Masters of Urban and Regional Planning

The graduate program leading to a degree of Master in Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) is committed to preparing students for professional planning careers in both the private and public sectors and seeks to develop both general planning knowledge and specific skills for practice. Current faculty research and teaching expertise covers a wide range of planning subjects including urban design; land use planning; land use law; housing; community, economic and real estate development; research methods; international development; transportation; environmental planning; and public policy. The MURP degree is a nationally accredited degree and admits students with a variety of academic backgrounds. Ideal students are those with strong intellectual ability; good written and verbal communication skills; basic statistical methods and have demonstrated a proven potential for leadership in the field of urban and regional planning. A student entering the graduate program in urban and regional planning is expected to concentrate, under faculty guidance, on studies that provide an optimum learning experience in applying the various principles, theories, techniques, and design skills of planning to specific field problems. Unlike undergraduates, whose studies are divided between liberal education and technical studies, the graduate student is immersed in significant planning studies and research. The graduate program is designed to provide professional competence. After graduation, the student should be capable of assuming responsibilities on an intermediate level of a professional planning operation. The master's program in Urban and Regional Planning has been accredited by the American Planning Association. The program is available under both Plan A (with thesis) and Plan B (without thesis). The student must complete at least 43 credits.