Virginia's Planning pathway develops expertise in urban planning, community development, land use planning, infrastructure planning, and strategic planning—preparing students for careers shaping Virginia's communities and development.
Students study planning principles, land use regulation, community development, infrastructure planning, environmental considerations, and planning analysis. They develop community plans and analyze development issues through case studies and GIS technology.
Graduates work as planning technicians, community development specialists, urban planners, or planning analysts. Virginia's rapid growth creates significant planning needs. Advanced students pursue planning and engineering programs.
Planning at a Glance
4
Courses
4
Credentials
4
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
Virginia's planning standards address planning principles, land use, community development, and infrastructure. Standards align with Virginia planning practices and comprehensive plan development.
Students demonstrate competency through planning projects and GIS mapping. The state integrates planning analysis and mapping tools.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course |
|---|
| Planning Fundamentals |
| Land Use and Zoning |
| Community Development and Infrastructure |
| Planning Analysis and GIS Technology |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓First Aid/CPR/AED
- ✓National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)
- ✓Microsoft Office Specialist
- ✓IC3 Digital Literacy Certification
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Planning Technician
Entry LevelSalary range: $38,190 - $59,580
Community Development Specialist
Entry LevelSalary range: $36,950 - $49,400
Urban Planner
ExperiencedSalary range: $84,410 - $157,450
Planning Manager
ExperiencedSalary range: $77,790 - $174,120
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students intern at planning departments, local governments, and planning firms throughout Virginia.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in SkillsUSA, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps Virginia CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
Virginia Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with Virginia's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as Virginia standards and industry needs evolve
Ready to Build Planning Programs at Scale?
See how Sage can help you create standards-aligned curriculum for Planning in Virginia.