Arizona State University (Tempe campus)
Arizona State University (Tempe campus)

Arizona State University (Tempe campus)

1151 S Forest Ave, Tempe, AZ, United States Arizona, Tempe, USA Visit web page

Urban Planning, BSP

Study detals

: Bachelor's degree : Urban Planning, BSP ARPUPBSP : Full time : 48 Month

Requirements

Academic requirements

First-year students must:

  • Have a 3.00 grade point average (GPA) (a "B" or better where "A"=4.00) from a secondary school. Some ASU programs may have higher admission or English proficiency requirements and may consider a minimum ACT or SAT score.
  • Must have three years of high school coursework. (If you are currently in high school, ASU needs to see 9–11 grade coursework. If you have completed high school, ASU needs to see 10–12 grade coursework.)
  • Must have and present a completed high school diploma or certificate.

Conditional admission

ASU may offer conditional undergraduate admission to international applicants to an on-campus program who meet the academic (aptitude) requirements but who are not proficient in English. This offer of conditional admission will give you time to improve your English proficiency before you start classes at ASU. Your conditional admission offer is good for up to three semesters, during which time you must meet one of these requirements to begin your ASU experience.

Competency requirements

International students who completed high school outside the U.S. are required to meet the following competency requirements:

  • Math: four years (algebra I, geometry, algebra II and one course requiring algebra II as a prerequisite).
  • Laboratory science: three years total (one year each from any of the following areas are accepted: biology, chemistry, earth science, integrated sciences and physics).

Provide evidence of English language proficiency (TOEFL 61)

Speciality

Also available online

Additional information

Program description

Urban planners guide communities in making wise decisions about their use of land and resources. The urban planning program introduces students to issues faced by urban areas and the tools necessary to address them.

Students in the BSP program gain expertise in the analysis and synthesis of the physical, social, political and economic issues that shape urban and regional development. Courses cover comprehensive planning, computer and analytical methods, public policy formulation and administration, socioeconomic and environmental analyses, urban design and many other fields that urban planning encompasses, such as:

  • geographic information systems
  • housing
  • landscape architecture
  • planning and zoning law
  • transportation
  • urban and development economics
  • utilities

Concurrent program options

Students pursuing concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”) earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with their academic advisors, students can create their own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.

Accelerated program options

This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years. It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:

  • Urban and Environmental Planning, MUEP

Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program.

Global opportunities
Global experience 

Through study abroad programs, students of urban planning can gain an understanding of how communities around the world have developed urban areas, and look at urban issues from a global perspective. The valuable experience students obtain through study abroad enhances their resumes, and they will be ready to use their acquired insights to help communities at home and around the world.

Study abroad programs are available in more than 300 programs in more than 65 countries.

Career opportunities

Graduates of the urban planning program pursue career opportunities with private planning firms and governmental planning agencies, mainly at the city level, but also with county, state and federal entities. Some planners elect to pursue graduate degrees to develop specialty skills and enhance their opportunities for career advancement.

The urban planning degree, especially when combined with a focus on geographic information science, gives graduates an advantage in careers that combine urban planning with GIS and in other jobs dealing with urban issues, including:

  • comprehensive and long-range planning
  • economic development planning
  • housing issues
  • planning law
  • public participation in the planning process
  • socioeconomic and environmental analyses
  • sustainable planning
  • transportation
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