City and Regional Planning, M.S.
TYLER SCHOOL OF ART AND ARCHITECTURE
About the Program
The M.S. in City and Regional Planning is the terminal degree for the planning profession. The primary purpose of the program is to develop skilled practitioners for dynamic career opportunities in the government, non-profit, and private sectors. The program’s areas of strength are in sustainability, environmental planning, and community engagement. The program provides a broad-based understanding and awareness of the physical and economic aspects of planning, sensitivity to the social and environmental impact of planning decisions, and a knowledge of governmental structures as they apply to planning.
Time Limit for Degree Completion: 5 years
Campus Location: Main
Full-Time/Part-Time Status: The degree program is designed for full-time study, allowing students to complete the program in two years. Students may elect, however, to complete the program on a part-time basis.
Affiliation(s): The Department of Architecture and Environmental Design is a member of the American Planning Association (APA) and Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP).
Study Abroad: The department has a formal agreement with Beijing Forestry University, where study abroad is possible.
Accreditation: The M.S. program in City and Regional Planning is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB). The PAB accredits university programs in North America leading to bachelor’s and master’s degrees in planning. The accreditation process is based on standards approved by the PAB with input from the public and our sponsoring organizations: the American Planning Association (APA); the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), which is the professional planners’ institute within the American Planning Association; and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP).
The M.S. in City and Regional Planning is currently accredited through December 2021.
Areas of Specialization: Two optional concentrations are available to students in the M.S. in City and Regional Planning degree program:
-
Sustainable Community Planning
-
Transportation Planning
Graduate certificates in Sustainable Community Planning and Transportation Planning are available to non-matriculated students and students in other Temple University graduate programs, with the approval of their graduate advisor. For more information, see the certificate descriptions on the Department of Architecture and Environmental Design website.
Job Prospects: A graduate degree in city planning is recognized by the profession as the terminal degree. The majority of students graduating from the program find employment in the greater Philadelphia region, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and beyond. The majority of the program’s graduates have found employment in planning or a related field within one year of graduation. Private, public, and non-profit employment opportunities in planning are strong for graduate degree holders based on current need and projected growth over the next decade.
Certification: AICP, the professional institute of the American Planning Association, provides recognized leadership nationwide in the certification of professional planners. Students graduating from Temple's accredited City and Regional Planning M.S. are eligible to sit for the certified planner exam offered by AICP. Those enrolling in the AICP Candidate Program while students (https://planning.org/aicp/candidate/) can take their exam immediately upon graduation. For details on the certified planner exam and eligibility requirements, visit https://www.planning.org/aicp/.
Non-Matriculated Student Policy: Non-matriculated students are permitted to take a maximum of 9 graduate credits at Temple University prior to applying to the program. Please contact the Department of Architecture and Environmental Design for details.
Financing Opportunities: The Department of Architecture and Environmental Design has a limited number of scholarships for graduate students. Students should also check the Tyler School of Art and Architecture and Student Financial Services websites for financial aid opportunities. Students should complete a FAFSA application to determine eligibility for student financial aid, work-study employment within the department, or other on-campus jobs.
Admission Requirements and Deadlines
Application Deadline:
Fall: January 6
Spring: November 1
Applications are reviewed as they are received up through the priority deadline. Applications received after these dates may be considered for admission. See the Tyler School of Art and Architecture website for the most up-to-date application information.
APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.
Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 3
From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from college/university faculty members, planning professionals, and others in a position to evaluate the applicant's past work and/or ability to do graduate work. The letters should be submitted with the application at https://apply.temple.edu/Tyler/, along with the statement of goals.
Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: All applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, but the bachelor's degree need not be in a related field of study. Official transcripts from all universities/colleges attended, whether or not a degree was awarded, must be sent to the Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Graduate Admissions Office, 2001 N. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122-6016.
Statement of Goals: Approximately 500 to 1,000 words include your reason for pursuing a degree in City and Regional Planning; your interest in Temple's program in particular; and your future career goals.
Standardized Test Scores:
GRE/GMAT: Due to testing limitations related to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, the Tyler School of Art and Architecture is temporarily waiving submission of GRE scores for applicants to the M.S. in City and Regional Planning degree program for Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 admissions. Applicants may still voluntarily submit GRE test scores, but scores will only be used as a supplement to required application materials. All other admission requirements, including submission of scores for a standardized test of English, if applicable, still need to be met. In some circumstances, the Graduate Admissions Committee may request additional supplemental application materials or an interview as part of the admissions process.
Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master’s degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:
- TOEFL iBT: 79
- IELTS Academic: 6.5
- PTE Academic: 53
Resume: Current resume required.
Transfer Credit: The City and Regional Planning Admissions Committee recommends the awarding of transfer credits on a case-by-case basis as applications are reviewed. The student may not receive transfer credit for coursework taken as part of any other awarded graduate degree. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 9.
Program Requirements
General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required to Earn the Degree: 45
Required Courses:
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Core Courses | ||
CTRP 5014 | Planning Politics and Administration | 3 |
CTRP 5413 | Planning Communications | 3 |
CTRP 5513 | Planning Analysis | 3 |
CTRP 5524 | Spatial Analysis Techniques/Geographic Information Systems 1 | 3 |
CTRP 8013 | Planning History and Theory | 3 |
CTRP 8016 | Planning Law | 3 |
CTRP 8213 | Environmental Planning | 3 |
Electives 2 | 18 | |
Capstone Course | ||
CTRP 9889 | Planning Studio | 6 |
Total Credit Hours | 45 |
1 | Students who have had significant training in geographic information systems may be allowed to substitute an elective for the required course CTRP 5524 with permission of the graduate advisor or chair of the Department of Architecture and Environmental Design. |
2 | CTRP or related courses are selected in consultation with a department advisor. |
Students may undertake one of two transcripted optional concentrations in fulfilling the coursework requirements for the M.S. degree:
Sustainable Community Planning
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Core Concentration Courses | ||
CTRP 5256 | Sustainable Community Design and Development | 3 |
CTRP 8276 | Regional Development | 3 |
Electives | ||
Select two of the following: 1 | 6 | |
Ecological Planning and Development | ||
Neighborhoods, Cities, and Regions | ||
Sustainability in Suburban Communities | ||
Environmental Policy | ||
Sustainable Business Practices | ||
Environmental Infrastructure Planning and Management | ||
Collaborative Planning | ||
Introduction to Emergency Management Planning | ||
Total Credit Hours | 12 |
1 | Students may substitute one relevant 3-credit CTRP graduate course selected in consultation with a department advisor or chair as an elective. |
Transportation Planning
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Core Concentration Course | ||
CTRP 8655 | Transportation Planning | 3 |
Electives | ||
Select three of the following: 1 | 9 | |
Regional Development | ||
Integrated Transportation and Land-Use Planning: Context-Sensitive Design Solutions | ||
Non-motorized Transportation Planning | ||
Travel Demand Modeling | ||
Total Credit Hours | 12 |
1 | Students may substitute one relevant 3-credit graduate course selected in consultation with a department advisor or chair as an elective. |
Internship: A supervised 180-hour internship is required. The internship emphasizes the acquisition and application of practical skills in planning. Placements are made at public agencies, non-profit institutions, and private firms, with designated onsite and Planning and Community Development faculty supervisors. Internships may require interim reports and must culminate in a written report regarding the experience. Students have the option of registering for CTRP 9885 Internship in Planning for 3 elective credits. If the student has relevant professional experience, the internship requirement is waived and CTRP 9885 may not be taken for credit toward the degree.
Culminating Events:
Capstone Course:
All students must complete CTRP 9889 Planning Studio (6 credits), which involves undertaking a planning project in cooperation with a local or regional client. Students synthesize the knowledge gained from previous courses in the development of an integrated approach that is appropriate to their project.
Thesis Option:
The master's thesis is substantial in length and follows a knowledge-enhancement model, based on planning theory, methodology, and history. Requirements are specified in the Graduate School’s Dissertation and Thesis Handbook, found at https://grad.temple.edu/resources/dissertation-thesis-handbook. Up to 6 elective credits may be earned for taking CTRP 9995 Thesis in Planning.
The student's Master's Committee is responsible for evaluating the thesis and its defense. No thesis should go to defense unless it is ready for public scrutiny. The committee evaluates the student's ability to express in writing and orally her/his research question, methodological approach, primary findings, and implications. Committee members vote to pass or fail the thesis upon conclusion of the public defense. If the student must make revisions, those changes must be approved as arranged by the Master's Committee.
Courses
CTRP 5013. Planning History and Theory. 3 Credit Hours.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: XMSCRP.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 5014. Planning Politics and Administration. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 5113. Nonprofit Management. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 5157. Community-based Organizations in Planning. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 5251. Sustainable Food Systems Planning. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 5256. Sustainable Community Design and Development. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 5313. Community Development Finance. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 5413. Planning Communications. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 5455. Community Engagement and Empowerment. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 5513. Planning Analysis. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 5524. Spatial Analysis Techniques/Geographic Information Systems. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 5525. Advanced Techniques in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
CTRP 5524|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR CRP 5524|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently.
CTRP 8013. Planning History and Theory. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 8016. Planning Law. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 8056. Public Budgeting and Finance. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 8114. Urban Form and Design. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 8155. Ecological Planning and Development. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 8156. Neighborhoods, Cities, and Regions. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 8165. Placemaking: Revitalizing Urban Communities. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 8166. Land-Use Planning. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 8175. Gentrification and Equitable Development. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 8213. Environmental Planning. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 8255. Sustainability in Suburban Communities. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 8257. Environmental Policy. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 8266. Sustainable Business Practices. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 8267. Water Resources Planning and Management. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 8276. Regional Development. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 8355. Environmental Infrastructure Planning and Management. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 8455. Planning Processes and Project Management. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 8476. Collaborative Planning. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 8555. Internet and Digital Technologies for Community Engagement. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 8655. Transportation Planning. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 8656. Integrated Transportation and Land-Use Planning: Context-Sensitive Design Solutions. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 8657. Non-motorized Transportation Planning. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 8666. Travel Demand Modeling. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
CTRP 8655|Minimum Grade of C-|May be taken concurrently.
CTRP 8755. Introduction to Emergency Management Planning. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 8756. After the Disaster: Effective Planning for Continuity, Recovery and Restoration. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CTRP 8840. Topics in Community and Regional Planning. 1 to 3 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
CTRP 8850. Topics in Community and Regional Planning. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
CTRP 8860. Topics in Community and Regional Planning. 1 to 3 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
CTRP 8870. Special Topics. 1 to 3 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
CTRP 8889. Planning Studio I. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
(CTRP 5524|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR CRP 5524|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently)
AND (CTRP 5513|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR CRP 5513|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR CRP 8513|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently)
AND (CTRP 5000 to 8888|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR CRP 5000 to 8888|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently)
CTRP 9883. Directed Reading/Study. 1 to 3 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
CTRP 9885. Internship in Planning. 3 or 6 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
Pre-requisites:
CTRP 5000 to 9000|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR CRP 5000 to 9000|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently.
CTRP 9889. Planning Studio. 6 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
Pre-requisites:
(CTRP 5014|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR CRP 5014|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR CRP 8014|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently)
AND (CTRP 5413|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR CRP 5413|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR CRP 8413|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently)
AND (CTRP 5513|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR CRP 5513|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR CRP 8513|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently)
AND (CTRP 8013|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently)
AND (CTRP 8016|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently)
AND (CTRP 8213|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently)
CTRP 9995. Thesis in Planning. 1 to 6 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
Pre-requisites:
CTRP 5000 to 9999|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR CRP 5000 to 9999|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently.
Contacts
Program Web Address:
https://tyler.temple.edu/programs/planning-community-development
Department Information:
Tyler School of Art and Architecture
Graduate Admissions Office
2001 N. 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122-6016
215-777-9090
Mailing Address for Official Transcripts:
Tyler School of Art and Architecture
Graduate Admissions Office
2001 N. 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122-6016
Submission Address for All Other Application Materials:
Department Contacts:
Graduate Admissions Office:
Tyler School of Art and Architecture
215-777-9090
Planning and Community Development Program Head:
Jeffrey Doshna
213 Architecture Building
215-204-1213