2022-2023 Graduate Catalog

Master of Urban and Regional Planning

48 credits

The professional field of planning and the programs of the department present significant and diverse opportunities to solve the problems of communities, provide directions for them, and shape their built environments. Our profession is uniquely dedicated to the quality of life impacted by place, to visions and policy consequences that extend beyond the short term, and to problem solving that relies on multiple disciplines. Our professional values commit us to environmental sustainability, social equity, participatory democracy, and deliberate design.

Planners promote development through the implementation of plans formulated and adopted in the public interest. They perform this function in all three economic sectors—public, private for-profit, and private nonprofit. Professional career areas of opportunity include public planning and housing/community development agencies, land development and professional service firms, and community development organizations serving neighborhoods and various public interests.

The department prepares students for these challenges by offering a rigorous course of study for the master of urban and regional planning (MURP), a fully accredited degree.

Degree requirements

Concentrations

The standard MURP concentration is a two-year, 48 credit program. The accelerated track program, available only to graduates of an urban planning baccalaureate program accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB), may be completed within one calendar year (a full academic year plus dual summer session) and requires 36 credits.

Capstone Project

The degree requires a capstone project (PLAN 692) of 3 credits to demonstrate advanced competency in the use of knowledge or to create knowledge. The project may center on a field-based project that produces a professional report or on a topic of scholarship that produces a research paper or a creative project. The curriculum prepares students for this capstone, and faculty assistance is provided. With faculty approval a student may opt instead to engage in a research project that produces a thesis for 6 credits (THES 698). 

Remaining Electives

The remaining electives are to be taken in consult with the graduate faculty advisor. 48 hours total are required.

Credits Transferred from Prior Graduate Study

Up to 15 credits for the standard and 9 credits for the accelerated concentration earned in prior graduate study outside the department and not resulting in a degree may be applied toward the MURP. Such transfer credits must have been earned at an accredited institution, demonstrate relevancy for an equivalent course of study of the MURP program and be approved by the department.

For students without an undergraduate planning degree accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board.

Required courses, 33 credits

PLAN 500Planning Diagnostic Exam

0

PLAN 510Planning Law

3

PLAN 604Advanced Planning Issues, Theory, and Practice

3

or

PLAN 607Urban Land-use Planning

3

PLAN 605Design and Presentation Techniques

1 TO 3

PLAN 606Introduction to Urban Planning

3

PLAN 613Qualitative Methods and Social Justice

3

PLAN 614Quantitative Analysis

3

PLAN 629Planning Analysis Studio

3

PLAN 630Comprehensive Planning Studio

3

PLAN 637Impact Analysis

3

PLAN 690Planning Portfolio Review

0

PLAN 694Research Methods

3

PLAN 691Planning Internship

0

PLAN 692Capstone Studio for Planning

3

PLAN 699Planning Comprehensive Examination

0

Remaining electives, 15 credits

Approved electives include: 

 

PLAN 511 Property Law

PLAN 512 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems for Urban Planning

PLAN 513 Advanced Concepts in Geographic Information Systems for Urban Planning

PLAN 525 Urban Agriculture as Community Development

PLAN 530 Housing and Community Development

PLAN 531 Urban Transportation Planning

PLAN 550 Neighborhood Planning

PLAN 555 Women and Urban Environments

PLAN 558 Introduction to Multiculturalism as a Planning Context

PLAN 559 International Development and Planning

PLAN 561 Emergency and Disaster Planning

PLAN 577 History of Urban Form

PLAN 582 Grant Procurement and Administration for Planners

PLAN 583 Site Analysis and Planning

PLAN 584 Advanced Digital Communication

PLAN 585 Introduction to Community Development and Enterprise Planning

PLAN 586 Methods of Public Interest Development

PLAN 590 Independent Study in Planning

PLAN 598 Special Projects in Urban and Regional Planning

CAP 500 Community-Based Projects Workshops

CAP 598 Special Projects in the College of Architecture and Planning

ARCH 507 Fourth World Theory

ARCH 540 Introduction to Preservation

POLS 648 Policy Design and Advocacy

POLS 650 Introduction to Public and Nonprofit Administration

POLS 651 Managing Organizations for Public Services

Other electives may be approved in consultation with the graduate faculty advisor. 

 

For students with a Bachelor of Urban Planning and Development (BUPD) or a similar undergraduate degree accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board.

Required courses, 18 credits

PLAN 500Planning Diagnostic Exam

0

PLAN 604Advanced Planning Issues, Theory, and Practice

3

or

PLAN 607Urban Land-use Planning

3

PLAN 613Qualitative Methods and Social Justice

3

PLAN 630Comprehensive Planning Studio

3

PLAN 637Impact Analysis

3

PLAN 690Planning Portfolio Review

0

PLAN 691Planning Internship

0

PLAN 692Capstone Studio for Planning

3

PLAN 694Research Methods

3

PLAN 699Planning Comprehensive Examination

0

Remaining electives, 18 credits

  • The remaining electives are to be taken in consultation with the graduate faculty advisor. Three hours of electives must be taken at the 600 level.

  • 36 hours total are required to graduate.

  • Approved electives include:

  • PLAN 511 Property Law (not open to students with credit in 411)

    PLAN 512 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems for Urban Planning (not open to students with credit in 412)

    PLAN 513 Advanced Concepts in Geographic Information Systems for Urban Planning (not open to students with credit in 413)

    PLAN 525 Urban Agriculture as Community Development (not open to students with credit in 425)

    PLAN 530 Housing and Community Development (not open to students with credit in 430)

    PLAN 531 Urban Transportation Planning (not open to students with credit in 431)

    PLAN 550 Neighborhood Planning (not open to students with credit in 450)

    PLAN 555 Women and Urban Environments (not open to students with credit in 455)

    PLAN 558 Introduction to Multiculturalism as a Planning Context (not open to students with credit in 458)

    PLAN 559 International Development and Planning (not open to students with credit in 459)

    PLAN 561 Emergency and Disaster Planning (not open to students with credit in 461)

    PLAN 577 History of Urban Form (not open to students with credit in 477)

    PLAN 582 Grant Procurement and Administration for Planners (not open to students with credit in 482)

    PLAN 583 Site Analysis and Planning (not open to students with credit in 483)

    PLAN 584 Advanced Digital Communication (not open to students with credit in 484)

    PLAN 585 Introduction to Community Development and Enterprise Planning (not open to students with credit in 485)

    PLAN 586 Methods of Public Interest Development (not open to students with credit in 486)

    PLAN 590 Independent Study in Planning

    PLAN 598 Special Projects in Urban and Regional Planning

    CAP 500 Community-Based Projects Workshops

    CAP 598 Special Projects in the College of Architecture and Planning

    ARCH 507 Fourth World Theory

    ARCH 540 Introduction to Preservation

    POLS 648 Policy Design and Advocacy

    POLS 650 Introduction to Public and Nonprofit Administration

    POLS 651 Managing Organizations for Public Services