Master's in Urban & Regional Planning
Curriculum

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To earn the Master's in Urban & Regional Planning, you must successfully complete 14 courses (42 credits total), including:

  • 2 core courses (6 credits total):
    • Ethics in Planning Practice
    • Capstone
  • 5 foundation courses (15 credits total):
    • Research Methods
    • Urban Economics
    • Urban Sustainability
    • Legal Foundations
    • History of Urban Planning
  • 4 concentration courses (12 credits total):
    • See concentration list below
  • 3 elective courses (9 credits total):

Concentrations

The Urban & Regional Planning program offers three concentrations that enable you to tailor your studies and sharpen your expertise in a particular area of study:

  • Urban Design & Land Use: Explore the design and regulation of the physical built environment.
  • Housing, Community, & Economic Development: Understand how to manage the socioeconomic performance of communities.
  • International Development: Examine rapid urbanization in jurisdictions outside of the U.S. legal system.

Program Format

The program is offered in person and on campus. Classes are held at the same times every week at our state-of-the-art downtown D.C. campus. 

You’ll have the flexibility to earn your degree at a pace that suits your schedule:

  • Full-time students typically take 9 credits (3 courses) during the fall and spring semesters. 
  • Part-time students typically take 3 to 6 credits (1 to 2 courses) during the fall and spring semesters.
  • Although students are not required to take credits during the summer semester, they have the option of registering for one or more courses in order to continue their degree progress year-round.

Access to Software

Our program integrates geo-spatial analysis into all facets of the curriculum. Each student is provided a license to ESRI Geographic Information System (ARC-GIS) and Replica (synthetic urban modeling) software, among many other data analysis tools. Additionally, the program has a dedicated spatial analysis laboratory with high-performance computation hardware and plotter printers. 

ACSP Member & APA Engagement

ACSP Proud MemberThe Master's in Urban & Regional Planning program is a proud member of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP). ACSP is the premier international network of academic programs dedicated to the study of urban planning. Membership in ASCP extends numerous professional development benefits to Georgetown students, including access to the career center, workshops, and the annual conference. The program holds two ex-officio seats (faculty, student) on the board of the American Planning Association’s National Capital Area Chapter. 

Professional Certifications

The Master's in Urban & Regional Planning program has been developed in conformance with the curricular standards established by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB). All students who graduate from the program are eligible to take the professional exam sponsored by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) to become certified urban planning professionals.

Accreditation

All programs offered by Georgetown University are fully accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

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