Associate Degree in Urban and Regional Environments

On successful completion you will be able to:

1. Understand the skills required for professional planning practice in diverse urban, regional and rural settings
2. Utilise some spatial concepts and methodologies to understand, analyse and solve social, economic and environmental processes on different scales
3. Identify and analyse problems related to urban, regional and rural governance and policy developments
4. Comprehend the complexity of creating sustainable towns and cities, and be able to identify when changes to local and global processes are necessary

This non-accredited diploma will open doors to junior and entry level roles in the planning and environment management departments of local and state governments, regional bodies, and the private sector.

Possible roles include:

• Planning assistant
  • Provide support with research, community engagement and reporting for planning projects and initiatives.
• Planning administration officer
  • Help planning teams deliver their vision by contributing to projects, administration and operations.
• Community property assistant
  • Help to manage publicly owned properties and land.

Higher education via OUA

Successful completion of two of the following four Open Access Pathway subjects:

• PLA1ELE Exploring Living Environments
• PLA1ISP Introducing Plan Making
• GEG1SPP Society, People and Place
• GEG1MAV Mapping, Analysing and Visualising Data

Secondary education

Demonstrate proficiency equivalent to Year 12 prerequisites.

Work and Life

Satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice if you:

• are not currently studying an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent)
• have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or
• do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program.

Refer to the La Trobe University STAT page for further information.

La Trobe University will consider applications for advanced standing, or credit for prior study. Credit may be applied to a current degree if you have undertaken previous tertiary study and completed and passed subjects similar in content and standard to those offered at La Trobe, from either another recognised tertiary institution or a different La Trobe course.

Note: Applications for credit will not be considered until you have successfully been admitted to a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) in a La Trobe course offered through OUA.

Assessing whether you should apply for credit for subjects in your course:

Credit may be granted for relevant subjects. The following steps will help you to decide which subjects you wish to apply for:

1. Identify subjects within your course that you think align with subjects you have already studied and have completed within 8 years of your La Trobe University course commencement year.
2. Provide subject outlines with detailed information for each subject that you wish to submit for assessment for credit, identifying which subject within your course that you have identified as a match. Include subject learning outcomes/objectives and subject content for each subject.
3. Provide your academic transcript for your previous studies.

*Note that a subject studied can only be used once for credit

La Trobe’s Associate Degree in Urban and Regional Environments gives you a foothold in the vital area of community and environmental planning and development.

Whether you’re looking for a standalone qualification or a pathway into the Bachelor of Planning (Honours), you’ll gain key skills in planning and design while building your understanding of sustainability from a regional, urban and global perspective.

This immersive, two-year course develops your expertise in planning practice, such as understanding places, people and policies. Explore how global warming, urbanisation and land use impact food, water and environmental security. Then, investigate how local, state and federal governments respond to these issues through developmental strategies, policies and programs.

Enhance your effectiveness as a planning professional by strengthening your communication, mediation, negotiation and community relations skills, while building your technical skills in design and social and demographic analysis.

Gain first-hand experience with best-practice community engagement and evaluation. Previous students have participated in a range of field trips, from country towns in rural Victoria to metropolitan cities in Asia and Europe.

Want to take your career aspirations even further? After completing your associate degree, you can move directly into the third year of La Trobe’s Bachelor of Planning (Honours).

You'll learn:

• Planning practice
  • Develop a planning skillset for working in a diverse range of urban, regional and rural environments.
• Planning policy and governance
  • Learn how to interpret and apply planning policies and frameworks.
• Sustainable development principles
  • Build the skills to identify opportunities for creating sustainable towns and cities.

Recommended Study Pattern

Students who wish to enrol in a part time load are recommended to enrol in two subjects per study period. Please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook to review the full structure.

Students who are studying and want to take a break (minimum one study period) must submit a leave of absence covering the relevant dates.

Students who have been accepted in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) are required to complete the following 2 modules in their first study period as a CSP student:

LTU0AIM Academic Integrity Module

ABS0WOM Wominjeka La Trobe: Indigenous Cultural Literacy for Higher Education

Award Requirements

To qualify for the award of Associate Degree in Urban and Regional Environments, students must complete 16 subjects (240 credit points) as follows:

• 14 core subjects
• 2 elective subjects

Students who have been accepted in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) are required to complete the following 2 modules in their first study period as a CSP student:

LTU0AIM Academic Integrity Module

ABS0WOM Wominjeka La Trobe: Indigenous Cultural Literacy for Higher Education