Urban Planning and Design Major (971, 971D) and Minor

Urban Planning and Design Major (51 credits)

The major in Urban Planning and Design (971, 971D) combines the processes of urban design and urban planning to provide students with a sharper focus on city design, community development, GIS and graphic communication, as well as planning practice.

It prepares students for entry-level positions in the planning sector and graduate studies in city and regional planning. Students learn graphic communications, video software, geographic information systems, and web communication. They help design, promote, and administer plans to address issues involving land use, zoning, transportation, infrastructure, housing, community facilities, and more. Studios allow students to conduct field and observational studies and surveys, and analyze data that evaluate community demands for land uses and services.

Upon completing all degree requirements, the student will receive the bachelor of science (B.S.) degree.

Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences and School of Environmental and Biological Sciences Students

This program is designed to accommodate the needs of traditional students at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.

Students in the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) must apply for admission prior to declaring the major. SAS students may pursue UPD as their first major and remain within SAS. Students in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS) wishing to declare Urban Planning & Design (UPD) as their second major should contact the Bloustein School¿s Office of Student and Academic Services at ugadmissions@ejb.rutgers.edu.

To ensure degree completion by their anticipated graduation date, students are advised to declare the UPD major no later than the first semester of their junior year. However, students must start planning their scheduled set of courses with a Bloustein advisor during the first semester of sophomore year.

Students can apply for the UPD major during one of our application cycles listed here. Applicants must have a minimum grade of 'C' or better in each of the prerequisite courses and be in good academic standing. The application may be found on the school's website at¿https://bloustein.rutgers.edu/undergraduate/urbanplanninganddesign/#sas

The UPD major is sequence-dependent. To prepare students for two capstone design studios during their final undergraduate year, the curriculum builds knowledge and skills in urban planning and design over the preceding two semesters. The required sequence of courses is listed below. Please note that the capstone courses, Planning and Design Studio I and II are only offered consecutively in the fall and spring semester. Because all required courses are sequenced, it is important that a student develop an academic plan with their Bloustein advisor when they declare the UPD major.

As a credit intensive major, UPD does not require declared students to complete a minor. However, students may benefit from completing a minor and this option should be discussed with the Bloustein School advisor while developing their academic plan. In addition, if choosing a minor, students are encouraged to meet with the UPD Program Coordinator for career advice.

Only courses with 'C' or better may be counted towards the health administration major, and students must complete the core curriculum requirements of their primary school.

The most current information for the Planning and Public Policy major may be found on the Bloustein School website at https://bloustein.rutgers.edu/undergraduate/urbanplanninganddesign/

Transfer Students

This program is designed to accommodate the needs of transfer, adult, and nontraditional students.

Students seeking the Urban Planning and Design major must have at least 30 credits before applying to the Bloustein School. Successful applicants will have completed the prerequisite courses with a grade of 'C' or better, and have achieved an overall GPA of at least 2.5.

Current Rutgers students seeking a school-to-school transfer from another Rutgers unit, or students transferring to Rutgers from another college or university, must apply via the Rutgers Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Contact ugadmissions@ejb.rutgers.edu for more information.

Transfer students from New Jersey community colleges are encouraged to complete lower-division prerequisite courses and the associate's degree to benefit from the NJ Statewide Transfer Agreement.

Only courses with a 'C' or better may be counted towards the major.

For more information about transferring, please see the school's website at https://bloustein.rutgers.edu/undergraduate/urbanplanninganddesign/#transfer

URBAN PLANNING AND DESIGN MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

(51 credits)

*Effective Spring 2024*

Prerequisite Courses (3 credits)

01:355:101 College Writing (3) or equivalent

Major Requirements (971, 971D) (51 credits)

Core Courses (36 credits)

10:775:205 Basic Statistical Methods or equivalent (3-4)
10:971:201 Introduction to Urban Planning and Design (3)
or Environmental Design Analysis (3)
10:971:202 Designing Healthy Cities (3)
10:971:250 Introduction to GIS (3)
10:971:314 Graphic Communication for Planning (3)
10:971:315 Fundamentals of Urban Planning & Design (3)
10:971:316 Introduction to Site Planning and Urban Design (3)
10:971:318 History and Theory of Urban Planning & Design (3)
10:971:395 Methods of Planning Analysis (3)
10:971:403 Advanced Graphic Communication (3)
10:971:404 Planning and Design Studio I (3)
10:971:405 Planning and Design Studio II (3)
10:971:463 Environmental Law and Policy (3)

Required Electives (15 credits)

Five, 3-credit courses see approved list in¿Degree Navigator

Joint BA/MCRP or BS/MCRP Program

Exceptional, well-prepared students from any Rutgers University-New Brunswick matriculating unit with a GPA of 3.5 or higher, exceptional GRE scores, a dedication to public service and outstanding recommendations 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. Contact ugadmissions@ejb.rutgers.edu for more information.

Urban Planning & Design Minor (18 credits)

The Bloustein School welcomes current and prospective Rutgers-New Brunswick students to consider the Planning and Public Policy minor. Students should declare a minor with their matriculating school. They need not apply for minor status with the Bloustein School. Only courses with a grade of 'C' or better can be counted toward the minor program of study.

This minor is well-matched to majors in art history; civil engineering; environmental science; public health; geography; landscape architecture; sociology; and more.

Students seeking the urban planning and design minor must complete three core courses and three 300-level or higher 971 electives, excluding those designated for 'majors only'.

10:971:201 Introduction to Urban Planning and Design (3)
10:971:202 Designing Healthy Cities (3)
10:971:314 Graphic communication for Planners (3)
10:971:315 Fundamentals of Urban Planning and Design (3)
Three upper-level 971 (or substituted upper-level 762) electives, as above (9)

For the most current configuration of courses for the Urban Planning and Design minor, please see the school's website at https://bloustein.rutgers.edu/undergraduate/urbanplanninganddesign/#minor