Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning
Objectives
The M.S. in Urban and Regional Planning (URP) prepares students to work in city and regional planning agencies and private consulting firms, where they will be highly desired because of this degree's emphasis on skills in land use and environmental planning and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Admission Requirements
1. 2.75 GPA from a regionally accredited undergraduate institution and/or at least 1500 on the aptitude test of the GRE.
2. International students must receive a minimum score on the TOEFL language examination. See Admissions web site for minimum scores.
3. A minimum of two letters of recommendation, preferably one from a professor in the student's major/minor field of study and one from an employer. If the student does not have related work experience, then two letters from faculty members in the student's major or minor field of study will be required.
4. Class status: undergraduate degree from an accredited college/university; senior standing for conditional admission;.
Course Requirements
The M.S. in Geographic Information Systems requires 36 hours of course work distributed among required courses, elective courses and thesis or internship courses as follows.
Required Courses ......31-33 hours
GEOG 553 Urban and Regional Planning 2
GEOG 555 Comprehensive Planning 2
GEOG 556 Zoning 2
GEOG 557 Community Development and Downtown Revitalization 3
GEOG 559 Urban Planning/Preservation Studio 3
GEOG 579 Geographic Information Systems 3
GEOG 581 Advanced Environmental Assessment 3
GEOG 585 GIS Applications 3
GEOG 674 Professional Publication/Report 2
GEOG 677 Seminar in Methods and Research 2
PLSC 655 Politics of Local Planning 2
Plus one of the following internship courses or equivalent:
GEOG687 Internship (4 hrs)
GEOG688 Internship (5 hrs)
GEOG689 Internship (6 hrs)
NOTES:
1. Equivalency: If a student is employed in a planning position, a portfolio of work completed during employment may substitute for the internship requirement and credits. The acceptability of the portfolio will be determined by the program advisor.
2. If an internship is not feasible, a student may request a 6 credit thesis to replace the Internship and Professional Publication/Report requirements.
Restricted Elective Courses .....3-5 hours minimum
BIOL 524 Conservation 2
CTAC 508 Small Group Decision Making 2
CTAC 509 Communication for Leaders 2
CTAC 510 Listening Skills for Professionals 2
ENGL 524 Advanced Technical Writing 3
GEOG 570 Rural Planning & Preservation 2
GEOG 575 Aerial Photographic Interpretation 3
GEOG 580 Urban Environmental Management 2
GEOG 582 Remote Sensing Earth Resources 3
GEOG 584 Visual Programming for GIS Customization 2
GEOG 668 GIS Project 2
GEOG 678 Advanced Applications of GIS 3
GHPR 530 Introduction To Historic Preservation 2
GHPR 638 Preserving Community Character 2
PLSC 510 Modern Public Administration 3
SOCL 656 Human Ecology & Community Development 3
PROGRAM TOTAL 36 hours