Planning Programs
Urban & Environmental planners shape our communities and regions to create sustainable, equitable, and healthy places. With tools such as geographic information systems, 3D modeling, and data analytics, planners engage with communities to make good decisions about the use of land and other resources. Students are prepared to pursue careers in economic development, land use management, environmental protection, disaster resilience, sustainable development, and more. Graduates of the planning programs are employed by a number of different types of organizations including local, county and state governments, land conservancies, real estate firms, consulting firms, and data analytics and software development companies.
Undergraduate Major
B.S. in Urban and Environmental Planning
In this major you will learn about the urban and regional planning profession and develop basic skills in planning analysis in the areas of land use, natural resource protection, housing, transportation and urban design.
Undergraduate Minors
Applied Community and Environmental Sustainability (ACES)
This minor centers on the application of the sustainability principles of economic vitality, environmental integrity, and social equity to communities and landscapes. The flexible and applied focus of the program combines well with other majors. Students learn practical applications of sustainability principles to local, regional, and global communities and environments.
Business Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
This minor program builds on a sequence of statistical and computer courses and provides students with the spatial analysis skills applied to business-oriented data and questions. It is designed for students in business programs but may be taken by others. Course work focuses on developing expertise with GIS.
Geography and Planning
This minor appeals to students of many majors as they can select courses to complete this minor that are flexible to their interests and compliment their major.
Real Estate and Land Development
This minor offers an overview of the key areas of real estate, including the development process, finance, law, and location analytics. It prepares students for a variety of careers in commercial real estate, real estate development, land development, and related fields.
Graduate & Accelerated Programs
Master of Urban & Regional Planning
The Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) prepares students to enter the workforce as professional planners and thereby meet the growing demand for urban and regional planners in the region.
Accelerated B.S. to Master of Urban & Regional Planning
Accelerated programs allow undergraduate students with at least a junior standing to begin taking graduate coursework towards the completion of a master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning. This can expedite the time to completion of the master's degree and decrease the overall combined credits necessary to complete the undergraduate and graduate degrees. While pursuing their undergraduate degree, students pay undergraduate tuition for up to 12 graduate credits. There are currently three accelerated programs available in urban and regional planning.
Certificates
Certificate in Disaster Resilience and Emergency Management
The Certificate will prepare current students and professionals with skills and knowledge to prepare for and respond to a growing and changing landscape of increasing urbanization, climate change, and globalization. This certificate combines a foundation of resilient Planning curriculum for preparedness, recovery, and disaster mitigation, along with environmental assessment, emergency management and response. Geospatial skills training provide required tools and experience for real-time disaster planning and response.
Certificate in Real Estate
The Certificate in Real Estate is a 12-credit (4-course) Certificate with two required courses and two electives. The program offers a broad exposure to the practice of real estate and focused understanding in a chosen area of specialization within the real estate industry. Upon successful completion of the two required courses you will qualify to take the Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson exam. Pennsylvania requires residential real estate salespersons to pass the Real Estate Salesperson exam to be licensed.
Graduate Certificate in Urban & Regional Planning
Urban and Regional Planning is a creative way to influence the future of regions, cities and neighborhoods. Professional planners use a variety of tools and techniques to design communities that are equitable and sustainable.
Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies have become prominent workplace tools used widely in public and private sectors. This certificate program will provide graduate-level instruction on their use.
Planning Studio Projects
Students in the B.S. in Urban and Environmental Planning (BUEP) and Master of Urban & Regional Planning (MURP) programs are required to complete at least two Planning Studio projects. These projects, often with a community partner or "client," enable students to apply their planning knowledge and skills to address a problem or challenge.
Our B.S. in Urban and Environmental Planning is one of only 16 nationally accredited bachelor's programs by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB).
The PAB first accredited West Chester University's Bachelor of Science in Urban and Environmental Planning in 2022. Accreditation recognizes educational institutions programs for performance, integrity, and quality.
B.S. in Urban and Environmental Planning Strategic Plan 2020 Goals & Objectives