Geography & Geology

Improve Your Community

Urban planners apply knowledge of land use, public policy, people and the environment to the development of communities. Urban planning graduates find positions across the United States and world. They work for government agencies at all levels. US News and World Report list urban planning among today's "best jobs" based on employment growth, salaries and job satisfaction.

Undergraduate Program: Practical, Applied

EMU's undergraduate urban planning major requires nine core courses and electives for a total of 36 credits to graduate.

Courses cover a wide variety of urban and regional planning topics:

• Study land use, zoning, problems of urban growth and local decision-making.
• Learn how to develop zoning ordinances, analyze site plans, critique general development plans, administer local planning regulations and prepare and review grant applications, environmental impact statements and policy planning programs.
• Make a difference at a public planning agency or private planning firm.

Graduate Program: Advanced, Applied

EMU's Master of Science in urban and regional planning prepares students to work in city and regional planning agencies and private consulting firms. Graduates are highly sought after because of this degree's emphasis on skills in land use and environmental planning and geographic information systems (GIS). This program requires 36 credits, passage of a comprehensive oral examination and a bachelor's degree (minimum GPA of 2.75), along with two letters of recommendation.

Common specializations within the profession include:

• Community development
• Transportation planning
• Environmental planning
• Economic development
• Urban design
• Parks and recreation planning
• Community affairs