The Graduate School

GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN THE SCHOOL OF URBAN PLANNING AND REGIONAL STUDIES

The School of Urban Planning and Regional Studies (SUPRS) is a unit of the College of Liberal Arts.  The School offers five graduate degrees: Master of Arts in Geography; Master of Science in Urban Studies (MSUS); Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP); Master of Public Administration (MPA); and Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Studies.

Master of Arts in Geography Degree Requirements
Students pursuing the Master of Arts degree in geography must show prior credit for Geography 2801 or its equivalent. Students with baccalaureate degrees outside of geography may be granted conditional admission. All students must complete a minimum of 31 credit hours in the thesis option or 37 credit hours in the non-thesis option. In both options, a six-hour minor outside of geography is required. All students are required to complete Geography 4805 or 4810, 6001, and 6887. Students who intend to take 6000-level courses in the techniques or environmental analysis areas of concentration must also take Geography 4801.

Thesis Option Students who elect to pursue the thesis option must complete the core requirements described above and the following additional requirements:

1. at least nine hours in geography courses numbered 6000 or above (excluding thesis hours), including at least three hours of seminar courses.
2. at least six hours in each of two of the four areas of concentration (land use analysis, environmental analysis, techniques, cultural/regional analysis), to include a minimum of 12 hours. At least six of the 12 hours must be at the 6000 level or above.
3. at least six hours of thesis research.
4. the remaining credit hours must be in core courses and electives approved by the student’s major advisor. In addition, students in the cultural and regional concentration may elect to substitute three hours of anthropology for three of the six hours in geography required to satisfy section “2” above. Any substitution must have the consent of the student’s advisor.

Students must successfully defend a thesis to complete the degree. Students who have already completed any or all of the core courses prior to admission to the Master of Arts program may, with the approval of the student’s advisor, substitute an equivalent number of hours in other geography courses.

Non-thesis Option: Students who elect the non-thesis option must complete the core requirements described above and the following additional requirements:

1. at least 15 hours are in geography courses numbered 6000 or above, including at least six hours in seminar courses.
2. at least six hours in each of two of the four areas of concentration. At least six of the 12 hours must be at the 6000 level, with a minimum of three hours of 6000-level credit coming from each of the two areas of concentration.
3. the remaining hours must be in core courses and electives, approved by the student’s major advisor (section “4’’ under the thesis option).

Students must pass a comprehensive exam to complete the degree. This exam will include material from the geography core courses and from each of the two areas of concentration. Students who have already completed any or all of the required core courses prior to admission to the Master of Arts program may, with the approval of the student’s advisor, substitute an equivalent number of hours in other geography courses.

MSUS,  MURP, MPA and Ph D Programs
The MSUS program is interdisciplinary and offers training in a broad range of urban phenomena for persons who desire to enter such fields as law, journalism, education, law enforcement and business, or to further their study of cities and regions at the doctoral level. The MURP program is fully accredited by the American Planning Association (APA) and consists of professional training in planning cities and regions with special emphasis on the social, economic, environmental, political and physical aspects of metropolitan areas. The objective of the program is to prepare students for planning careers in city, regional, state and federal agencies; private consulting firms; public service organizations; and other public or private institutions. The program of study leading to the Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Studies enables students of exceptional ability to undertake advanced study and original research in the fields of urban affairs, urban history and urban and regional planning. The doctoral program's mission is to prepare students for careers in scholarly activity, applied research, and policy analysis.

Admission for MSUS AND MURP Programs
The Department of Planning and Urban Studies faculty has instituted admission requirements for entrance into the MSUS and MURP programs in addition to those of the Graduate School, which include above average academic competence as evidenced in undergraduate work and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. The Department of Planning and Urban Studies faculty will also take relevant experience into account, although it is not a specific requirement for application. Upon review of an applicant's credentials, the College of Urban and Public Affairs may grant full or conditional admission to the MSUS or MURP program. If admission is conditional, the student may have to complete additional courses of study in addition to those for the desired program.

Non-Degree Seeking Students
Persons who are interested in taking courses offered by the Department of Planning and Urban Studies, but not seeking a degree, are encouraged to enroll as a “special student” (undergraduate) or as a “non-degree seeking student” (graduate). Consult the appropriate catalog or contact the department office for assistance.

Admission for Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Studies
The Ph.D. in Urban Studies program provides graduates with a solid foundation to conduct applied research and policy analysis outside of academic settings and for teaching and research in colleges and universities. The program emphasizes mastery of the literature and theory in a particular area of scholarship and mastery of research skills necessary to make significant original contributions to that field. The Ph.D. in Urban Studies program assists the department in its professional public service mission by providing high quality applied research and policy analysis for state, metropolitan, and local agencies and organizations. The doctoral program in urban studies draws upon the strengths of the University, particularly the departments within the College of Liberal Arts.

All students enrolling in the program must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Preference is given to those who have completed a master’s degree before entering the program. Admission decisions are based primarily on undergraduate/graduate grade-point average (GPA), Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, and letters of recommendation. Preferred levels of performance are a 3.0 or higher undergraduate GPA, a 3.0 or higher graduate GPA,  scores of at least 550 for the verbal and quantitative section of the GRE exam and a minimum of 5.0 on the written portion of the GRE exam.

Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Studies Degree Requirements
A student admitted to the program must complete a minimum of 72 hours beyond the bachelor’s degree. A postmaster’s student will be able to transfer to the Program a maximum of 24 credit hours of course work with a grade of B or higher. Thus, a student must complete at least 48 hours of course work with a grade of B or higher while enrolled in the doctoral program at UNO. Also, up to 9 credit hours earned after receiving a master’s degree may be transferred into the program. The courses proposed for transfer must be approved as part of the student’s program of study within the college. These hours will include a core curriculum, a major and a minor filed of specialization, and a dissertation.

Fields of specialization include

1. urban affairs,
2. urban history, and
3. urban and regional planning.

Overview
72 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree 66 credit hours in the following four areas:

• Urban Studies Core (12credit hours)
• Research Design (6 credit hours)
• Research Methods (9 or more credit hours)
• Research Competence (6 credit hours)

Major and Minor Fields of Study/Area of Specialization (42 credit hours)
Within the major field, students select a group of courses that provide a foundation in the theory and methods of that field of knowledge and a set of additional courses that constitute an area of specialization. Typically, foundation courses are completed as part of previous masters degree work and are transferred into the doctoral program. A student who does not have a masters degree in his or her major field should expect to take courses sufficient to demonstrate knowledge of the basic theory, concepts, and methods of that field.

Each student selects a group of courses that form an area of specialization within the major field of study. The department of planning and urban studies supports areas of specialization in land use and environmental management and policy, social and cultural change, and urban development. As a rough rule of thumb, students should expect to take at least 15 credit hours of courses in their area of specialization. These courses may be in the department of planning and urban studies or other departments of the University; they may be formal courses or independent studies.

The student defines his or her area of specialization in consultation with a faculty advisor. The courses must be mutually reinforcing and coherent; assure expertise in some body of knowledge, methods, or problem area; and provide the student with adequate skills and knowledge to do dissertation research as well as policy research in the area of specialization: knowledge of the body of relevant theory (usually by taking courses in a social science, history, planning or public administration); knowledge of relevant methodology (e.g., planning methods, statistics, qualitative methods); an ability to apply theory and methods to specific problems; and an ability appropriate research design and research methods.

Students may, at their own option, define a minor field of study. Within the minor field, a student must complete at least 15 credit hours (some of which may be transfer credits) in a set of courses approved in advance by the student’s advisor. Courses taken in the minor may constitute an independent body of knowledge, or they may support the area of specialization developed in the major.

Students should check with the department about any revisions approved for the program, but which may not be reflected in this catalog, or visit the department website at http://www.planning.uno.edu.

Master of Science in Urban Studies Degree Requirements
The flexibility of the MSUS program has allowed students to pursue career fields that are emerging and may not be covered in more structured and traditional masters programs. For example, there is a strong subfield of study in Anthropology that is offered in conjunction with the UNO Department of Anthropology. Other linked areas are Cultural and Ecotourism linked with the Kabacoff School of Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism and Cultural/Arts planning with the Arts Administration Program of the UNO College of Liberal Arts. Links to those programs can be found on the UNO Website.

Overview

• 33 Total Hours
• 12-15 hours of required courses
• 15 hours of electives
• 3-6 hours of thesis

Master of Science in Urban Studies: Applied Urban Anthropology Concentration
Anthropology at UNO brings qualitative research methods and the insights of social theory to the study of the central questions in contemporary urban life. Students who choose to pursue the Urban Anthropology Track will work directly with faculty whose on-going research projects are at the leading edge of urban research methodology.

Students in the applied urban anthropology track will receive training in qualitative research methodologies and will gain valuable fieldwork experiences. These may include cultural preservation management projects, historic archaeology, policy evaluation, folklore research projects and internships in local government and non-profit organizations. Students will draw on the university’s technological resources (including film, museums and, of course, computers) to present their own research. Urban anthropology track students are encouraged to attend and participate in professional conferences, where they can learn directly about how to communicate their results as well as network with their future colleagues.

Students should check with the department about any revisions approved for the program, but which may not be reflected in this catalog, or visit the department website at http://planning.uno.edu

Master of Urban and Regional Planning
The Master in Urban and Regional Planning program prepares graduates for a wide range of careers in the field of planning. Planners can choose to work for governmental agencies, private consulting firms or nonprofit organizations. Their chosen career can target such issues as creating safe, attractive and healthy neighborhoods; providing affordable housing; and building accessible, efficient and environmentally friendly transportation systems. Students have the opportunity to pursue internships for academic credit with selected agencies and private firms while they are in school. This “real world” experience helps students to become more competitive in the job market upon graduation.

All MURP students will be required to show proof of having completed at least an acceptable introductory-level statistics course and an introductory-level economics course before entering the program, or will be required to complete such a course during their first semester of attendance.

Overview

• 45 ‑total hours needed to complete the degree (excluding deficiencies or prerequisites)
• 24 credit hours of required courses
• 12 credit hours of courses in an area of specialization

Students should check with the department about any revisions approved for the program, but which may not be reflected in this catalog.

Master of Urban and Regional Planning: Areas of Specialization
Program Specializations
Students have a choice of three areas of specialization within the program. Each specialization requires 12 credit hours of coursework. Generally a student completes the thesis or final project within this program specialty. The three areas of specialization are Housing and Community Development/ Economic Development, Land Use/ Environment, and Historic Preservation. In addition, a specialization in Transportation Planning is under development.

Joint JD/ MURP Program
This program, unique in Louisiana, offers a combined planning degree and legal education through Loyola School of Law for those persons seeking a career in land use law and development. Applicants must apply separately and be admitted to the MURP program at UNO and to the Loyola School of Law. Normal degree requirements of each program are reduced by a common core of nine credit hours of approved elective courses that count toward both programs. The requirements for both degrees must be completed before either degree is awarded.

Financial Aid
Assistantships for nine months are available for a limited number of qualified applicants. The student will devote approximately half-time (20 hrs/week) to research work. In addition, a number of assistantships are located off-campus in planning and planning related agencies.

Master of Public Administration Degree Requirements
Prerequisites

• Economics – Micro or Macro (3 hrs)
• Political Science or American Government (3 hrs)
• Unmet prerequisites should be made up early in the program.

Overview

• 42 total hours needed to complete the degree (excluding deficiencies or prerequisites)
• 27 hours of required courses
• 9 hours of electives
• 6 hours of thesis research and a thesis, or 6 hours of capstone courses and a final project. All masters students must include at least 15 hours of courses numbered 6000 or above in their programs of study.

Required Courses

Thesis/Final Project Option
Students must choose either the thesis or the final project option

Thesis Option. PADM 7000 Thesis Research (6 hrs) plus the thesis. Thesis students may take Capstone I in lieu of three hours of thesis research.

Final Project Option. This is an applied project completed in conjunction with a public service job or internship while enrolled in PADM 6901 and 6902 MPA Capstone I & II (3 hrs each).

Nonprofit Leadership Concentration
In conjunction with Metropolitan College’s International Program in Nonprofit Leadership (IPNL), the MPA program offers a concentration in nonprofit leadership (NPL). The concentration consists of 15 hours: NPL students must complete the following courses which are currently offered under PADM 4800:

NPL students must also choose the thesis or non-thesis (final project) option. Thesis students may take PADM 6901 MPA Capstone I (3 hours) and PADM 7000 Thesis Research (3 hours).

Financial Aid
Assistantships for nine and 12 months may be available for a limited number of qualified applicants.