MCRP students must successfully complete at 48 credits hours of approved course work. Some students may also be required to complete the planning internships which is explained below. The curriculum for the Master of Community and Regional Planning requires a core sequence of 24 credits hours in planning theory and methods. Nine of the remaining 15 credits are in the student’s area of emphasis. The emphasis areas allow a student to specialize in one of four areas: environment and natural resources; land use and transportation; economic development; or housing, social and community development. The remaining six credits are electives. Selection of courses is to be made in consultation with the student’s academic advisor.
The final required course is a planning practicum that serves as a capstone course for the MCRP student’s educational experience. The three credit hour Capstone is taken during the final semester of the student’s coursework.
Those MCRP students without at least one year of professional planning experience are to complete a planning internship (three additional credit hours). The internship is served in either the private sector, a public or non-profit agency at the state or local level, or in an appropriate organization, such as a private developer or engineering firm. The internship is meant to be a meaningful experience for both the MCRP student and the organization in which the internship is served. Through the internship, students can further enhance their preparation for work in the planning profession. At the same time, they are expected to make a valuable contribution to their assigned organizations. The internship is usually served when the student has completed at least one half of the course work in MCRP.
Core courses are intended to ensure that each student acquires a broad range of planning fundamentals and methods skills. Each MCRP student is required to complete 24 semester credit hours of approved MCRP course work in the following core courses. All students must take the following seven three-credit courses as a part of their 48 credit curriculum:
Master of Community and Regional Planning Course Descriptions
Program Abbreviations
CE – CIVIL ENGINEERING
CMGT – CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
CRP – COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL PLANNING
DISPUT- DISPUT RESOLUTION
GEOG – GEOGRAPHY
GEOS – GEOSCIENCES
HIST – HISTORY
MHLTHSCI – MASTER HEALTH SCIENCE
PUBADM – PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
CE 522 HAZARDOUS WASTE ENGINEERING (3-0-3) (F/S). Physical, chemical, and biological treatment of hazardous wastes. Consideration of legal and political issues. PREREQ: CHEM 112.
CE 527 (GEOS 526) AQUEOUS GEOCHEMISTRY (3-0-3) (F/S). Basic tools and topics of aqueous geochemistry with an emphasis on low temperature processes in natural waters. Essentials of thermodynamics, kinetics, aqueous speciation, mineral-water interaction, and elemental cycling in the context of surficial earth processes and environmental challenges. May be taken for CE or GEOS credit, but not both. PREREQ: PERM/INST.
CE 537 GIS IN WATER RESOURCES (3-0-3) (F/S-Odd Years). Applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in pre- and post-processing of model inputs and outputs, digital elevation models, flow direction and flow accumulation, spatial analysis and interpretation, Model Builder, data model, tools, functionality and examples of real-world water and natural resource problems and integration of external models (e.g. SWAT) PREREQ: GEOG 360, CE 416 or PERM/INST.
CE 564 SEEPAGE, DRAINAGE, FLOW NETS AND EMBANKMENTS (3-0-3) (F/S). Emphasis on the applied aspects of groundwater flow and seepage through porous media from a theoretical point of view; examination and development of governing field equations; flow net construction, modeling techniques, filter design, construction dewatering; simplified design of small earthfill dams and slope stability of embankments. PREREQ: CE 360, CE 361.
CE 572 TRANSPORTATION PLANNING (3-0-3) (S) (Odd years). Theory and practice of transportation planning at the metropolitan as well as regional levels. Use of software and completion of a project will be required. Recent advances in transportation planning will be introduced. PREREQ: CE 370 or PERM/INST.
CE 575 TRAFFIC ENGINEERING (3-0-3) (F) (Odd years). Covers the theory and practice of traffic operations, control, and management. Topics include traffic signal systems, isolated and area-wide signal system operations, and traffic simulation. Use of software and completion of a project will be required. PREREQ: CE 370 or PERM/INST.
CMGT 570 LAND DEVELOPMENT (3-0-3) (F/S). An overview of the land development process, including planning, design, construction, and sale of various types of real estate. Key concepts in successful development, feasibility studies, site selection and improvement, government policy and regulation, project planning and master planning, design of public infrastructure, and construction of site improvements.
CRP 500 HISTORY AND THEORY OF PLANNING (3-0-3) (F/S). Examines the scope and historical development of planning. Competing and complementary theories on the practice of planning, social and physical development policy. Considers the development of modern regional city centers.
CRP 501 (PUBADM 520) INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL PLANNING(3-0-3) (F/S). A study of the theories, objectives, techniques, and problems of governmental planning within cities, metropolitan areas and regions, as well as at the national level of government in the United States. A discussion of the planning profession and the politics of planning.
CRP 502 ECONOMIC APPLICATIONS TO COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL PLANNING (3-0-3) (F/S). Economic concepts and tools of analysis for public policy and planning. Examines micro and macro approaches for understanding economic behavior, and developing solutions to economic problems with applications to the environment, housing, poverty, and economic development.
CRP 503 PLAN MAKING AND IMPLEMENTATION (3-0-3) (F/S). Considers the theory and practice of strategic planning, strategic management, and project implementation. Approaches to designing and conducting strategic planning, including specific techniques for conducting environmental scans, SWOT analyses, strategic issue identification, and strategy formulation as well as project management tools are examined.
CRP 504 (PUBADM 524) INTRODUCTION TO POLICY FORMATION-GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) (3-0-3) (F/S). Use computers and ArcGIS software to learn about geographic data, examine public policy problems that have a geographic component, and perform spatial analysis. May be taken for CRP or PUBADM credit, but not both.
CRP 505 COMMUNITY DATA (3-0-3) (F/S). Reviews the history of community indicators, examines conceptual foundations and operationalization of indicators of economic, social, institutional and environmental health and vitality that have been developed and used by urban and rural communities in the US and elsewhere.
CRP 510 GIS APPLICATIONS AND VISUALIZATON TECHINQUES IN PLANNING (3-0-3) (F/S). Topics include urban ecology/land use/cartography; methods of market areas analysis; graphic analysis; gravity concepts within transportation analysis; urban climate; ecosystems McHarg method/floodplain; and visualization techniques and community participation.
CRP 511 QUALITATIVE METHODS (3-0-3) (F/S). Interviews, observation, focus group methods are examined in relation to planning and public administration. Other topics include communication skills in terms of writing, presentation, interpersonal dialogue, and group process.
CRP 512 QUANTITATIVE METHODS (3-0-3) (F/S). Basic statistical skills for policy research in planning and decision making including regression and time series. Other topics include research design and survey creation, implementation, and reporting of results.
CRP 520 INTRODUCTION TO LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION PROBLEMS AND POLICY (3-0-3) (F/S). Examines the linkages between land use and transportation in the planning process. Analysis of policies relating to transportation alternatives; institutional environment and background; federal, state, regional, and local agency responsibilities and interactions.
CRP 521 ECONOMICS OF TRANSPORTATION PLANNING (3-0-3) (F/S). Economic analysis of transportation planning including land use and transportation systems as well as transportation investments. Social and environmental impacts, incentive structures, alternate travel, investment guidelines, and technological change will be considered. Student will apply methods to evaluate various proposals.
CRP 522 (PUBADM 522) PLANNING: PROCESS AND PRACTICE (3-0-3) (F/S). Examines the role of planners and the processes and techniques used in the planning profession. Types of economic analysis, forces in the development of cities, human capital and non-labor resources, making plans, strategic planning, involving the public and citizen participation.
CRP 523 (PUBADM 523) PLANNING AND ZONING (3-0-3) (F/S). Examines zoning theory, concepts, techniques and procedures in the practice of zoning. An introduction to zoning; the process; the legal aspects of zoning and its financing; implementing the comprehensive plan and integrating city and regional plans; responsible growth; and the transportation/land use connection.
CRP 530 STATE, REGIONAL AND COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (3-0-3) (F/S). Examination of regional, state, and local economic development theory, analysis, policy and administration.
CRP 531 PUBLIC/PRIVATE AND MIXED ENTERPRISES PLANNING (3-0-3) (F/S). Case studies of planning and public/private and mixed enterprises; public production of private goods; privatization of public services; public/private partnerships; mixed enterprises.
CRP 532 REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT (3-0-3) (F/S). Fundamentals and techniques of real estate development including the influence of public interest, private investment, public policies and the use of investment analysis methods.
CRP 533 PUBLIC FINANCE FOR PLANNERS (3-0-3) (F/S). Examines public finance concepts for planners; budgets, local taxation options, expenditures, and debt financing. Specific topics include alternatives to the property tax; development exactions; tax-increment financing; and the possible implications of demographic changes (e.g., aging and immigration) on local budgets.
CRP 534 DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION (3-0-3) (F/S). Examines growth and revitalization for downtowns and commercial districts. Includes evolution of downtown areas and theoretical explanations for commercial location, approaches to maintaining activities in commercial areas in both urban and rural locations.
CRP 540 HOUSING POLICY AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (3-0-3) (F/S). This course examines housing policy and programs at the federal, state, and local levels as well the role of community based organizations involved in housing activities. Also considers social and community development aspects of neighborhoods and metropolitan regions.
CRP 541 COMMUNITY DESIGN AND SITE PLANNING (3-0-3) (F/S). Community design considered in concert with geological, aesthetic, environmental, and legal issues of site planning. Environmentally sensitive areas compatibility with surrounding development and zoning are considered.
CRP 551 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (3-0-3) (F/S). Explores the many challenges of achieving sustainable development at the local, regional and national levels. A broad range of sustainable development topics, tools, and techniques are examined.
CRP 561 LEGAL FRAMEWORKS (3-0-3) (F/S). Introduction to public interest, state, and federal constitutional law. Examines the legal tools and, pivotal courts decisions, and landmark legislation in land use law such as Kelo v. New London as well as environmental justice cases, civil rights, and fair housing acts.
CRP 590 INTERNSHIP (Variable credit). Arranged as field experience for those students with no or little prior experience in community and regional planning. Such internships will be established and arrangements made for placement through the MCRP Internship Director.
CRP 594 CONFERENCE OR WORKSHOP (1 credit). Conferences or workshops covering various topics in planning or public administration may be offered on an irregularly scheduled basis, according to student interest and staff availability. No more than 3 credits provided through conferences or workshops can be applied toward the MCRP.
CRP 595 READING AND CONFERENCE (1-4 credits). Directed reading on selected materials in community and regional planning and discussion of these materials, as arranged and approved through the student’s major advisor.
CRP 597 SPECIAL TOPICS (1-3 credits). These courses are offered occasionally. Examples of Special Topics courses offered include and citizen participation, designing parks and open space, and green building.
CRP 696 DIRECTED RESEARCH (3 credits). Students work with a single professor in completing a project that includes original research.
CRP 692 CAPSTONE (3-0-3) (F/S). This culminating activity is a collaborative problem solving project-planning practicum.
DISPUT 502 NEGOTIATION THEORY AND PRACTICE (1-0-1) (F). The successful manager in professional settings is involved in a variety of negotiation activities. The tactics, strategies, and operations of effective and ineffective bargaining/negotiation behaviors will be presented. The course develops negotiator skills and knowledge leading to collaborative based action and solutions.
DISPUT 503 CONFICT INTERVENTION METHODS (1-0-1) (F). This course overviews the various contexts of third party intervention into conflict: facilitation, public involvement processes, mediation, and arbitration, and develops skills at first level supervisor/manager intervention into employee conflicts.
DISPUT 504 FACILTATING GROUPS IN CONFLICT (1-0-1) (S). Public input processes on controversial issues may generate conflict. The causes and skills for facilitating public input processes will be discussed, as well as techniques for facilitating conflict within small and large group meetings.
GEOG 560 INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (2-2-3) (F/S). Designed for graduate students with no background in geographic information systems, or GIS, who wish to use these techniques in their research. Introduces the student to GIS concepts and principles. Lab fee. PREREQ: PERM/INST.
GEOG 561 REMOTE SENSING AND IMAGE PROCESSING (2-2-3) (F/S). Introduces students to acquisition, interpretation, and analysis of digital imagery. Applications presented in different contexts including forestry, geology, ecology, and urban planning. Lab exercises focus on digital image processing, georeferencing and image interpretation and analysis. Lab fee. PREREQ: GEOG 560 or PERM/INST.
GEOG 562 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ANALYSIS (2-2-3) (F/S). For graduate students with previous GIS experience or course work. Covers the operations and spatial analysis capabilities of a GIS, including spatial data models and data structures, spatial data management, and the spatial statistical analyses used to solve various problems. Lab fee. PREREQ: GEOG 561 or PERM/INST.
GEOG 563 GEOSPATIAL PROJECT (1-6-3) (F/S). For graduate students with extensive previous GIS experience or course work. Students will independently identify a problem, design, implement and complete a project utilizing geospatial techniques and analysis of that problem. This course and the project are intended to supplement thesis or dissertation research. Lab fee. PREREQ: GEOG 562 or PERM/INST.
GEOS 512 (CE 512) HYDROGEOLOGY (3-0-3) (F). The study of subsurface water and its relationship to surface water, the hydrologic cycle, and the physical properties of aquifer systems. Flow nets and flow through porous and fractured media. Methods of determination of aquifer characteristics and performance and groundwater modeling. May be take for either CE or GEOS credit, but not both. PREREQ: MATH 175
GEOS 516 (CE516) (GEOPH 516) HYDROLOGY (3-0-3) (S). Interdisciplinary earth science concerned with movement and occurrence of water. Watershed-based hydrologic phenomena including hydrologic cycle water-cycle analysis, precipitation, evapotranspiration, snow-snowmelt, streamflow, floods, routing and surface runoff events. Application of analytical techniques to solve water resources problems. May be take for CE, GEOPH, or GEOS credit, but not in more than one department. PREREQ: MATH 175 or PERM/INST.
MHLTHSCI 510 ADVANCED ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (3-0-3) (F/S). As a review for the practicing professional and foundation for the recent graduate, discussion will focus on current issues in environmental health management. The course will provide an overview of basic concepts of water quality management, food protection, solid and hazardous waste management, vector and occupational hazards control and others, and will emphasize effective management and decision-making models. PREREQ: Admission to Graduate Program in Master of health Science or Nursing.
MHLTHSCI 517 PRINCIPLES OF TOXICOLOGY (2-0-2) (F/S). An examination of the absorption, distribution, and excretion of toxicants and the health effects on target organs. Toxicologic evaluation, risk assessment, fate of hazardous substances in the environment and policies for the control of such substances will also be discussed. The course is taught concurrently with an undergraduate section, with additional course work and/or projects required of graduate students. PREREQ: Admission to MHS program and one year each undergraduate chemistry and biology for science majors, or PERM/INST.
MHLTHSCI 542 HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT (2-0-2) (S). Historical, regulatory, and technical aspects of hazardous waste management, relating primarily to the requirements of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Comprehensive Environmental Reclamation, Compensation, and Liability Act.
MHLTHSCI 560 PUBILC HEALTH DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PLANNING-RISK MANAGMEMENT (3-0-3) (F) (Even years). Risk assessment or risk management methods in public health disaster preparedness planning will be presented in context of natural and human-caused disasters. The environmental, economic, and social consequences for communities will be studied. PREREQ: Graduate standing or PERM/INST.
PUBADM 501 PUBLIC POLICY PROCESS (3-0-3) (F/S). Process of policy-making both within an agency and within the total governmental process, emphasizing policy and program planning, policy implementation and the value system of administrators.
PUBADM 540 CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN NATURAL RESOURCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION (3-0-3) (F/S). Examines current and topical issues and controversies in natural resource and environmental policy from the perspective of public policy and public administration.
PUBADM 541 ENVIRONMENTAL AND REGULATORY POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION(3-0-3) (F/S). Examines aspects of environmental regulatory politics and policy. Topics examined include the politics of regulation, pollution and energy policy, and intergovernmental environmental management.
PUBADM 543 PUBLIC LAND AND RESOURCE POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION (3-0-3) (F/S). Examines the major issues, actors, and policies affecting the public lands and resources of the United States. Special attention is paid to the processes, institutions, and organizations that influence how public land policy and resource policy is made.
PUBADM 560 STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION (3-0-3) (F/S). This course examines state and local government administration in a political and organizational context and the attendant interunit, intersector, and interjurisdictional cooperation and conflict in policy administration. Attention is paid to management in a federal system with a focus on nation-state-local relations.
SELECTED TOPICS (1-3 Variable). To be offered as staff availability permits:
PUBADM 581 NATURAL RESOURCE & ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
PUBADM 582 PUBLIC POLICY AND POLICY ANAYLSIS
PUBABM 583 PUBLIC MANAGEMENT SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES
CRP 581 ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES
CRP 582 LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION
CRP 583 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CRP 584 HOUSING, SOCIAL, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT