Selecting the urban planning program that’s right for you starts with understanding your goals, interests, and priorities. Maybe you’re looking for a program that’s affordable, or one that’s accredited. Some students prioritize accreditation, while others focus on published faculty, alumni success, or the chance to work on real-world projects.
Ultimately, the program you choose should align with what you find most important—whether that’s academic focus, practical experience, affordability, or long-term career opportunities. Learn more about the options you should consider while you explore different programs, so you can refine your search and decide which path you’d like to pursue.
Use the tabs below to explore the different options that are available when you are choosing an urban planning program. This can help you clarify your interests and focus your search on a program that best fits your goals.
Accredited programs must meet certain standards for quality and performance. The planning accreditation board (PAB) accredits programs in the U.S., and the professional standards board (PSB) handles accreditation in Canada. Accreditation is not mandatory for all schools.
Several U.S. states and Canadian provinces do not have accredited planning programs. You can check the accreditation status of each school when you visit their profile page, or you can search for accredited programs only by selecting this option in the advanced search.
78 accredited master’s programs and 16 bachelor’s programs
17 accredited master’s programs and 7 bachelor’s programs
Programs may be unaccredited due to size or specialty
Degree titles may vary depending on the school you choose. Generally, since programs must adhere to the national accreditation standards, names do not greatly influence the nature of each program.
Some programs offer dual degrees, allowing you to complete your education with fewer credits than if you tried to get each degree separately. There are also many graduate certificates that you can earn, which will enhance your résumé or help you advance within your current career.
Build a strong foundation in planning principles and prepare for a career
Deepen your expertise and open doors to advanced professional roles
Find minors like geography or environmental science to complement your degree
Pair planning with another discipline, like public health, law, or civil engineering
Earn graduate certificates in areas such as GIS, real estate, or sustainability
Each university organizes their planning programs differently depending on their unique academic structure. Universities typically group their programs and departments into different schools of learning. Where a program is housed can influence its emphasis, so it’s important to research this structure.
The good news is that most programs let you explore electives across different areas, giving you the freedom to focus on the parts of planning that interest you most. Here are a few common areas where planning programs are housed.
Emphasizes creativity, design, and the physical form of spaces
Focuses on resource management and sustainability
Highlights governance, law, and strategies for shaping our world
Offers a broad approach to planning
The length of your urban planning program will depend on the degree you choose. Many programs are measured by credit hours, so if you’ve already completed college-level courses or you decide to take a heavier course load, you may be able to finish faster.
Some accelerated programs let you move more quickly if you already have an undergraduate planning degree and a few years of professional experience, and certain universities even offer combined bachelor’s and master’s options. Certificate programs are often designed to be completed in a year or less, making them a flexible way to gain specialized skills or complement another degree.
Bachelor’s degrees are about 120 credit hours, with 30–40 being core planning courses
Master’s degrees require 48 credits in the U.S. and 2 years of study in Canada
Certificates, combined degrees, and programs that include work experience
Urban planning courses connect history, theory, and the principles of equity and justice with real-world practice. You’ll build skills from across the social and physical sciences—like land use law, sustainability, economics, sociology, and design—while also learning hands-on approaches to topics such as community development, environmental planning, and neighborhood revitalization.
Through your coursework, you’ll learn how to analyze data, understand the rich context behind different regions, and lead conversations around the issues that shape our communities. Click the button below to get more information on the types of classes you’ll take when you study urban planning.
Curriculum & Coursework