The Department of Urban and Regional Planning (DURP) offers a Master of Arts degree and a Doctor of Philosophy degree. The Master of Arts (M.A.) program is accredited through the Planning Accreditation Board. Both programs have a special focus on increasing the number of under-represented groups and women in the profession. The rigorous programs concentrate on the challenging issues and problems confronting planning professionals and scholars in the rebuilding of cities across the nation. Courses and studios offer challenging scholarly and practical work that focuses attention on real world solutions while respecting the ethical, skill, and plan development practices of the profession. The programs are designed for both full-time and part-time students.
Objectives/Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the historical movements that impacted the field of planning and their contribution to the discipline.
- Students will apply quantitative and qualitative skills to design plans and create strategies for implementation.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to lead and productively participate in groups in diverse settings.
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of the role of Planning Ethics when solving problems and making decisions
Requirements
A Bachelor’s degree and a minimum GPA of 3.0 are the core requirements for entrance into the MA program.
Courses/Curriculum
The M.A. program consists of an interdisciplinary curriculum of 49 semester hours, including practical community-based learning experiences and planning studios, while the Doctor of Philosophy consists of 48 semester hours, beyond the master’s degree.
MA Curriculum Plan (Updated 2017)
M.A. Course Descriptions
Admissions Information
Please follow these steps when applying to obtain an M.A. degree in Urban and Regional Planning:
1. Complete an online application with the Division of Graduate Studies https://www.jsums.edu/graduateschool/prospective-students-home/
2. Submit one official transcript from all universities/colleges/junior colleges attended
3. Non-Mississippi residents must pay an out-of-state application fee of $25.00
4. Submit a copy of your immunization records
5. International applicants must submit a satisfactory TOEFL or IELTS score
6. GRE official score report of fewer than five years old
7. Statement of Purpose indicating your skills, background, interest in the program, and what would you like to do professionally once your graduate. There is no specific format to use for this requirement.
The above-required documents must be submitted via online your portal account.
*We accept new M.A. students for the fall and spring semesters.
