Projects Helped Him Find His Career Direction
"This department has done a great job of allowing us the leeway to explore our interests within the parameters of our educational exploration. I was given projects that really asked me to hone in on what I specifically wanted to achieve with my major and, therefore, in my career."
Cody Nolen, Regional Planning
Change Your World with Community Planning and Development
In the Community Planning and Development Program, you'll prepare for a rewarding career as a professional planner. You'll learn how to apply advanced techniques to the development of livable communities as you study the laws, policies, and design concepts of regional planning.
Our Accredited Planning Program Stands Out to Employers
The IUP Bachelor of Science degree in Regional Planning is one of only 17 accredited undergraduate planning degree programs in the United States. This gives you an advantage when it comes to employment and professional certification.
Get Hands-on Experience Through Internships and in Our Labs
All students in our planning program complete at least one internship to gain job experience. For many students, the experience and networking from internships lead to jobs after graduation.
You'll have opportunities to get hands-on experience with the hardware and software you'll use in your career through the Department of Geography, Geology, Environment, and Planning's design labs and studios, GIS labs, and sUAS (Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems) fleet.
Gain a Two-Year Head Start Toward Professional Certification
Because our program is approved by the Planning Accreditation Board, graduates of our Regional Planning program are allowed to take the American Institute of Certified Planners certification exam three years after graduation two years earlier than graduates of non-accredited programs.
Learn Professional Planning Skills
After you complete this degree, you will have learned all of the knowledge and skills required to be a community planner anywhere in the United States. Our community planning program is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board, which means your degree will be recognized by employers.
Some of the topics covered in our program include:
- Community development planning
- Land use regulation
- Transportation planning
- Housing needs assessment
- Comprehensive planning
- Site location analysis
- Design and graphics techniques
- Spatial data analysis in planning
Our students learn methods for identifying, modeling, and analyzing the spatial organization of community systems. You'll study how transportation planning impacts land use issues, strategies for economic development and housing markets, and the ethics of planning. We cover both the practical and theoretical perspectives.
Regional Planning Curriculum
This 120-credit Regional Planning major includes a 36-credit core and a 15+ credit specialization in Community Planning and Development.
Major Requirements
- RGPL 213 Cartography and Map Design
- RGPL 232 Urban Landscapes
- RGPL 316 Intro. to Geographic Information Systems
- RGPL 350 Introduction to Community Planning
- RGPL 352 Planning Methods
- RGPL 358 Planning History and Theory
- RGPL 453 Planning Design Studio I
- RGPL 454 Planning Design Studio II
- RGPL 458 Planning Law
- RGPL 462 Planning Policy, Implementation, and Admin.
- RGPL 493 Internship
- RGPL 498 Community Planning Practicum
Community Planning and Development Program Courses
Courses: Two Required Courses
- RGPL 404 Transportation Planning
- RGPL 470 Housing and Community Development
Select Three Courses from the Following
- GEOG 334 Political Geography
- PLSC 354 Metropolitan Problems
- RGPL 415 Introduction to Remote Sensing
- RGPL 424 Technical Issues in GIS
- RGPL 426 Environmental Land Use Planning
Explore a World of Options for Careers in Regional Planning
The Bachelor of Science degree in Community Planning and Development, Regional Planning can open doors to a variety of careers such as:
- Community development positions
- Land use analyst
- County or city planner
- Geographic information specialist
- Facility manager
- Cartographer
- Remote sensing specialist
- Municipal planner with regional or state agency