Master of Urban and Regional Planning

Overview

Career Outcomes

There is a shortage of planners in Australia due to economic conditions and availability of resources in both the public and private sectors. Local government in particular is suffering from a lack of professionally trained planners. Professional bodies including the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) are encouraging courses leading to the supply of qualified planners and the Federal Government has in recent times been promoting the migration of planners from other parts of the world to address the shortfall. Delays in the development industry are being blamed in part on the shortage of qualified planning staff.

The list of career opportunities includes (but is not limited to):

• Local government planner
• State government planner
• Private planning consultant
• Researcher or Academic
• Development company
• Regional development authority
• Housing or transport agency
• Environmental authority
• Commonwealth Agency

The economic downturn is not likely to limit the need for employment of planners. In these times emphasis in the planning arena is much more focused on the provision of housing (affordable) and other welfare and social concerns.

Professional Recognition

The Master of Urban and Regional Planning is fully accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA), the national professional body for planners. The PIA body establishes and maintains national standards for the education and skill development of planners entering into the planning profession (PIA 2008). Curtin University has taught planning programs for over 40 years at both undergraduate and post graduate level. In 2008 the Master of Urban and Regional Planning was reviewed by PIA and again received full 5 year accreditation.

Graduates from Curtin’s Master of Urban and Regional Planning are eligible for full membership of PIA.

Eligibility

The Urban and Regional Planning course has two entrance pathways:

Academic

Applicants require an undergraduate degree in any discipline from a recognised tertiary institution.

Or

Work experience

Entry may be granted to applicants who do not have an academic qualification but who can demonstrate through professional work experience their capacity to successfully undertake this course. Entry to the Master of Urban and Regional Planning for students without undergraduate qualifications is via the Graduate Certificate in Development Planning. Students are advised to contact the Academic Course Coordinator for guidance prior to registering in any units.

How to Apply

This course is restricted. Students are required to apply and be approved by Curtin University before they can enrol in units through OUA.

Applications for the Urban and Regional Planning courses are due two weeks prior to the close of enrolment.

Please complete the application form below.

1. Read information requirements

   • Select to apply for one or more courses listed on the application form, taking note of the eligibility criteria for each course. If you want to apply for a (restricted) course with a different university, you'll need to submit a separate application from the relevant course page.

   • Read all parts of the application form in advance:

     Receive a faster response by ensuring you have all the required information ready before you start. If you have a web account, sign in first to pre-fill personal details we already have for you on record.

     If you do not have a web account, you'll need to register one within the application form. Once you've registered an account, you'll then be signed in. From here you can choose to complete your application and submit it, or save and return to it later.

     Completing this application should take 15 to 20 minutes.

   • Need help completing your application? Contact us:

     If in doubt about any of the information required to support your application, the more information you can provide the better. If you have any academic queries including how to request credit transfer, contact Curtin University directly. For all other enquiries, contact us.

   • Next steps:

     After submitting your application, you should receive a confirmation email containing a copy of your application for your records.

     Your application will be assessed within 2-4 weeks, and if further information is required, we will contact you. Once your application has been assessed, we will be in touch via email to notify you of the outcome. At the latest this will be one week after the closing date for applications.

     If, after submitting your application, you wish to change your preferences or submit an additional document, please email apply@open.edu.au. Include your full name as it appeared on the application.

2. Prepare supporting documents

   • Check that you have all the required documents, according to individual course requirements and your personal circumstances, specifically:

     1. Your curriculum vitae - required for entry into postgraduate courses only.
     2. Certified copies of academic transcripts - required in most cases but check course eligibility rules.
     3. A letter of recommendation from your employer on company letterhead - recommended for entry using work experience.
     4. Certified legal documentation - if you have changed your name e.g. a marriage certificate, deed poll name change certificate.
     5. Certified legal documentation - if you need to correct an error in your date of birth e.g. a birth certificate.
     6. English language test results - if your courses were not predominantly in English e.g. IELTS or equivalent test results.
     7. Official translations of any documents not in English.

     A "certified" copy is a copy bearing the recognised mark of a Justice of the Peace, Commission of Oaths or declarations, Public Notary or a Solicitor.

   • Create an electronic copy of your attachments:

     For each certified document, scan and save it on your computer. Save your curriculum vitae to your computer, then get ready to upload all documents in the form.

   • Do not send original documents as they will not be returned.

Study Materials

All units delivered via OUA will be taught in a fully online mode. Online learning materials will comprise of a range of mediums including:

• iLectures
• Microsoft word documents
• Powerpoint presentations
• Audio materials
• Static and interactive mapping
• Internet links to additional materials including video, audio, web pages and photographic materials

Study materials include online modules, online readings and a wide range of reference material. Students are provided with supervisory support by telephone and email.

Award Requirements

To qualify for the award of Master of Urban and Regional Planning, students must complete 11 units including a double unit (300 credit points):

• 9 core units (250 credit points)
• 2 optional units (50 credit points) either as offered by the teaching area or as approved by course coordinator prior to the commencement of the options
• Students must complete the award within 10 years.

Recognition of Prior Learning / Credit

Recognition of Prior Learning will be awarded according to the rules and policies of Curtin University. Please see the Curtin University website for more details about RPL.

Related Courses

This course sits within a group of courses, giving you the flexibility to study towards different levels of qualification. The courses are listed from the highest to the lowest qualification.

• Master of Urban and Regional Planning
• Graduate Certificate in Development Planning

Course Structure

Electives