Graduate Diploma in Community Planning and Development
Here is a pathway into planning for those without formal planning qualifications. It emphasises contemporary issues such as change facilitation, sustainable development, climate change, planning for healthy communities, children's environments, indigenous communities and water management within the context of a changing society in both urban and rural areas.
The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 8 - Graduate Diploma.
Sample course structure
Please note, the following course structure is indicative and subject to change depending on your course location, offer year or how you tailor your course with specialisations, majors, minors and electives. Structures for the following year are not normally finalised until October, so the sample provided is based on the most recently approved structure. For more information, please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook.
To qualify for the award of Graduate Diploma in Community Planning and Development, students must complete a total of 120 credit points across 1 year.
Career outcomes
Graduates may find employment with governments including local governments, non-government organisations, research organisations and advocacy bodies. Private-sector roles can be in areas such as community development and management, advocacy, research, public policy development, social and community planning and urban, rural and environmental planning. Graduates should be skilled to work in multidisciplinary teams in social and economic development projects in developed and developing countries.
The course is also a pathway for employees without formal qualifications who work in planning offices; and/or employees with qualifications in closely-aligned fields who wish to change or enhance their career paths.
