Dual Degree Programs

A dual degree program is an academic option which allows a student to enroll in two graduate programs simultaneously. Application must be made to both schools, and if accepted to both, the student pursues a specially designed program which combines selected courses from the two academic units. Students are required to seek advisement from both schools. The student will have the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills from two fields of study.

The dual degree program enables the student to integrate a closely related field with planning or development. The purpose of the dual program is to provide an enriched educational experience; accordingly, concurrent course work in the two fields is required.

Since the unit requirements of dual degrees depend upon the mutual transfer of units between the two academic units, no other transfer of credits will be allowed.

Students in Master of Planning or Master of Science in Planning Studies dual degree programs must fulfill the comprehensive examination and appropriate internship requirements except where noted otherwise.

Master of Planning/Master of Architecture

The Master of Planning/Master of Architecture dual degree program facilitates highly related cross-disciplinary studies in architecture and in planning at the master's level. This program offers students interested in developing a career in urban design an opportunity to make more substantial commitments in both disciplines and to achieve a more coherent and extensive knowledge in the design of built environments and public policy. Candidates must already possess a degree in architecture. This dual degree program normally requires five semesters in residence.

Requirements

Requirements for completion of the dual degree program are 72 units, including 36 units in architecture and 36 units in planning, as follows:

Architecture Units

ARCH 532ab Elements of the Urban Landscape 2-2

ARCH 533ab Urban Landscape Case Studies 2-2

ARCH 605abL Graduate Architecture Design 8-8

ARCH 693abL M.Arch. Thesis, Option I, or

ARCH 695abzL M.Arch. Thesis, Option II 4-8

Urban and Regional Planning Units

PLUS 501 Planning Theory, Process, and Implementation 4

PLUS 502 Statistics and Data Management 4

PLUS 507 Planning Analysis and Evaluation 4

PLUS 508 Planning and Political Economy 4

Laboratory/Workshops: PLUS 676L (4, 8) to total 12 units.

Emphasis: eight units of emphasis courses taken within the School of Urban and Regional Planning.

Master of Planning/Master of Business Administration

The Master of Planning/Master of Business Administration dual degree program enables the student to understand the conduct and requirements of business, accounting, corporate and strategic planning, real estate marketing, and finance. Further, students gain expertise in public policy, city planning and the interpretation of government regulations. Exposure to both fields becomes an educational as well as a professional asset for careers in either public service or private enterprise. This dual degree program normally requires five semesters in residence.

Requirements

A total of 84 units is required for the dual degree: 48 units of work in the Graduate School of Business Administration and 36 units from the School of Urban and Regional Planning. Required courses that must be taken in the Graduate School of Business Administration include: all courses required in the full-time M.B.A. program (36 units); GSBA 585 Business Field Project (3 units); and three graduate business electives (9 units).

Note: While students may waive preliminary courses based on prior academic achievement and compliance with the GSBA waiver policy, each student must complete a minimum of 48 units of work in the Graduate School of Business Administration.

Laboratory/Workshops: PLUS 676L (4, 8) to total eight units.

Emphasis: 12 units of emphasis courses taken within the School of Urban and Regional Planning.

Master of Planning/Master of Arts in Economics

Some graduate students in the School of Urban and Regional Planning add to their knowledge by pursuing a master's degree in economics. Since many of the analytical concepts employed in urban and regional planning are derived from economics, this dual degree specialty trains students to master important skills. This dual degree program normally requires five semesters in residence.

Requirements

Requirements for completion of the dual degree program are 56 units, including 20 units in economics and 36 units in planning, as follows:

Economics Units

ECON 414 Introduction to Econometrics, or

ECON 581 Econometric Methods 4

ECON 500 Microeconomic Analysis and Policy 4

ECON 501 Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy 4

Electives: eight units in economics

Urban and Regional Planning Units

PLUS 501 Planning Theory, Process, and Implementation 4

PLUS 507 Planning Analysis and Evaluation 4

PLUS 508 Planning and Political Economy 4

Laboratory/Workshops: PLUS 676L (4, 8) to total eight units.

Emphasis: 12 units of emphasis courses taken within the School of Urban and Regional Planning.

Thesis: A thesis is required on a subject interrelating economics and urban and regional planning. Students must register in a minimum of four units of PLUS 594abz. Students must maintain continuous registration until completion of the thesis.

Master of Planning/Master of Science in Gerontology

The dual degree program in planning and gerontology is one of the few in the nation which combines knowledge of the older population with the skills needed to plan services and programs for older people. The older population comprises an increasing share of the population of industrialized nations as medical advances extend the average life span.

The Master of Planning/Master of Science in Gerontology dual degree program is structured to train students to analyze needs and design programs and policies in housing, transportation, recreation, education, protection and medical care for older people. This dual degree program normally requires five semesters in residence.

Requirements

Requirements for completion of the dual degree program are 66 units including 26 units in gerontology, 36 units in planning and a minimum of four units of thesis in either gerontology or planning, as follows:

Gerontology Units

GERO 510 Physiology of Development and Aging 4

GERO 520 Life Span Developmental Psychology 4

GERO 530 Life Span Developmental Sociology 4

GERO 540 Social Policy and Aging 4

GERO 589 Professional Issues in Gerontology 4

GERO 591 Field Practicum 6

Laboratory/Workshops: PLUS 676L (4, 8) to total eight units.

Emphasis: 12 units of emphasis courses taken within the School of Urban and Regional Planning.

Thesis: A thesis is required on a subject interrelating gerontology and urban and regional planning. Students must register in a minimum of four units of either GERO 594abz (2,2,0) or PLUS 594abz (2,2,0). Students must maintain continuous registration until completion of the thesis.

Master of Planning/Master of Landscape Architecture

The dual degree option in planning and landscape architecture (within the School of Architecture) trains professionals in policy and design, and to be competent with design problems at different scales, but with a distinctly urban focus. Candidates must already possess a degree in architecture. The dual degree program normally requires five semesters in residence.

Requirements

Completion of the dual degree requires 66 units, including 14 of specified courses in architecture, 24 units of courses in urban planning, 16 units of elective courses and 12 units of thesis option I or directed design research.

The specified courses are those required for the Master of Landscape Architecture degree.

Landscape Architecture Units

ARCH 532ab Elements of the Urban Landscape 2-2

ARCH 533ab Urban Landscape Case Studies 2-2

ARCH 597abz Landscape Architecture Thesis Option I, or

ARCH 598abz Landscape Architecture Directed Design Research 4-8-0

Electives 16

Studio Units

ARCH 542aL Landscape Architecture Design II
(jointly offered with Planning) 6

Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995
David Henriquez
univpub@stuaff.usc.edu

Architecture		Units
ARCH 532ab	Elements of the Urban Landscape	2-2
ARCH 533ab	Urban Landscape Case Studies	2-2
ARCH 605abL	Graduate Architecture Design	8-8
ARCH 693abL	M.Arch. Thesis, Option I, or
ARCH 695abzL	M.Arch. Thesis, Option II	4-8

Urban and Regional Planning		Units
PLUS 501	Planning Theory, Process, and Implementation	4
PLUS 502	Statistics and Data Management	4
PLUS 507	Planning Analysis and Evaluation	4
PLUS 508	Planning and Political Economy	4

Economics		Units
ECON 414	Introduction to Econometrics, or
ECON 581	Econometric Methods	4
ECON 500	Microeconomic Analysis and Policy	4
ECON 501	Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy	4
Electives: eight units in economics

Gerontology		Units
GERO 510	Physiology of Development and Aging	4
GERO 520	Life Span Developmental Psychology	4
GERO 530	Life Span Developmental Sociology	4
GERO 540	Social Policy and Aging	4
GERO 589	Professional Issues in Gerontology	4
GERO 591	Field Practicum	6

Landscape Architecture		Units
ARCH 532ab	Elements of the Urban Landscape	2-2
ARCH 533ab	Urban Landscape Case Studies	2-2
ARCH 597abz	Landscape Architecture Thesis Option I, or
ARCH 598abz	Landscape Architecture Directed Design Research	4-8-0
Electives		16

Studio		Units
ARCH 542aL	Landscape Architecture Design II (jointly offered with Planning)	6