The Master of Urban Innovation (MUI) program offered within the Institute for Management & Innovation (IMI) at UTM is designed to provide a new generation of practitioners with an in-depth understanding of the role that innovative, vibrant, liveable and supportive city-regions play in sustaining the quality of life and economic well-being of Canadians.
The MUI program is based on the premise that successful communities and dynamic regional economies do not happen by chance. They are the product of conscious efforts to strategically manage the innovation resources of their local economies and the understanding that collaborative governance institutions are an essential part of that process.
This program offers a unique and specialized interdisciplinary preparation for students with a strong interest in urban issues and economic development, to play a critical policy and leadership role in implementing strategies that promote innovative, equitable and sustainable cities and city-regions. The MUI program will prepare specialized professionals to help support this process in different types of organizations (government, not-for-profit organizations and corporations).
Graduates of the MUI program will develop skills that are appealing to many organizations concerned with innovation based economic development in the 21st century, including: municipal and regional governments, community-based organizations and industry partners, with a focus on supporting start-ups and innovation activities, and both social and environmental sustainability.
How We Are Different
All MUI students will complete a 2 to 4 months summer internship with a host organization between Year 1 and Year 2 of the program. Through their internship, students will connect experiential learning to the key theoretical approaches and analytical techniques taught in the first year.
Examples of internship activities include the development, evaluation and explanation of alternative development strategies available to support the future economic growth of a city-region and the exploration of the range of public policy tools available to support that growth and the respective role of private and not-for-profit organizations in contributing to development patterns. Students will produce a brief policy report at the end of the internship.
Ensuring that students are well prepared to transition from university to professional practice is a cornerstone of the MUI program.
Career Coaching and Professional Development
MUI also offers 1:1 personalized career coaching and professional development throughout the length of the program to prepare students for their internship placements and careers beyond their Masters program. MUI Program staff will foster students’ professional development through a series of practice-oriented seminars, networking opportunities, resume and job interview workshops and one-on-one meetings. The program also offers opportunities for students to attend industry events.
Interdisciplinary Education
In the 2nd year of the program, students have the opportunity to select electives from other graduate programs. This is where the interdisciplinary approach of the program allows students to customize the program to their interests - it is what makes our program UNIQUE.
This also allows students to collaborate and network with students from other disciplines and programs, learn from amazing faculty from various disciplines and departments, to work with like-minded students from other faculties and to expand their network.
The MUI Advantage
- Interdisciplinary program with diverse opportunities and industry partnerships
- Paid summer internship (100% placement rate)
- Experiential opportunities, including a case competition and capstone project with industry partners
- Intimate class size resulting in one-on-one, tailored support for your academic and professional journey
- Extensive professional development opportunities that improve employability
- World class faculty and researchers in their field
- Full-time employment within 3 months of graduation (100% rate)
