Program summary

Program title: Master of Regional and Urban Planning
Award abbreviation: MRegUrbPlan
Degree type: coursework
Mode of study: on campus (intensive); online
Duration: 3 years part-time. Program only available part-time.
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
Fee type 2011: postgraduate coursework places, online postgraduate coursework places
Total courses: 12
USC program code: AR704
CRICOS code: Not available to international students on a Student Visa.

Highlights

• Gain entry to the planning profession
• Study at your own pace with distance education
• Focus on a specialist planning area

Help your community plan for a sustainable future.

The Master of Regional and Urban Planning # provides a postgraduate pathway to enter the planning profession and work as a planner. It focuses on the planning challenges of regional Australia, especially regions subject to high growth with associated environmental and community issues.

The program delivers both planning knowledge and skills and you focus on a specialist planning area. With a strong emphasis on reflective learning, you draw on your formal and informal experiences in planning-related organisations and activities. You develop a specialist area of knowledge and are encouraged to think about major planning issues from a multi-disciplinary perspective.

Courses are delivered in one of two modes. In some courses you need to attend short intensive blocks, which are supported by books of readings and on-line resources. In others you study online and receive study materials, use online resources and complete all assessment using the discussion board or written assessment in the form of reports, essays and urban place exercises.

You complete courses in contemporary planning theory, environmental and planning law, planning practice, Indigenous peoples and sustainability, regional infrastructure planning, participation and conflict resolution, urban design and research design. You then complete a planning thesis, or a planning research project plus three courses from a specialist area, such as social sciences; integrated coastal zone management; or climate change adaptation. The thesis component is only available if you meet the academic standard (GPA 5.5) and wish to complete a thesis. Otherwise you must complete the research project and three electives.

Graduates can expect to find career opportunities as a planner in a regional council or planning consultancy, or as a policy analyst in the Department of Environment and Resource Management or other government departments.

# Subject to interim accreditation by the Planning Institute of Australia.

Professional recognition

Graduates may register with the Planning Institute of Australia after two years of professional practice *.

Admission requirements

To enter the Master of Regional and Urban Planning you will normally be required to hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised University.

You will need to be able to access a computer which enables you to use blackboard and participate in on-line learning sessions.

Program structure

8 required courses
CMN574 Project Management Principles
ENP701 Project Risk
ENP702 Project Planning
ENP703 Project Integration
ENP704 Research Design: Methodology and Literature Review
ENP707 Contemporary Planning Theory
ENP708 Environmental and Planning Law
GEO700 Planning Practice

Plus select from one of the following two options:

Option 1

ENP710 Urban Design Studio(48 units)

or:

Option 2

1 required course
ENP709 Regional Infrastructure Planning*

Plus 3 courses from one of the following specialist areas:

Social Sciences Skills
ENP705 Participation and Conflict Resolution*
FUT700 Indigenous Peoples and Sustainability
SCS701 Planning Thesis *

Climate Change Adaption (Integrated Coastal Zone Management)
ENS701 Planning Research Project*
ENS708 Water Allocation and Planning
ENS724 Applied Futures Studies: Methods, Values and Strategy
ENS747 Engaging Effectively with Aboriginal People

Climate Change Adaption (Climate Change Adaption)
ENS708 Estuary and Wetland Systems Dynamics
ENS712 Environmental and Sustainability Evaluation
ENS715 Coastal Systems Dynamics

* Subject to final approval.

Program requirements

1. Students are required to successfully complete
   1. eight required courses and a 48 unit thesis, or
   2. eight required courses, a planning research project (12 units) and three electives (36 units).

Enquiries

How to apply

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Tel: +61 7 5430 1259

Program Leader
Associate Professor Johanna Rosier
Tel: +61 7 5459 4877
Email: jrosier@usc.edu.au

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