Master's in Urban & Regional Planning
On-Campus Course Schedule for Fall 2025

Show
MPUP-6120-01

Advanced Applications in GIS

This advanced seminar explores the strategic geospatial analysis of cities and regions. Students employ the ArcGIS Pro desktop GIS mapping application to become proficient in suitability modeling, mapping clusters, and regression analysis. Using the Python scripting language, students develop custom tools and methods for spatial analysis. The class culminates in an analysis competition, in which students apply analytical concepts to contemporary urban issues. Prior completion of MPUP 605 is required for students with no prior exposure to GIS software.

Note: This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

  • Course #: MPUP-6120-01
  • CRN: 48302
  • Instructor: Murphy, J.
  • Dates: Aug 27 – Dec 20, 2025
  • Class Meetings:
    • Wed 5:20 PM - 7:50 PM
MPUP-6110-01

Geospatial Analysis

This seminar is an introduction to Geographic Information Systems and their application within the fields of urban planning, asset management and public administration. Students develop proficiency in ESRI software and discover geo-coded data in support of performing spatial analysis in cities and regions. This course includes a combination of hands-on instruction as well as lectures introducing contemporary applications. Students will produce a final spatial analysis project as the dedicated means to researching communities and the built-environment.

Note: This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

  • Course #: MPUP-6110-01
  • CRN: 42734
  • Instructor: TBD
  • Dates: Aug 27 – Dec 20, 2025
  • Class Meetings:
    • Mon 5:20 PM - 7:50 PM
MPUP-5200-01

History & Theory of Planning

This core course examines the history of the planning profession and the planner’s role in urban development. Themes include the physical design of cities, the social construct of community and the planner's response to new technologies. Course readings emphasize primary texts associated with urban planning practice and students complete an in-depth historical case study of urban planning outcomes.

Note: This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

  • Course #: MPUP-5200-01
  • CRN: 25417
  • Instructor: Brandes, U.
  • Dates: Aug 27 – Dec 20, 2025
  • Class Meetings:
    • Mon 5:20 PM - 7:50 PM
MPUP-5300-01

Legal Foundations of Planning

This core course studies landmark land use law cases that form the legal foundation of contemporary urban planning practice. Students examine the law as a method by which to shape the quality of neighborhoods and communities. Students evaluate legal constraints that arise in the course of the planning practice which directly impact urban development and resource allocation. The powers and constraints of zoning law are introduced in addition to the environmental and housing frameworks that govern metropolitan form.

Note: This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

  • Course #: MPUP-5300-01
  • CRN: 27947
  • Instructor: Dettman, S.
  • Dates: Aug 27 – Dec 20, 2025
  • Class Meetings:
    • Thu 5:20 PM - 7:50 PM
MPUP-6440-01

Local Impacts of Federal RE

This practicum explores the impact of federal real estate actions on local economic development. The course examines the history of location policy of federal facilities and how federal decision-making has shaped cities and communities across the nation. The course examines the connection between federal portfolio management and local planning and development. Students learn how real estate and urban planning professionals can best develop local investment strategies around a framework of decision-making that lies outside their own powers. Examples include military base closure, development of federal offices, location decisions for courthouses, post offices and a myriad of other federal facilities in local communities. Content is delivered through case studies, site visits and professional expert briefs. Students conduct research in a final project presented to invited guests.

Note: This course meets weekly via Zoom at the day and time listed.

  • Course #: MPUP-6440-01
  • CRN: 44568
  • Instructor: Dong, N.
  • Dates: Aug 27 – Dec 20, 2025
  • Class Meetings:
    • Thu 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
MPUP-6030-01

Placemaking & Management

This advanced seminar explores a new generation of professional practice which explicitly serves a defined urban district in order to advance comprehensive community development. Place management practices typically challenge the conventional framework of local governance and open new opportunities for innovative partnerships between urban stakeholders. Students will gain exposure to the establishment of place management districts, alternative stakeholder frameworks and the new professional activities which have given rise to many successful place-based, place-making initiatives. Washington D.C. is one of the most innovative cities in these practices and coursework includes field study, guest lecturers, detailed examination of case studies and scenario-based simulations of place management practices.

Note: This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

  • Course #: MPUP-6030-01
  • CRN: 33247
  • Instructors: Bradley, R. , McCarthy, E.
  • Dates: Aug 27 – Dec 20, 2025
  • Class Meetings:
    • Wed 5:20 PM - 7:50 PM
MPUP-6730-01

Placemaking in Global Travel

This seminar explores the world's fastest growing industry: global travel and tourism. Utilizing global case studies, students gain exposure to the planning and management practices employed to balance global economics with local development outcomes. A critical question centers on the development of sustainable place-based tourism, which leverages distinct cultural, social, and historical attributes of a place, but which also is deliberate in assessing the collateral local impacts of the global tourism industry. The course surveys policies, markets, infrastructure, labor, training, product design and marketing in the cumulative effort to position unique places in the global marketplace. Performance based outcomes are evaluated with respect to economic, environmental and cultural sustainability, in support of the creation of a place-based hospitality framework.

Note: This course meets in-person at the day and time listed.

  • Course #: MPUP-6730-01
  • CRN: 47143
  • Instructors: Mehrota, S. , Wayne, S.
  • Dates: Aug 27 – Dec 20, 2025
  • Class Meetings:
    • Tue 5:20 PM - 7:50 PM
MPUP-5500-01

Planning a Sustainable Future

This core course examines the facets of sustainability planning that affect the health and future of the 21st century city in the era of climate change. As urban populations increase and natural resources grow more scarce, the principles of sustainable communities become integral to shaping livable urban environments. Theories of sustainability, sustainability policy, as well as obstacles to sustainable development are reviewed and case studies of sustainable communities are used to establish global benchmarks of best practices.

Note: This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

  • Course #: MPUP-5500-01
  • CRN: 40878
  • Instructor: Pyke, C.
  • Dates: Aug 27 – Dec 20, 2025
  • Class Meetings:
    • Wed 5:20 PM - 7:50 PM
MPUP-6510-01

Planning for Health

This seminar explores how to intentionally plan the built environment to improve public health, while critically examining risk factors linked to health and safety outcomes. Students develop proficiency in key areas of public health, gain exposure to tools and methods to translate research into action, and gain exposure to emerging trends influencing professional practice in planning, design and real estate. A key objective is to introduce evidence-based, feasible, and health-driven decision making frameworks, which place an emphasis on translating concepts into urban planning, design and investment actions.

Note: This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

  • Course #: MPUP-6510-01
  • CRN: 29508
  • Instructors: Gray, W. , Okeke-Von Batten, E.
  • Dates: Aug 27 – Dec 20, 2025
  • Class Meetings:
    • Mon 5:20 PM - 7:50 PM
MPUP-5100-01

Planning Research & Methods

This core course introduces students to the underlying skills and research methods necessary to excel in the Urban & Regional Planning program. Students will become familiar with the sources of data, quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis, and spatial analysis, while concurrently developing knowledge in the concepts and terminology of urban planning practice. Through readings, lectures, field study and applied analysis, students gain proficiency in applying both foundational knowledge and skills. This course is required for all incoming students.

Note: This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

MPUP-7900-01

Planning Studio

This studio course is an introduction into the practices of urban planning through direct engagement of external organizations. Students engage in urban analysis and the formulation and articulation of an urban planning strategy. Examples of successful urban analysis, planning initiatives and community design strategies will are introduced as case studies of professional practice. Coursework emphasizes the exploration of methods of documentation, interdisciplinary analysis and effective communication of planning concepts. A final project presentation is made to external stakeholders.

Note: This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

  • Course #: MPUP-7900-01
  • CRN: 40489
  • Instructor: TBD
  • Dates: Aug 27 – Dec 20, 2025
  • Class Meetings:
    • Thu 5:20 PM - 7:50 PM
MPUP-7950-01

Professional Internship

Professional Internship is a one-credit, student-initiated course of study to advance professional practice knowledge. It is structured as a professional internship in coordination with an external organization. Students must apply to take this course in the previous semester using the special application form. Students are required to make an oral presentation at the conclusion of the semester.

Note: This course meets in person at the day and time listed. The course requires department approval for registration.

  • Course #: MPUP-7950-01
  • CRN: 46388
  • Instructor: Brandes, U.
  • Dates: Aug 27 – Dec 20, 2025
  • Class Meetings:
    • Wed 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
MPUP-6610-01

Transportation Planning

This seminar is a comprehensive introduction to the goals, strategies, and planning practices of urban transportation systems. Transportation planning is introduced across all modes, and in multiple locations in varying metro-regional contexts. Students explore how transportation planning sets goals, develops strategies, and assesses outcomes in meeting a community's transportation needs. Case studies are used to assess planning, regulatory, and funding strategies in the context of local, regional, and national transportation policies. The course includes a critical assessment of how new technologies and transit-oriented development strategies are disrupting old assumptions with concepts of urban mobility services, walkability, and on-demand transit.

Note: This course meets in person at the day and time listed.

  • Course #: MPUP-6610-01
  • CRN: 31370
  • Instructor: Hartman, R.
  • Dates: Aug 27 – Dec 20, 2025
  • Class Meetings:
    • Tue 5:20 PM - 7:50 PM
MPUP-7990-01

Urban Planning Capstone

Capstone is the culminating course in the program curriculum and the final requirement to become eligible to graduate. Students propose a topic, conduct research and work with an adviser to develop an argument advancing the professional practice of urban planning. Projects may be place-based, practice-based or be completed as a professional engagement. All students must present their work to a visiting review committee and submit a written deliverable for final evaluation. Capstone may be paired with Independent Study in the previous semester to allow the completion of an academic thesis. Upon completion students are encouraged to publish their work through Digital Georgetown and by doing so make their work searchable by the public. Students must apply to take this course in the previous semester using the special application form.

Note: This course meets in person at the day and time listed. This course is a core requirement of the degree and requires a grade of "B" or better for successful completion. This course requires department approval for registration.

  • Course #: MPUP-7990-01
  • CRN: 28590
  • Instructors: Brandes, U. , Koudounas, A.
  • Dates: Aug 27 – Dec 20, 2025
  • Class Meetings:
    • Mon 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Next: Faculty Apply Now Request Information