Master of Community Planning and Development
Course code/s: AMCPD - Bendigo
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 Community Planning and Development) and approved relevant work experience
- Relevant work experience and completion of a Graduate Certificate with a 70% average in all subjects
Entry into the second year of the Masters may be obtained after completion of an approved four year undergraduate degree (e.g. Bachelor of Urban, Rural and Environmental Planning) with at least 70% in all 4th year subjects.
(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 (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 Master of Community Planning and Development (Urban and Rural Planning stream) is now accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia.
Students wishing to pursue a course that will lead to Accreditation must complete 240 credit points including all subjects designated ** when options are offered.
Students complete the subjects listed in the grid below:
| First year Semester one (60 credit points to be completed) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Teaching period | Subject Code | Subject name |
| TE-SEM-1 | PLA4CAR | Cities and Regions: Planning, Development and Management (30 credit points)** |
| AND | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | PLA4NMC | Negotiation, Mediation and Community Consultation (30 credit points)** |
| First year Semester two (60 credit points to be completed) | ||
| TE-SEM-2 | PLA4CFD | Climate Futures - Planning for Risk and Uncertainty (15 credit points) |
| AND | ||
| TE-SEM-2 | PLA4MOB | Everyday Mobilities: Movement, Access and Transport in Urban and Rural Communities (15 credit points)** |
| AND | ||
| TE-SEM-2 | PLA4CD | Community Development (15 credit points) |
| OR | ||
| TE-SEM-2 | PLA4TSD | Planning Theory Urban Strategy and Design (30 credit points)** |
| AND | ||
| TE-SEM-2 | Choose an elective from the list (15 credit points)** | |
| Second year semester one (60 credit points to be completed) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | PLA5RMP | Research Methods for Planners (15 credit points)** |
| TE-SEM-1 | PLA5MTA | Minor Thesis A (core) (15 credit points)** |
| AND | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | PLA5PP | Project Management and Implementation (15 credit points) |
| OR | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | PLA5SPS | Site Planning Studio** |
| OR | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | PLA5CDP | Community Development Project** |
| AND | ||
| Choose an elective from the list (15 credit points)** | ||
| Second year semester two (60 credit points to be completed) | ||
| TE-SEM-2 | PLA5CM | Catchment Management (offered in the summer semester W47-09) (15 credit points) |
| OR | ||
| TE-SEM-2 | PLA5HP | Planning for Heritage and Culture** |
| AND | ||
| TE-SEM-2 | PLA5MTB | Minor Thesis B (core) (30 credit points)** |
| TE-SEM-2 | PLA5ESI | Social and Community Impact Assessment (15 credit points) |
| OR | ||
| TE-SEM-2 | PLA5ESP | Environment and Social Policy (offered in the summer semester W47-09) (15 credit points) |
| TE-SEM-2 | OR | |
| TE-SEM-2 | PLA5UGP | Urban Governance and Planning Law** |
Elective Subjects
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
|
Wk05-09/Wk15-31/Wk42-50 |
International Planning Studies | PLA4IPS |
| TE-SEM-1 | Children in their Environment | PLA4CIE |
| TE-SEM-1 | Environmental Region Studio | PLA4ERS |
| TE-SEM-2 | Urban Social Theory | SOC4UST/SOC5UST |
| TE-SEM-2 | Public Policy, Urban Finances and Ethics (not available in 2012) | PLA5PUE |
| OR | ||
| Other PLA subject approved by coordinator and not already undertaken by student | ||
For further information about the Master of Community Planning and Development, please the Bendigo campus on 5444 7227 or by email at m.tarr@latrobe.edu.au