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 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.

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 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
ENP701 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
ENP702 Research Design: Methodology and Literature Review
ENP703 Contemporary Planning Theory
ENP704 Environmental and Planning Law
ENP707 Planning Practice
ENP708 Urban Design Studio
GEO700 Regional Infrastructure Planning

Plus select from one of the following two options:

Option 1

ENP710 Participation and Conflict Resolution(48 units)

or:

Option 2

1 required course
ENP709 Indigenous Peoples and Sustainability

Plus 3 courses from one of the following specialist areas:

Social Sciences Skills
ENP705 Planning Thesis
FUT700 Planning Research Project
SCS701 Water Allocation and Planning

Climate Change Adaption (Integrated Coastal Zone Management)
ENS701 Applied Futures Studies: Methods, Values and Strategy
ENS708 Engaging Effectively with Aboriginal People
ENS724 Estuary and Wetland Systems Dynamics
ENS747 Environmental and Sustainability Evaluation

Climate Change Adaption (Climate Change Adaption)
ENS708 Coastal Systems Dynamics
ENS712 Marine Resource Management
ENS715 Environmental and Sustainability Evaluation

* 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

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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