City Planning Program Degree Requirements
(Major Code: 02061)
Each student must complete an approved program of studies consisting of at least 48 units of approved 500-, 600-, and 700-numbered courses, with no more than 9 units of 500-level courses, to include:
1) Public Administration 525, the U.S. City Planning Process (3)
City Planning 625, Quantitative Techniques in Urban Planning (3)
City Planning 630, Seminar in Urban Planning Implementation (3)
City Planning 640, Seminar in Urban Planning Theory (3)
City Planning 660, City Planning and GIS Applications (3)
City Planning 670, History of Urban Planning (3)
City Planning 690, Seminar in Land Use Planning Principles and Techniques (3)
City Planning 700, Urban Design and Land Use Planning Studio (6)
2) Nine units of 600- and 700-numbered courses in planning elective courses, readings and research.
3) City Planning 796, Internship in Urban Planning (3-6) Cr/NC
4) Public Administration 604, Methods of Analysis in Public and Urban Affairs (3)
5) Other electives to complete program selected with the approval of advisor.
6) Students choose between two courses of study.
Students who have approval of the graduate adviser to pursue Plan A must include on their programs City Planning 799A, Thesis.
Students in Plan B are required to pass comprehensive written examinations in five areas of study.
At least 30 units must be completed in residence at SDSU, and at least 24 units of program courses shall be enrolled in and completed after advancement to candidacy. Not more than a total of nine units in courses 797 and 798 will be accepted for credit toward the degree.
Program Core Courses
The MCP Program core requirements consist of 33-36 units:
PA 525 The US City Planning Process (3 units)
This is an introductory course that offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of city planning. The student is introduced to the field of city planning including its origins, legal foundations and current issues such as transportation, housing, the environment, community development, historic preservation, population movement, and the effects of planning activities on various populations. Traditional planning processes are discussed as are styles and roles of the city planner, city planning values, and ethics.
PA 604 Methods of Analysis in Public and Urban Affairs (3 units)
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a working knowledge of a variety of quantitative tools and techniques employed in planning analysis. The course is taught from a practical standpoint with emphasis on hypothetical planning problems that the student is likely to encounter as a planning professional. Topics include basic statistics, chi square, analysis of variance, regression analysis, population projection techniques, economic models, and index numbers.
PA 625 Quantitative Techniques in Urban Planning (6 units)
Three lectures and nine hours of laboratory. The prerequisite for this course is PA 604. It is a project-oriented course in which the student is exposed to a variety of alternative philosophies and techniques. The course focuses on the stages of the comprehensive planning process by emphasizing the methods of collecting information, analyzing alternative plans, implementing feasible plans, and evaluating ongoing problems. The course includes the practical application of survey research, the use of the computer in analyzing data, cost/benefit analysis, linear programming, social indicators, systematic analysis, and the public budgeting process.
CP 630 Seminar in Urban Planning Implementation (3 units)
This course covers comprehensive plan making and the general plan as well as growth management techniques and their legal basis. The course also includes traditional planning implementation such as zoning, subdivision regulations, capital programs, taxation policies and other techniques used to implement plans and policies. Historical and contemporary case studies are utilized.
CP 640 Seminar in Urban Planning Theory (3 units)
The prerequisite for this course is CP 630. Planning theory consists of a range of topics dealing with normative, or prescriptive theories of planning, and related readings on the behavior of the planning function in government. Topics consist of epistemic modes of thought and planning, values, ethics, styles, roles, administrative structures, and decision theory. The course is taught in a critical fashion, with various theories such as synoptic, advocacy, transactive, incremental and radical theories treated comparatively and non-didactically. Readings are gleaned from journal articles and other sources, including research of the instructor.
CP 660, City Planning and GIS Applications (3)
ArcGIS mapping software extensively utilized in city planning. Proficiency necessary to use software in professional context for work required by public and/or private sector planning employment. Prerequisites: Public Administration 525 and graduate standing.
CP 670 History of Urban Planning (3 units)
This course demonstrates how the evolution of social, economic, and political structure affects urban form. The role of the state in urban and regional planning throughout various historical periods is covered. Also, comparative planning is studied.
CP 690 Seminar in Land Use Planning Principles and Techniques (3 units)
Two lectures and three hours of laboratory. The prerequisite for this course is CP 630. This course is designed to provide students with the experience of developing community plans and policies. Students travel to selected communities, work with local planning personnel and community groups and develop sample community plans. Students are provided information on land-use and physical planning principles and techniques at the regional, community, specific and subdivision planning levels.
CP 700 Urban Design and Land Use Planning Studio (3 units)
One lecture and ten hours of laboratory. The prerequisite for this course is CP 690. This course is an application of the comprehensive planning process. The following topics are covered: analysis of factors affecting land developability; land use and transportation elements; site planning and design principles; the application of planning implementation techniques; comprehensive plan report writing; and subdivision design and review process.
CP 796 The Internship (3-6 units)
The City Planning internship is considered an important adjunct to the planning student's instructional program. Each student is required to complete an internship either during the summer or during the regular school year. The internship is closely monitored and directed by a member of the City Planning faculty. Internships may be secured in public or private agencies and they may be served either inside or outside the San Diego region. At the completion of the internship, students are required to prepare a paper in which they describe their work experiences and evaluate this experience in terms of their overall training as a professional. Also, during the course of the year, the faculty Internship Coordinator calls the interns together for purposes of sharing their experiences. Almost all internships are paid. Some of the planning internships have become full-time positions upon the student's graduation. (See Internship for more details)
Other Graduate City Planning Courses
Graduate MCP students must take an additional 9-12 units of elective courses. At least nine of these units must be City Planning elective courses. Other electives are taken under advisement in other departments throughout the University. With the help of an advisor, students put together a program of study specifically tailored to their needs and professional aspirations.
The MCP Program offers a variety of elective courses that can be taken by students to complete their degrees. These courses include specialized courses in housing policy, readings in urban planning, environmental planning, geographic information systems, urban transportation planning, theories of urban design, land use and environmental law, planning graphics, and independent research in urban planning. Students are also encouraged to take elective courses within the School of Public Administration and Urban Studies such as the management of urban governments, public financial administration, and decision making in the urban community. Students should remember
The following are elective courses in the MCP Program:
CP 615 Graphics and Presentation Techniques in City Planning (3)
One lecture and six hours of laboratory. Maps, scales, representational and graphic communication techniques and materials, computer mapping. How to organize effective planning and design presentations.
CP 620 Seminar in Urban Planning Methodologies (3)
Procedures and analytical techniques for advanced urban planning analysis.
CP 625 Quantitative Techniques in Urban Planning (6)
Three lecture and nine hours of laboratory. The prerequisite for this course is Public Administration 604. Contemporary techniques and methodologies of planning analysis; a practicum emphasizing survey research, environmental impact techniques; case studies in demographic and economic analysis.
CP 635 Seminar in Housing and Housing Policy (3)
Study, definition and analysis of housing needs and problems. Public policies and programs addressed to housing issues. Alternative solutions and the role of the private and public sectors.
CP 650 Seminar in Urban Theory (3)
Study of the various empirically and normatively based theories of the city and urbanization process, with emphasis on communication and transaction and institutional approaches.
CP 665 Seminar in Urban and Regional Planning Analysis (3)
Theories and techniques of urban and regional planning analysis.
CP 680 Seminar in Readings in Urban Planning (3)
Selected topics in urban planning. May be repeated with new content. See Class Schedule for specific content. Maximum credit six units applicable to a master's degree.
CP 685 Seminar in International Environmental Planning (3)
The prerequisite for this class is Public Administration 525. Relationship between economic development and environmental protection policies in developing nations. Role of environmental issues in development and planning decisions. Emphasis on Mexican experience and its relevance to San Diego region.
CP 710 Seminar in Theories of Urban Design (3)
Perspectives and methodologies of contemporary urban design and its contribution toward improving the quality of the physical, social and economic environment.
CP 720 Seminar in Land Use and Environmental Law (3)
Cases and studies in zoning, coastal planning, growth management and environmental assessment.
CP 730 Seminar in Urban Transportation Planning (3)
Issues, techniques and practices in urban transportation planning with general emphasis on interrelations between transportation and land use planning.
CP 797 Research in Urban Planning (3) Cr/NC/SP
The prerequisite recommended is the consent of MCP Coordinator. Research in one of the areas of urban planning. See class Schedule for specific content. Maximum credit six units applicable to a master's degree.
CP 798 Special Study (1-3) Cr/NC/SP
The prerequisite recommended is the consent of an individual MCP faculty member. The subject of study is to be arranged with the MCP Coordinator and the appropriate faculty member. Individual study. Maximum credit six units applicable to a master's degree.
CP 799A Thesis (3) Cr/NC/SP
Prerequisites: An officially approved thesis committee and advancement to candidacy. Preparation of a project or thesis for the master's degree.
CP 799B Thesis Extension (0) Cr/NC
Prerequisite: Prior registration in Thesis 799A with an assigned symbol of SP. Registration required in any semester or term following assignment of SP in CP 799A in which student expects to use the facilities and resources of tecific area of planning. However, over the years students, with the assistance of the MCP Program faculty, have identified several areas of specialization within the MCP Program: generalist, urban design, transportation, housing and community development, and environmental policy and planning. With the assistance of the Faculty Advisor, students can construct a program of study with elective courses both within the School of Public Administration and Urban Studies and in related departments. These specializations seek to take advantage of the professional strengths and talents of the School and Program Faculty.
Generalist
CP 615 Graphics and Presentation Techniques in City Planning
CP 665 Seminar in Urban and Regional Planning Analysis
CP 720 Seminar in Land Use and Environmental Law
CP 798 Special Study
Geog 556 Location and Spatial Structure of Cities
Geog 572 Land Use Analysis
Geog 584 Geographic Information Systems Application
PA 512 The Metropolitan Scene
PA 530 Negotiation and Bargaining in the Public Service
PA 570 Administrative Law
PA 650 Seminar in Public Financial Management
Urban Design
CP 710 Seminar in Theories of Urban Design
CP 798 Special Study
Art 577 History of Architecture
Art 581 History and Theory of Environmental Design
Art 650 Creative Environmental Design
MAS 597 US-Mexico Border: Urban and Regional Development
Transportation
CE 621 Transportation Demand Analysis
CE 622 Mass Transit Engineering
CP 730 Seminar in Urban Transportation Planning
CP 797 Research in Urban Planning
CP 798 Special Study
Geog 558 Intermediate Transportation Geography
Geog 559 Urban Transportation Geography
Geog 656 Internal Structure of Cities and Location Theory
Geog 658 Advanced Transportation Geography
PA 650 Seminar in Public Financial Management
Housing and Community Development
CP 635 Seminar in Housing and Housing Policy
CP 665 Urban and Regional Planning Analysis
CP 720 Seminar in Land use and Environmental Law
CP 797 Research in Urban Planning
CP 798 Special Study -- this is a student initiated course
Econ 710 Seminar in Urban and Regional Analysis
Fin 780 Seminar in Real Estate and Urban Development
PA 530 Negotiation and Bargaining in the Public Service
PA 620 Seminar in the Management of Urban Government
PA 650 Seminar in Public Financial Management
MAS 597 US-Mexico Border: Urban and Regional Development
Environmental and Policy Planning
CP 675 Seminar in Environmental Policy and Planning in the United States
CP 685 Seminar in International Environmental Planning
CP 720 Seminar in Land Use and Environmental Law
CP 797 Research in Urban Planning
CP 798 Special Study -- this is a student initiated course
Econ 710 Seminar in Environmental Issues
Geog 570 Environmental Resource Conservation
Geog 571 Energy Resources and the Environment
Geog 572 Land Use Analysis