Community and Regional Planning University of Oregon

Overview

The Community and Regional Planning programme at the University of Oregon provides a rigorous professional education designed to cultivate innovative change agents in the field of urban development. Students engage with a challenging curriculum that blends theoretical knowledge with practical application to address complex societal, environmental, and economic challenges.

This master's degree is distinguished by its commitment to inclusive learning and interdisciplinary collaboration. By partnering with local and state organisations, the programme ensures that students gain direct experience in solving real-world issues while developing the technical skills necessary for successful careers in planning and policy.

Why Community and Regional Planning at the University of Oregon?

The University of Oregon offers one of the most applied planning programmes in the United States, featuring the renowned Community Planning Workshop. This initiative allows students to work directly with paying clients, presenting findings to elected officials and community boards before they even graduate.

The programme is highly ranked, appearing in the top 10 in the West and the top 15 small programmes nationally. Students benefit from the Sustainable Cities Institute and the Institute for Policy Research and Engagement, which provide extensive research opportunities and technical assistance to communities across the region.

With a small annual intake of approximately 20 students, the department fosters a close-knit, collaborative environment. The curriculum is exceptionally flexible, allowing for concurrent degrees or certificates in fields such as Landscape Architecture, Law, Economics, and Environmental Studies.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: USD 34386 per year
• National fee: USD 34386 per year
• Local fee: USD 20076 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum requires 72 credits and includes core subjects, experiential learning, and specialised fields of interest. Modules may include:

• Planning Practice
• Urban Design
• Legal Issues in Planning
• Technical Foundations
• Planning Theory and Ethics
• History of Planning and Urbanisation
• Visual Design for Applied Practice
• Urban GIS
• Advanced Urban GIS
• Development Process
• Planning for Growth and Housing
• Community Organizing
• Public Participation in Diverse Communities
• Collaboration
• Statistics for Public Decision-Making
• Qualitative Analysis for Public-Decision Making
• Practical Surveys for Public Surveys
• Professional Development
• Community Planning Workshop

Careers with Community and Regional Planning

Graduates from the University of Oregon are highly successful in securing professional roles across diverse sectors. The broad-based education prepares students for leadership positions in local, state, and federal government, as well as private consultancy and non-profit advocacy.

Common career paths include roles as local government land use planners, community development directors, and environmental planners. Graduates also find employment as impact assessment specialists, emergency services directors, and planning consultants within private development firms and utility companies.

The programme provides dedicated career support, including individual consultations, mock interviews, and assistance with securing internships. Many alumni also transition into research-focused roles within economic development corporations, sustainable business organisations, and state research bureaus.