Community and Regional Planning

Downtown Austin skyline
COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL PLANNING
How to Apply

The Graduate Program in Community and Regional Planning (CRP) is housed within The University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture (UTSOA). Our program draws upon the full resources of a top-ranked, tier-1 research university, and offers a course of study that combines cutting-edge research and practice where students engage in real-world projects.

The CRP Program provides its graduates with the theoretical foundations, specific skills, and practical experience to succeed in professional planning and related policy careers. We strive to create a diverse student body and program and are deeply committed to building a professional planning community that resembles the communities in which our students and faculty work.

WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE

We are a small and friendly program of about 100 graduate students housed in a major tier-1 research university, with a student-faculty ratio under 9:1. Our program has a strong focus on sustainable development processes and practices. We seek development paths that balance growth with improved environmental performance while expanding opportunities for all segments of the community. Planning faculty and students are involved in an array of innovative research and practice activities in sustainability through our major research center, the Center for Sustainable Development, and our program also carries out exciting research and project work in our local community and around the world.

AUSTIN IS OUR LABORATORY

Our program is located in one of the most vibrant and fast-growing cities in the country, providing students with a bounty of interesting and exciting things to do. The city and surrounding region also offer a unique breadth of real-life planning challenges and serves as a laboratory for our courses and research projects. In addition to local planning decisions, Austin, as the state capital, is the central forum for state-level issues. The result is a unique setting for community and regional planning, where there are diverse opportunities for planning-related academic study and engagement, and an attractive job market for planners and for a variety of allied professions.

#9 PLANNING PROGRAM IN THE U.S.

Downtown Austin skyline seen through the trees along Lady Bird Lake

The only comprehensive ranking of graduate planning programs, Planetizen’s ranking is a testament to the program’s commitment to preparing the next generation of planners to change the world.

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Community and Regional Planning

DEGREES + PROGRAMS

The Community and Regional Planning Program at the University of Texas at Austin offers six graduate-level degree programs as well as a Ph.D. in Community and Regional Planning. 

GRADUATE PH.D.

Master of Science in Community and Regional Planning [MSCRP]

MSCRP + Master of Science in Sustainable Design

MSCRP + Master of Science in Urban Design

MSCRP + Master of Arts in Latin American Studies

MSCRP + Master of Public Affairs

MSCRP + Doctor of Jurisprudence

Ph.D, in Community and Regional Planning

CITY FORUM LECTURE SERIES

City Forum is a planning and urban issues speaker series intended to provide a space for open, critical dialogue regarding crucial planning-related issues in Austin and elsewhere. The speaker series is intended to encourage discussion of diversity, multiple publics, and social change.

COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL PLANNING WORK

Click on images below for more information on CRP projects.

  • Instagram Post
    Thanks to all who joined us for the opening of Celebrating 100 Years of John S. Chase, including members of the Chase family and colleagues from across the School of Architecture and UT Austin campus.
    @utsoa

    Thanks to all who joined us for the opening of Celebrating 100 Years of John S. Chase, including members of the Chase family and colleagues from across the School of Architecture and UT Austin campus.

  • Instagram Post
    Our Spring 2025 public programming lineup is here! This semester’s exhibitions and lectures represent a broad cross-section of disciplines of the built environment — including architects, urban planners, landscape architects, interior designers and urban designers.<br>&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;
    @utsoa

    Our Spring 2025 public programming lineup is here! This semester’s exhibitions and lectures represent a broad cross-section of disciplines of the built environment — including architects, urban planners, landscape architects, interior designers and urban designers.
     
     

  • Instagram Post
    Today marks 100 years since the birth of John S. Chase (1925-2012)—one of the first Black graduate students to enroll at @utaustintx, the first African American to graduate from the School of Architecture, and the first Black licensed architect in Texas.<br>
    @utsoa

    Today marks 100 years since the birth of John S. Chase (1925-2012)—one of the first Black graduate students to enroll at @utaustintx, the first African American to graduate from the School of Architecture, and the first Black licensed architect in Texas.

  • Instagram Post
    “Chess Board” by Jenna Hussain (@jenna.hussain) for Mark Macek’s (@moondragon_macek) Wood Design // 2023-2024 Design Excellence winner<br>
    @utsoa

    “Chess Board” by Jenna Hussain (@jenna.hussain) for Mark Macek’s (@moondragon_macek) Wood Design // 2023-2024 Design Excellence winner

  • Instagram Post
    Happy studio lottery day! This semester, we're excited to welcome visiting faculty member Daniel Escotto, a professor of architectural theory and history from @unam_mx, who will be teaching an advanced studio on the architectural and urban conditions in the Yucatán Peninsula.<br>
    @utsoa

    Happy studio lottery day! This semester, we're excited to welcome visiting faculty member Daniel Escotto, a professor of architectural theory and history from @unam_mx, who will be teaching an advanced studio on the architectural and urban conditions in the Yucatán Peninsula.

  • Instagram Post
    Introducing “Micropolitan America,” a public exhibition by Assistant Professor of Practice @KyriakosKyriakou and @sofia_krimizi on display from Jan. 9–Feb.14.<br>&nbsp;
    @utsoa

    Introducing “Micropolitan America,” a public exhibition by Assistant Professor of Practice @KyriakosKyriakou and @sofia_krimizi on display from Jan. 9–Feb.14.
     

  • Instagram Post
    New year, endless horizons at UTSOA. Here’s to a 2025 filled with growth, creativity and excellence.💡🤘
    @utsoa

    New year, endless horizons at UTSOA. Here’s to a 2025 filled with growth, creativity and excellence.💡🤘

  • Instagram Post
    “Palantir Pavilion” by Winnie Lin (@winnlin) and Karina Thome (@ambitious.cycles) for Allison Gaskins’ (@allisonhgaskins) Interior Design Technical  Studio // 2023-2024 Design Excellence winner<br>
    @utsoa

    “Palantir Pavilion” by Winnie Lin (@winnlin) and Karina Thome (@ambitious.cycles) for Allison Gaskins’ (@allisonhgaskins) Interior Design Technical Studio // 2023-2024 Design Excellence winner

  • Instagram Post
    May all your days be merry and bright. Happy Holidays from UTSOA!
    @utsoa

    May all your days be merry and bright. Happy Holidays from UTSOA!