The most common degree programs in urban planning take place on college or university campuses. You can earn a certificate or degree in urban planning through an online program, but these programs usually require some courses to be taken on campus as well. By earning your degree both online and in a classroom setting, you will be able to experience the advantages the two methods of study have to offer.
Northeastern University and the University of Washington both offer urban planning degree programs that combine campus-based and online courses.
Northeastern University
School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs
340 Holmes Hall
Boston, MA 02115
617-373-8900
northeastern.edu
University of Washington
Department of Urban Design and Planning
3949 15th Ave NE
410 Gould Hall
Seattle, WA 98195
206-543-4190
washington.edu
Most online urban planning programs do not offer degrees for people who do not have prior work experience. Work experience can be in either urban planning or a related field. The online programs have been designed both for urban planning professionals looking to advance in the field and for adults with experience in a different field who seek to gain knowledge about urban planning. For this reason, most of the campus-based classes take place on nights or weekends. The online component of the degree requires the student to have computer access as well as high-speed Internet. Students may take 2 to 5 years to complete the degree.
Degree programs in urban planning teach students about issues and current trends in the field, such as environmental problems and regulations. Common courses include topics such as urban planning processes, historic preservation, project management, and sustainability. You may also take courses concerning the social and behavioral relationships that people have with their environment and surroundings. You will learn about the financial, administrative, and political aspects involved in urban planning as well.
In addition to these general courses, you may also take elective courses that have a narrower area of focus. These can include courses on issues specific to a particular project or region. If you already have a degree or work experience in the field of urban planning, you will most likely focus on these types of classes.
Typically, these courses do not have prerequisites. However, most courses will be sequential and therefore must be taken in a particular order. These classes often have a lecture-based format, especially those delivered online.