Beginning its first intakes in September 2023 and January 2024, this two-semester graduate certificate program prepares students for planning roles that focus on ensuring urban areas are sustainable, inclusive, and equitable. In addition to utilizing the technical skills from the program, students will integrate economic, social-cultural, political and environmental considerations to imagine creative solutions to for urban and transportation projects.
This program will help students better understand land development and environmental and social issues through the analysis and review of case studies. Further, it will familiarize graduates with the legal basis for land use planning. Graduates will also be introduced to legislation and current policies used to develop sustainable communities and enhance urban infrastructure and transportation facilities. Graduates will learn and work with the most up-to-date technologies, including Geographical Information System (GIS). They will learn the fundamentals of urban planning, planning policy frameworks and the structure of planning practices.
The program offers an enhanced flexible delivery model which will allow working professionals to upgrade their skills in the sector. Students may also opt to work online, allowing for a flexible, remote learning environment while continuing to maintain other priorities or work full time.
Graduates of this program may be eligible to pursue the Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) through the Professional Standards Board for the Planning Profession in Canada (PSB)’s Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) process, which opens opportunities for more senior positions, after five years of in-field work experience.
Credential Awarded
Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Duration
2 Semesters (8 Months)
Starts
January, September
Program and Course Delivery
This program is offered in Seneca's flexible delivery format, with some courses delivered online. For courses offered in the flexible delivery format, professors use innovative learning spaces and technology to teach students in a classroom or lab and broadcast in real time to students attending remotely. In flexible courses, students have the choice of coming on campus or learning online.
Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:
- Create development plans for urban planning and transportation projects
- Analyze environmental impact assessments
- Interpret, analyze, and manage urban infrastructure assets using Geographic Information Systems
- Conduct environmental assessments and environmental impact studies
- Transportation and land planning for Indigenous communities
- Spatial data acquisition and analysis
- Stakeholder negotiation
- Case study review and analysis
- Urban projects management
- Planning policy frameworks
- Planning justification reports
Work Experience
This program will not offer a co-op; however, students will engage in experiential learning through the completion of a series of industry-related capstone projects. Examples of experiential learning methods could include studio-based projects, field trips and guest speakers.
Graduates of this program may be eligible to pursue the Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) through the Professional Standards Board for the Planning Profession in Canada (PSB)’s Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) process, which opens opportunities for more senior positions after five years of in-field work experience.
Your Career
Graduates of the program can explore the following career options:
- Urban planners
- Transportation planners
- Land-use planners
- Environmental planners
Affiliations/Associations
- Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI)