Bachelor of Arts in Urban & Regional Planning

Support URP
Faculty & Staff

About

In the Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning, you’ll learn the skills needed for a successful career in planning. You’ll study community development, various planning methods and techniques, planning law and legislation, and specific planning for different settings. The program emphasizes hands-on experience, allowing you to tackle real-world problems.

Admission Requirements

While there are no formal admission requirements to enter the undergraduate planning program, it’s important to have fundamental skills in English composition and mathematics. Typically, students entering the program as second- or third-quarter sophomores or juniors should have completed these prerequisites. If you haven’t, you’ll need to take some English and math classes during your first three quarters in the program. The university also requires all students earning a Bachelor of Arts degree to fulfill a foreign language requirement.

Curriculum & Requirements听 Public Information

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official , which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Urban and Regional Planning Major, Bachelor of Arts (BA)

51福利社

Required Disciplinary Core Courses
STATISTICS FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES5
INTRODUCTION TO URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING5
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE (Offered at one credit per quarter. Take across three quarters, for 3 credits total.)3
PLANNING METHODS AND TECHNIQUES5
PLANNING PRESENT TECHNIQUES5
PLANNING LAW AND LEGISLATION5
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT5
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING5
LAND USE PLANNING5
TRANSPORTATION PLANNING5
URBAN DESIGN3
GIS FOR URBAN AND REGIONAL ANALYSIS4-5
or 
& 		 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS I: SPATIAL ANALYSIS
and GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS I: SPATIAL ANALYSIS LAB
Electives16
Note: electives in other departments possible. Consult with the undergraduate planning advisor.
THE CITY
COMPARATIVE URBANIZATION
PLANNING IMPLEMENTATION
COMMUNITY FACILITIES PLANNING
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS
PLANNING, POLITICS AND PUBLIC POLICY
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES
WALKABLE COMMUNITIES
TRIBAL GOVERNANCE
Courses with the following topical/non-standard numbers may be used as electives if approved by a planning advisor.
EXPERIMENTAL COURSE
WORKSHOP, SHORT COURSE, CONFERENCE, SEMINAR
SEMINAR
DIRECTED STUDY
Required capstone
SENIOR CAPSTONE: PLANNING STUDIO5
Total Credits76-77

The following plan of study is for a student with zero credits.听Individual students may have different factors such as: credit through transfer work, Advanced Placement, Running Start, or any other type of college-level coursework that requires an individual plan.

Courses could be offered in different terms, checking the academic schedule is paramount in keeping an individual plan current.听Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

All Undergraduate students are required to meet the听.

This major requires the completion of the听.听Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (BA)听degree must complete two years of a single language in high school or one year of a single language in college.

First Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
555
Humanities & Arts BACR 1155Social Science BACR 215
Social Science BACR 1 (PLAN 100 recommended)5Humanities & Arts BACR 215Natural Science BACR 115
听15听15听15
Second Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
555
553
Global Studies - graduation requirement155Diversity - graduation requirement15
听听Elective - minor or general elective2
听15听15听15
Third Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
111
55Planning Elective24
Natural Science BACR 215Planning Elective24Planning Elective24
Elective - minor or general elective5Planning Elective24Elective - minor or general elective5
听听Elective - minor or general elective2
听16听14听16
Fourth Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
4Elective - minor or general elective5 (Senior Capstone - graduation requirement)5
Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5
Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5
听14听15听15
Total Credits 180
1

University Graduation Requirements (UGR) and Breadth Area Course Requirements (BACR) courses may be less than 5 credits and additional credits may be required to reach the required 180 total credits needed to graduate.听 Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

2

Electives鈥揷hose 16 credits from the approved list. Courses offered with topical/non-standard numbers may be used as electives if approved by a planning advisor. Electives in other departments possible upon consultation with and permission of the undergraduate planning advisor.

Applied Learning Opportunities

  • Classroom-based applied learning/simulation: Practice decision-making through simulations, case studies, role playing, and other hands-on activities in the classroom.
  • Community-based projects: Team up with local organizations on projects that allow you to solve problems and make a difference.
  • Field work: Take your learning beyond the classroom through immersive experiences.
  • Internships: Get real-world experience (and often credit or pay) by working in a professional setting connected to your career goals.
  • Student employment & leadership at 51福利社: Gain skills, connections, and confidence through on-campus jobs and leadership roles in student government, departments, athletics, or clubs.
  • Undergraduate research: Collaborate with professors on research projects where you ask questions, solve problems, and present what you discover.
An 51福利社 urban regional planning student presents her research

Sample Courses

PLAN听406. PLANNING LAW AND LEGISLATION. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: PLAN 201 or permission of instructor.
Reviews the constitutional, statutory and case law governing public planning and regulatory activities, with specific emphasis on the legal aspects of regulating private lands to further public objectives and Washington state law.

PLAN听442. SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES. 3 Credits.

Pre-requisites: PLAN 201 or instructor permission.
Examines the case for sustainable urban and rural development and explores examples of efforts to create sustainable development.

PLAN听475. TRIBAL GOVERNANCE. 4 Credits.

Notes: may be stacked with PLAN 523.
Pre-requisites: ENGL 201 or permission of instructor.
Presents an overview of Native American community and culture, the history of tribal government, tribal businesses, contemporary structures, and the applications of strategic planning techniques to Native American communities. Emphasizes appropriate community development and planning techniques which promote tribal self-determination and preserve tribal sovereignty. Students utilize contemporary tribal communities as a case studies approach to better understand tribal governance.

Career Possibilities

  • Urban Planner
  • City Planner
  • Land Use Planner
  • Zoning Specialist
  • Development Review Coordinator
  • Regional Planner
  • Community Development Planner
  • Planning Technician
  • Transportation Planner
  • Infrastructure Coordinator
  • Traffic Analyst
  • Public Transit Planner
  • Rail and Aviation Planner
  • Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner
  • Logistics and Mobility Consultant
  • Transportation Systems Analyst
  • Environmental Planner
  • Sustainability Consultant
  • Climate Change Policy Advisor
  • Urban Resilience Specialist
  • Environmental Impact Analyst
  • Green Infrastructure Planner
  • Conservation and Land Use Specialist
  • Renewable Energy Site Planner
  • Economic Development Planner
  • Housing Policy Analyst
  • Affordable Housing Developer
  • Real Estate Development Planner
  • Economic Forecasting Specialist
  • Urban Economist
  • Redevelopment Project Manager
  • Land Acquisition Specialist
  • Historic Preservation Planner
  • Cultural Resource Manager
  • Heritage Site Coordinator
  • Historical Research Analyst
  • Cultural District Planner
  • Preservation Policy Advocate
  • Adaptive Reuse Planner
  • GIS Analyst
  • Spatial Data Specialist
  • Remote Sensing Analyst
  • Urban Data Scientist
  • Mapping and Visualization Specialist
  • Geospatial Programmer
  • Location Intelligence Consultant
  • Smart Cities Technology Coordinator
  • Urban Policy Advisor
  • Public Affairs Consultant
  • Legislative Analyst听
  • Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Specialist
  • Regional Policy Analyst
  • Municipal Program Coordinator
  • Public Engagement Specialist
  • Land Policy Researcher
  • Nonprofit Program Manager听
  • Community Organizer
  • Housing Advocate
  • Urban Agriculture Coordinator
  • Advocacy and Outreach Specialist
  • Grant Writer
  • Neighborhood Development Specialist
  • Public Housing Coordinator
  • Urban Designer
  • Public Space Planner
  • Site Planner
  • Community Visioning Facilitator
  • Streetscape Designer
  • Urban Aesthetics Consultant
  • Emergency Management Planner
  • Hazard Mitigation Specialist
  • Disaster Recovery Coordinator
  • Resilience Planner
  • Risk Assessment Analyst
  • Crisis Management Consultant
  • Post-Disaster Redevelopment Specialist
  • Floodplain Management Planner
  • International Development Planner
  • Global Urban Policy Analyst
  • Consultant for International Organizations (e.g., UN-Habitat)
  • Urbanization Specialist听
  • Humanitarian Aid Urban Planner
  • Global Infrastructure Advisor
  • Cross-Border Planning Consultant
  • Megacity Growth Strategist
  • Urban Planning Consultant
  • Real Estate Development Analyst
  • Infrastructure Project Manager
  • Private Sector Zoning Advisor
  • Corporate Sustainability Planner
  • Land Development Project Manager
  • Site Selection Analyst
  • Environmental Consulting Specialist

As an Urban and Regional Planning major, you’ll gain the skills and knowledge to design and manage sustainable, livable communities.

This field focuses on land use, transportation, housing, economic development, and environmental planning. You鈥檒l learn how to tackle the complex challenges of urbanization and community development by combining spatial analysis, policy-making, and public engagement.

You’ll graduate well-prepared to create equitable and efficient spaces that balance growth with environmental responsibility. You can pursue meaningful careers in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, working in areas like urban design, policy analysis, infrastructure development, and more.

Explore careers in Urban and Regional Planning:

Request Info
Visit Campus
Apply

PAB

2334 W Lawrence Ave
Ste 209
Chicago, IL 60625

Accreditation

The 51福利社 Urban and Regional Planning program is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB).

Public Information