ObjectivesThe course will address development pressures as well as key issues at local government level with respect to the design of high quality healthy urban environments, environmental sustainability, cultural heritage, and the forming of ethical public policy. The program will is offered at graduate certificate, graduate diploma and masters levels to meet a variety of needs in terms of entry qualifications and graduate options. The program aims to : * give students and advanced knowledge and understanding of the key issues at local government level with respect to the design of high quality healthy urban environments, environmental sustainability, cultural heritage, the forming of ethical public policy * ability to engage in critical evaluation and high-level debates concerning planning, governance and management at local government level * effectively communicate to and empathise with specialist audiences and the wider community on matters relation to planning at the local government level * an understanding of and the ability to work with a systematic body of knowledge appropriate to the level of a postgraduate degree * ability to work independently in planning, managing and reporting within a chosen professional area * ability to work collaboratively with others in a shared pursuit of knowledge * a commitment to ethical and sustainable practices at local government level
Entry requirementsTo be eligible for admission into the Graduate Certificate of Planning applicants require: * a bachelor degree from an approved tertiary institution; or * qualifications deemed to be equivalent; or * extensive relevant work experience undertaken at a senior level as deemed appropriate by the Course Selection Team.
Academic titleGraduate Certificate of Planning
Course descriptionFees and charges
Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study. If you are studying a graduate certificate of 4 credit points, your total course EFTSL is 0.5.
This is a fee-paying course. Domestic students may be eligible for FEE-HELP assistance in paying these tuition fees. For more information about FEE-HELP go to http://www.deakin.edu.au/future-students/fees/.
Fee paying place - Domestic (DFP)
A Fee paying place is one for which the university does not receive any government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute the full cost of their course.
Fee paying places are available to domestic students. Domestic students are those who are Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or holders of a permanent visa.
* The 'indicative annual course fee' cited has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2009, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline.
The actual fees charged by Deakin University will depend upon the discipline from which each individual unit is chosen, and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines. The cost of each unit offered in 2009 can be viewed at http://www.deakin.edu.au/current-students/handbooks2009/search.php.
Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.
Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on 'indicative course fees' to calculate the total future cost of their course.
Career opportunities
Deakin’s planning courses provide graduates with skills that will enable them to work across diverse sectors of the planning industry. They will assist graduates in securing meaningful career positions such as:
* Strategic planners in local, regional or state governments;
* Strategic planners in private practice or consultancies;
* Planners in the health field (including hospitals, health networks, government departments);
* Strategic planners for companies involved in suburban or regional housing developments.
There currently exists a critical shortage of skilled and experienced experts, especially in rural and regional areas, who are able to plan, design, and manage sustainable social and urban change. Due to immense change in the planning and design industry, government and professional bodies are calling for graduate programs which address this complex array of changes.
Course rules
To qualify for the award of Graduate Certificate of Planning, a student must successfully complete the 4 compulsory core units.
Course structure
Compulsory core units
Trimester 1
AIA718 Planning Theory, Urban Governance and the Law
SRD761 Designing Urban Environments A
Trimester 2
HSH724 Local Action for Healthy Cities and Communities
Trimester 3 2008/09
SRD762 Interdisciplinary Planning and Design
Admission requirements - general
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record.
For more information on the Deakin Admissions Policy visit The Guide
Admission requirements - specific
To be eligible for admission into the Graduate Certificate of Planning applicants require:
* a bachelor degree from an approved tertiary institution; or
* qualifications deemed to be equivalent; or
* extensive relevant work experience undertaken at a senior level as deemed appropriate by the Course Selection Team.
Advanced standing - general
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Advanced Standing System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Advanced standing - specific
Applications for advanced standing will be considered depending on the student's prior qualifications and professional experience.
The Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and the Masters in Planning comprise a suite of fully articulated courses. Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate of Planning will lead to admission into either the Graduate Diploma of Planning or the Master of Planning with up to 4 credit points of advanced standing. Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Planning or equivalent will lead to admission into the Master of Planning with up to 8 credit points of advanced standing.