Overview
https://www.design.iastate.edu/academics/departments/upd
Urban 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 Urban Planning and Development 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 Urban Planning and Development 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 Urban Planning and Development 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 Urban Planning and Development 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 Urban and Regional Planning program can be completed in two to four years. Students can declare a major in URP 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. Urban 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: 3 credits
Communication: 13 credits
6 credits of either Communications, Humanities, Social Sciences or Math/Sciences need to be at the 3000-leveL or above.
(C or better grade in ENGL 1500 and ENGL 2500)
| ENGL 1500 | Critical Thinking and Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 2500 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition | 3 |
| ENGL 3090 | Proposal and Report Writing | 3 |
| or ENGL 3140 | Technical Communication | |
| SPCM 2120 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| LIB 1600 | Introduction to College Level Research | 1 |
| Total Credits | 13 | |
Humanities: 9 credits
| PHIL 2010 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| or PHIL 2060 | Introduction to Logic and Scientific Reasoning | |
| or PHIL 2300 | Moral Theory and Practice | |
| Six credits from program curriculum sheet | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Social Sciences: 18 credits
| ECON 1010 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| or ECON 1020 | Principles of Macroeconomics | |
| POLS 1110 | Introduction to American Government | 3 |
| SOC 1340 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Nine credits from program curriculum sheet. | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Math/Physics/Biol. Sciences: 13 credits
| STAT 1010 | Principles of Statistics | 4 |
| 6 credits in Natural Sciences | 6 | |
| 3 credits in Math | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 13 | |
Design Core: 3 credits
| DSNS 1020 | Design Studio I | 3-4 |
| or DSNS 1830 | Design in Context | |
| Total Credits | 3-4 | |
URBAN and Regional Planning Core: 28 credits
| URP 2010 | The City in American History | 3 |
| URP 3010 | Urban Analytical Methods | 4 |
| URP 3020 | Plan Analysis and the Development Process | 3 |
| URP 3830 | Theory of the Planning Process | 3 |
| URP 3910 | Field Travel | 1-2 |
| URP 4320 | Urban Planning Studio | 6 |
| URP 4920 | Planning Law, Administration and Implementation | 3 |
| URP 3310 | Professional Practice Seminar | 2 |
| Total Credits | 25-26 | |
Planning Elective: 24 credits
24 credits from:
| URP 2510 | Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| URP 2910 | World Cities and Globalization | 3 |
| URP 3200 | Urban Geography | 3 |
| URP 3250 | Introduction to Housing | 3 |
| URP 3510 | Geospatial Analysis and Visualization | 3 |
| URP 4160 | Urban Design and Practice | 6 |
| URP 4170 | Urban Revitalization | 3 |
| URP 4210 | Financing Historic Preservation Projects | 3 |
| URP 4290 | Planning in Developing Countries | 3 |
| URP 4350 | Planning in Small Towns | 3 |
| URP 4360 | Community Economic Development | 3 |
| URP 4370 | Public Participation in Planning | 3 |
| URP 4420 | Site Development | 3 |
| URP 4450 | Transportation Policy and Planning | 3 |
| URP 4490 | Geodesign: Planning for Sustainable Futures | 3 |
| URP 4520 | Geographic Data Management and Planning Analysis | 3 |
| URP 4570 | Serious GeoGames | 3 |
| URP 4590X | Geospatial Techniques for Nature-Based Solutions | 3 |
| URP 4600 | Social Justice and Planning | 3 |
| URP 4710 | Real Estate Development | 3 |
| URP 4790 | Public Finance and Planning | 3 |
| URP 4940 | Senior Seminar in Planning | 1-3 |
| URP 5110 | Documenting the Historic Built Environment | 3-4 |
| URP 5210 | Historic Preservation Planning: Theory and Practice | 3 |
General Electives: 20 credits
20 credits of general electives from program curriculum sheet
Urban and Regional Planning, B.S.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| DSNS 1020 or 1830 | 3-4 | Math/Science | 3 |
| ENGL 1500 | 3 | SPCM 2120 | 3 |
| ECON 1010 or 1020 | 3 | PHIL 2010, 2060, or 2300 | 3 |
| SOC 1340 | 3 | Natural Sciences | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| LIB 1600 | 1 | ||
| 16-17 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| URP 2930 | URP 3010 | 4 | |
| URP 2010 | 3 | URP 3910 | 1-2 |
| STAT 1010 | 4 | Soc. Science/Humanities Elective | 6 |
| ENGL 2500 | 3 | Humanities Elective | 3 |
| POLS 1110 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 13 | 17-18 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| URP 3020 | 3 | URP 4920 | 3 |
| URP 3830 | 3 | Planning Elective | 6 |
| ENGL 3090 or 3140 | 3 | Soc. Science/Humanities Elective | 3 |
| Soc. Science/Humanities Elective | 3 | URP 3310 | 2 |
| Elective | 3 | URP 3910 | 1-2 |
| 15 | 15-16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| URP 4320 | 6 | Planning Elective or Option Studio | 6 |
| Planning Elective | 3 | Planning Elective | 3 |
| 3000-4000 Elective | 3 | Planning Elective | 3 |
| 3000-4000 Elective | 3 | Planning Elective | 3 |
| 3000-4000 Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 18 | ||
Undergraduate Minors
The Department of Urban Planning and Development offers 15-credit minors in Urban Studies and Geographic Information Science (GISC).
Urban Studies
The undergraduate minor in Urban Studies introduces students to the principles of urban development, land use, public engagement, and sustainable planning. Designed to complement a wide range of majors, this minor equips students with the knowledge and skills to understand, shape, and manage cities, towns, and regions effectively. Open to undergraduates from all disciplines, this minor is especially relevant for students interested in careers in urban planning, urban design, architecture, public policy, real estate development, environmental management, transportation, and public administration.
This minor requires 15 credit hours of coursework. At least 9 credits must be taken in courses numbered 2000 and above, of which 6 of those credits must be in courses numbered 3000 and above. At least 6 of the 9 credits in non-required courses must be URP designated courses. The minor must include at least 3 credits that are not used to meet any other department, college, or university requirement.
I. Requirements (6 Credits):
| URP 2010 | The City in American History | 3 |
| URP 2910 | World Cities and Globalization | 3 |
II. Additional URP Courses (9 credits):
Any URP designated course, excluding URP 3300, URP 3310, URP 3910, or URP 4320.
At least 6 credits must be in courses numbered 3000 and above.
| ARCH 2210 | Histories and Theories of Architecture to 1750 | 3 |
| ARCH 3210 | History of the American City | 3 |
| ARCH 3220 | Histories and Theories of Architecture after 1750 | 3 |
| ARCH 4290 | Topics in Italian Architecture | 3 |
| ARCH 5210 | Celluloid Cities, Urbanism in Film | 3 |
| ARCH 5280A | Studies in Architecture: Culture | 3 |
| ARCH 5750 | Contemporary Urban Design Theory | 3 |
| ARCH 5980 | Seminar on the Built Environment IV: Topical Study | 3 |
| CE 4510 | Urban Transportation Planning Models | 3 |
| CLST 2750 | The Ancient City | 3 |
| URP 3010 | Urban Analytical Methods | 4 |
| URP 3200 | Urban Geography | 3 |
| URP 3830 | Theory of the Planning Process | 3 |
| URP 3910 | Field Travel | 1-2 |
| URP 4170 | Urban Revitalization | 3 |
| URP 4290 | Planning in Developing Countries | 3 |
| URP 4570 | Serious GeoGames | 3 |
| URP 4550 | Smart and Sustainable Cities | 3 |
| URP 4600 | Social Justice and Planning | 3 |
| URP 4710 | Real Estate Development | 3 |
| URP 4920 | Planning Law, Administration and Implementation | 3 |
| HIST 4650 | The American West | 3 |
| URP 5730 | Contemporary Issues in Global Housing | 3 |
| LA 4740 | Environmental Justice in Built Environments | 3 |
| LA 3710 | History of Modern Landscapes, 1750 to Present | 3 |
| POLS 3100 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| POLS 2710 | Public Organizations and Leadership | 3 |
| POLS 4800 | Ethics and Public Policy | 3 |
| SOC 3100 | Community | 3 |
| SOC 3310 | Social Class and Inequality | 3 |
| URBD 5110 | North American Urbanization | 3 |
| URBD 5210 | Foundations of Urban Design | 3 |
Geographic Information Science
The Geographic Information Science (GISC) minor is earned by taking URP 2510, plus 12 additional credits from the approved list of courses. At least 9 credit hours must be in courses numbered 2000 or above at Iowa State, of which at least 6 credits are in courses numbered 3000 or above. 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 3 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.
INTROduction: 3 credits
| URP 2510 | Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
GIS Tools and Techniques: 3 credits
| URP 3510 | Geospatial Analysis and Visualization | 3 |
| LA 3020 | Ecological Design | 6 |
| ENSCI 2700 | Geospatial Technologies | 3 |
| GEOL 4520 | Intro GIS for Geoscientists | 3 |
| NREM 3450 | Natural Resource Photogrammetry and Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
GIS Applications: 9 credits
| ABE 4370 | Watershed Modeling and Policy | 3 |
| URP 4490 | Geodesign: Planning for Sustainable Futures | 3 |
| URP 4520 | Geographic Data Management and Planning Analysis | 3 |
| URP 4550 | Smart and Sustainable Cities | 3 |
| URP 4560 | GIS Programming and Automation | 3 |
| URP 4570 | Serious GeoGames | 3 |
| URP 4590X | Geospatial Techniques for Nature-Based Solutions | 3 |
| GEOL 4680 | Applied Geostatistics for Geoscientists | 3 |
| GEOL 4880 | Raster GIS for Geoscientists | 3 |
| NREM 4460 | Integrating GPS and GIS for Natural Resource Management | 3 |
Graduate Programs
The Department of Urban Planning and Development offers three different graduate degree options for individuals interested in engaging with communities and helping to shape their future: a Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP), an interdisciplinary Master of Science with an emphasis in Community Development (CDEV), and a Master of Real Estate Development (MRED).
Master of Urban and Regional Planning
The primary focus of the MURP 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, 49-credit program, including a required core (25 credits), electives (18-21 credits), and a capstone component consisting of either a comprehensive exam (URP 5980 Comprehensive Exam Preparation, 3 credits) or thesis (URP 6990 Thesis Research, 6 credits). The required core consists of URP 5010, 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.
| URP 5010 | The Practice of Planning | 1 |
| URP 5320 | Urban Planning Studio | 4-6 |
| URP 5610 | Planning Theory | 3 |
| URP 5630 | Planning the American Metropolis | 3 |
| URP 5640 | Introduction to Analytical Methods for Planning | 3 |
| URP 5660 | Policy Analysis and Planning | 3 |
| URP 5680 | Planning and Development | 3 |
| URP 5920 | Land Use and Development Regulation Law | 3 |
Admission to the MURP 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 Urban and Regional Planning.
Double Degree Programs
Double degree programs are offered with architecture (MURP/MArch), business administration (MURP/MBA), landscape architecture (MURP/MLA) and sustainable agriculture (MURP/MS). Information about our programs and how to apply can be obtained from the department’s web page at: https://www.design.iastate.edu/academics/departments/upd or send an email to crp@iastate.edu.
Master of 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 5020 | Theories and Constructs of Community Change | 3 |
| COMDV 5030 | Community Development Methods | 3 |
| COMDV 5040 | Creating Community Change | 3 |
| COMDV 5050 | Analysis of the Community Economy | 3 |
| COMDV 5300 | Community Development Practicum | 3 |
Admission to the MCD program is through the Department of Urban Planning and Development 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, URP 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/academics/graduate-programs/master-of-real-estate-development/.
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/academics/graduate-programs/preservation-and-cultural-heritage-certificate/ 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: https://www.design.iastate.edu/academics/graduate-programs/geographic-information-systems-certificate/.