20 Best Online Master’s in Urban Planning Programs [2024 Guide]

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A masters in urban planning is a graduate program that can help you increase your knowledge and further your career in this growing field.

Best Online Master’s in Urban Planning Programs

A planning program can teach you how to create plans that are used to develop cities and towns. If you have an interest in aiding a community by supporting its foundation, then you might consider obtaining a masters in urban planning.

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An accredited graduate planning program could help you work toward industry certification as well as plan careers in various professional settings.

Masters in Urban Planning Programs Online

Woman taking Masters in Urban Planning Programs online

A masters degree in urban planning program is designed for students who have already obtained a bachelors degree and are looking to advance their knowledge in urban planning. Many of these programs require students to have received their bachelors in a related field.

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Urban planners are often responsible for vital tasks that influence communities at large. For instance, this type of job could involve utilizing resources to further the sustainability of a community. These professionals may plan the vision for a community. On a day-to-day basis, planners may research information regarding the market, consult with developers, and visit sites.

Preparing for these tasks involves studying many different topics. Some of the topics you can expect to study include:

  • Environmental planning
  • Housing and Community
  • Economic development
  • Urban design

Graduates of urban planning masters programs tend to take their skills and enter roles related to urban planning. These may include:

  • Urban planner
  • Landscape designer
  • Construction manager
  • Sustainability professional

These represent only a few of the careers you may consider pursuing with a master in urban planning degree. A graduate degree could also help you prepare for leadership or management roles in the field. Completing a PAB-accredited planning masters program can help you work toward industry certification in planning as well.

Common Online Masters in Urban Planning Specializations

People working in the City and Community Planning field

When pursuing a masters degree in urban planning, you’ll discover that these programs offer various options for specialization. Below is a list of some common concentrations:

  • City and Community Planning. This specialization gives students a foundation in urban economics and urban planning.
  • International Development Planning. This specialization prepares students to plan for multinational cities or to handle developing economies.
  • Environmental Planning. In this specialization, students can gain a foundation in the theoretical, legal, and methodological backgrounds that are essential to planners in their decision-making processes.
  • Historic Preservation. This specialization teaches students how to tackle the many issues involved in protecting cultural resources.
  • Real Estate. This specialization prepares students to find success in planning careers within real estate.

Specializations can be a great way to focus your knowledge, which in turn may lead to more specific career options within the field of urban planning.

Urban Planning Careers and Salaries

Urban Planning Careers and Salaries

A Master of Urban and Regional Planning can lead to a number of educational and career opportunities. Urban planners use their expertise to provide necessary services to communities across America and even the rest of the world.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the median salaries for careers in urban planning and related fields.

Careers Annual Median Salaries
Architectural and Engineering Managers $152,350
Construction Managers $98,890
Project Management Specialists $94,500
Postsecondary Teachers $79,640
Urban and Regional Planners $78,500
Social and Community Service Managers $74,000
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists $68,900
Landscape Architects $67,950
Construction and Building Inspectors $61,640
Survey Researchers $59,740

Of course, the above careers and salaries cannot be guaranteed, as there are many factors that contribute to the hiring process.

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Your chosen degree specialization may also influence the type of planning career for which you’re qualified. Combined with experience, a masters can help you qualify for senior or leadership roles in the field.

Urban Planning Master’s Curriculum & Courses

People pursuing Urban Planning Masters Degree

There are many courses you can take during a master in urban planning program, many of which will be dependent on the program you choose. Below is a list of courses that you may encounter in your studies:

  • Airports and HST Stations as Nodes of Centrality for a New Age: This course will expose you to various long-distance transportation methods and how they can be used to develop urban plans.
  • Agropolitan Mats, Rugs, and Quilts: In this course, you’ll learn how certain designs contribute to settlement typology that can sustain a high population density.
  • Future Proof Neighborhoods: Old and New Housing Ideals: You’ll study large collective housing projects to assess the need to house people in an accelerating urban population.
  • Designing the Conditions: Cooperative Housing in America: In this course, you’ll learn about how house appreciation and home affordability contradict each other.
  • Modulating Change: You’ll study Mumbai as they create strategies to develop its historic district.
  • Planning Theory and History for a Just Society: This course examines the theories and history behind urban planning practice.
  • Urban and International Development: You’ll gain a foundation in urban development through the study of economic analysis and market failure.
  • Physics Planning: Urban and Community Design: You’ll explore the theories surrounding livable communities.
  • Planning Law and Legal Frameworks of Planning: This course introduces you to the legal system and the laws that influence land development.
  • Data, Evidence, and Communication of the Public Good: This course is an introduction to the data analysis that affects planning.

These are not the only courses that may be available to you. When applying to the program of your choice, you might want to review the offered course load.

Admissions Requirements

student preparing requirements for Urban Planning Masters

Every program has its own admissions requirements, all of which can vary by school. The requirements for masters programs are often more stringent than for bachelors degrees since they are a higher academic award.

Below is a list of common requirements that you can expect:

  • Bachelors degree from an accredited institution
  • Resume
  • Transcripts
  • Letters of recommendation

It’s beneficial to review the requirements of the program of your choice to ensure that you fit the necessary criteria.

Accreditation

University offering Urban Planning Masters

A higher education institution can receive regional accreditation when it has been examined by a regional accrediting agency and has been found to provide quality educational services.

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Completing your degree at an accredited school has a number of benefits. For starters, many financial aid options are only available to qualifying students who attend accredited schools. Holding an accredited degree is also a common stipulation for many employers, professional organizations, and certifications in the field.

PAB Accreditation

The Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) is the institution that provides official programmatic accreditation for urban planning programs. This agency provides accreditation status to both bachelors and masters university programs in the planning field.

PAB establishes a set of standards that are used to then determine whether a program is up to industry standards. When pursuing certification in the field, it can also be beneficial to hold a PAB-accredited graduate degree in planning.

Urban Planning Licensure and Certifications

Construction Manager giving feedback to his team

Many urban planners pursue certification instead of licensure. National certification can be obtained through the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

Typical certification requirements include:

  • Education from an accredited school
  • Professional work experience
  • Membership from AICP
  • Passing grade on AICP certification exam

The amount of professional planning experience required for certification will depend on your level of education. For instance, someone with a PAB-accredited graduate degree in planning only needs 2 years of experience.

There are more niche certifications you can pursue as well. It should be noted that while most states don’t require licensure for urban planners, some states do require it. It’s strategic to research the requirements for your specific state.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Urban Planning Masters financial aid

It’s common for graduate students to pursue various forms of financial aid to help them meet the cost of their education. Student loans from the government is one of the most common forms of aid.

You can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what type of need-based aid you’re eligible for. Many students also choose to pursue scholarships and grants from their school or outside organizations. Some employers offer tuition benefits to employees as well.

What Is an Urban Planning Masters Degree?

Architectural Manager discussing with executives

An urban planning masters degree is an academic award that helps prepare you to enter various planning-related fields.

An urban planning program can build your expertise in all aspects of planning, including how to design functional cities or towns. It is the job of urban planners to collect, interpret, and use data to develop plans and solutions to strengthen communities. This graduate program can also help you develop your communication, analytical thinking, and leadership skills.

What Can You Do with an Urban Planning Online Masters Degree?

Cartographers working together

A masters in city planning can open various career paths for graduates. Students who hold this degree usually take jobs as planners, but they can go on to work in different professional settings.

For instance, some graduates choose to work for private employers, while others enter government agencies, nonprofits, or even international aid organizations. That said, there are still careers outside of urban planning that graduates may be able to pursue if they decide that urban planning isn’t right for them. Some of these occupations include sustainability professional, construction manager, and landscape architect.

How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Urban Planning Masters Degree?

student pursuing Online Urban Planning Masters

Similar to online public administration degree programs, online urban planning graduate programs generally consist of around 54 credits. Generally speaking, a masters program in urban planning can be completed in approximately 2 years with full-time study. Students who enroll part-time will likely take longer.

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Online programs tend to be more flexible than in-person programs. Some programs allow students to tailor their course load around their schedules. This may cause the duration of a program to lengthen or shorten, depending on how you structure your schedule.

What’s the Difference Between Urban Design vs. Urban Planning Masters Programs?

A masters in urban design and a masters in urban planning bear many similarities and are often intertwined, but here are some of the differences between the two.

Masters in Urban Design Masters in Urban Planning
  • Greater emphasis on aesthetics
  • Includes the study of how people experience a place
  • Common for graduates to work on implementing aesthetic elements that can be found in cities, like community areas
  • More focused on policy and regulation
  • Includes the study of how spaces function effectively
  • Common for graduates to work on shaping cities strategically

Understanding these differences can help guide your academic pursuits.

Is a Masters in Urban Planning Worth It?

Urban Planner & Construction Managers discussing

Yes, a masters in urban planning is worth it for many students. Urban planners have the opportunity to use their creativity in service of others.

As an urban planner, you could help create a functioning, sustainable communities. Because of the need for professionals with these skills, this is a career that’s likely to remain viable in current and future markets. People need communities to live in, and urban planners are essential to the establishment of these communities.

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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for urban and regional planners is expected to grow by 4% over the next ten years, which is about as fast as the average. This is considered steady growth.

Best Universities Offering Online Masters in Urban Planning Degree Programs

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst University offers a 100% online program for a Master of Science in Geographic Information Systems. Courses cover essential skills, such as topology, geospatial programming, spatial analysis, and web mapping. On average, the degree can be completed in 2 years. Graduates often pursue careers as cartographers, data scientists, urban planners, or GIS analysts.

Elmhurst University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Goucher College

Goucher College

Goucher College offers a Master of Arts in Historic Preservation. Potential courses include Historic Property Documentation, Cultural Landscape Theory, and American Architecture and Building. The program’s low residency learning model is designed with working professionals in mind. It conveniently blends online coursework with annual on-campus intensive residencies each summer.

Goucher College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Iowa State University

Iowa State University

Iowa State University offers a Master of Community Development. Many graduates pursue careers in community resiliency, neighborhood development, refugee support, environmental planning, community engagement, and organizational development.

The program requires the completion of 30 credit hours and meets fully online. Courses cover topics like sustainability, local leadership development, economics, and community change.

Iowa State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University offers a Master of Science in Environmental Planning and Management. The curriculum is designed to bridge the gap between environmental engineering and public policy analysis. It consists of 5 core courses and 5 elective courses, allowing students to tailor their degree to their goals. All coursework may be completed conveniently online.

Johns Hopkins University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Kansas State University

Kansas State University

Kansas State University offers a fully online program for a Master of Science in Community Development. Potential courses include Community and Regional Economic Policy, Grant Writing, and Sustainable Communities. The degree requires the completion of at least 36 credit hours. Graduates often pursue careers in public administration, housing infrastructure, community health, and natural resource management.

Kansas State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Kent State University

Kent State University

Kent State University offers a Master of Science in Geographic Information Science. Classes cover topics like climate change, public health, social justice, urban planning, and resource management. The program requires the completion of 30 credit hours and utilizes a 100% online learning model. It can typically be finished in 2 years.

Kent State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Liberty University

Liberty University

Liberty University offers a Master of Public Administration in Urban Planning. The curriculum blends fundamental principles of public administration, community economic development, and public policy. Classes meet fully online and are typically 8 weeks long. On average, the program’s 36 required credit hours can be finished in 1.5 years of full-time attendance.

Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

North Dakota State University

North Dakota State University

North Dakota State University offers a Master’s in Community Development. Depending on personal interests and professional goals, the degree can be completed as a Master of Science or a Master of Arts. The program is housed entirely online. Concentrations are available in Building Economic Capacity, Natural Resource Management, Working with Native Communities, and Non-profit Leadership.

NDSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania State University offers a Master of Professional Studies in Community and Economic Development. This program may be an excellent fit for students who want to make a difference in their community and gain professional expertise.Courses cover topics like land use, municipal finance, community leadership, and economic development planning. All classes meet 100% online.

Pennsylvania State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Portland State University

Portland State University

Portland State University offers a Master of Science in Geographic Information Science. This program seeks to provide students with flexible online courses, hands-on experience with GIS software, and networking opportunities with community partners. The curriculum blends concepts like remote sensing, geovisualization, computer information sciences, spatial statistics, and data science. Classes may be attended entirely online.

Portland State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Unity College

Unity College

Unity College offers a Master of Professional Science in Environmental Studies and Sustainability. The program’s online format and five yearly start dates help to provide flexibility around students’ busy schedules. A minimum of 30 credits must be completed while maintaining a 3.0 GPA or higher to graduate. The program can typically be finished in 1 year of full-time study.

Unity College is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education.

University of Alabama – Birmingham

University of Alabama at Birmingham

The University of Alabama—Birmingham offers a Master of Science in Sustainable Smart Cities. Graduates of the program often pursue careers as urban planners, policy makers, architects, or sustainability managers. The program is designed to be completed in 2 years of part-time study. Classes meet conveniently online.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

University of Connecticut

University of Connecticut

The University of Connecticut offers a Master of Energy and Environmental Management. The curriculum may be tailored towards students’ interests and career goals with electives in planning and management, environmental law, and geographic information systems.

The program requires the completion of 30 credit hours. Classes meet entirely online and are complemented by hands-on experience via an internship in the field.

The University of Connecticut is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

University of Denver

University of Denver

The Master of Science in Environmental Policy and Management program at the University of Denver offers a concentration in Environmental Management. Potential classes include Environmental Protection Law, Resource Conversation and Recovery, and Introduction to Ecology. Each class is 10 weeks long and meets online. The program’s requirements can potentially be finished in just 18 months.

The University of Denver is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

University of Florida

University of Florida

The University of Florida offers an online program for a Master of Urban and Regional Planning. Concentrations are available in Sustainability and Resiliency, International Development, Urban Economics, Land Use Law, Transportation Planning, and GIS.

Up to 15 qualifying credits from outside institutions may be transferred in toward the degree. The program can typically be completed in 2 years, though students may set their own pace.

The University of Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

University of Maryland Global Campus

University of Maryland Global Campus

The University of Maryland Global Campus offers a Master of Science in Environmental Management. The curriculum is designed to help students develop critical thinking, communication, analysis, teamwork, and professional skills. All classes can be completed online. Up to 6 qualifying credit hours from outside institutions may be transferred in toward the program’s 36 required credit hours.

The University of Maryland Global Campus is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

University of Nebraska – Lincoln

University of Nebraska Lincoln

The University of Nebraska—Lincoln offers a Master of Applied Science in Community Development. Students who are passionate about problem solving, community service, and urban development may find an ideal fit in this program.

The program requires the completion of 36 credit hours. Potential courses include Foundations of Community Development, Organizing for Community Change, and Community and Economic Policy Analysis.

The University of Nebraska – Lincoln is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

University of New Hampshire

University of New Hampshire

The University of New Hampshire offers a Master of Arts in Community Development Policy. Graduates pursue careers as policy analysts, economic development directors, and fundraising coordinators. Classes meet 100% online. Incoming students can choose between two yearly start dates, and the program’s 36 required credit hours can typically be completed in 14 months when attending full-time.

The University of New Hampshire is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

University of Southern California

University of Southern California

The University of Southern California offers an Executive Master of Urban Planning. The curriculum blends topics like land economics, urban design, and data analysis. The program requires the completion of 24 credit hours of online coursework and two in-person intensives on campus. On average, the degree requirements can be finished in 16 months of full-time study.

The University of Southern California is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the Senior College and University Commission.

University of Washington

University of Washington

The University of Washington offers a Master of Infrastructure Planning and Management. Students typically devote 18 hours to their classes and homework each week. This 45 credit program can be completed entirely online. The program is typically attended part-time and can usually be completed in 2 years.

The University of Washington is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Getting Your Master of Urban Planning Online

student pursuing Urban Planning Masters online degree

An online masters degree in urban planning is a graduate program that many students pursue to begin or advance in the field of urban planning. These programs can help you develop hard and soft skills.

You can learn how to push a community forward by establishing infrastructure and how to communicate with departments to accomplish a shared vision. The sector of planning that you enter may depend, in part, on your chosen degree specialization.

You can start researching accredited universities today to find the online masters program in urban planning that suits your schedule, interests, and goals.

Ready to start your journey?
David Garcia
WRITTEN BY
David has a Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in Film from Syracuse University. While in school, much of his time was dedicated to Syracuse’s literary magazine, both as a writer and editor. David’s current interests include literary and film studies as well as social justice.