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Registrar's Web Team
19 August 1997
Degrees Offered
Master of Science in Community and Regional Planning
Doctor of Philosophy
The Architecture and Planning Library and the Wasserman Public Affairs Library provide excellent resources for study and research in community and regional planning. Because of its interdisciplinary nature, the program also makes use of a wide range of resources available through the Bureau of Business Research, the School of Social Work, the Center for Highway Research, the Population Research Center, the Center for Research in Water Resources, the Bureau of Economic Geology, and the Urban Issues Program. The program's computer laboratory contains extensive microcomputer equipment, graphics workstations, and several terminals interfaced with Academic Computing and Instructional Technology Services.
The program also draws on the resources of several state and city planning agencies; research efforts are conducted in conjunction with the Texas Water Development Board; the state Departments of Housing and Community Affairs, Human Services, Parks and Wildlife, and Transportation; the Capital Area Planning Council; Capital Metro; and the Office of Planning and Development of the City of Austin.
At the end of the first year, after completing introductory courses, students select an area of concentration in which to develop more specialized knowledge. Specific requirements for the areas of concentration vary, but most require at least four courses. Areas of specialization include environmental and natural resources, land use and development, housing, public services, economic development, transportation, social services, and urban design.
It is recommended that prospective students enter the master's degree program having completed introductory courses in economics, government, sociology, and statistics; at the discretion of the graduate adviser, an entering student may be required to complete these courses. Professional experience may sometimes suffice for this preparation.
To be admitted to the doctoral program, an applicant must have a master's degree in community and regional planning or a related field, must have adequate preparation in the subject matter of the program, and must demonstrate competence in quantitative methods and planning theory.
For more information about admission to the master's or doctoral degree program, consult the admissions committee in care of the program.
Degree Requirements
Master of Science in Community and Regional Planning
Each student must complete forty-eight semester hours of coursework, including introductory courses on the planning process, quantitative methods, planning law, urban and regional theory, and finance of public services. The student then chooses an area of concentration; for most concentrations, at least four courses are required. During the final year, the student synthesizes his or her educational experience either in a thesis or in an internship with a professional report. With the assistance of the graduate adviser, each student develops an individual program based on his or her interests; each program must include at least thirty semester hours in community and regional planning or acceptable substitutes.
Doctor of Philosophy
The doctoral degree requires fifty-one semester hours of work, including graduate coursework and directed research and the dissertation. Each student must choose an inside field of concentration in planning from community planning and development (environmental, land use and development, and public services planning) and regional planning (regional development and urban economic development planning). The inside field is supplemented by advanced work in an outside field; a variety of supporting (outside) fields are available through other University programs. Depth and breadth of experience in planning theory and research methods are required of all doctoral students.
After completing the required coursework, the student advances to candidacy according to procedures set by the Graduate Studies Committee. Advancement to candidacy involves an evaluation of the student's research proposal and a comprehensive written examination covering the inside field and the student's coursework. A faculty committee reviews the student's program of coursework and research proposal, evaluates the research in progress, and reads the dissertation.
In addition to the following program with the Language and Area Center for Latin American Studies, the School of Architecture has approval to offer a joint program leading to the Master of Community and Regional Planning and the Doctor of Philosophy with a major in geography and a joint program leading to the Master of Science in Community and Regional Planning and the Doctor of Jurisprudence. Information about these programs is available from the graduate adviser.
Master of Science in Community and Regional Planning/Master of Arts with a Major in Latin American Studies
A student seeking admission to a joint degree program must apply through the Graduate and International Admissions Center. He or she must be accepted by each individual program in order to be admitted to the joint program. Like all other graduate applicants, the student is responsible for submitting any additional information required by the Graduate Studies Committee for each program.
The joint program in Latin American studies and community and regional planning provides qualified students with the skills necessary to work toward solving the urbanization and regional development problems of contemporary Latin America.
A student must complete a combined total of at least sixty-six semester hours of graduate coursework in the Latin American studies and community and regional planning programs. In addition, it may be necessary for some students to enroll for an additional semester or summer session to complete all requirements of the joint program. A joint committee composed of faculty members from both programs selects students for admission. For additional information, consult the committee in care of either program.
Campus address: Sutton Hall (SUT) 2.130, Phone (512) 471-1922, Fax
(512) 471-0716
Mailing address: Graduate Program in Community and Regional Planning, School of Architecture, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712-1160
E-mail: gopaul@mail.utexas.edu
URL: http://www.ar.utexas.edu/
Chapter Four
Graduate Catalog
Contents
Chapter 1: Graduate Study
Chapter 2: Admission and Registration
Chapter 3: Degree Requirements
Chapter 4: Fields of Study
Chapter 5: Members of Graduate Studies Committees
Appendix: Course Abbreviations
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