Department of Urban and Regional Planning
College of Science, Engineering, and Technology
The mission of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning (DURP) at Jackson State University, “Mississippi’s Urban University” and only planning degree-granting program in the State, is to specialize and train students to pursue exciting careers in community development and housing, environment and land use, and urban design; to create a diverse learning community in the field of planning; to provide students with the skills and knowledge to lead and contribute to the improvement of urban and regional environments; to prepare students to understand and serve a diverse and multicultural society, and to increase the number of members from under-represented groups in the professional ranks.
DURP Student Handbook
All students in the program must adhere to the following policies as established by the department.
Click here for DURP Student Handbook.
Student Handbook 2020-2025
DURP Student Handbook 2020-2021 (2) PDF
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
LEARN BY DOING
Content Under Review
“Challenging Minds, Changing Lives.”
Master of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning
Please follow these steps when applying to obtain an M.A. degree in Urban and Regional Planning:
1. Complete an online application with the Division of Graduate Studies https://www.jsums.edu/graduateschool/prospective-students-home/
2. Submit one official transcript from all universities/colleges/junior colleges attended
3. Non-Mississippi residents must pay an out-of-state application fee of $25.00
4. Submit a copy of your immunization records
5. International applicants must submit a satisfactory TOEFL or IELTS score
6. GRE official score report of fewer than five years old
7. Statement of Purpose indicating your skills, background, interest in the program, and what would you like to do professionally once your graduate. There is no specific format to use for this requirement.
The above-required documents must be submitted via online your portal account.
*We accept new M.A. students for the fall and spring semesters.
MA Curriculum Plan (Updated 2017)
Doctor of Philosophy in Urban and Regional Planning
Please follow these steps when applying for admission into the Ph.D. program in Urban and Regional Planning:
1. Complete an online application with the Division of Graduate Studies https://www.jsums.edu/graduateschool/prospective-students-home/
2. Submit one official transcript from all universities/colleges/junior colleges attended
3. Non-Mississippi residents must pay the out-of-state application fee of $25.00
4. Submit a copy of your immunization record
5. International applicants must submit a satisfactory TOEFL or IELTS score
6. Three letters of recommendation and three reference forms to accompany the reference letters Recommendation Form to accompany letter
7. Statement of Purpose indicating interest in program, skills, background, and what would you like to do professionally once your graduate. There is no particular format for this requirement.
8. GRE official score report of less than five years old
All documents with the exception of the transcripts must be uploaded via your online account.
*NewPh.D.D students are only accepted for the fall semester.
Ph.D. Curriculum (pdf version)
Core Area Courses
URP 700 Historical Development of Cities (3 hours)
URP 702 Theoretical Perspectives in Planning (3 hours)
URP 710 Advanced Statistical Methods (3 hours)
URP 712 Research Methodology (3 hours)
URP 714 Ethics in Planning Seminar (3 hours)
Academic Concentration Areas
Community Development and Housing
URP 720 Urban Housing Policies (3 hours)
URP 722 Community Developmen and Housing (3 hours)
URP 724 Urban Revitalization Studio (3 hours)
URP 726 Citizen Participation Strategies (3 hours)
URP 728 Local and Regional Economic Cevelopment Strategies (3 hours )
Environment and Land Use
URP 730 Environment and Land Use (3 hours)
URP 735 Land Use Planning Studio (3 hours)
URP 736 International Human Settlements (3 hours)
URP 737 Urban Implementation Strategies (3 hours)
Urban Design
URP 740 Foundations in Urban Design (3 hours)
URP 742 Analytical and Evaluation Methods for Urban Design Research (3 hours)
URP 744 Urban Design Studio (3 hours)
URP 746 Urban Design Doctoral Seminar (3 hours)
Other Courses
URP 750 Professional Practice Issues in Planning (3 hours)
URP 770 Independent Study or Research Practice (3 hours)
URP 899 Dissertation (3 hours)
APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE
1. Why study urban planning?
Urban planning is a forward-thinking, innovative field, where the end result of your work can impact millions of people.
2. Why do you want to study urban planning?
If you have an interest in making our urban environments better for everyone, this exciting subject may be for you.
What is urban planning?
So, what is urban planning? Put simply urban planning is a field of work that concerns itself with the design of our physical environment, such as cities, towns, and villages.
Urban planners will work with politicians, residential communities, commercial groups, and developers to design an urban environment that functions for the highest number of people.
They will ask, and attempt to answer, key questions around how people will live, work, play and travel in a specific area.
Why study urban planning?
By studying to become an urban planner, you can be sure that your work will have a real impact on people’s lives now, and in many years to come.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Urban and Regional Planning majors have a plethora of career options after studying
| Community Planner | Project Manager | Production Planner | Supply Planner |
| Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Lead | Traffic Engineer | Campaign Researcher | Environmental Planning |
PERSONNEL
READY TO JOIN?
For more information, please contact us at (601) 979-6863. We look forward to meeting with you and seeing how our program can help you achieve your goals.
DEPARTMENT OF URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING
