your adventure in

Community and Regional Planning

View PDF

Overview

www.design.iastate.edu/community-and-regional-planning

Community and regional planning are a field of study aimed at understanding the ever-changing socioeconomic and physical environments of our communities and planning for their future. Planners evaluate and seize opportunities to solve problems. Planners work at multiple levels of government, as well as the private sector, and they are concerned with issues that affect every corner of the world: the preservation and enhancement of the quality of life in a community, the protection of the environment, the promotion of equitable economic opportunities; and the management of growth and change of all kinds.

Graduates of the Community and Regional Planning department are able to integrate planning knowledge and skills in a variety of practical applications and can communicate effectively in written and oral form. Graduates will be qualified for a variety of entry-level positions in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. They will also be well prepared for graduate study in a variety of fields, including urban planning, law, public policy, public health, environmental science, geography, sociology, urban design, historic preservation, data science, and architecture.

Graduates of the Community and Regional Planning department are expected to understand the structure and functions of urban settlements, including the history of planning and urban development and the processes for plan and policy making. Graduates should have skills in problem formulation, quantitative analysis, written/oral and graphic communications, and collaboration, and in synthesizing and applying knowledge to practice. Graduates are expected to be able to assess the impact of plans and alternatives based on principles of equity and social justice, economic welfare and efficiency, environmental sustainability, and cultural heritage in the context of citizen involvement in decision making.

The department is a member of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning. The curriculum is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board of the American Institute of Certified Planners. Our students gain an education that, when combined with experience, supports eligibility for membership in the American Institute of Certified Planners.

The department administers two undergraduate minors: Urban Studies and Geographic Information Science (GISC). The department cooperates in the undergraduate minors in Design Studies, Digital Media, Critical Studies in Design, Environmental Studies, and Sustainability.

Student Learning Outcomes

We educate students to be critical thinkers and engaged global citizens who have the ability to contribute to a better world. Graduates of the Community and Regional Planning program at Iowa State University will be skilled in understanding and articulating community problems and issues and be able to apply planning knowledge in a diverse and democratic setting, to the standards of conduct outlined by the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Graduates of the program will:

  • Demonstrate essential knowledge of the purpose and history of planning;
  • Demonstrate knowledge of planning ethics, equity and social justice and be capable of making sound ethical judgments;
  • Demonstrate knowledge of planning law and local government institutions regarding how plans and policies are developed and implemented;
  • Be knowledgeable about the planning process; understand how social, cultural and economic forces influence land use changes; be able to develop alternative scenarios for the future; and have experience applying these ideas through active learning and real life experiences;
  • Have a working knowledge of both qualitative and quantitative methods and demonstrate their ability to apply these methods in order to analyze a planning problem or situation;
  • Engage communities, identify a range of tools that can be applied to different situations, and demonstrate their ability to expand participation, ensure inclusion, and give voice to diverse stakeholders;
  • Demonstrate professional written, oral and visual communication skills within a variety of educational and community settings;
  • Be knowledgeable about the natural environment and understand the factors that create sustainable and resilient communities;
  • Be knowledgeable about diverse ideas, cultures and societies; and
  • Have a basic knowledge about global issues that affect planning, urbanization, and societies.

Degree Requirements

The Department of Community and Regional Planning administers the 128-credit-hour undergraduate program leading to the Bachelor of Science. Students have the opportunity to work with their faculty advisors to define their own areas of interest, which may include a minor.

The B.S. in Community and Regional Planning program can be completed in two to four years. Students can declare a major in CRP at any time during their enrollment at Iowa State University. If applying by transfer from another program or institution, admission is based on the student's cumulative GPA and a departmental review of course work. Transfer applications from students in programs in anthropology, sociology, political science, history, geography, engineering, and other related disciplines are encouraged. Community and Regional Planning emphasizes responsibility and citizenship, writing and analytical ability, and critical thinking.

Total Degree Requirement: 128 credits

Only 65 credits from a two-year institution may apply which may include up to 16 technical credits; 9 P-NP credits of free electives; 2.00 minimum GPA; completion of all requirements listed below.

International Perspective: 3 credits

U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity): 3 credits

Communication: 13 credits

(C or better grade in ENGL 1500 and ENGL 2500)

ENGL 1500Critical Thinking and Communication3
ENGL 2500Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition3
ENGL 3090Proposal and Report Writing3
or ENGL 3140 Technical Communication
SPCM 2120Fundamentals of Public Speaking3
LIB 1600Introduction to College Level Research1
Total Credits13

Humanities: 9 credits; 6 credits 3000-level or above

PHIL 2010Introduction to Philosophy3
or PHIL 2060 Introduction to Logic and Scientific Reasoning
or PHIL 2300 Moral Theory and Practice
Six credits from program curriculum sheet6
Total Credits9

Social Sciences: 18 credits 3000 level or above

ECON 1010Principles of Microeconomics3
or ECON 1020 Principles of Macroeconomics
POLS 1110Introduction to American Government3
SOC 1340Introduction to Sociology3
Nine credits from program curriculum sheet.9
Total Credits18

Math/Physics/Biol. Sciences: 13 credits

STAT 1010 Principles of Statistics, 6 credits in Natural Sciences, 3 credits in Math

Design Core: 3 credits

DSNS 1020Design Studio I3-4
or DSNS 1830 Design in Context
Total Credits3-4

Community and Regional Planning Core: 25 credits

CRP 2010The North American Metropolis3
CRP 2930Environmental Planning3
CRP 3010Urban Analytical Methods4
CRP 3830Theory of the Planning Process3
CRP 3910Field Travel1
CRP 4320Community Planning Studio6
CRP 4920Planning Law, Administration and Implementation3
CRP 3310Professional Practice Seminar2
Total Credits25

Planning Elective: 24 credits

24 credits from:

CRP 2510Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems3
CRP 2910World Cities and Globalization3
CRP 3200Urban Geography3
CRP 3250Introduction to Housing3
CRP 3510Intermediate Geographic Information Systems3
CRP 3760Rural, Urban and Regional Economics3
CRP 4160Urban Design and Practice6
CRP 4170Urban Revitalization3
CRP 4210Financing Historic Preservation Projects3
CRP 4290Planning in Developing Countries3
CRP 4350Planning in Small Towns3
CRP 4360Community Economic Development3
CRP 4370Public Participation in Planning3
CRP 4420Site Development3
CRP 4450Transportation Policy and Planning3
CRP 4490Geodesign: Planning for Sustainable Futures3
CRP 4520Geographic Data Management and Planning Analysis3
CRP 4570Geogames for Civic Engagement3
CRP 4600Social Justice and Planning3
CRP 4710Real Estate Development3
CRP 4790Public Finance and Planning3
CRP 4840Sustainable Communities3
CRP 4910Environmental Law and Planning3
CRP 4940Senior Seminar in Planning3
CRP 5110Documenting the Historic Built Environment3-4
CRP 5210Historic Preservation Planning: Theory and Practice3

General Electives: 23 credits

23 credits of general electives from program curriculum sheet

Community and Regional Planning, B.S.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
DSNS 1020 or 18303-4Math/Science3
ENGL 15003SPCM 21203
ECON 1010 or 10203PHIL 2010, 2060, or 23003
SOC 13403Natural Sciences3
Elective 3Elective3
LIB 16001 
 16-17 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CRP 20103CRP 29303
STAT 10104CRP 30104
ENGL 25003CRP 39101-2
POLS 11103Soc. Science/Humanities Elective6
Humanities Elective3Elective3
 16 17-18
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CRP 49203Planning Electives6
CRP 38303Elective3
ENGL 3090 or 31403Social Science/Humanities Elective3
Social Science/Humanities Elective3Elective3
Elective3 
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CRP 43204-6Planning Elective or Option Studio6
CRP 33102Planning Elective3
Planning Elective3Planning Elective3
3000-4000 Elective3Planning Elective3
3000-4000 Elective33000-4000 Elective3
 15-17 18

Undergraduate Minors

The Department of Community and Regional Planning offers 15-credit minors in Urban Studies and Geographic Information Science (GISC). 

Urban Studies

The Urban Studies minor is earned by completing both CRP 2010 (The North American Metropolis) and CRP 2910 (World Cities and Globalization), plus 9 additional credit hours from the approved list of courses. At least 6 credit hours must be in courses numbered 3000 or above at Iowa State. The College of Design requires students to earn a C or higher in at least 6 of the required 3000-level credits. The minor must include at least nine credits that are not used to meet any other department, college or university requirement except the credit requirement for graduation. The Urban Studies minor is open to students from any college and any major.

Introduction to Urban Studies: 6 credits

CRP 2010The North American Metropolis3
CRP 2910World Cities and Globalization3

Advanced Urban Studies: 9 credits

ARCH 2210Histories and Theories of Architecture to 17503
ARCH 3210History of the American City3
ARCH 4200Topics in American Architecture3
ARCH 4290Topics in Italian Architecture3
ARCH 5750Contemporary Urban Design Theory3
CE 4510Urban Transportation Planning Models3
CLST 2750The Ancient City3
CRP 2510Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems3
CRP 2930Environmental Planning3
CRP 3010Urban Analytical Methods4
CRP 3200Urban Geography3
CRP 3250Introduction to Housing3
CRP 3510Intermediate Geographic Information Systems3
CRP 3760Rural, Urban and Regional Economics3
or ECON 3760 Rural, Urban and Regional Economics
CRP 3830Theory of the Planning Process3
CRP 4170Urban Revitalization3
CRP 4210Financing Historic Preservation Projects3
CRP 4290Planning in Developing Countries3
CRP 4490Geodesign: Planning for Sustainable Futures3
CRP 4570Geogames for Civic Engagement3
CRP 4600Social Justice and Planning3
CRP 4710Real Estate Development3
CRP 4790Public Finance and Planning3
CRP 4840Sustainable Communities3
CRP 4920Planning Law, Administration and Implementation3
CRP 5730Contemporary Issues in Global Housing3
HIST 4290Monstrous London: London's Histories 1500-18003-4
HIST 4650The American West3
LA 2740The Social and Behavioral Landscape3
LA 3710History of Modern Landscapes, 1750 to Present3
LA 3730Gardens and Landscapes from Antiquity to 17503
POLS 2710Public Organizations and Leadership3
POLS 3100State and Local Government3
POLS 3340Politics and Society3
POLS 4800Ethics and Public Policy3
SOC 3100Community3
SOC 3310Social Class and Inequality3
SOC 3320The Latino/Latina Experience in U.S. Society3
URBD 5210Foundations of Urban Design3
URBD 5220Contemporary Urban Design Practices3

Geographic Information Science

The Geographic Information Science (GISC) minor is earned by taking CRP 2510 and CRP 3510, plus 9 additional credits from the approved list of courses. At least 6 credit hours must be in courses numbered 3000 or above at Iowa State. The College of Design requires students to earn a C or higher in at least 6 of the required 3000-level credits. The minor must include at least 9 credits that are not used in any other department, college or university requirement except the credit requirement for graduation. The GIS minor is open to students in any college and any major.

Foundations of GIS: 6 credits

CRP 2510: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems3
CRP 3510: Intermediate Geographic Information Systems3

GIS Tools and Techniques: 9 credits

ABE 4370Watershed Modeling and Policy3
CRP 4490Geodesign: Planning for Sustainable Futures3
or CRP 5490 Geodesign: Planning for Sustainable Futures
CRP 4520Geographic Data Management and Planning Analysis3
CRP 4540Fundamentals of Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis3
CRP 4560GIS Programming and Automation3
CRP 4570Geogames for Civic Engagement3
or CRP 5570 Geogames for Civic Engagement
CRP 5580Web Mapping and Spatial Data Visualization3
ENSCI 2700Geospatial Technologies3
GEOL 4520Intro GIS for Geoscientists3
GEOL 4880Raster GIS for Geoscientists3
GEOL 4890Survey of Remote Sensing Technologies3
NREM 3450Natural Resource Photogrammetry and Geographic Information Systems3
NREM 4460Integrating GPS and GIS for Natural Resource Management3
URBD 5320Urban Design Media Workshop3

Graduate Programs

The Department of Community and Regional Planning (CRP) offers three different graduate degree options for individuals interested in engaging with communities and helping to shape their future: a Master of Community and Regional Planning (MCRP), an interdisciplinary Master of Science with an emphasis in Community Development (CDEV), and a Master of Real Estate Development (MRED).

Master of Community and Regional Planning

The primary focus of the MCRP degree is to prepare students with the education and practical skills to be leaders in the practice of planning. The program of graduate study is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board of the American Institute of Certified Planners. The program is STEM-designated.

Degree requirements include completion of a 2-year, 48-credit program, including a required core (24 credits), electives (18-21 credits), and a capstone component consisting of either a comprehensive exam (CRP 5980X Comprehensive Exam Preparation, 3 credits) or thesis (CRP 6990 Research, 6 credits). The required core consists of CRP 5320, 5610, 5630, 5640, 5660, 5680 and 5920. Students select electives in consultation with their Program of Study Committee (POSC). Students are encouraged to complete an internship in a planning office during their course of study.

CRP 5320Community Planning Studio6
CRP 5610Planning Theory3
CRP 5630Planning the American Metropolis3
CRP 5640Introduction to Analytical Methods for Planning3
CRP 5660Policy Analysis and Planning3
CRP 5680Planning and Development3
CRP 5920Land Use and Development Regulation Law3

Admission to the MCRP program is by application to the department and to the Graduate College. Students with a bachelor's degree in planning or students who have taken highly relevant coursework may be able to waive up to 9 credits of course requirements. Students must petition the department’s Director of Graduate Education (DOGE) in writing prior to the first day class of the student’s first semester in the program to have credits waived. No foreign language is required for the degree Master of Community and Regional Planning.

Double Degree Programs

Double degree programs are offered with architecture (MCRP/MArch), business administration (MCRP/MBA), landscape architecture (MCRP/MLA) and sustainable agriculture (MCRP/MS). Information about our programs and how to apply can be obtained from the department’s web page at: www.design.iastate.edu/community-and-regional-planning or send an email to crp@iastate.edu.

Master of Science in Community Development

The Master of Community Development (MCD) program is an online degree designed to educate students to become community developers and civic leaders who could bring about positive community change. Graduates of the Community Development program at Iowa State University will be skilled in understanding and articulating community problems, issues, and opportunities. Students will have the knowledge and skills to plan and facilitate community action. The MCD degree is designed for working professionals and nontraditional students through online learning. Degree requirements included completion of a 2-year, 30-credit program including a required core (15 credits) and electives (15 credits). The required core includes a capstone 3-credit practicum (COMDV 5300) and COMDV 5020, COMDV 5030, COMDV 5040, and COMDV 5050.

COMDV 5020Theories and Constructs of Community Change3
COMDV 5030Community Development Methods3
COMDV 5040Creating Community Change3
COMDV 5050Analysis of the Community Economy3
COMDV 5300Community Development Practicum3

Admission to the MCD program is through the Department of Community and Regional Planning and the Graduate College. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is required. Up to nine credits of course requirements may be waived with relevant coursework. Students may petition the program’s Director of Graduate Education (DOGE) in writing prior to the first day of class in the student’s first semester in the program to have credits waived. Further information on the MCD program can be found on the department’s web site at: https://www.design.iastate.edu/community-and-regional-planning/degrees/master-of-community-development/.

Master of Real Estate Development

In partnership with the Department of Finance in the College of Business, CRP offers a two-year, 33-credit Master of Real Estate Development (MRED) degree. The program is designed for working professionals, with coursework delivered in a blended online/on-campus format. During the academic year, students can complete coursework remotely and come to campus for three, one-week intensive workshops throughout the two-year degree. More information on the MRED program is available on the program website: https://www.ivybusiness.iastate.edu/masters/mred/.

Graduate Certificates

The Certificate in Preservation and Cultural Heritage (P+CH) is a multidisciplinary graduate program that provides the practical skills and background needed to succeed in the fields of historic preservation and cultural resource management. The certificate program is open to Iowa State University graduate students in any College of Design major as well as those majoring in history, anthropology, and related disciplines. Interested students should visit https://www.design.iastate.edu/programs-minors/certificates/preservation-and-cultural-heritage/ or contact historicplaces@iastate.edu for guidance.

The department also offers a 13-credit graduate certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in spatial analysis, GIS applications, and pro­gram management. The program is open to graduate students in all disciplines of the university. Information about the graduate certificate may be obtained from the department office and from the department’s web page at: www.design.iastate.edu/programs-minors/certificates/gis-certificate/.