Oct 08, 2024  
Graduate Record 2023-2024 
    
Graduate Record 2023-2024 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

Other Opportunities - Urban and Environmental Planning


Return to: Graduate School of Architecture: Degree Programs  


MUEP-JD 


The J.D.- M.U.E.P. program normally takes four years to complete. The program consists of two semesters in the Architecture School program and six semesters at the School of Law. Students are required to meet all of the requirements set by the respective departments for the award of both the J.D. and the M.U.E.P. degrees. In the School of Law this means that the student must complete the required curriculum, meet minimum academic standards, and earn a minimum of 86 credits and six residency semesters in the School of Law and a minimum of 51 credits in the School of Architecture.

With the approval of the School of Law faculty advisor, students may receive 12 of the 86 credits required for the J.D. degree in appropriate graduate-level work in the Department of Urban and Environmental Planning and, when appropriate, from other graduate offerings at the University. In all cases, the School of Law representative must approve credit for any course taken outside the School of Law to be applied towards the J.D. degree before the student enrolls in the course. NOTE: Credit towards the J.D. degree cannot be granted for course work completed prior to matriculation at the School of Law. Similarly, with the approval of the Department of Urban and Environmental Planning representative, 20 credits earned in School of Law courses may be counted toward the M.U.E.P. NOTE: In accordance with ABA standards, J.D. degree candidates may not enroll in more than 17 credits total in any semester.

MUEP-MPP


The University of Virginia School of Architecture and the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy offer a combination (formerly termed “dual”) degree program which leads to the completion of the MUEP and MPP degrees in three years instead of the four years that would be required if each degree were pursued independently. The program is administered by faculty advisors from the School of Architecture and Batten School. A student who wishes to be admitted into the combination program must apply to each school separately and be admitted to both the School of Architecture and the Batten School through the normal admission process of each school. The fact that the student is a candidate for the combination program is not considered at this stage. Students who have been admitted to both schools and who wish to undertake the combination program should notify the registrar of each school and apply to the faculty advisors for permission to do so. Admission requires approval of both the Architecture and Batten faculty advisors.

Application to one school may be made either prior to entrance or while a first-year student at the other. The program takes three years to complete. All MUEP/MPP students complete a minimum of 31 credits in the School of Architecture for the MUEP, and 37 credits in the Batten School for the MPP. In no circumstances will a combination degree student be permitted to complete the program in fewer than three years (six semesters) of coursework. The program consists of the complete first-year program of each school, followed by one year of coursework taken from the curricula of the two schools. This coursework includes, in appropriate cases, courses from other graduate offerings at the University. Students who have been admitted to the combination program may elect whether they want to start at the School of Architecture or the Batten School and, in any event, must spend their first year in full-time residence in either the School of Architecture or the Batten School. The second-year is spent in the other school, again in full-time residence, in effect as regular first-year students. During the third year, students must complete the remaining required curricula of both schools.

Combination Degrees in Other Fields


Combination degrees are available also between Planning and each of the programs in the School of Architecture. All combination degree students complete a minimum of 30 credits for each degree, for a total of at least 60 credits in the School of Architecture. Please see the Graduate Director for more information.

Combination Degrees: 

This curriculum could permit students to start on a second Master’s Degree. Admission and acceptance of such courses must be approved by the administrators of the second Master’s Degree.

Accreditation


The Graduate Program in Urban and Environmental Planning is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board, sponsored jointly by the American Institute of Certified Planners and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning.

Advanced Standing


Master of Urban and Environmental Planning Degree


Bachelor of Urban & Environmental Planning students may consider pursuing the Master’s Degree through advanced standing.

The standard Master of Urban & Environmental Planning degree program is a two-year course of study oriented toward students coming from arts and science or design backgrounds. The graduate curriculum consists of core courses, specialized courses representing functional areas of planning, applied courses emphasizing the synthesis of planning analysis and values in specific settings, and a professional internship. Graduate students design a concentration in consultation with a faculty member.

Admission

Admission to the Advanced Standing Program will be determined through the regular formal graduate admissions procedure. The program is intended for students with strong undergraduate records.

Prospective students may apply for the Advanced Standing Program after graduating from the University of Virginia BUEP Program.

Advanced Standing

  • The standard Master of Urban & Environmental Planning degree program is a two-year course of study oriented toward students coming from planning, arts and science or design backgrounds. The graduate curriculum consists of core courses, specialized courses representing functional areas of planning, applied courses emphasizing the synthesis of planning analysis and values in specific settings, and a professional internship. Graduate students design a concentration in consultation with a faculty mentor.

General Curriculum Requirements for Students Receiving Advanced Standing

The advanced standing option requires students to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate work taken after receipt of a Bachelor of Urban & Environmental Planning Degree at UVA (or other undergraduate planning programs upon approval of the Graduate Director and Chair of the Department). These will include:

  • A core of graduate planning courses:
    • PLAN 6020 - Methods of Community Research and Engagement -  Credits: 3 
    • PLAN 6040 - Quantitative Methods of Planning Analysis -  Credits: 3 
    • PLAN 6070 - Planning Theory and Practice -  Credits: 3 
    • PLAC 6090 - Planning Capstone - Credits 4
    • PLAN 6013 - Communication and Planning Analytics - Credits 4
    • PLAN 6015 - Sustainable Global Communities - Credits: 3
  • A graduate Environmental elective course - Credits: 3 
  • A professional internship is usually completed the summer prior to enrollment or during the school year (non-credit).

One-Year Program Summary for Advanced Standing Option 

The one-year leading to the Master of Urban and Environmental Planning degree would follow this general pattern.

Fall Semester: 16 Credits Spring Semester: 14 Credits 
  • PLAN 6070 - Planning Theory and Practice, Credits: 3
  • PLAN 6013 - Communication and Planning Analytics: Credits, 3
  • PLAN 6015 - Sustainable Global Communities: Credits, 3
  • PLAN 6120 - Digital Technology for Planning and Design GIS: Credits, 4
  • Environmental Elective: Credits, 3