Canadian Immigration Updates

Applicants to Master’s and Doctoral degrees are not affected by the recently announced cap on study permits. Review more details

Overview

Highly-qualified urban forestry professionals are becoming increasingly necessary in cities around the world due to the rapid pace and scale of urbanization, the need to adapt to multiple impacts of climate change in cities, and increasing demand from the public for the recreational, psychological, and health benefits that trees and greenspaces provide. This 30-credit, 13 or 25-month program, is based on a comprehensive, interdisciplinary perspective of urban forestry with strong emphasis on governance and strategic management of urban forests. Students will learn how trees and vegetation grow and are managed in urban settings, but the emphasis of the program will be on skills and knowledge related to leadership and governance; project management and business skills; the public policy and  planning context of urban forestry; green infrastructure planning; communication and marketing; public involvement; and urban forest resource and benefit assessment. The program is built around 3 critical management skills that are woven throughout the program: creativity, decision-making, and leadership. It is targeted for professionals with urban forestry related work experience in the public, private or not-for-profit sector, or professionals looking to move into the field of urban forestry. 

What makes the program unique?

Demand for urban forestry practitioners who can provide solutions to complex problems will continue to grow with urbanization, climate change, and community needs. This professional degree program produces creative leaders who understand the vital role of urban forests in the future of cities, and can oversee strategic, sustainable forestry project.Learn how to balance the demands on urban forests, and how to apply cutting technologies used in planning, measurement and assessment. Acquire the skills to lead interdisciplinary teams and coordinate complex urban forestry projects.Courses are taught by world-class faculty from UBC’s Faculty of Forestry. 

There is now a part-time option for this degree. 

 

Program Enquiries

If you have reviewed the information on this program page and understand the requirements for this program, you may send an enquiry

Admission Information & Requirements

Program Instructions

See how to apply page for details. 

1) Check Eligibility

Minimum Academic Requirements

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:

Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based

Overall score requirement: 100

Reading

23

Writing

24

Speaking

22

Listening

23

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Overall score requirement: 7.0

Reading

6.5

Writing

6.5

Speaking

6.5

Listening

6.5

Other Test Scores

Some programs require additional test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). The requirements for this program are:

Prior degree, course and other requirements

Prior Degree Requirements

Applicants must have an academic background in a relevant field such as urban forestry, forestry, landscape architecture, ecology, conservation, planning, geography, public health, or engineering.

2) Meet Deadlines

Application open dates and deadlines for an upcoming intake have not yet been configured in the admissions system. Please check back later.

3) Prepare Application

Transcripts

All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. Document submission requirements depend on whether your institution of study is within Canada or outside of Canada.

Letters of Reference

A minimum of three references are required for application to graduate programs at UBC. References should be requested from individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications.

Statement of Interest

Many programs require a statement of interest, sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.

Supervision

Course-based programs do not have a thesis component. While they may assign academic advisors to students, they do not require applicants to reach out to individual professors / faculty members to seek commitment as their thesis supervisor. Please do not contact faculty members for the purposes of thesis supervision if you are applying to this program.

Citizenship Verification

Permanent Residents of Canada must provide a clear photocopy of both sides of the Permanent Resident card.

4) Apply Online

All applicants must complete an online application form and pay the application fee to be considered for admission to UBC.

Research Information

Research Highlights

This is a course-based program. 

Program Components

For more information, please visit our Course requirements page.

Tuition & Financial Support

Tuition

FeesCanadian Citizen / Permanent Resident / Refugee / DiplomatInternational
Application Fee$114.00$168.25
Tuition *
Installments per year33
Tuition per installment$5,412.16$10,233.40
Program Fee$21,648.64$40,933.60
Int. Tuition Award (ITA) per year (if eligible) Not applicable
Other Fees and Costs
Student FeesVary
Deposit to accept offer (if admitted)
Deposit requirement$1000.00$1000.00
* Regular, full-time tuition. For on-leave, extension, continuing or part time (if applicable) fees see UBC Calendar.
All fees for the year are subject to adjustment and UBC reserves the right to change any fees without notice at any time, including tuition and student fees. Tuition fees are reviewed annually by the UBC Board of Governors. In recent years, tuition increases have been 2% for continuing domestic students and between 2% and 5% for continuing international students. New students may see higher increases in tuition. Admitted students who defer their admission are subject to the potentially higher tuition fees for incoming students effective at the later program start date. In case of a discrepancy between this webpage and the UBC Calendar, the UBC Calendar entry will be held to be correct.

Financial Support

Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options.

Employer support

Organizations may provide their employees with tuition benefits as part of an employment package to support lifelong learning of their workforce.

Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)

Professional / course-based programs usually do not provide merit-based funding. Some programs may offer bursaries.

Financial aid (need-based funding)

Canadian and US applicants may qualify for governmental loans to finance their studies. Please review eligibility and types of loans.

All students may be able to access private sector or bank loans.

Foreign government scholarships

Many foreign governments provide support to their citizens in pursuing education abroad. International applicants should check the various governmental resources in their home country, such as the Department of Education, for available scholarships.

Working while studying

The possibility to pursue work to supplement income may depend on the demands the program has on students. It should be carefully weighed if work leads to prolonged program durations or whether work placements can be meaningfully embedded into a program.

International students enrolled as full-time students with a valid study permit can work on campus for unlimited hours and work off-campus for no more than 20 hours a week.

A good starting point to explore student jobs is the UBC Work Learn program or a Co-Op placement.

Tax credits and RRSP withdrawals

Students with taxable income in Canada may be able to claim federal or provincial tax credits.

Canadian residents with RRSP accounts may be able to use the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) which allows students to withdraw amounts from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSPs) to finance full-time training or education for themselves or their partner.

Please review Filing taxes in Canada on the student services website for more information.

Cost Estimator

Applicants have access to the cost estimator to develop a financial plan that takes into account various income sources and expenses.

Career Options

This program will prepare graduating students for a range of careers in public sector (federal, provincial and local jurisdictions), private sector (consulting, urban tree care companies, and utility corporations), NGOs, research and educational institutes and international organizations.

Further Information

 
 
Program Enquiries
If you have reviewed the information on this program page and understand the requirements for this program, you may send an enquiry
 
 

Departments/Programs may update graduate degree program details through the Faculty & Staff portal. To update contact details for application inquiries, please use this form.

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