BA–Urban and Regional Planning 

Minor–Urban and Regional Planning

MURP–Master of Urban and Regional Planning 
MURP–Advanced Standing 

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Required courses in these programs of study may have prerequisites. Reference the course description section for clarification.

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Undergraduate Program​

Urban and Regional Planning emphasizes the creation of directed change within communities to address critical problems. It uses placemaking as a component of sustainability to help identify physical and social directions for communities. It builds on plan-making—critical inventory and analysis of the natural environment, the built environment, transportation, urban design and community development. Students learn about planning processes and their applications in local and regional settings through classes, applied field research in class and through practice. Students also learn strategic policy-making and actions within a community through planning processes.

The program focuses on an awareness and understanding of global issues and solutions through local and regional processes, and utilizes the latest GIS and other techniques of data analysis and visualization to lead to sustainable solutions and to build strong communities. Housed in academic facilities on the EWU Spokane Campus and the Cheney Campus, the department has excellent space and resources for students: studio facilities, computer workstations and labs, a geographic information systems (GIS) laboratory, and access to a variety of other campus and community resources.

Vision of the Planning Programs: our graduates are leaders of the planning profession and guides to sustainable futures.  

Mission of the Planning Programs: the mission of the Urban and Regional Planning Programs at EWU is to provide quality professional planning education, research, and community service with an emphasis on problem solving at the local level.  

Implementation of the vision and mission is based on annually revised goals and are rigorously assessed through measurements reported annually on-line and in reports, along with an annual review by professional planners in our Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) and in our accrediting agencies. We continually revise our strategic plan to address critical needs of students, communities and changes in our profession.

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Planning Scholarships for Undergraduate and Graduate Students: 

The Planning programs provide the following scholarships for planning majors. Applications are available in the spring quarter of each year for:

• The Frank Schaedegg Memorial Scholarship award;
• The Washington Chapter APA Scholarship for an undergraduate or graduate student;
• King Cole Scholarship;
• Leonard Zickler Scholarship.

Awards Program Information

The Planning Programs conduct an annual awards program to recognize students for work accomplished during their academic careers. The total annual value of these scholarships is approximately $10,000.

These awards include:

• Undergraduate Scholarship Award: awarded to the graduating senior whose academic achievement has been out-standing;
• Graduate Scholarship Award: awarded to the graduating master’s degree candidate whose academic achievement has been outstanding;
• Community Service Award: awarded to a graduating student who has accomplished noteworthy and exemplary contributions in public service to regional communities;
• Professional Achievement Award: awarded to a graduate student who has demonstrated outstanding professional knowledge and skill in the performance of a professional internship or research project;
• AICP National Professional Award: awarded by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) upon recommendation of the Planning faculty for one graduate and one undergraduate student that represent excellence in academic and professional planning.

Student Support

The programs have long history of funding students via research and service projects.  In addition to graduate assistantships provided by the university our programs also offer research funded assistantships and tuition support as well as part time and hourly work opportunities for qualified students.  

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Integrating the Classroom and the Real-World

The Planning programs emphasize the acquisition and application of practical professional skills. Therefore, students not only acquire knowledge in the classroom, but also are involved in field projects requiring systematic application of this information. These field projects are often linked to the programs’ community service activities.  Our curricula at both the undergraduate and graduate level focus plan making and methods as well as state of the art tools for data driven planning.

Community Service Information

The department has a long history of providing planning and community development services to urban neighborhoods, towns and cities throughout Eastern Washington through its community service program. This work is conducted either on a contract basis with these communities or through other mechanisms. This work provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in realistic planning settings.

Internship Information

The Planning programs maintain an active internship program with local and regional planning agencies throughout the Northwest. Internships are encouraged but not required. An intern gains valuable practical experience while earning credits toward the degree. Credit allocation is determined by the amount of time the student works in the agency.

Career Placement Information

The long-range job outlook for urban and regional planners is excellent, with most graduates pursuing a career in local or state government. There is an expanding need for planners in the private sector including consulting firms, land development companies and large corporations involved in land management and location analysis. Planners also work in non-profit organizations, private sector consulting and development firms. These positions complement more traditional jobs in the public sector, including those dealing with comprehensive planning, land use regulation and transportation systems management. The department takes an active role in placing students and is proud of its continuing success in finding positions for its graduates. Agencies and organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest compliment the program for producing graduates who are ready and prepared to work and contribute.

Graduate Programs

Urban and Regional Planning emphasizes the creation of directed change within communities to address critical problems. It uses placemaking as a component of sustainability to help identify physical and social directions for communities. It builds on plan-making—critical inventory and analysis of the natural environment, the built environment, transportation, urban design and community development. Students learn about planning processes and their applications in local and regional settings through classes, applied field research in class and through practice. Students also learn strategic policy-making and actions within a community through planning processes.

The program focuses on an awareness and understanding of global issues and solutions through local and regional processes, and utilizes the latest GIS and other techniques of data analysis and visualization to lead to sustainable solutions and to build strong communities. Housed in academic facilities on the EWU Spokane Campus and the Cheney Campus, the department has excellent space and resources for students: studio facilities, computer workstations and labs, a geographic information systems (GIS) laboratory, and access to a variety of other campus and community resources.

Vision of the Planning Programs: our graduates are leaders of the planning profession and guides to sustainable futures.  

Mission of the Planning Programs: the mission of the Urban and Regional Planning Programs at EWU is to provide quality professional planning education, research, and community service with an emphasis on problem solving at the local level.  

Implementation of the vision and mission is based on annually revised goals and are rigorously assessed through measurements reported annually on-line and in reports, along with an annual review by professional planners in our Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) and in our accrediting agencies. We continually revise our strategic plan to address critical needs of students, communities and changes in our profession.

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Planning Scholarships for Undergraduate and Graduate Students 

The Planning programs provide the following scholarships for planning majors. The total annual value of these scholarships is approximately $10,000. Applications are available in the spring quarter of each year for:

• The Frank Schaedegg Memorial Scholarship award;
• The Washington Chapter APA Scholarship for an undergraduate or graduate student;
• King Cole Scholarship;
• Leonard Zickler Scholarship.

Awards Program Information

The Planning Programs conduct an annual awards program to recognize students for work accomplished during their academic careers.

These awards include:

• Undergraduate Scholarship Award: awarded to the graduating senior whose academic achievement has been out-standing;
• Graduate Scholarship Award: awarded to the graduating master’s degree candidate whose academic achievement has been outstanding;
• Community Service Award: awarded to a graduating student who has accomplished noteworthy and exemplary contributions in public service to regional communities;
• Professional Achievement Award: awarded to a graduate student who has demonstrated outstanding professional knowledge and skill in the performance of a professional internship or research project;
• AICP National Professional Award: awarded by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) upon recommendation of the Planning faculty for one graduate and one undergraduate student that represent excellence in academic and professional planning.

Student Support

The programs have long history of funding students via research and service projects.  In addition to graduate assistantships provided by the university our programs also offer research funded assistantships and tuition support as well as part time and hourly work opportunities for qualified students.  

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Integrating the Classroom and the Real-World

The Planning programs emphasize the acquisition and application of practical professional skills. Therefore, students not only acquire knowledge in the classroom, but also are involved in field projects requiring systematic application of this information. These field projects are often linked to the programs’ community service activities.  Our curricula at both the undergraduate and graduate level focus plan making and methods as well as state of the art tools for data driven planning.

Community Service Information

The department has a long history of providing planning and community development services to urban neighborhoods, towns and cities throughout Eastern Washington through its community service program. This work is conducted either on a contract basis with these communities or through other mechanisms. This work provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in realistic planning settings.

Internship Information

The Planning programs maintain an active internship program with local and regional planning agencies throughout the Northwest. Internships are encouraged but not required. An intern gains valuable practical experience while earning credits toward the degree. Credit allocation is determined by the amount of time the student works in the agency.

Career Placement Information

The long-range job outlook for urban and regional planners is excellent, with most graduates pursuing a career in local or state government. There is an expanding need for planners in the private sector including consulting firms, land development companies and large corporations involved in land management and location analysis. Planners also work in non-profit organizations, private sector consulting and development firms. These positions complement more traditional jobs in the public sector, including those dealing with comprehensive planning, land use regulation and transportation systems management. The department takes an active role in placing students and is proud of its continuing success in finding positions for its graduates. Agencies and organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest compliment the program for producing graduates who are ready and prepared to work and contribute.

Registration: Before the first registration, students should consult the department’s graduate advisor for assistance in planning courses for the first quarter. The graduate advisor has responsibility for guiding the student until the student has selected a graduate committee. Once the committee has been selected, the chair of the committee provides guidance for the student.

To complete this degree in two years, students must take at least 12 credits per quarter. The load for a full-time graduate student is 12 to 17 hours per quarter. An additional charge will be assessed for credits in excess of 18. Students enrolling for more than 17 credits must have written approval from the program's graduate advisor or chair of their graduate committee plus the department chair.

Enrollment Requirements

Students admitted to the Master of Urban and Regional Planning Program must maintain continuous enrollment from the first matriculation until all requirements for the degree are completed. Enrollment may be met in one of the following categories:

1. full-time enrollment of 10 credits or more;
2. part-time enrollment of less than 10 credits;
3. ​in absentia enrollment.

Graduate students are considered to be actively pursuing a degree from the first enrollment in the graduate planning program until graduation or until the limits described in this catalog have expired.

Under unusual circumstances, a student may petition for a leave of absence. If the petition is granted, the registration requirement will be set aside during that period of leave. Leaves will be granted only under conditions that require the suspension of all activities associated with the student’s degree program, including the research project. The leave of absence shall be for no more than one year. A written request for leave of absence shall be submitted to the student’s committee for approval. The recommendation shall be forwarded to the Graduate Programs Office.

Students who have completed all courses in their program other than PLAN 601 shall continue to register for at least 2 credits of planning courses until the degree requirements have been completed. An approved leave of absence is the only exception to this requirement.

Students who do not comply with these requirements for continuous enrollment will have their future registration blocked. They will be allowed to register only after receiving a favorable recommendation from the department’s faculty, the endorsement of the department chair, and the approval of the dean of the college.

Student’s Advisory Committee

After receiving admission to Graduate Programs and the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, the student will consult with the graduate Planning program advisor concerning appointment of the chair of the student’s advisory committee. The graduate committee administering the comprehensive examination shall, according to department policy, be comprised of three members: two faculty members from the Planning programs, with one serving as chair and a third faculty member from another academic discipline. The committee member from outside the student’s discipline may either be appointed by the Graduate Programs Office or students may elect to take the initiative and have a faculty member of their choosing appointed to the third committee position. If the second option is selected, students have the responsibility of approaching such potential members to secure their willingness to serve and the subsequent responsibility of notifying the Graduate Programs Office so that the willing outside members may formally be appointed to committee assignments.

No adjunct, part-time or other faculty located away from the campus may serve as chair of a student’s advisory committee, but they may serve as a member.

The student’s advisory committee chair has the responsibility for guiding and directing the entire academic program of the student. The student has the responsibility for initiating academic actions concerning the advisory committee. The chair of the advisory committee has immediate supervision of the student’s academic planning and research project. The chair also has the responsibility for calling required meetings of the advisory committee or other informal meetings considered desirable.  

The duties of the advisory committee include the responsibility for the degree program, the research proposal, the research project and the final examination. In addition, the advisory committee, as a group and as individual members, is responsible for counseling the student on academic matters and in the case of academic deficiency initiating recommendations to the Graduate Programs Office.

The student’s advisory committee will evaluate the student’s previous training and degree objectives. The committee will then outline a proposed degree program and a research problem. These activities along with the student’s other courses will constitute the student’s program. The student’s proposed degree program must be included in the Application for Degree Candidacy form. This form must be submitted to the Graduate Programs Office prior to the fourth quarter of registration, with endorsements by the student’s advisory committee and the graduate program advisor.

The advisory committee chair and the second planning faculty must meet together with the student to review and approve the student's research proposal by the end of the fourth quarter in the program. Frequent meetings with this committee are encouraged.

Additional courses may be added to the approved degree program by the student’s advisory committee if such additional coursework is deemed necessary to correct deficiencies in the student’s academic preparation. Changes to an approved degree program can be made with the approval of the student’s advisory committee.

Research Project Reports

Successful completion of a research report is required for the degree of Master of Urban and Regional Planning.  A research report must be the original work of the candidate. Reports must be grammatically correct, reflect the candidate’s ability to express thoughts clearly and adhere to the format of articles and reports contained in the Journal of the American Planning Association. The research report shall also contain an abstract not exceeding 350 words and a vita page. Instructions relating to the specific requirements of the report are found in the Urban and Regional Planning Writing Guidelines document.

Final Comprehensive Examinations

The candidate for the degree of Master of Urban and Regional Planning must pass a final examination. At the time of the final examination, a student’s cumulative GPA ≥3.0. There must be no unabsolved grades <C. The student must have completed all degree program course work with the exception of those courses scheduled during the quarter of the examination. Students who have not met these conditions are not eligible to take the final examination.

All students will be required to pass an oral examination during their final quarter. That oral examination shall consist of questions pertaining to the department’s curriculum and the candidate’s own areas of study. The examination may, at the discretion of the student’s committee, include a written component. In addition, all students are required to defend the research report during the course of the final examination.

The final examination is conducted by the student’s advisory committee. The oral examination on the report is open to the public; however, only committee members vote.

It is the candidate’s responsibility to schedule the comprehensive examination at a time agreeable to committee members and to notify the Graduate Programs Office at least two weeks prior to the examination date. In addition to complying with university procedures regarding such matters as deadlines and notification requirements, students within the department must also satisfy additional procedural requirements with respect to the written component of their final examinations. They must submit a research proposal for review and approval by their chair and second at the beginning of the student's fourth term of classes.  They must also submit an acceptable draft of their research report to the chair of their committee no later than the end of the third week of the quarter in which they intend to graduate. In addition, they are also required to submit a final copy of the report at least two weeks prior to the comprehensive examination.

Students must be registered at the university during the quarter in which the examination is given. A student shall be given only one opportunity to repeat the final examination and that shall be scheduled within the quarter following the first taking of the examination (summer quarter excluded).

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Alternative Degree Options

Students interested in either of these options must contact the Planning program's advisor and have approval to register.

Dual Degree with MPA

The Urban and Regional Planning Programs and the graduate program in Public Administration offer a dual-degree program in Planning and Public Administration. Students will receive two Master's degrees, the MURP and the MPA upon completion of this curriculum. However, students who complete these programs will not be considered to have graduated from the accredited program as described above without fulfilling all of the above requirements in addition to those specified in the dual degree program.

Master of Interdisciplinary Studies with a Planning Emphasis

In addition to the MURP, students may elect to complete an Interdisciplinary Master’s Degree by arranging a set of courses with two or more departments. In this case, students receive the appropriate degree, MA or MS, but not the MURP degree.