The MCP program at VIU combines research, applied learning through various in-community, real-world projects, and interactions with the professional planning community to give you a wide range of skills and knowledge. 

This community planning program is fully accredited through the Canadian Institute of Planners, alongside Canada’s historic planning schools.

The Master of Community Planning Program

The Master of Community Planning (MCP) is an applied program fully accredited by the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP). Graduates are eligible to apply for student membership with CIP while at VIU and can apply for full membership post-graduation."

The program focuses on:

• Small city and town planning;
• Community and urban design, including a strong GIS component;
• Rural/urban interface planning;
• First Nations planning (with attention to the issues relevant to the First Nations of Vancouver Island and coastal British Columbia);
• Sustainable economic issues, including tourism; and
• Emerging issues such as climate change and planning for post-fossil fuel communities.

This is an intensive program with many opportunities to apply the skills and techniques learned in the program to "real-life" planning questions and problems. 

Students will be engaged in self-directed learning and group studies, seminars and discussions and will have many opportunities to meet and learn from professional planners. There is also a strong focus on urban design and visual representations of community planning, including GIS.

The MCP is a 2-year program (September to April in Year 1 and September to April in Year 2). Students may be involved in fieldwork and research in the summer semesters between Year 1 and Year 2. 

The program is a cohort model intended to be completed over two years. However, students may take additional semesters to complete their program if their thesis or major project has not been completed by April of Year 2.

By program completion, the graduates will have a broad interdisciplinary knowledge of how planners can influence the futures of neighbourhoods, small communities, and rural areas locally and worldwide. 

• Résumé
• Three letters of reference
• Statement of interest
• Statement of volunteer and/or career experience
• Official transcripts
• Language proficiency test scores
• Passport

To be admitted into the program, students must hold a baccalaureate degree from a recognized university in any discipline and meet the following admission criteria:

• A minimum average of "B" calculated in the last two years of the undergraduate degree, with a review of the entire degree.

Recommendations for Admission

It is recommended that students interested in admission to the Master of Community Planning obtain volunteer or paid experience relating to the specialization areas of this program before submitting their application. 

Students must also carefully consider their proposed area of research interests: a lack of an interest that fits with the focus of this program may negatively impact the student's application.

Notes on Admission

Preference will be given to candidates with:

• An area of research interest that meshes with the focus areas of the Program
• A statement of career interest that shows a clear understanding of the opportunities available in Planning
• A statement of volunteer or career experience that supports the two previously referenced documents
• Evidence of high academic achievement