The nature and role of higher education is changing. The relationship between the
University, the student, and greater society is shifting. Internal (e.g., concerns about accessibility
and inclusion) and external (e.g., funding and market demands) forces are converging in a way
that demands a reconceptulization of higher education and the learning process. This thesis tries
to identify and integrate varying facets that contribute to the changing landscape of university
education, specifically focusing on the increased interest in applied learning opportunities at the
post-secondary level, and the ways in which different professional and academic programs are
incorporating such opportunities into their programs. These findings are interpreted in the
context of graduate planning education at the University of British Columbia's School of
Community and Regional Planning (SCARP).
This qualitative study is grounded in an analytical reflection informed by my own
experiences as a graduate planning student, by a review of academic, professional, government,
and public press literature, and by interviews with various academics, administrators, and
practitioners. The thesis presents an overview of literature from the field of planning education,
and an introduction to the literature of higher education. This is followed by an examination of
graduate planning schools in Canada and analogous professional/academic programs in British
Columbia, which provide ample evidence and support for the emerging practice of incorporating indifferent
types of applied learning opportunities (e.g., co-op program, internship, and practicum).
A summary of trends, models of innovation, best practice ideals, and recommendations for
graduate planning education at SCARP conclude the thesis. Most importantly, the
recommendation is made for the school to continue and improve its trial internship program as
well as persist in exploring ways of providing applied learning opportunities to students.
Programs in higher education must continue to link theory and practice in ways that best serve
students in today's changing society. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UBC/oai:circle.library.ubc.ca:2429/4558 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Nicol, Jerome Sowle |
| Source Sets | University of British Columbia |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, Thesis/Dissertation |
| Format | 4744670 bytes, application/pdf |
| Rights | For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use. |
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