Program Overview

If you've always wanted to help shape the world around you – or you're already working in planning and would like to advance your career – La Trobe's accredited Master of Planning offers a unique opportunity to excel in this high-demand field. Develop advanced knowledge of complex planning processes and learn how to create sustainable towns, cities and regions.

Explore the big issues in planning. How do we ensure communities have equitable access to housing, food, transport, education and healthcare? Can we make our communities safer and more resilient? And how can we ensure communities are meaningfully consulted about changes that affect them?

In this comprehensive planning degree, you'll examine the latest social, economic and environmental trends and explore the latest research on planning best practice. You'll learn how to design innovative solutions to existing and emerging problems, and understand how to transform key policies for urban, regional and rural communities in Australia and overseas.

Pursue your area of interest and gain high-level skills when you choose a specialisation, such as community planning, and urban and regional planning. You'll graduate with your specialisation on your academic transcript, so future employers can recognise your expertise.

In this multidisciplinary degree, you'll also choose from a wide range of electives so you can explore the subjects that interest you most. Passionate about politics, advocacy, public health or transport? Explore complementary subjects from La Trobe's international relations, civil engineering and public health departments, and develop the expertise you need for your dream career.

Develop your professional portfolio, expand your networks and build your experience while you study. In this highly practical degree, you'll have the opportunity to work on live projects for local councils and government agencies, and directly shape policies that affect real-life decisions. You'll complete a research thesis as part of your studies, which means you could study a PhD once you've successfully completed your Master's.

Learn from award-winning professional planners who have extensive industry experience and up-to-date knowledge of best practice. The Master of Planning is accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA), making it easier for employers to recognise your advanced skills and knowledge.

If you're keen to graduate faster, it may be possible to complete your degree in just 1 to 1.5 years (equivalent full-time study) if you've completed previous study or have experience in a related field.

Graduate ready to shape a better future your community, with a degree recognised by industry.

You'll learn:

• Professional planning practice: Develop planning skills for working in a diverse range of urban, regional and rural environments.
• Planning policy and law: Learn how to interpret and apply planning policies and frameworks. Understand how to promote sustainability and social equity.
• Sustainable development principles: Understand key development principles and learn how to create sustainable towns and cities.
• Spatial planning: Learn how to create liveable, designed environments. Create innovative solutions that balance economic considerations with cultural aspirations.