Planning Studies (BPS)
Learn how planning shapes inclusive, resilient, and sustainable places in the Bachelor of Planning Studies program.
Why choose this program?
You will develop the interdisciplinary knowledge and skills to prepare for work in private, public, and not-for-profit organizations with a focus on fields such as land use, housing, sustainability, heritage, environment, development, and social justice.
In the Bachelor of Planning Studies, you'll explore topics such as housing, the environment, transportation, climate adaptation, land use, and urban design while developing skills in communication, collaboration, problem solving, and teamwork. You’ll be supported in tailoring your program to suit your personal and career interests.
You'll study on Dalhousie's Sexton Campus in downtown Halifax, one of Canada's fastest-growing coastal cities, where the planning opportunities and challenges you explore in class come to life every day.
Hear from students why you should study Planning at Dalhousie
Careers
The Bachelor of Planning Studies prepares you for work in private, public, and not-for-profit organizations with a focus on fields such as housing, sustainability, heritage, environment, development, and social justice. You’ll develop practical experience working on projects that address housing, transportation, climate adaptation, coastal resilience, and urban design.
What you will learn
The Bachelor of Planning Studies program will prepare you to think critically and collaborate effectively across disciplinary boundaries. You’ll learn to understand the diverse needs of communities, the evolving problems they face, and how to identify effective solutions.
Sample courses
- Introduction to Planning
- Introduction to Community Design
- Dynamics of Human Settlements
- Environmental Systems in Planning
- Introduction to Policy Making
- Space, Place, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Introduction to Environmental Planning
- Housing Policy
Site Planning
History and Theory of Urban Design
Transportation and Land Use Planning
Social Justice
- Planning Capstone Seminar
- Community Engagement
- Social Movements and Social Justice
- Settlement Studies
Learn through experience
Learning extends beyond the classroom through field experiences, community-engaged projects, and a capstone seminar for a public audience. You'll learn from non-profit organizations and community partners in exploring real-world planning challenges.
Customize your degree
In the Bachelor of Planning Studies, you are supported in tailoring your degree to your interests and career goals. You can participate in study abroad opportunities and choose electives that complement and enrich your interest in planning studies. You can pursue a double major with Sustainability and choose from a wide selection of minors and certificates.
Combine your interests in planning studies and sustainability through a Double Major in Planning Studies and Environment, Sustainability and Society.
Choose from the many minors offered at Dalhousie, for example, Canadian Studies, Political Science, or Economics.
Choose from the many certificates offered at Dalhousie, for example, Geographic Information Science, Indigenous Studies, or Sustainability.
Expand your perspective by studying at one of Dalhousie's partner institutions around the world.
Admission requirements
Minimum admission requirements
To be considered for admission to this program, you must meet minimum academic criteria:
- Completion of secondary school (Grade 12)
- Achievement of the minimum average for your program of choice.
- Completion of Grade 12 English (or equivalent course).
Admission to many Dalhousie programs is competitive. This means that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Program-specific admission requirements
Minimum overall average: 70%
Academic English 12
Academic Math 12
One academic Science 12 subject
Two additional academic subjects
