Master\u2019s Degree in Urban Planning - Two Year Duration\nThis is the degree held by most urban planners in senior roles. The core
Master of Urban Planning program is commonly made up of a supervised internship and research project, and courses like the following:\n
\n- History and Theory of Planning
\n- Graphic Techniques for Planning \u2013 classwork and assignments to apply practical skills
\n- Real-world Urban Research and Planning Practice \u2013 defining planning problems at the neighborhood level, data collection, plan design, plan implementation, plan presentation
\n- Planning Law \u2013 examination of private and public control of land use and development
\n- The Urban Landscape \u2013 understanding urban environments and how the people who live in them go about their daily activities
\n- Introduction to Planning Data \u2013 how census data and other statistics are used in planning
\n- Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) \u2013 the use of GIS in the field of urban planning
\n- Urban Transportation Planning
\n- Environmental Policy and Planning
\n
\n
At the master\u2019s level, many schools offer specialization programs. Two of the most common are the Master of Urban Planning \u2013 Transportation Planning, and the Master of Urban Planning \u2013 Urban Development and Urban Design.
\n
Doctoral Degree in Urban Planning - Five to Seven Year Duration
\nPh.D. programs in this field focus on urban planning theory, advanced research methods, and the application of the principles of urban planning. Programs prepare students for positions as university professors, applied researchers, and senior-level policy makers.
", "display_order": 2, "created_at": "2019-08-29T17:56:37.623573-07:00", "updated_at": "2022-04-20T15:05:08.426831-07:00"}, {"degree_id": 221, "page": 1, "title": "Degrees Similar to Urban Planning", "summary_markdown": "**[Architecture](/degrees/architecture-degree/)** \r\nThere is a clear connection between the work of the architect and that of the urban planner. Both work to make urban areas functional and attractive.\r\n\r\n**[Landscape Architecture](/degrees/landscape-architecture-degree/)** \r\nBoth urban planners and landscape architects design environments. The urban planner determines which infrastructures are needed, where they should be placed, and where buildings can be constructed. The landscape architect designs outdoor spaces like parks, gardens, and other green spaces.\r\n\r\n**[Civil Engineering](/degrees/civil-engineering-degree/)** \r\nThe field of civil engineering is closely connected to urban planning. Civil engineers consult on urban planning construction projects, while urban planners focus on how those projects will fit into and benefit the community. The emphasis of civil engineering degree programs is math, statistics, engineering systems and mechanics, building codes, and statistical analysis. Civil engineers identify the fundamentals of load-bearing structures and construction techniques.\r\n\r\n**Emergency and Security Management** \r\nStudents of emergency and security management learn about disaster response and recovery. Their coursework includes emergency planning and preparedness, crisis management, and public policy and legal issues in emergency management.", "content_markdown": "**[Environmental Studies](/degrees/environmental-studies-degree/)** \r\nStudents of environmental studies are exposed to the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities. They apply knowledge from each of these areas to examine how resources can be sustained in the face of increasing populations, various forms of pollution, and the endangerment of species and natural systems.\r\n\r\n**[Geography](/degrees/geography-degree/)** \r\nStudents of geography study the Earth\u2019s surface; its climate, soil, and water; and the relationship between people and the land. Some typical courses in a geography program are cartography, climatology, geology, political geography, statistics, and spatial analysis.\r\n\r\n**[Public Administration](/degrees/public-administration-degree/)** \r\nStudents who enroll in a degree program in public administration learn about the process of implementing policy at the various levels of government and within non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and non-profits. As part of their studies, they typically investigate a variety of public issues, from environmental protection to crime fighting, homelessness, unemployment, and drug abuse. Like urban planning, public administration is concerned with issues that impact citizens.", "content_html": "
Environmental Studies
\nStudents of environmental studies are exposed to the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities. They apply knowledge from each of these areas to examine how resources can be sustained in the face of increasing populations, various forms of pollution, and the endangerment of species and natural systems.
\n
Geography
\nStudents of geography study the Earth\u2019s surface; its climate, soil, and water; and the relationship between people and the land. Some typical courses in a geography program are cartography, climatology, geology, political geography, statistics, and spatial analysis.
\n
Public Administration
\nStudents who enroll in a degree program in public administration learn about the process of implementing policy at the various levels of government and within non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and non-profits. As part of their studies, they typically investigate a variety of public issues, from environmental protection to crime fighting, homelessness, unemployment, and drug abuse. Like urban planning, public administration is concerned with issues that impact citizens.
", "display_order": 3, "created_at": "2019-08-29T17:56:37.626046-07:00", "updated_at": "2021-12-01T13:56:35.871382-08:00"}, {"degree_id": 221, "page": 1, "title": "Skills You’ll Learn", "summary_markdown": "Through the course of their studies, students learn that urban planning is both a science and an art. It is not surprising, therefore, that they typically graduate with a skill set that can be widely applied in many kinds of work:\r\n\r\n- Communication\r\n- A Sense of Design and Layout\r\n- Research and Analysis\r\n- Policy Development\r\n- Information Technology\r\n- Negotiation and Diplomacy\r\n- Creativity\r\n- Report Writing", "content_markdown": "", "content_html": "
Through the course of their studies, students learn that urban planning is both a science and an art. It is not surprising, therefore, that they typically graduate with a skill set that can be widely applied in many kinds of work:
\n
\n- Communication
\n- A Sense of Design and Layout
\n- Research and Analysis
\n- Policy Development
\n- Information Technology
\n- Negotiation and Diplomacy
\n- Creativity
\n- Report Writing
\n
", "display_order": 4, "created_at": "2019-08-29T17:56:37.629069-07:00", "updated_at": "2021-11-18T13:55:38.531158-08:00"}, {"degree_id": 221, "page": 1, "title": "What Can You Do with an Urban Planning Degree?", "summary_markdown": "Some positions listed in these occupational categories may require a graduate degree.\r\n\r\n**Government** \r\nGovernment agencies at the federal, state/province, and city levels are the largest employers of urban planners. \r\n\r\nJob titles in this sector may include [urban planner](/careers/urban-planner/), regional planner, strategic planner, [transportation planner](/careers/transportation-planner/), urban planning technician, parks planner, zoning inspector, regional development manager, community planner, town planner, economic development officer, development permit technician, building inspector, housing officer, sustainable housing policy associate, land use planning advisor, and project manager. \r\n\r\nFor example, someone working in housing may be involved in the development of communities for low income earners or senior citizens.\r\n\r\n**Consulting Firms / Entrepreneurship** \r\nIn this sector, urban planning graduates offer their services to private industries through consulting firms that employ them, or directly on a freelance basis. They may help utility companies plan and maintain their infrastructure or assist real estate developers with the planning of mix of land use.\r\n\r\n**Education and Research** \r\nUrban planning graduates with a master\u2019s or doctoral degree can pursue career opportunities as urban planning/social policy researchers and university professors.\r\n\r\n**Engineering** \r\nWhen engineering firms become involved with projects like public transit systems, it is not uncommon for them to seek people with an urban planning background.\r\n\r\n**Heritage Conservation** \r\nIn the conservation sector, historic buildings inspectors may have a background in urban planning.", "content_markdown": "**Law** \r\nIn the field of law, urban planners can be called as expert witnesses in land-use hearings.\r\n\r\n**Lobbying** \r\nIn this sector, urban planning expertise may be crucial to effective lobbying for or against proposed land use or development.\r\n\r\n**Non-Profit Organizations** \r\nSometimes, individuals with an urban planning background are hired by non-profits. They work with urban planners who are employed by city governments to ensure that non-profit interests and objectives \u2013 such as social housing \u2013 are not overlooked.\r\n\r\n**Politics** \r\nPoliticians \u2013 such as city councillors \u2013 with an urban planning education are naturally better equipped to discuss and debate the economic, environmental, and social issues connected to land use and development.\r\n\r\n**Real Estate / Land Development** \r\nSome real estate developers, real estate appraisers, and commercial realtors enter their fields with an urban planning education.\r\n\r\n**Telecommunications** \r\nUrban planners may be hired by telecommunications firms to get permission to build and find the right locations for cellphone towers and transmission lines.", "content_html": "
Law
\nIn the field of law, urban planners can be called as expert witnesses in land-use hearings.
\n
Lobbying
\nIn this sector, urban planning expertise may be crucial to effective lobbying for or against proposed land use or development.
\n
Non-Profit Organizations
\nSometimes, individuals with an urban planning background are hired by non-profits. They work with urban planners who are employed by city governments to ensure that non-profit interests and objectives \u2013 such as social housing \u2013 are not overlooked.
\n
Politics
\nPoliticians \u2013 such as city councillors \u2013 with an urban planning education are naturally better equipped to discuss and debate the economic, environmental, and social issues connected to land use and development.
\n
Real Estate / Land Development
\nSome real estate developers, real estate appraisers, and commercial realtors enter their fields with an urban planning education.
\n
Telecommunications
\nUrban planners may be hired by telecommunications firms to get permission to build and find the right locations for cellphone towers and transmission lines.
", "display_order": 5, "created_at": "2019-08-29T17:56:37.631302-07:00", "updated_at": "2022-04-20T15:06:48.160903-07:00"}], "degree_specializations": []}">
