012. Throughout the years, each MMM class chooses a topical theme on marine affairs to inspire interdisciplinary approaches for creating health oceans and sustainable economies. The conference brings together an audience of students, faculty, members of the marine management community, and the general public.  

The conference is an opportunity for students to undertake leadership roles in organizing, planning and hosting the conference. The leadership team consists of conference co-chairs, and team leaders of the following sub-committees:

  • Communications Lead
  • Fundraising Lead
  • Logistics Lead
  • Submissions Lead

Through the organizing and planning of the Sustainable Oceans Conference, students obtain valuable career skills including:

  • Project Management
  • Budgeting
  • Scheduling
  • Media Skills
  • Communication
  • Fundraising
  • Presentation Skills
  • Building Valuable Partnerships and,
  • Many More!

The Sustainable Oceans Conference also gives MMM students the opportunity to present their graduate research projects through either an oral presentation or an academic poster further developing their professional skills. The conference is a fun and rewarding way for students to gain professional skills and share their passions for marine affairs.

Read more about the conference - Sustainable Oceans Conference

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • What are the average MMM class sizes? Class size for core MMM courses ranges from 18-24 people.
  • What are the start/end dates for the MMM program? The MMM degree program begins in September of each year and runs for a duration of 16 continuous months for full-time students.
  • What are the program prerequisites? Applicants to the MMM must satisfy general requirements for admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies (Faculty of Graduate Studies - general admission requirements). These include a four-year Bachelor's Degree from a university of recognized standing with honours or its equivalent, with a minimum letter grade average of B (equivalent to a 3.0 GPA, 73% or Second Class Honours, Upper Division). Dalhousie University encourages applications from qualified women, aboriginal peoples, visible minorities and persons with disabilities.
  • What are the tuition fees associated with an MMM degree? The Board of Governor’s approves tuition and fees yearly, as part of the annual budget process. To view estimated tuition fees for the current year, visit the Tuition Fees Schedule page.
  • When is the Application Deadline to join the program? Applications received by 31 January will be eligible for consideration for scholarship support to begin the MMM program in September. All additional applications should be received by 31 March, while after that date, they will be subject to availability.
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