Masters in City and Regional Planning

City and regional planning involves making decisions that will maximize benefits while minimizing costs in the public services sector. Regional planning covers wide geographical areas and city planning occurs on a smaller, more detailed scale. You will study climate, geography and natural water resources needed for successful development of housing, education and economics. You will also learn about analyzing data and consulting with those parties who are interested in land development. Internships are highly recommended to gain more experience in this category.

Positions with accredited public and private higher education institutions facilitate City and Regional Planning Master’s Programs. You might choose to take many classes online because of the added convenience you can experience while gaining your higher education. If you are pursuing a master’s degree, you must already have an undergraduate degree. This means many graduate students work within their given field, but want to expand their knowledge and skills in their field. If this describes your situation, you could certainly benefit from studying some required courses online. Of course, with a city and regional planning degree, you will want to participate in on-site activities like obtaining a valuable internship during your formal education.

There are many areas in which you could specialize after you earn your Masters in City and Regional Planning degree. Traditional sectors include land use, economic development, environmental protection, community design and transportation. In 2008, the mean annual earnings of a city or regional planner were just under $60,000. The positions of engineering services, scientific research, technical consulting and teaching at colleges and universities had relatively similar mean incomes in 2008. Faster-than-average employment growth is expected, with most new jobs opening up in affluent, rapidly expanding communities. The best job prospects are going to those with master’s degrees.