MUP Program Learning Objectives

The mission of the USC Price Master of Urban Planning (MUP) program is to educate students to become leaders in planning issues and the comprehensive urban development processes of the 21st century. We achieve that mission through a master of planning education that links theory and practice, emphasizing analytical and communication skills, critical thinking, creative design, community engagement, collaborative decision-making, and democratic governance in a globalizing world.

The Planning Accreditation Board requires specific learning elements, which fall into three general areas:

1. General Planning Knowledge
2. Planning Skills
3. Values and Ethics

Our Master of Urban Planning curriculum is fully compliant with and fully accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board.

Learning objectives for the Master of Urban Planning Degree:

1. Provide students with a foundational knowledge of the historical development of the field of urban planning and the theoretical underpinnings of planning practice. This includes perspective from both the social sciences and the design fields that relate to planning as an endeavor which comprehensively examines the intersection of persons, places, and the built environment
2. Provide students with an understanding of social justice objectives and methods of social justice analysis as they relate to urban planning
3. Prepare students with an understanding of methods, data, and tools to work in a data-oriented world, including methods of visual analysis, social media, and open data tools appropriate to planning careers.
4. Provide students with a general understanding of market economies, governmental processes, and issues of social inclusion in diverse societies.
5. Expose students to international learning both in the classroom and through opportunities for study or internships outside of the U.S.
6. Build leadership skills among students through a curriculum grounded in the theoretical underpinnings of planning, while requiring exposure to the practice of planning through internships and practice-based learning.
7. Allow students to deepen their knowledge in a concentration area.