Masters degrees by coursework
Master of Community Planning and Development – Bendigo (AMCPD)
The course is designed to produce skills and leadership capacities relevant to a range of middle and senior management positions in government departments and agencies working with communities, especially those in rural areas, community development agencies, local governments, non-government organisations, and organisations who work with rural and regional development issues and communities, both nationally and internationally.
The course will develop existing undergraduate capacities acquired in a range of disciplines and integrate a number of themes that build an overall philosophy. These themes include the understanding of society and development of value systems and ethics – the integration and inter-relationship of social, economic and environmental outcomes – the environment and principles of sustainable natural resource management – how the economy operates, particularly in rural and regional communities – how to work in and for communities – public sector, business, and organisational management – the nature and particular characteristics of rural and regional areas and communities – strategic thinking, policy development and implementation, planning and leadership.
Admission requirements
For admission to the two-year Masters program applicants require one of the following:
- an approved three year undergraduate degree
- an approved graduate qualification (eg the Graduate Diploma in Rural and Regional Planning) and approved relevant work experience
- Relevant work experience and achievement at least 70 in all units comprising the Graduate Certificate
(Advanced standing may be provided for persons possessing an approved four-year planning degree, an honours degree or a relevant postgraduate diploma).
Course structure
The course consists of two years’ full-time study (twelve 20-credit point units, totalling 240 credit points) or equivalent part-time. Advanced standing equivalent to the first year of the program will be given to persons possessing the Bachelor of Urban, Rural and Environmental Planning, the Graduate Diploma in Community Planning and Development, the Graduate Diploma in Rural and Regional Planning or another approved qualification. The course is based on a Masters by coursework and minor thesis encompassing the following units at postgraduate level.
Course streams
The course provides three streams:
- Community Development,
- Urban and Rural Planning,
- Environmental and Social Policy.
The planning stream is constructed to be eligible for Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) accreditation. – students choosing this stream would have to take the subjects designated ** when options are offered.
Students complete the units listed in the grid below:
| Year ONE Semester 1 60 Credit Points to be completed | PLA4RMP Research Methods for planners, | PLA4PSP Principles of Strategic Planning | PLA4NMC Negotiation, Mediation and Community Consultation |
| Year ONE Semester 2 60 Credit Points to be completed | PLA4CD Community Development OR PLA4SP** Statutory and Environmental Planning | PLA4PP Project Management and Professional Ethics Development | PLA4CFD Climate Futures – Water, Land use and Development Implications |
| Year TWO Semester 1 60 Credit Points to be completed | PLA5GAC Globalisation and Communities: Rural and Regional | PLA5UDP ** Urban Design Project OR PLA5CDP Community Development project Or PLA5ESP Environment and Social Policy (NEW UNIT) | PLA5MTA Minor Thesis A |
| Year TWO Semester 2 60 Credit Points to be completed | PLA5HP ** Indigenous and Post Colonial Heritage OR PLA5CM Catchment Management | PLA5ESI Social and Community Impact Assessment | PLA5MTB Minor Thesis B |
Key: ** Students undertaking the Urban and Rural planning stream must take these options.