GC-DEVPLN v.2 Graduate Certificate in Development Planning

Graduate Certificates prepare students to develop advanced knowledge and skills for professional or highly skilled work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 8 qualifications.

This course provides an introduction to the planning principles, practices and techniques used by urban and regional planners. Examples and applications draw on local, national and international examples. It can be seen as a stand-alone qualification in its own right, or as the first step towards the Master of Urban and Regional Planning, which is a full professional qualification. It can also provide mid-career training for practising planners. A distinguishing characteristic of the course is the use of interdisciplinary knowledge and techniques in addressing environmental, social and design issues of concern to the community. It is now widely accepted that successful human settlements must be properly planned and a range of statutory and non-statutory controls exist at all levels of government to protect the public interest in the development process.

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials. Students may be required to pay for additional expenses whilst on fieldwork/clinical placements.

Graduate Certificates contain a series of units which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences.

Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. identify and apply the principles, theories and concepts of urban and regional planning and draw upon appropriate knowledge of social, economic and environmental factors within a governance framework to practise planning, particularly in the Western Australian context;

2. examine and challenge theories and practices of urban and regional planning, and generate creative solutions to planning issues

3. access, evaluate and synthesise information in the context of urban and regional planning

4. communicate effectively in writing, graphically and orally with various audiences within a university context

5. use appropriate technologies to gather and interpret research and data

6. engage in self education within the Urban and Regional Planning profession to continue self development

7. compare and contrast developmental processes in local and international contexts

8. recognise and consider the needs and aspirations of the diversity of populations served by urban and regional planning, including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and the cultures of other minority ethnic groups in Australia and internationally

9. work ethically as individuals and in teams using skills central to the practice of integrated planning development

Duration and Availability

This fee-paying course is one semester full-time study. Whilst part-time study is available most units are timetabled during the day, and part-time students will need to make arrangement to attend classes held during the day. Field trips are also likely to be held during the day.

Location and delivery Mode

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.

* This unit is only available Semester 1

** This unit is only available Semester 2

Applicants for a Graduate Certificate are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://study.curtin.edu.au/. Applicants generally require a Bachelor Degree or equivalent credit gained for recognised learning. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met.

Applicants without a bachelor degree or equivalent require vocational skills and knowledge in relevant professional areas where it can be demonstrated, through professional work experience, the capacity to successfully undertake this program

Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au/non-school-leavers/rpl.cfm

Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to some Graduate Diplomas and Master degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.