Polisci Home at The University of West Georgia

Log On

Polisci Home>Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP)

Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP)

MURP was renamed from the former MS in Rural and Small Town Planning.

Program 

The Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) program is designed to prepare students for a planning career in public, private, and non-profit sectors. The curriculum combines an appreciation of planning as a profession, substantive studies regarding urban and regional challenges and opportunities, and a set of analytical skills useful to planning practice. Together these prepare future planners who can strive for enhancing the quality of everyone, developing local economies and for an entire country, providing affordable housing, promoting green energy, preserving threatened land, building great public transit, and developing sustainable cities and regions.

Job Opportunities

MURP emphasizes developing planners for professional practice through real-world experiences.

Many graduates pursue careers in:

Program Curriculum

MURP requires the completion of 36 semester hours of graduate credit. All students must take three core courses (nine hours): Planning Theory and Practice, Research Methods for Public Administration, and Capstone Project or Internship. Students are required to take seven courses (21 hours) among the listed elective courses. Four courses out of the seven elective courses required must be PLAN 5000 or 6000 level courses.

The remaining six hours may be selected from across the University. Students may fill the remaining six hours with courses in other disciplines such as public administration, geography, economics, sociology, and history. Students can also fill the remaining six hours with the elective courses

 Core Courses (9 credits)

 Elective Courses (21 credits)

 Capstone/Internship

Students are required to complete either a capstone or an internship. A capstone project is a professional project or analysis focusing on a topic relevant to planning. The capstone may be a report, a plan or plans, drawings, models and/or other professional quality work appropriate to the project.

Students who choose an internship shall obtain a minimum of 150 hours of internship experience to complete the internship requirement. After completing the internship work, students are required to write a paper, including linkages between the internship experience, classroom experiences, and planning literature.

Geographic Information System (GIS) Certificate Program

GIS is now an essential tool in urban and regional planning.  GIS allows creating accurate maps and analyzing development patterns.  Planning students can obtain a GIS certificate by taking four GIS courses in the Department of GeoSciences during their coursework.  Further details on admission and course requirements can be found at http://www.westga.edu/~geosci/geoweb/academics/gis-certificate-program.html.

Admissions

Students with a variety of backgrounds are considered for the program. Admission decisions are based on an evaluation of three elements: undergraduate record, letters of recommendation, and scores on the Graduate Record Exam. You will find admission information and forms at www.westga.edu/~gradsch.

Financial Aid

Applicants wishing to apply for a graduate assistantship should send a letter to the MURP Director requesting an assistantship and outlining any work experience, honors, or other information that they wish to have considered. Student loan programs are also available through University’s Financial Aid Office.  

Inquiries

Direct correspondence to:

Dr. Hee-Jung Jun, MURP Director
(678) 839-4998
hjun@westga.edu