Department of Defense Master Planning Institute

UVA | Northern Virginia, the UVA School of Architecture, and the US Army Corps of Engineers are partnering to offer a Department of Defense Master Planning Institute in Northern Virginia. This Institute allows participants to become Military Master Planners through an innovative and immersive program that is the perfect blend of academic prowess and hands-on military planning expertise.

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Courses

  • Master Planning Principles (Course 101)
  • Master Planning Practices (Course 102)
  • Master Planning Sustainable Historic Structures (Course 210)
  • Master Planning Programming and Siting (Course 220)
  • Master Planning Risk and Resilience (Course 301)
  • Master Planning Communication Techniques (Course 302)
  • Master Planning Advanced Techniques (Course 500)

Global Courses

  • Introduction to Comprehensive Planning (Courses 101 + 102) – Germany
  • Introduction to Comprehensive Planning (Courses 101 + 102) – Japan
  • Master Planning Advanced Techniques (Course 500) – Germany

About the Institute

  • Domestic courses are offered in person in Northern Virginia. Global course locations are class-specific.
  • All courses are 3-4 days.
  • Registration is unique for each course. Learners should click the “Register” button to view all course offerings and register for each course of interest individually.
  • Courses are instructed by military and federal representatives.
  • Our CAGE number is 9B982.
  • Need an invoice or have questions? Email us at northern@virginia.edu.

REGISTER RESERVE A SEAT

Certification Requirements

Each student must complete all the following to receive certification completion:

Introductory Courses. All students must complete one of the following sets of introductory courses:

      Set 1

  • Master Planning Principles
  • Master Planning Practices

     OR

      Set 2

  • Introduction to Comprehensive Planning (global offering)

It is possible to waive introductory courses based on previous comparable UFC compliant courses or from experience. If waiving based on experience, please detail how the experience covers the topics in either Master Planning Principles or Master Planning Practices. If you are AICP certified, please mention this as well. Waiver requests can be emailed to northern@virginia.edu.

Intermediate Courses. Students must complete all of the following intermediate courses:

  • Master Planning Programming and Siting
  • Master Planning for Risk and Resilience
  • Master Planning Communication Techniques

Elective Course. Students must complete one of the following elective courses:

  • Master Planning Sustainable Historic Structures
  • Any Command-Specific Global DoD Master Planning Institute Course

Capstone Course. Students must successfully complete the advanced capstone course:

  • Master Planning Advanced Techniques (domestic or global offering)

Requirements and rules are subject to periodic review and modification.  Students are responsible for staying informed about program updates and complying with the latest guidelines.

Constructive Credit

Students who have completed equivalent core courses from Air Force Institute of Technology, US Army Corps of Engineers, or US Navy may apply for constructive credit. Courses eligible for constructive credit must align with the content and standards of the corresponding courses above.  Application for constructive credit must be submitted for review and approval by the program coordinator.  Constructive credit will only be granted for completed courses.

Application Process

Students seeking constructive credit must submit a certificate of completion along with relevant documentation, including a course description, to the program coordinator.

Review & Approval

The program coordinator, in consultation with relevant faculty, will review and approve constructive credit applications.  Approved credits will be recorded on the student’s academic transcript.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate, students must fulfill all course requirements, including core Courses, constructive credit if applicable, and achieve a passing performance in the capstone course.

 

Testimonials

“The UVA partnership with the Advanced Master Planning course has truly elevated the experience of master planning training. I would suggest any and all DoD planners to take this course.” – Advanced Techniques Student 2024

 

“The facilities were top-notch, curriculum was insightful, and the instructors, facilitators, and guest speakers were very knowledgeable and professional. The class I attended brought together Planners from different organizations throughout the DoD, creating an engaging environment where we not only learned from the professional instructors, but also from the experiences and perspectives of our peers.” – Programming and Siting Student 2024

 

“The wealth of knowledge among the instructors as well as the variety of students and different backgrounds really added to the experience. I would recommend this course to anyone involved in the Military Master Planning field.” – Advanced Techniques Student 2024

FAQs

  • There is no application process. You will be “admitted” when you register for your first class.

  • All courses are 3-4 days.

  • Courses do not have to be taken “in order,” but there are certain prerequisites that must be met for each course. See specific course pages for prerequisites.

  • Domestic courses are offered in person in Northern Virginia in either Arlington, VA or Fairfax, VA. At this time, we do not offer any virtual courses.

    Global course offerings for OCONUS military master planners in the appropriate AOR are forthcoming.

  • Yes, Participants will earn a certificate of program completion in Military Master Planning from UVA upon completion of courses.

    • Upon completion of courses, please submit evidence of coursework to northern@virginia.edu. Send evidence of coursework from USACE Huntsville Learning Center or other UFC compliant courses as well.
    • UVA | Northern VA will keep track of all courses taken through us.
    • It is possible to waive introductory courses (Principles and/or Practices) based on previous comparable UFC compliant courses or from experience. If waiving based on experience, please detail how the experience covers the topics in either Master Planning Principles or Master Planning Practices.

  • Students can take courses at the USACE Learning Center in Huntsville, AL through 2024. After 2024, all courses will be held at the Department of Defense Master Planning Institute in Northern Virginia.

  • All courses follow Master Planning UFC and are subject to change as the guiding policy changes.

  • The UVA – USACE Master Planning training program is exempt from AR 1-50 conference regulations as it qualifies as Formal Classroom Training.

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Department of Defense Master Planning Institute Interest Form

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