Six issue-oriented concentrations, or specialties, reflect the strengths of the faculty in the urban planning and policy development program. These concentrations include the core of general courses but go beyond that broad foundation of skills, awareness, and understanding to explore more deeply the scope of specific planning issues. They allow more detailed examinations of the dimensions, questions, conflicts, and impacts addressed by the professional as well as by the researcher. They encourage recognition of common elements that resonate between and among various problems, policies, and programs.

The program concentrations are intended to help students develop a program of study that will help them fulfill their individual career goals. Courses in each concentration are grouped into "required" and "recommended" categories. The program requires that any student who wants to specialize in a particular area take proper courses as outlined under each concentration. Additional courses taken in that area will depend upon the student's particular interest and can be selected, with the help of advisers, from among the listed recommended and relevant courses or from other courses recommended by area advisers.

The concentrations cover areas of substantial strength within the program and school. There also are other feasible concentrations. Students who want to blend two concentrations or design their own programs can do so and should speak with their faculty adviser and the area advisers.

All required and most recommended courses for these concentrations are offered through the program and other units of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. Additional recommended courses are offered within Rutgers University. Courses also may be taken at Princeton University and the New Jersey Institute of Technology.