Planning + Urban Design

The Graduate Program in Community and Regional Planning, along with the Graduate Program in Urban Design, offer a dual-degree option that gives students an opportunity to supplement their planning degree with additional expertise in physical planning and the design of urban areas. The dual-degree program can be completed in a total of three years.

While available for any student undertaking either degree program, this particular dual-degree program is structured as a vehicle for students interested in urban design who do not have either the design background or professional degree credentials necessary to establish themselves professionally. The program combines the advanced studies necessary to effectively address planning issues while also providing students with an opportunity to supplement their planning degree with additional expertise in physical planning and the design of urban areas.

Opportunities are increasing rapidly for graduates who can combine urban policy planning with an in-depth understanding of the design of physical environments. The School of Architecture's MSUD/MSCRP program provides students with the urban policy expertise required to plan cities, but also the design proficiency required to help shape the construction of the future city in order to create sustainable and livable places. 

Students must complete 36 credit hours in Community and Regional Planning and 30 credit hours in Urban Design, including a closely coordinated 6 credit hour terminal Urban Design Project and a 3 credit hour Professional Report in Community and Regional Planning. The combined Urban Design Project and Professional Report must be each read and approved by a supervising professor and a second reader, representing both programs. 

COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL PLANNING (MSCRP)

• 21 hours of core and method courses. Students may petition the Program Director to complete a different course that satisfies the core requirements.
• 6 credit hour Planning Practicum
• 6 credit hours of electives
• 3 credit hour Professional Report, which serves as the terminal project for the MSCRP degree requirements, coordinated with the MSUD Urban Design Project.
• TOTAL: 36 MSCRP credit hours

URBAN DESIGN (MSUD)

• 15 credit hours of core courses
• 9 credit hours of Urban Design/LAR electives
• Core MSCRP courses cannot count as MSUD electives
• 6 credit hour terminal Urban Design Project, coordinated with the MSCRP Professional Report
• TOTAL: 30 MSUD credit hours