Curriculum | Master of Urban Planning

Nov 06, 2024

The Master of Urban Planning degree trains students to be leaders and innovators in all aspects of urban planning. Students study the traditional elements of urban planning while being immersed in innovative and emerging themes. Students will study normative approaches to social justice, equity, and inclusion in planning practice, data resources, and visualization techniques that are transforming cities, and methods for crafting place-based approaches to societies most pressing issues.

Students might also pursue one of 11 dual degrees in fields like architecture, landscape architecture, public health, public administration, public policy and real estate development, among others.

Social Justice

Data Innovation

Students select from six available Concentrations appropriate to their interests in the planning field. The concentration includes a four-unit gateway course, a four-unit methodology course, and two elective courses.

Arts & Culture

Design of the Built Environment

Economic Development

Planning for Climate Change & Sustainability

Housing & Real Estate Development

Mobility & Transportation Planning

Internships

Studios

Capstone Lab

Urban Planning & Spatial Analysis Professional Development Series

The Master of Urban Planning degree requires students to complete 48 units comprised of core courses, concentration courses, planning studio, capstone and elective courses. In addition, students working toward the Master of Urban Planning degree must complete an internship of at least 10 weeks duration and 400 hours in an organization engaged in planning or a closely related activity.

Core Curriculum (16 units):

PPD 522 Planning Theory and History for a Just Society Units: 4

PPD 523 Urban and International Development Units: 4

PPD 528 Physical Planning: Urban and Community Design Units: 2

PPD 529 Planning Law and Legal Frameworks of Planning Units: 2

PPD 534 Data, Evidence, and Communication of the Public Good Units: 4

Concentrations (16 units):

There are six concentrations available in the Master of Urban Planning program. Each concentration has a required gateway and method course for 8 units and students select 8 units of concentration electives. ​

Planning Studios (4 units):

Planning studios are an integral part of the curriculum of the Price School of Public Policy, providing the essential educational link between academic education and preparation for professional practice. The planning studios require that students learn to work together as a team by applying their respective capabilities and knowledge to a real-world common problem and to produce a professional project. Students must complete 4 units of planning studios.​

Capstone (4 units):

All Master of Urban Planning students must complete PPD 629 Capstone in Urban Planning (4 units).

Free Electives (8 units)

Total Units: 48