Urban and Regional Planning, Master of

The Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) program at West Chester University prepares students to as professional planners, meeting the growing demand for urban and regional planners, and related professions, in the region. Our students go on to influence the future of neighborhoods, local, regional and metropolitan areas. Urban and regional planners play a major role in shaping communities, in providing guidance for sustainable development, and in addressing social, economic, environmental and political problems of communities. The MURP at WCU provides students with the professional and technical skills needed to guide the complex processes of a changing world, to use modern technology to create a sustainable built and natural environment, and to enrich communities through leadership, entrepreneurial creativity, social responsibility and environmentally sustainable planning and policy. WCU’s program aligns with the standards of the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP), and our students are guided by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Code of Ethics. The MURP at WCU focuses on planning and geospatial applications related to planning. The program trains students to understand the “public interest” and to balance the needs of the public with the rights and interests of the private individuals and businesses. Building on a core theme of sustainability, students learn to balance the three “E”s – economy, environment and equity – in advising communities and clients and making decisions that impact public and private interests in sustainable development strategies. Students in the MURP program develop and hone skills in planning research and analysis, plan making, effective communication skills, working with diverse environments and communities, applying ethical principles, advocating for social justice, and employing geospatial technologies for planning applications and decision-making. In addition to the core curriculum, students choose 21 credits of electives based on interest and desired skills and knowledge for career preparation. While many professional planning programs in the region are housed within Schools of Design, the MURP at WCU is within the Geography & Planning Department in the AACSB-accredited College of Business and Public Management. Our program builds on the core strengths of the department and the College which include a focus on geospatial technologies, environmental analysis, and economic development planning, including location and business analytics. The program utilizes two state-of-the-art GIS labs and a fully-equipped Planning Studio, which are located in the university’s newest academic building, the Center for Business and Public Management.