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Urban Planner Training and Qualifications
A master’s degree from an accredited planning program provides the best
training for a wide range of planning positions. Experience and acquiring and
maintaining certification lead to the best opportunities for advancement.
Education and training. Most entry-level jobs in Federal,
State, and local governments require a master’s degree from an accredited
program in urban or regional planning or a related field, such as urban design
or geography. Students are admitted to master’s degree programs in planning with
a wide range of undergraduate backgrounds; a bachelor’s degree in economics,
geography, political science, or environmental design is especially good
preparation. A few schools offer a bachelor’s degree in urban planning, and
graduates from these programs qualify for some entry-level positions, but their
advancement opportunities are often limited unless they acquire an advanced
degree.
In 2007, 66 colleges and universities offered an accredited master’s degree
program, and 15 offered an accredited bachelor’s degree program, in planning.
Accreditation for these programs is from the Planning Accreditation Board, which
consists of representatives of the American Institute of Certified Planners, the
American Planning Association, and the Association of Collegiate Schools of
Planning. Most graduate programs in planning require at least 2 years of study.
Most college and university planning departments offer specialization in
areas such as community development and redevelopment, land-use or code
enforcement, transportation planning, environmental and natural resources
planning, urban design, and economic planning and development.
Highly recommended also are courses in related disciplines, such as
architecture, law, earth sciences, demography, economics, finance, health
administration, and management, in addition to courses in planning. Because
familiarity with computer models and statistical techniques is important,
courses in statistics, computer science, and geographic information systems also
are recommended or required.
Graduate students spend considerable time in studios, workshops, and
laboratory courses, learning to analyze and solve planning problems. They often
are required to work in a planning office part time or during the summer. Local
government planning offices frequently offer students internships, providing
experience that proves invaluable in obtaining a full-time planning position
after graduation.
Licensure. As of 2007, New Jersey was the only State that
required planners to be licensed, although Michigan required registration to use
the title "community planner." Licensure in New Jersey is based on two
examinations—one testing generalized knowledge of planning and another testing
knowledge of New Jersey planning laws. Registration as a community planner in
Michigan is based on professional experience and national and State
examinations.
Other qualifications. Planners must be able to think in terms
of spatial relationships and visualize the effects of their plans and designs.
They should be flexible and be able to reconcile different viewpoints and make
constructive policy recommendations. The ability to communicate effectively,
both orally and in writing, is necessary for anyone interested in this field.
Certification and advancement. The American Institute of
Certified Planners, a professional institute within the American Planning
Association, grants certification to individuals who have the appropriate
combination of education and professional experience and pass an examination.
Professional development activities are required to maintain certification.
Certification may be helpful for promotion.
After a few years of experience, planners may advance to assignments
requiring a high degree of independent judgment, such as designing the physical
layout of a large development or recommending policy and budget options. Some
public sector planners are promoted to community planning director and spend a
great deal of time meeting with officials, speaking to civic groups, and
supervising a staff. Further advancement occurs through a transfer to a larger
jurisdiction with more complex problems and greater responsibilities or into
related occupations, such as director of community or economic development.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition
Find related resources below:
Urban Planner Job outlook
Urban Planner Income
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