Accredited Programs

• Queen’s University’s School of Urban and Regional Planning
• York University’s Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change
• University of Waterloo’s School of Planning
• University of Toronto’s Department of Geography and Planning
• Toronto Metropolitan University's School of Urban and Regional Planning
• University of Guelph’s Rural Planning Program in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development

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Visit the Professional Standards Board (PSB) for more information on accredited programs.

These programs provide students with opportunities to engage in rigorous and well-focused education across a broad spectrum of planning issues like urban design, rural studies, community sustainability, transportation, housing, heritage, and more. Each unique program allows students to engage in teamwork, active learning, and real-world projects led by exceptional professors and lecturers with years of experience as practicing professional planners.

As a planning student, you'll contribute to innovative research, embark on travel opportunities, engage with community members, and develop your own unique areas of study. You'll enter the workforce with a professional edge, ready to navigate the challenges of rapidly evolving environments, and play an important role in achieving community strength now - and for future generations.

 

student scholarships

OPPI recognizes today's planning students as the Registered Professional Planners (RPPs) of tomorrow and provides our student members with scholarship opportunities that award excellnce and community contributors. 
 

student scholarships

Internship Opportunities

Since 2021, OPPI has partnered with Mitacs Canada to provide planning students with research internship opportunities through the Mitacs Accelerate program. These internship opportunities allow OPPI to help employers access new talent and also allow student members to obtain meaningful employment that contributes to the planning profession.
 
OPPI is pleased to continue our partnership with Mitacs and encourages both employers and students to apply.

For employers
In 2022, OPPI has committed to $30,000 in funding, allowing us to support up to 12 research internship opportunities (two opportunities per accredited planning program in Ontario). Each internship will be four months in length.
 
OPPI will contribute $2,500 for every employer who contributes $5,000 under this initiative. Once approved, Mitacs will match the $7,500 contributed by OPPI and the employer, providing a total of $15,000 for the student internship project.
 
Projects may be eligible for further funding through the Mitacs Accelerate program.
 
This internship opportunity is open to planning consulting firms, non-profits and municipalities. All employers must be confirmed as eligible by Mitacs.
 
For students
Eligible students must be OPPI student members from an accredited planning program at the commencement of research work. Students must also have an academic supervisor in their program supporting their research internship.
 
Projects must fall within the Mitacs eligible research guidelines. 
 
In keeping with the commitment underlying OPPI's Anti-Black Racism Task Force, OPPI's funding will give priority to high-quality student proposals that advance equity, diversity, inclusivity, and Indigenous strategies.
 
Application process
For both students and employers, the application process is as follows:

1. Students and employers reach out to the appropriate local Mitacs representative to determine eligibility of employer and project.
2. Once confirmed, students and employers reach out to OPPI, their local Mitacs representative, and Mitacs Canada to express interest in participating, along with a project description.
3. OPPI will then confirm support for the project with the local Mitacs representative and Mitacs Canada, and invite applicants to submit a full proposal to Mitacs Canada.
4. The local Mitacs representative will work with students, their academic supervisors, and employers to submit a full proposal to Mitacs Canada.

Applications take about eight weeks to be reviewed.

Employers and students are encouraged to express their interest as soon as possible as there are eligibility requirements that must be fulfilled to complete the internships.
 
Mitacs questions
Contact your local Mitacs representative:

• University of Guelph, School of Rural Planning & Development - Emily Gordon (egordon@mitacs.ca)
• University of Toronto, Department of Geography and Planning - Christine Macdonald (cmacdonald@mitacs.ca)
• University of Waterloo, School of Planning - Ashley Hannon (ahannon@mitacs.ca)
• Queen's University, School of Urban and Regional Planning - Michael Lacasse (mlacasse@mitacs.ca)
• Ryerson University, School of Urban and Regional Planning - Leslie Bone (lbone@mitacs.ca)
• ​​York University, Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change - Rachel Sung (rsung@mitacs.ca)

Contact Mitacs Canada:

• Jillian Murray (jhatnean@mitacs.ca) 

Contact OPPI:

• Natalie Jenkins, Membership Manager (membership@ontarioplanners.ca)
• ​Ryan Des Roches, Registrar & Director, Member Service (r.desroches@ontarioplanners.ca)