Master of Environmental Planning - MEP

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The Master of Environmental Planning comprises two 500 Level Practicum papers equivalent to 30 points each and a dissertation equivalent to 60 points. One of the Practicum papers may be replaced by an approved elective, or alternatively, students may choose to complete a 90 point thesis in place of the dissertation.

The internships are a radical departure from the normal masters programme of a four-paper equivalent research thesis, or three-paper thesis or two paper dissertation combined with academic papers taken within the university.

"We looked at the problems that students were having with student loans and the difficulties that employers have releasing staff to do concentrated university courses" said MEP designer Mairi Jay. "It seems that everyone wants to get on the knowledge wave, but universities have difficulty delivering masters programmes that let people keep their jobs while still reaching the high academic standards required of a master's."

The MEP involves a Memorandum of Understanding between the employer, the student and the lecturer coupled with requirements for students to complete substantial analytical reports drawing on relevant academic theories and models to reflect on their work.

The MEP recognises that the workplace offers the same or better discussion opportunities than those that universities' try to simulate in studio programmes and workshops, so why not use the real thing? The University involvement enables students to gain a wider range of knowledge, experience and skills than would be obtained from a single workplace and ensures higher level thinking and reflection.

The MEP also includes student presentations and field trips/workshops to bring the students together to learn from each other.

"This is a challenging academic programme and requires dedicated students, staff and employers, but we find it immensely rewarding."

Requirements

Candidates must pass two 500 Level Practicum papers equivalent to 30 points each, and a dissertation equivalent to 60 points. ENVP501 may be replaced with an approved elective. Papers approved for the elective shall include any 500 Level paper that, at the discretion of the Chairperson of Department or Convenor of the programme, can be demonstrated to be relevant to planning. This includes the option of replacing the 60 point dissertation with a 90 point thesis.

Candidates for the Master of Environmental Planning should note the prerequisite papers ENVS521, GEOG505 and ENVP503.

Entry

To be eligible for admission to the degree of Master of Environmental Planning, candidates must have qualified for the degree of:

a) Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours in REP, or Masters of Science in REP, with at least a B grade average, or;
b) the Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Planning with at least a B+ grade average, or;
c) an approved qualification including or together with approved graduate papers in planning law and planning theory, and evidence of at least two years work experience in a field relevant to planning.

For further information contact:
Mairi Jay - Department of Geography, Tourism & Environmental Planning
Te: +64 7 838 4466, ext. 8834

For details, please see the Environmental Planning Programme.