The goal of the program is to train students to become planning practitioners capable of working in a variety of public, nonprofit, and private sector environments in a number of different fields. Graduates of this program will go on to play a vital role addressing the planning and public policy challenges in our region and beyond.

The program recognizes the need for effective planners to possess diverse skills in the planning and management of human settlements. Accordingly, the MURP core coursework includes thematically-related courses in land use planning, research methods, quantitative analysis, planning theory and history, planning politics and policies, community and economic development, and geographic information systems (GIS). Students have the option of enrolling in electives that focus on housing & community development, land use planning, local economic development, GIS, international development, coastal zone management, housing & community development, environmental and natural resources planning, and transportation planning. These areas of specialization build on the strengths of existing faculty in our sister-program in Public Administration, as well as with colleagues and facilities across the university. The program is thus distinct in its flexibility. Graduates of the program will be able to: