Master of Science Urban Planning and Policy

Graduates of the MUPP program will be able to:

• Explain the major socioeconomic, political, and ecological forces that shape issues in contemporary cities, including issues related to the environment and climate change, housing, poverty, race and ethnicity, economic development, transportation, and regionalism.  

• Explain and critique major theories of the politics and practice of urban planning and policy, including an analysis of how the field of planning has been shaped by inequality based on race, class, ethnicity, gender, and other forms of difference.  

• Explain changes to cities in the United States and other parts of the world within a context of increasing global economic and social interconnections. 

• Explain the ideas of microeconomic theory with a focus on their application to urban planning and policy issues.  

• Explain roles played by actors in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, as well as the interplay between branches and levels of government, in addressing the challenges facing urban areas. 

• Interpret and critique social science research that applies statistical and qualitative techniques.  

• Conduct a research project by collecting and analyzing socio-economic and other data to answer an urban planning and policy research question.  

• Build and lead diverse and inclusive organizations and planning processes using skills of teamwork, project management, and cultural competence.  

• Engage effectively and equitably with diverse stakeholders and communities using tools of oral and written communication, and public participation. 

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge in a focus area within urban policy planning via report, presentation, proposal or exhibition as appropriate to the subject matter.