Find Place-Based Solutions. Transform Communities.

Lead transformative change where it matters most: in your neighborhood, school, workplace, city, region, or beyond. The MS Urban Planning and Policy will help you address urgent environmental, social, and political challenges using place-based solutions. Plan communities that are resilient to climate change. Help address the affordable housing crisis. Tackle public transportation challenges. Design inclusive and vibrant urban spaces. Forge a path that aligns with your goals in this customizable program.

Choose Your Area of Impact 

Plan the change you want to see in the world. The MS Urban Planning and Policy is a collaborative program between Northeastern’s School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs and School of Architecture, offering you a choice of four concentrations:

• Urban Sustainability and Resilience: Tackle policy and/or physical planning to address adaptation and mitigation, environmental sustainability, and disaster planning. 
• Urban Analytics: Utilize big data, tech, and policy to improve public wellbeing. You can focus on issues like climate change, gentrification, or transportation.
• Urban Development Policy and Planning: Create better policies and programs to tackle issues like housing, economic development, transportation planning and policy, or community development.
• Urban Design and Physical Planning: Help design vibrant, accessible, and sustainable urban spaces, choosing from three sub-tracks: Urban Design and Real Estate, Physical Planning and Design for Sustainable Urbanism, and Urban Experience Design.

Build Experience Improving Urban Spaces

The MS Urban Planning and Policy is founded on analysis and action. You’ll learn through real projects and research so that you’re ready to step into a professional or leadership role as soon as you graduate. In this program, you can:

1. Hold an optional, paid co-op or internship within Northeastern’s #1 ranked offerings with leading organizations like MassDOT and the Boston Housing Authority. 
2. Conduct impactful research through the Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy, the Boston Area Research Initiative, the Global Resilience Institute, and the Social Impact Lab.
3. Go on an optional exchange experience with the Universiteit van Amsterdam for academic, research-oriented study.
4. Support a local, community-led initiative to help a public service or nonprofit organization as a part of your capstone experience.

See Proven MS Urban Planning and Policy Career Results

Be in-demand and on-track for a leadership role. 94.4% of MS Urban Planning and Policy alumni join governments, nonprofits, civil rights and advocacy groups, financial institutions, engineering firms, and transportation and communication companies one year after graduation. Many alumni go on to hold leadership roles like Director of Community Engagement, Director of Planning and Development, and more.

Learn from Expert Faculty with Diverse Expertise 

Your faculty should be as diverse as the challenges you’re tackling. Ours are. Faculty have led the Anti-Displacement Studio to engage communities in urban planning and design, contributed to Boston’s desegregation discussions, led equitable development projects, worked as architects, and provided testimony to Congress on law and social policy. Their work influences climate progress, public health, sustainable development, and more.

Choose a Flexible, High Value Program

Increase your earning potential and career fulfillment in just 2 years. You can attend this flexible MS Urban Planning and Policy program full time or part time—or fit it into a workday, with most courses offered after 5pm or online.

Funding opportunities include:

• Paid experience while you earn your degree with a 6-month full-time co-op
• Part-time or full-time internships during the summer or regular semester
• Automatic consideration for scholarships up to 50% off tuition
• Additional opportunities for Northeastern alumni or current Northeastern undergraduate students