FAQ
(1) I am working part-time. How many courses should I take?
Many students work part-time, quite a few more than 20 hours a week. The normal course load is 5 courses per term. If you are working more than 10 hours a week, you should probably take fewer than 5 courses. The workload for all the planning courses is quite heavy. For each course expect about 8 to 10 hours of work a week, including class time. On occasions with project field work you may also need to meet your team at the project site.
(2) Can I transfer credits into and out of the Program?
The Applied Planning courses have been specifically designed to provide you with the depth and breadth required to enter the field of planning. If you have taken previous planning courses, you may be able to transfer course credits into the Program as long as the courses are equivalent.
All decisions about transfer credits are made by the College Graduation Adjudication Committee. You will need to make a formal application to the Committee before the Registrar can accept course credits against courses in the Program.
(3) What are the hours of courses?
The courses offered by the Applied Planning (APPL courses), are normally offered in the evening, starting at 18.00 and finishing approximately at 20.50. All instructional hours for a course are delivered one evening per week. The one exception is the Special Topics courses. These 1 day courses will be offered in the Fall, Spring and Summer terms and will be held on a Friday. Students are required to attend a total of five Special Topics courses seminars to graduate with the Post Degree Diploma.
(4) Are there opportunities for coop or internship?
Yes, the Applied Planning Program offers an optional experiential work term after the Post Degree Diploma Coursework is completed. Students wishing to take advantage of this are required to take EXPE 4801, 4802 and 4803 as a pre-requisite. Students must be accepted by the Department Chair and find a suitable work experience placement.
(5) Can the Langara Program help me become a planner?
To work as a planner in many municipalities you may be required to demonstrate that you are eligible to be a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP), or its BC affiliate, the Planning Institute of BC (PIBC).
The PIBC webpage on memberships states the following:
"A Full Member has a degree from a planning school recognized by the Canadian Institute of Planners and two years professional planning experience, or has a degree in a field related to planning and four years professional planning experience and has achieved a pass on a written examination or portfolio. Only Full Members are entitled to use the professional designations 'MCIP' and 'Registered Planner' after their name."
We are currently exploring opportunities with the Canadian Institute of Planners for our program to become accredited which would enable our graduates to apply earlier for membership in the Planning Institute of BC.
(6) How long does it take to complete the Diploma?
This is a 12 month full time program. Part time students will be admitted to the program, space permitting.
(7) Must I take the APPL courses in order?
There is a certain sequence of courses to take if you wish to finish to program within two years. You must take at least two courses a semester without prior approval from the Department Chair.
(8) Can I study part time?
Most Applied Planning courses are scheduled for classes once a week and starting at 6.00 pm. The Special Topics courses are 1 day courses held on a Friday. Students are required to take five special topics courses offered through the course of the program.
Part time students will be accepted into the program, space permitting.
(9) What must I do to apply?
You can apply in person or on the internet. Click here for Admission Requirements.
(10) What can I do with this Diploma?
Successful completion of the Post Degree Diploma in Applied Planning gives you a good chance of securing employment within local government or a planning consulting firm. In past years, 85% of gradutes of this program have a job in the planning field within 4 to 6 months of graduating.
Graduates of our program often start as planning technicians and planning assistants. Some graduates are currently working as planners with local government and in the private sector.