Planning Degrees and SchoolsThe field of planning awards degrees at the bachelor's, master's, and doctorate levels. Planning degrees provide professional training in the knowledge, skills, and values of the field. Different career goals require different levels of education. Accredited Degree Programs Degrees from Planning Accreditation Board accredited programs must meet agreed-upon standards for planning education. PAB accredits undergraduate and master's degree programs. Degrees from these schools generally cover the following areas:
Undergraduate Degrees Planners with undergraduate degrees often work in entry-level planning positions. Many planners with undergraduate degrees will go on to receive a master's degree in planning. A degree from a Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) accredited university in Urban Planning or City and Regional Planning is the most thorough educational preparation for the planning field. The Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) is a membership organization composed of the schools that have planning degree programs, and ACSP maintains an online inventory of the schools with undergraduate programs. In addition to PAB, most colleges and universities are also accredited by other, more broad-based review bodies. In the United States there are six regional bodies that accredit. One example is the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Some colleges and universities choose to be certified only by these more broad-based organizations. 10 Tips for Selecting a Planning Program Planning Schools and Accreditation Master's Degrees A master's-level graduate degree is considered the standard for planning practitioners. Planning graduate students may have an undergraduate degree in planning, but others may have studied geography, urban studies, architecture, or sociology. PAB accredits master's degree programs in planning. When hiring for professional planning positions, many organizations require or give strong preference to candidates holding graduate degrees. In 2004, 43 percent of all APA members (note: approximately one-sixth of the APA members are planning commissioners, officials, or students, who do not have a degree in planning) had earned a master's degree in planning. Many employers also give preference to those who are certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). Doctoral Degrees Planners who obtain a Ph.D. in planning often pursue a career in academia or with research or policy institutions. Ph.D. programs in planning are not certified by PAB. The Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) maintains an online list of schools with Ph.D. programs. Ph.D. Programs in PlanningArizona State University Columbia University Cleveland State University Cornell University Florida State University Georgia Institute of Technology Harvard University Massachusetts Institute of Technology Ohio State University Portland State University Princeton University Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Texas A&M University Texas Tech University University of Akron University of British Columbia University of California, Berkeley University of California, Irvine University of California, Los Angeles University of Cincinnati University of Colorado University of Illinois at Chicago University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of Liverpool University of Maryland, College Park University of Massachusetts University of Michigan Université de Montreal University of Newcastle upon Tyne University of New Orleans University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of Nottingham University of Pennsylvania University of Saskatchewan University of Southern California University of Texas at Arlington University of Texas at Austin University of Washington Washington State University University of Waterloo University of Wisconsin-Madison Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University York University International Planning Degrees Many planners are educated outside of the United States. Holding a planning degree from a non-U.S. university should not hinder a planner's career prospects in the United States. Employers in the U.S. most often look for relevant education and/or work experience. Non-U.S. citizens should consult with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization department for details on work permits and other employment and citizenship requirements if circumstances warrant it: www.usimmigrationsupport.org. | ||
