Master of Community Planning
Do you want to design and shape the world around you? Consider the Master of Community Planning degree at Vancouver Island University. Community planners play a huge role in the development of neighbourhoods, towns, cities and regions. An urban planner can also help shape a community’s response to a range of emerging issues such as climate change; and economic issues such as tourism by creating a sustainable city also known as ecocity.
The MCP program at VIU combines research, applied learning through a variety of in-community, real-world projects, and interactions with the professional planning community to give you a wide range of skills and knowledge. This community planning program is fully accredited through the Canadian Institute of Planners, alongside Canada’s historic planning schools.
The Master of Community Planning Program
The Master of Community Planning (MCP) is an applied program that is fully accredited by the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP). Graduates are eligible to apply for student membership with CIP while at VIU and can apply for full membership post-graduation."
The program focuses on:
- Small city and town planning;
- Community and urban design, including a strong GIS component;
- Rural/urban interface planning;
- First Nations planning (with attention to the issues relevant to the First Nations of Vancouver Island and coastal British Columbia);
- Sustainable economic issues, including tourism; and
- Emerging issues such as climate change and planning for post-fossil fuel communities.
This is an intensive program with many opportunities to apply the skills and techniques learned in the program to "real life" planning questions and problems. Students will be engaged in self-directed learning and group studies, seminars and discussions, and will have many opportunities to meet and learn from professional planners. There is also a strong focus on urban design and visual representations of community planning, including GIS.
Campus Information
Nanaimo Campus
(Main campus)Located on the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, VIU’s main campus in Nanaimo hosts an ocean-view campus, spanning 92 scenic acres, including lush stands of forest and Japanese gardens. Walk nature trails located a few minutes from campus on foot, or take a quick city transit ride to Nanaimo’s harbourside downtown centre for eclectic dining, pubs, coffee shops, and shopping.
Intakes
- Sep Deadline: Feb
Application Processing Time in Days: 30
Application Process
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
Graduates from accredited planning programs work in a variety of placements, from local governments (current and long range planning, sustainability planning, parks, heritage, social planning, and more) to provincial agencies (community affairs, environment, lands, and parks) to federal and international organizations (non-profit and non-governmental organizations, international government agencies). Accredited planners also work in private industry, providing skills and advice to all levels of government, developers, citizens, and agencies.
PSW Opportunity
> If your program was less than 8 months
You aren’t eligible for a PGWP.
> If your program was more than 8 months but less than 2 years
We may give you a PGWP that’s valid for up to the same length as your study program.
For example, if you completed a 9-month program, we may give you a work permit for up to 9 months.
> If your program was 2 years or more
We may give you a PGWP that’s valid for 3 years.
> If you completed more than 1 program
You may be able to get a PGWP that combines the length of each program.
Each of the programs you completed -
must be PGWP-eligible and at least 8 months in length
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
To be admitted into the program, students must hold a baccalaureate degree from a recognized university in any discipline, and meet the following admission criteria:
- A minimum average of "B" calculated in the last two years of the undergraduate degree, with a review of the entire degree.
- Acceptance and satisfactory review of the following items by the Admissions Committee:
- Resume
- Three letters of reference (from academic or professional referees) as well as a statement of interest addressing each of the following areas:
> Areas of research interest;
> Statement of career interest; and
> Statement of volunteer and/or career experience.
Meeting these minimum requirements is no assurance of admission: admission will be a competitive process with the selection of candidates depending on an intensive review process. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.
Recommendations for Admission
It is recommended that students interested in admission to the Master of Community Planning obtain volunteer or paid experience relating to the specialization areas of this program prior to submitting their application. Students must also give careful consideration to their proposed area of research interests: lack of an interest that fits with the focus of this program may negatively impact the student's application.
Notes on Admission
Preference will be given to candidates with:
- An area of research interest that meshes with the focus areas of the Program.
- A statement of career interest that shows a clear understanding of the opportunities available in Planning.
- A statement of volunteer or career experience that supports the two previously referenced documents.
- Evidence of high academic achievement.
Transfer from other Institutions
All requirements for the Program must be completed at Vancouver Island University; transfer from other institutions will be accepted only in extraordinary circumstances.
For More Information Please Contact to Our Counselor.
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Masters/PG Degree
- Duration: 02 Year
-
Total Tuition Fee:
25000 CAD
Annual Cost of Living: 20635 CAD
Application Fee: N/A