Master of Community Planning students on their journey to pursue a career an urban planner

Master of Community Planning

Program calendar icon Program Length

  • 2 Years

Program credential icon Credential

  • Master Degree

Program location icon Location Offered

  • Nanaimo

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.

The MCP is a 2 year program (September to April in Year 1 and September to April in Year 2). Students may be involved in field work and research in the summer semesters between Year 1 and Year 2. The program is a cohort model intended to be completed over two years. However, students may take additional semesters to complete their program if their thesis or major project has not been completed by April of Year 2.

By program completion, our graduates will have a broad interdisciplinary knowledge of how planners can influence the futures of neighbourhoods, small communities, and rural areas both locally and world-wide. Our graduates will have new skills that will enable them to serve citizens and communities as they respond the social, economic, environmental, and sustainability issues that shape our world.

Year 1

Fall SemesterCredits
PLAN 501 - (Introduction and History of Planning)3
PLAN 504 - (Community Design)3
PLAN 506 - (Planning Practice)3
PLAN 601 - (Citizen Participation and Consultation)3
Spring SemesterCredits
PLAN 502 - (Planning Theory and Policy)3
PLAN 504 - (Community Design)3
PLAN 505 - (Planning Law and Regulations)3
PLAN 507 - (Research Methods)3

Year 2

Fall SemesterCredits
PLAN 503 - (Ethics and the Public Good)3
PLAN 600 - (Advanced Studio)3
PLAN 690 - (Major Project) or,
PLAN 691 - (Thesis)
9
Electives*: 
PLAN 602 - (Planning for Sustainability)
PLAN 603 - (Fundamentals of GIS)
PLAN 620 - (Topics in First Nations Land Use and Community Planning)
PLAN 621 - (Topics in Design and Aesthetics)
PLAN 624 - (Issues in Community Planning)
varies
Spring SemesterCredits
Electives*:
PLAN 604 - (Literature of Planning)
PLAN 606 - (Advanced Planning Practice)
PLAN 622 - (Topics in Municipal and Regional Planning)
PLAN 623 - (Topics in Evolving Issues in Planning)
PLAN 624 - (Issues in Community Planning)
PLAN 650 - (Directed Study)
varies
Total Program Credits48 
 

 * The number of elective credits required will vary. Students must complete 48 credits in the program. 
 

Completion Requirements

Grades for individual courses are awarded as described in the Grading Scale section of this Calendar. The Thesis and Major Project will be graded as a Pass or Fail.

Graduation requires the successful completion of 48 credits including all required courses, sufficient optional and specialization courses, and a Thesis or Major Project.

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.
  • Applicants whose previous degree was obtained in a country where English is not the primary/official language and from a university where English was not the language of instruction must meet one of VIU’s English Language requirements for Graduate Programs.
  • Acceptance and satisfactory review of the following items by the Admissions Committee:
    • Résumé
    • 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.

Applicants whose previous degree was obtained in a country where English is not the primary/official language and from a university where English was not the language of instruction must meet one of VIU’s English Language requirements for Graduate Programs.

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.

In addition, planners may be employed in less traditional environments where they can apply their skills in policy development and change management. They work in both private and public agencies across a wide spectrum– on issues such as economic development, social sustainability, environmental protection, and cultural awareness. In short, the knowledge and skills gained at an accredited program are highly transferrable to many career and employment opportunities.

Domestic Fees | International Fees

Domestic Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees - Year 1 Amount
Tuition (24 credits x $355.53 per credit) 8,532.72
Approximate cost for lab supplies 50.00
Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) 159.76
Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) 176.40
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) 220.80
Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) 285.00
Field Studies Fee 1,218.99
Fees - Year 2 Amount
Tuition (24 credits x $355.53 per credit) 8,532.72
Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) 159.76
Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) 176.40
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) 220.80
Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) 285.00
Thesis/Major Project Fee 1,462.79
Approximate cost for books for one year 600.00
Notes

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.


International Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Program Fees Amount
Tuition (48 credits x $575.66 per credit) 27,631.68
Student Activity fee (16 months x $19.97 per month) 319.52
Student Services fee (16 months x $22.05 per month) 352.80
VIU Students' Union fee (16 months x $27.60 per month) 441.60
Health and Dental Plan fee (2 years x $285.00 per year) 570.00
Field Studies Fee 1,218.99
Thesis/Major Project Fee 1,462.79
Approximate cost for books 1,200.00
Notes

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

Domestic (Canadian)

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Next Intake(s):

The Master of Community Planning program has one program start date each Fall.

Application Fee:
$117.13
Accepting Late Applications:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Nic Ismirnioglou
Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2531
Email: Nicolas.Ismirnioglou@viu.ca
Chair Contact:
Name: Pamela Shaw
Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2620
Email: Pam.Shaw@viu.ca
Document Deadline:

March 10, 2025  Deadline for Transcripts, Resume, Letter of Intent, and 3 References.

Comments:

Applicants who apply by December 15 will be considered for early offers of admission which will be made in mid-January. Students who applied before December 15 and were not offered early and admission and students who apply after December 15 will be considered for admission in mid-March after the application close date.

 

Please note that all Referees must submit the ssessment Criteria Form. All applicants must fill in their portion of the form before sending it to their referee to complete.

International

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Next Intake(s):

This program has one intake each Fall.

Application Fee:
$150.00
Accepting Late Applications:
No
Chair Contact:
Name: Pamela Shaw
Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2620
Email: Pam.Shaw@viu.ca
International Admissions Officer Contact:
Name: Nicolas Ismirnioglou
Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2531
Email: Masters@viu.ca
Document Deadline:

March 10, 2025 - applications must be completed by this deadline in order to be considered

Please note that Referees must submit the Assessment Criteria Form. All applicants must fill in their portion of the form before sending it to their referee. Referees can submit the completed forms to Masters@viu.ca

Comments:

Applicants who apply by December 15 will be considered for early offers of admission which will be made in mid-January. Students who applied before December 15 and were not offered early and admission and students who apply after December 15 will be considered for admission in mid-March after the application close date.

All applications for the MCP program are reviewed during the month of April - offers are sent to the best applicants in late April.

Applicants must meet the English Proficiency requirements for direct entry to graduate programs (please visit International Graduate Admissions to see a list of these requirements) in order for their application to be forwarded to the MCP Application Review Committee. This program does not offer ESL conditional.

For prospective international applicants, please send your inquiries to World VIU at WorldVIU@viu.ca

Further information on this program can be found on the Department website.

Visit the Department Website

Previous versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.