Marine Affairs Program

Faculty of Science

MMM Application

How to Apply

Applications to the MMM program are submitted through Dalhousie University's online admissions portal.

Applications are accepted for September (Fall) entry only. There are no winter or summer intakes.

To be considered for admission, applicants must complete both the online application and the submission of all required supporting documents.

Application Review Process and Deadlines

Applications to the Master of Marine Management (MMM) program are reviewed on a rolling basis, with five scheduled application review periods between January and March for the September 2027 intake.

International applicants are strongly encouraged to apply in November or December 2026 and ensure their application is complete by the January 4, 2027 deadline. This allows additional time for admission decisions and study permit processing if an offer of admission is received.

All applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible to allow sufficient time for document submission, references, and any follow-up requests from the Admissions Committee.

To be considered for a particular review period, your application must be complete, including all required supporting documentation, by 4:00 p.m. Atlantic Time on the applicable deadline.

Applicants with complete applications that are eligible for review can expect to receive an update on their application status within 15 business days following the applicable review deadline.

Applications that are incomplete at the time of a review deadline will be considered during the next scheduled review period, provided all required documentation has been received.

Application Review Schedule – September 2027 Intake

Application Review	Application Deadline
January 2027	Monday, January 4
January 2027	Friday, January 15
February 2027	Monday, February 1
March 2027	Monday, March 1
March 2027	Wednesday, March 31

All application deadlines are at 4:00 p.m. Atlantic Time.

Late Applications: Applications received after March 31, 2027, may be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on available space in the incoming cohort. Applicants interested in submitting a late application should contact the Marine Affairs Program at marine.affairs@dal.ca before applying.

Funding & Scholarship Opportunities

Applicants who complete their applications by January 31, 2027, will be eligible for consideration for available entrance scholarship support, subject to individual award criteria.

Funding through the Marine Affairs Program is limited, and applicants are encouraged to explore additional funding opportunities through Dalhousie University and external organizations.

For information about available scholarships and funding opportunities, please contact marine.affairs@dal.ca.

Application Requirements

Two steps are required to apply to the MMM program. Both must be completed before your application is considered complete.

Step 1: Complete the Online Application

Submit your application through Dalhousie University's online admissions portal.

Apply to the Master of Marine Management

Step 2: Submit Your Supporting Documents

Before applying, please ensure you meet the general admission requirements established by Dalhousie's Faculty of Graduate Studies, as well as the MMM program-specific requirements.

A complete application includes the following documents:

1. Academic Transcripts

Please provide unofficial academic transcripts from each post-secondary institution you have attended.

Transcripts must clearly identify your name, institution, program of study, and academic record. If your degree conferral is not indicated on your transcript, please include a copy of your degree certificate.

Important information:

Unofficial transcripts are accepted for application review.
Transcripts must be submitted as PDF files.
Transcripts in languages other than English or French must be accompanied by an appropriate English translation.
If admitted, you will be required to arrange for official transcripts to be sent directly to Dalhousie University by the issuing institution.
Official transcripts are not required for studies completed at Dalhousie University.

Dalhousie's Faculty of Graduate Studies reserves the right to verify the authenticity of submitted academic documents.

2. Letters of Reference

Applicants must provide three confidential letters of reference, including at least two academic references from professors or instructors familiar with their academic abilities.

Applicants who have been out of formal education for more than three years may be permitted to substitute one academic reference with a professional reference.

We recommend choosing referees who can speak to your academic abilities, critical thinking, communication skills, professional experience, and suitability for graduate-level study.

Submitting references

You will be asked to provide your referees' contact information through the online application portal. Referees will receive an email with instructions for submitting their references electronically.

Dalhousie's electronic reference system requires eligible institutional email addresses, such as those associated with universities, teaching hospitals, or government organizations.

If your referee does not have an eligible institutional email address, please contact marine.affairs@dal.ca for alternative submission instructions.

Please allow at least five business days for the reference system to contact your referees, and ensure their submissions are received before your application deadline.

3. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Please provide an up-to-date CV outlining your academic, professional, and relevant extracurricular experiences.

Your CV may include:

Education and employment history
Research projects and publications
Internships, co-op placements, and fieldwork
Volunteer activities and community involvement
Scholarships, awards, and fellowships
Conferences, certifications, and professional development

Please list your experiences in reverse chronological order, beginning with the most recent.

A photograph is not required and should not be included.

4. Statement of Interest (1–2 Pages)

Your statement of interest is an opportunity to tell us more about yourself, your motivations, and what you hope to accomplish through the MMM program.

Please describe:

Your interests: What draws you to marine management, and which ocean or coastal issues are most important to you?
Your experience: How have your academic, professional, or personal experiences shaped your interest in the field?
Your goals: What do you hope to gain from the MMM program, and how does it align with your future career aspirations?
Your direction: Are there particular marine management topics, organizations, or internship sectors you would like to explore?

We encourage you to be specific and reflect on how the MMM program fits into your academic and professional journey.

5. Writing Sample

Please submit a sample of your academic writing that demonstrates your ability to communicate ideas clearly, develop arguments, and engage with research.

Suitable writing samples may include:

An undergraduate honours thesis
A research paper from an upper-level university course
A substantial academic research project completed during your undergraduate studies

Your writing sample does not need to focus on marine management. We are interested in assessing your research, analytical, and written communication skills.

6. Research Proposal (800–1,000 Words)

The research proposal is an important component of your application and an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to think critically about a marine or coastal management issue.

Please prepare a research statement identifying a marine management problem that interests you or with which you have relevant experience.

Your proposal should:

Clearly identify a marine or coastal management issue or problem.
Explain why the issue is important and relevant to marine management.
Demonstrate your understanding of the topic using appropriate academic sources.
Present a clear research question or area of investigation.
Demonstrate critical thinking, synthesis of information, and originality.

Length: 800–1,000 words, excluding references, keywords, tables, figures, and supplementary materials.

Your proposal should be written in an academic style and include appropriate citations and references.

Considerable weight is placed on this component, as it helps the MMM Admissions Committee assess your research interests, analytical abilities, and readiness for graduate-level study.

7. English Language Proficiency (If Applicable)

Applicants may be required to demonstrate English language proficiency in accordance with Dalhousie University's admission requirements.

Please consult the Faculty of Graduate Studies' English Language Requirements for information about accepted tests, minimum scores, and potential exemptions.

8. Additional Materials (Optional)

We recognize that academic and professional journeys are not always straightforward.

If you have experienced significant circumstances that affected your education or career, you are welcome to provide a brief statement offering additional context.

This may include interruptions to your studies, personal circumstances, or other experiences that you feel are important for the Admissions Committee to understand.

You may also wish to share additional materials that demonstrate your qualifications, such as publications, substantial research projects, or relevant professional work.

Providing additional context is entirely optional and will not negatively affect your application.

Please email supplemental materials directly to marine.affairs@dal.ca.

Ready to Apply?

Take the next step toward a career in marine and coastal management.

Apply to the Master of Marine Management

Stay Informed

Interested in the MMM program but not quite ready to apply?

We're happy to answer questions about admission requirements, application timelines, scholarships, and the program itself.