Improve the lives of Californians through urban planning. Learn to design a city that is safer, healthier and happier.
Why Earn a Master's in Urban Planning?
More than half of the world's population lives in urban areas. These cities, towns and suburbs need planners to create safe and healthy communities.
By earning a master's degree in urban planning, you will help shape the modern city. You will collaborate with the community to propose projects from housing to parks. You will seek innovative and sustainable solutions. With this degree, you will be ready to enter into a career in urban planning, local government management and the nonprofit sector.
Why Study Urban Planning at CSUN?
California Focused
The state has a wide range of laws and mandates that shape urban planning projects. Our master's program prepares you for these challenges with our focus on California's regulations. Our professors are well-versed in the state's rules, and your field experiences will help you understand them firsthand. You'll also learn about different types of planning through field experiences in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
Real Impact
Our students and faculty members take part in local community planning projects. You will not only gain valuable experience but you will be involved in improving your neighborhood and city.
Designed for You
This degree is designed to serve the needs of working students and professionals. Your classes will take place on evenings and Saturdays, and you can complete it in two calendar years. The degree program is also cohort-driven, so you will learn in a group and create camaraderie with your classmates.
What You'll Learn
The M.U.P. program gives you both practical and experiential knowledge of urban planning, with a special focus on how it is practiced in California. You will also learn to contextualize the economic, social and political factors that affect urban planning practices.
In your classes you will also learn:
- Principles of urban planning
- History of urban planning
- Planning law
- Sustainability and environmental impact
- Local economic development
- Visual communication skills
- Quantitative analysis
- Qualitative research
You will complete a field project in which you will consult with a community partner to address a local planning problem. You will also submit a capstone project. You will use your skills and knowledge to conduct research and analysis for a larger-scale project.
Careers & Outcomes
With your a master's in urban planning, you will be prepared for a career in government, nonprofit organizations, or private businesses that propose or build planning projects.
Job opportunities are available in a variety of fields, including:
- Urban and regional planning
- Community development
- Municipal government
- Environmental analysis and planning
- Public administration
- Transportation
- Real estate and property development
- Nonprofit advocacy
- Private consulting
Employers of recent alumni include:
- City of Los Angeles, Planning Department
- LA Metro
- CalTrans
- City of Santa Clarita, Community Development
Common career paths for graduates include:
- City and urban planning
- Transportation planning
- Regional planning
- Property development
- Urban design
- Community development
Job titles for graduates include:
- Planning technician
- Assistant/associate planner
- Principal planner
- Regional planner
- Transportation planner
- Community organizer
- Vice-president of national sales
- Director of land and regulatory affairs
- Planning director
Application Information
To be considered for admission to CSUN as a master’s student, you will need to:
- Meet university requirements.
- Meet department requirements for the Master of Urban Planning.
- Apply to both the university and the specific graduate program of interest.
Learn more about applying for a master's program at CSUN.