| Bloustein Online Continuing Education Program (BOCEP)
How often do BOCEP courses meet?
Most BOCEP courses are taught in an "asynchronous" format, which means that you do not have to be online at the same time as anyone else in the class. (Studio courses may require that students schedule time to participate in videoconferences or chats.) You come to the class when it is convenient for you. However, you should participate at least once every 48 hours to avoid falling behind in the class.
Are BOCEP classes self-paced or "webinars?"
No. BOCEP classes are instructor-guided. The instructor participates in the class at least once every other day during the week, and usually more than that. So you can have frequent contact with your instructor and other students. While future BOCEP classes may use videoconferencing or webinar methods, the bulk of the learning comes from engaging in dialogues with instructors and students.
Who can take BOCEP courses?
The courses are open to everyone, but they are designed for professionals,
researchers and instructors in the field of urban planning. Instructors
assume that all students have a basic knowledge of planning approaches
and practices.
If you have never been an urban, city, or community planner, there
are many other courses offered by various centers at the Bloustein
School. (.)
What are the course fees?
Each course is $260, but there are substantial
discounts for members of partner organizations, nonprofit planners,
and those who provide pro bono service to the planning profession.
The following is the schedule of fees per course:
Fee: $235
Members of Partner Organizations
• American Planning Association, New York Metro Chapter
• American Planning Association, New Jersey Chapter
• Planners Network
• Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations
• New Jersey Planning Officials
• Planetizen (subscribers)
Fee: $210
• Returning BOCEP members (individuals who have taken at least
one BOCEP course in the past semester)
• Planners working in nonprofit organizations
• Individuals who provide pro bono service to the profession
through APA, Planners Network, etc.
(Proof of service or letter of endorsement from organization required
to receive discount.)
Fee: $160
• Bloustein School Alumni
• Planners in nonprofit organizations with budgets of less
than $3 million. (Proof of budget status and employment with organization
required to receive discount.)
Fee: $50
• Individuals who provide special service or benefit to the
Bloustein School, as determined by the BOCEP Director.
Instructors of BOCEP classes receive free enrollment in any BOCEP
class, if seats are available.
The course fees do not include any books or reading materials required
by the instructors.
How do I register for courses?
Registration will begin September 1, 2006. Please check back for registration information.
Are the courses eligible for graduate credit?
Although each course will be taught at a graduate level, they are
not currently available for credit. However, students who complete
a track of courses will receive a certificate of completion from
the Bloustein School. The tracks offered for 2006 and 2007
are
How are the courses taught?
All BOCEP courses are taught on the eCollege learning management
system, a tool widely used for college and graduate level online
courses. Anyone who has used email, been on an online discussion
board, filled out a form online, or navigated web pages on the Internet
should find the system easy to use.
The courses are taught in an asynchronous format.
Any member of the class can access the course from any computer
with an Internet connection. The instructors use online discussion
boards to teach and promote dialogues. Unlike chat rooms or videoconferences,
members of the class do not have to be online at the same time to
engage in dialogue.
How much time do I need to spend on a course?
Students typically spend three to five hours per instructional week
in their course (there are four instructional weeks). This is the
same amount of time you might spend in a weekend seminar.
How will the instructor promote dialogues and problem-solving
if everyone isn’t online at the same time?
In a typical class, the instructor will offer questions and comments
to students. Each student will be asked to respond to the instructor’s
questions and the comments of other students within two days. The
instructor will then respond with more comments or questions, students
respond, and so on. As with a traditional class, the more involved
the students are, the better the dialogue.
Do the courses focus only on planning in New Jersey?
No. Because most of our students are professionals from outside of New Jersey, instructors share knowledge that can be used anywhere. However, instructors are free to use cases from communities they know well. Most of our instructors work in New York and New Jersey.
Why did the Bloustein School choose to offer these courses?
In late 2004, the Bloustein School conducted an extensive survey
and market analysis of planners’ interests in professional
development. More than 110 planners responded to the survey. We
learned:
• Planners are most interested in courses in land use law,
urban design and placemaking, and leadership and management.
• Planners want to improve their knowledge, but have difficulty
finding courses that are both reasonably priced and convenient.
• Planners said they learn best by sharing ideas and solving
problems with their colleagues.
The Bloustein School strives to offer professional
development courses for planners which meet their continuing education
needs, are convenient, and are reasonably priced.
Who teaches
the courses?
All BOCEP courses are taught by professionals in the urban planning
field who have extensive professional or research experience in
the subjects they teach.
Who are the students?
All students so far have been professionals working on urban planning related issues. Most are practicing planners -- and most of them are mid- and senior-level professionals. A significant group of students are planning officials. The rest are what might be called "non-traditional planners" -- professionals in economic development, community development, environmental studies or other land use fields who do not have a traditional planning background.
How do I know if an online course is right for me?
You do not need any special technical skills to take an online course.
You will be more successful, and enjoy the experience more, if you
are comfortable communicating by writing, and you can manage your
time well. To better determine if online learning is right for you,
please visit the .
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