The planning and public policy major prepares students for entry-level jobs in the public and private sectors, especially in the fields of community development, government service, land use, real estate, transportation, and health policy, and for graduate education in public administration, public policy, and urban planning. To pursue the major, students must apply and be admitted to the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. Completion of the planning and public policy major leads to a bachelor of arts (B.A.) degree jointly issued with the School of Arts and Sciences. Students seeking the minor in planning and public policy may declare it without applying for admission to the Bloustein school.
Prerequisites for the Major in Planning and Public Policy (6-7credits)
10:762:101 Introduction to Planning, Policy, and Health (3)
10:762:205 Basic Statistical Methods for Policy, Planning, and Health (4) or a 200-level or higher basic statistics course (3-4)
Major Requirements (37 credits)
Core Courses (19 credits)
01:220:102 Microeconomics (3)
01:220:103 Macroeconomics (3) or 01:790:201 American Government (3)
10:762:395 Research Methods (4)*
10:762:400 Internship with Seminar (3)*
10:762:494 Senior Seminar (3)*
At least one of the following:
01:355:302 Scientific and Technical Writing (3) or 01:355:303 Writing for Business and the Professions (3) or 01:355:315 Writing Grant Proposals (3) or a preapproved professional writing course (3)
Elective Courses (18 credits)
Students must complete 18 credits of electives, of which 12 credits must be at the 300 level or higher. Students completing a minor or second major may count only one course from that minor or major as an elective for the planning and public policy major or minor.
Any 762 course counts as an elective as do the following preapproved elective courses:
01:450:321 Geographic Information Systems (3)
11:372:231 Fundamentals of Environmental Planning (3)
11:372:232 Fundamentals of Environmental Geomatics (3)
11:372:409 New Jersey Planning Practice (3)
11:372:411 Environmental Planning and the Development Process (3)
11:374:279 Politics of Environmental Issues (3)
11:375:333 Environmental Law I (3)
11:375:334 Environmental Law II (3)**
Minor Requirements (24-25 credits)
10:762:101 Introduction to Policy, Planning, and Health (3)
a 200-level or higher basic statistics course (3-4)
a basic economics course (3)
Five additional 762 courses of at least 3 credits each (15 credits) excluding 10:762:395, 463,464, 490,491, and 499, which are restricted to majors only.
Planning and Public Policy Careers
Exceptional, well-prepared students from any Rutgers-New Brunswick matriculating unit who wish to study urban planning are encouraged to seek advising about the 3-1-1 master of city and regional planning (M.C.R.P.) program. Those who wish to study public policy are encouraged to seek advising about the 3-1-1 master of public policy (M.P.P.) program.
Certificate Programs (24 credits)
The Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy offers three certificate programs related to planning and public policy: Community Development, Real Estate, and Urban Planning. These certificates are available to all Rutgers University students, including all non-Bloustein school majors and minors, and to postbaccalaureate students with degrees in any discipline. Certificates are awarded only with or subsequent to the awarding of a bachelor's degree. Undergraduate students are restricted to courses at the 300 and 400 levels. Postbaccalaureate students may select courses from any level.
Community Development Certificate
Core Courses
10:762:310 U.S. Housing Policy (3)
10:762:421 Community Development (3)
Elective Courses
At least six additional courses (18 credits) from the following list:
10:762:305 Principles of Public Policy (3)
10:762:317 Urban Municipal Management (3)
10:762:330 Local Fiscal Policy (3)
10:762:413 Urban Revitalization (3)
10:762:420 GIS for Health and Planning (3)
10:762:435 Administrative Issues in Environmental Planning (3)
10:762:440 Principles of Real Estate (3)
10:762:460 Local Economic Development (3)
10:762:473 Urban Transportation Policy (3)
10:762:481 Housing Policy and Issues (3)
Real Estate Certificate
Core Courses
10:762:310 U.S. Housing Policy (3)
10:762:440 Principles of Real Estate (3)
Elective Courses
At least six additional courses (18 credits) from the following list:
10:762:306 Principles of Urban Planning (3)
10:762:413 Urban Revitalization (3)
10:762:420 GIS for Health and Planning (3)
10:762:421 Community Development (3)
10:762:460 Local Economic Development (3)
10:762:478 History of Planning Thought (3)
10:762:488 Historic Preservation (3)
Postbaccalaureate students may register for the following to fulfill elective credit:
34:970:501 History of Planning Thought (3)
34:970:521 Historic Preservation (3)
34:970:528 Housing Economics and Markets (3)
34:970:529 Principles of Housing (3)
34:970:562 Community Economic Development (3)
34:970:563 Community Development (3)
34:970:622 Urban Redevelopment (3)
Urban Planning Certificate
Core Courses
10:762:306 Principles of Urban Planning (3)
10:762:316 Physical Design and Site Plan (3)
Elective Courses
At least six additional courses (18 credits) from the following list:
10:762:305 Principles of Public Policy (3)
10:762:315 Designing Cities and Suburbs (3)
10:762:317 Urban Municipal Management (3)
10:762:413 Urban Revitalization (3)
10:762:417 Population Tools and Policy (3)
10:762:420 GIS for Health and Planning (3)
10:762:435 Administrative Issues in Environmental Planning (3)
10:762:473 Transportation Policy (3)
10:762:474 Tourism Planning (3)
10:762:478 History of Planning Thought (3)
11:372:409 New Jersey Planning Practice (3)
11:372:411 Environmental Planning and the Development Process (3)
School of Environmental and Biological Sciences