Community Planning
Undergraduate Program Overview
All Students
Shape Sustainable, Resilient Communities Across Northern Ontario and Beyond
Nipissing University’s Bachelor of Community Planning prepares you to shape the places where people live, work, and connect. Studying in North Bay, you’ll learn in a region where planning decisions directly influence housing, infrastructure, economic development, environmental stewardship, and community wellbeing.
As communities across Northern Ontario and Canada respond to growth, climate change, housing pressures, and evolving infrastructure needs, planners play an increasingly important role in building resilient futures. Through hands-on learning, field experiences, and interdisciplinary study, you’ll develop the knowledge and practical skills to help communities navigate complex challenges and create meaningful change.
Program Highlights
Our courses cover a wide range of engaging topics, including:
- Politics, Power, and the Common Good – Explore foundational political ideas and their influence on society.
- Globalization and Global Citizenship – Understand how international relations shape global events.
- Conflict Resolution and International Negotiations – Gain practical skills in resolving disputes and negotiating peace, ideal for careers in law, business, or international organizations.
Resources
Why Nipissing's Community Planning Program?
Learn Planning Where You Can See Its Impact
Study in communities where planning decisions directly shape growth, sustainability, infrastructure, and quality of life.
Built for Emerging Opportunities
Explore planning challenges and opportunities related to housing, community development, environmental sustainability, infrastructure renewal, and regional growth.
Skills for Communities Everywhere
While the program emphasizes northern, rural, and small-to-mid-sized communities, the planning principles, technical skills, and professional competencies you develop can be applied across Canada.
Strong Indigenous Partnerships
Learn through a dedicated concentration in Planning in Relationship with Indigenous Communities, grounded in treaty history, governance, and land-centred perspectives.
Hands-On Learning
Studio courses, fieldwork, GIS training, and real-world planning scenarios are embedded throughout your degree.
Professional Pathway
Designed to align with competencies recognized by the Professional Standards Board, the program prepares graduates to pursue the Registered Professional Planner designation (RPP).
Admission Requirements
To qualify for admission, students must meet the General Admission Requirements, plus program specific prerequisites.
General Admission Requirements include:
Ontario Secondary School Diploma including six 4U/4M courses
Future Careers
A Bachelor of Community Planning from Nipissing University opens doors to careers shaping the future of communities across Northern Ontario and throughout Canada. Graduates may pursue roles in:
Community Planning & Development
Urban and regional planners, community development officers, planning assistants, development officers
Municipal & Public Sector
Municipal planners, policy analysts, infrastructure planners, housing planners, transportation planners
Indigenous Community Planning
Indigenous community planners, governance support roles, land-based planning coordinators, community engagement specialists
Environmental & Sustainability Planning
Environmental planners, sustainability coordinators, climate adaptation planners, natural resource planning officers
Housing, Infrastructure & Land Use
Housing planners, infrastructure planners, land use planners, development review officers
Consulting & Private Sector
Planning consultants, development consultants, environmental consulting associates, land development coordinators
Research, Policy & Data
Policy analysts, research associates, GIS analysts, data and spatial analysts, program evaluators
Real People, Real Impact
I really enjoy the supportive professors and engaging classes in my program, which make the learning environment very positive and motivating.
Vruddhi S.
Class of 2028
My favourite parts are the class sizes and how informative and helpful the profs are! All of them are experienced in their fields, and can provide students with in depth knowledge from real-world situations. Nipissing is a place to grow academically and as a individual!
Hailey V.
Class of 2030
Program Requirements
How the Common Degree Structure Works
At Nipissing, you can choose a minor, major, specialization, or honours specialization—each offering a different level of focus and flexibility to match your goals.
Check out this breakdown of the Common Degree Structure to see how you can make your interests fit your degree.
Program Options & Course Requirements
Find required courses for each type of specialization using this link.
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Disclaimer:
While every effort is made to ensure accuracy on this site, in the event of a discrepancy, Nipissing’s Academic Calendar is the official reference.