Bachelor of Environment in REM Planning

Is a Bachelor of Environment in REM Planning right for you?

Have you ever wondered how cities are developed and who makes the decisions?

Are you interested in tackling global and local problems like climate change, food security, and affordable housing?

Do you want to participate in creative and innovative community engagement to protect public interests?

Resource and Environmental Management students may apply for the accredited planning program in their first year.

The REM undergraduate planning program is the first professional accredited undergraduate planning program in the Lower Mainland and the only one in Canada that specializes in interdisciplinary training in policy, natural science, and social science applied to natural resource and environmental planning. Graduating with an accredited planning degree will help you in your journey to be certified as a Registered Professional Planner.

Students will graduate prepared to enter employment or continue in graduate studies. They will gain a solid understanding of the interplay of historical, biophysical, and socio-cultural factors; Indigenous/First Nations Perspectives; resource use and sustainability; geospatial, statistical and modelling methodologies; decision-making, communication, conflict resolution, and legislative/regulatory frameworks as they relate to natural resource and environmental planning.

RPP Certification

Requirements for accreditation as a Registered Professional Planner can be found here.

Learn more about REM Planning

Program requirements

The minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) for continuation and graduation in the REM Major Planning Stream is 3.00.

Students are also required to complete the Faculty of Environment Co-op program or two semesters of a planning internship.

What career opportunities will a degree in REM – Planning offer?

The REM Planning program will prepare students to enter employment or continue in graduate studies. Potential careers include:

Planning Analyst
Climate Policy Analyst
City or regional Planner
Environmental Planner
Park Planner

Transportation Planner
Zoning Officer - land use

FAQ

What do planners do?

Planners play important roles in ensuring environmental sustainability, economic resilience, and social justice in society.

Planners…

Create strategic plans and visions that will help cities and regions address sustainable development
Tackle global and local problems like climate change, food security and affordable housing
Support efforts towards reconciliation and decolonization by learning more about Indigenous planning
Help develop equitable and inclusive communities so that people feel a sense of belonging
Participate in creative and innovative community engagement to protect public interests

Do students with accredited undergraduate planning degrees have the same eligibility as those with master’s in planning (MRM–Planning) degrees to become Registered Professional Planners?

Yes! There are two pathways to becoming a Registered Professional Planner (RPP).

Pathway one:

Complete a planning degree from an accredited planning school
Complete two years of professional planning work experience
Pass a RPP exam

Pathway two:

Complete five years of professional planning work experience
Pass a RPP exam

For more information about becoming a registered professional planner, visit the PSB for the Planning Profession in Canada website.

If I’m pursuing a different major program, can I still pursue a planning career?

There are different ways of obtaining planning-related jobs without graduating from a planning degree. However, it may be best to consider pursuing either a bachelor’s degree in planning or a master’s degree in planning. Those who graduate with a planning degree have a competitive advantage over those who do not have planning degrees when it comes to planning positions.

How long would it take to complete a second degree in planning?

Second degree students are required to only meet a minimum of 45 upper division units, an upper division 3-unit W course and a 3-unit Q course, and any course requirements for the program. If students are enrolled in full-time studies, it’s possible to complete a second degree in approximately 2.-2.5 years.

Is it too late to switch my Major program if I’m already in my 3^rd or 4^th year?

You can still switch your major program in your 3^rd or 4^th year. Please contact the REM Advisor to review how many more courses are needed to complete the planning program.

Would the courses that I’ve taken at SFU so far still count towards the planning degree if I switched majors?

Yes! The units that you’ve completed so far will still count towards your total or upper division units. If your courses have W, Q, or B designations, they will also count towards your WQB requirements. If you have taken environment courses, check with the REM Advisor to see if any are eligible to count towards the planning program.

I already have Co-op work experience in another area — can that count towards the planning program?

While we encourage students to obtain planning-related Co-op experience, we will still accept prior Co-op work experience towards the planning program.

Does REM have a master’s in planning program that is also accredited?

Yes! Please check out the Masters in Planning Program for more information or contact Vanessa Cowley.

Can I apply directly to the REM Major Planning Stream, or do I need to enter the REM Major Management Stream first?

You may apply to the REM Planning major directly if you meet the minimum application requirements. If you do not meet the application requirements, you may enter the REM major management stream first if you have a CGPA of 2.00 and completed at least 9-units at SFU.

Can I still take planning courses even if I do not want to pursue the planning program?

Yes! Students may take elective courses outside of their major program that will count towards the total units required for their degree. If you would like to gain some knowledge and skills in planning, consider taking one our courses!

Ready to apply?

Interested students may apply to the REM Planning Stream if they meet the following conditions:

A minimum of 9 units (roughly three courses) completed
A minimum CGPA of 3.0

Completion of PLAN 100/200 with a minimum grade of B+
Departmental approval

To apply for the Planning Stream, please send an email to the REM Advisor attaching:

Your advising transcript indicating that you meet the requirements stated for program entry above

A 250-word Statement of Interest related to your proposed research area.

Applications for entry into the REM Planning Stream will be accepted up until May 31^st each year. Students will be notified of the result by the end of June.

School of Resource & Environmental Management