Admission
Applicants for admission to the Master of Planning, Master of Planning and Development Studies, Master of Construction Management, Master of Real Estate Development or the Doctor of Philosophy in Planning must have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited educational institution. In recognition of the increasing diversity of capabilities required as the theories and practices of planning and development evolve, students from a variety of undergraduate and graduate backgrounds are encouraged to apply.Applicants for admission will be expected to have completed a broad range of undergraduate courses in addition to their academic major or professional concentration. Generally, this will be reflected in completion of courses from the following fields: English; economics (basic theory); political science, history or sociology; physical or natural science; art or philosophy. In addition, mathematics (algebra, calculus, probability theory) and a course in statistics are strongly recommended.
Application for Admission
Admission to graduate programs in the School of Urban Planning and Development is highly selective and competitive. Preference is given to those with a record of high educational achievement and personal qualities favoring success in the fields of planning or development. Applicants must have achieved superior grades during undergraduate and any graduate education. A grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0) is normally expected as well as satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) (a minimum score of 1,000 on the verbal and quantitative sections combined is normally expected of master's applicants and 1,200 for students applying to the Ph.D.). Students applying for admission to the Master of Planning, Master of Planning and Development Studies or the Master of Real Estate Development program may also submit either the Graduate Management Administration Test (GMAT) or the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Students applying to the Master of Construction Management program may submit either the GRE or the GMAT test. In exceptional cases, an applicant who has not met these scholarship requirements may be admitted with conditions of admission.For specific information on admission requirements and application procedures, contact the School of Urban Planning and Development Student Affairs Office at (213) 740-2052. Master of Construction Management applicants should apply to the School of Engineering. For additional information, contact the school at (213) 740-0587.
Master of Planning
The planning of cities is as old as urban civilization. However, the contemporary planning profession has expanded to include a broad range of applications. Planners are now actively engaged in evaluating and guiding change and development at the corporate, community, national and international levels through the private, public and nonprofit sectors.
Planners will play a role of increasing importance in managing the pressing problems and competing demands of change and growth in the remainder of this century and the next. The Master of Planning (M.Pl.) curriculum reflects this forward-looking and constantly evolving role.
The M.Pl. curriculum provides a core of knowledge underlying the key forms and applications of planning. This gives the basis for a wide choice of specific careers in the field and extends the relevance and value of graduate education over an extended period of time. A goal of the M.Pl. curriculum is to prepare planners to practice anywhere in the world.
The M.Pl. program is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board of the American Planning Association.
All persons pursuing the M.Pl. will complete core courses which present basic theories, techniques and methods.
Concentrations within the curriculum enable students to focus on one of three areas. The nine concentrations offered are: built environment and urban design; community change, housing and social policy; environmental policy and planning; history and preservation; information technology and geographic information systems; international planning and development; land use and transportation; local economic and land development; and urban and regional analysis.
A concentration is any of these areas qualifies graduates for a wide range of private, public and nonprofit sector careers with government agencies, consulting firms, corporations, utilities, international technical assistance programs, nonprofit and special interest organizations and joint public-private ventures.
Curriculum Requirements
The program of study for this professional graduate degree requires completion of 48 units, including 16 units of core curriculum, eight units of lab/workshops, four units of specialization methodology and 20 units of electives. A comprehensive examination and an approved non-credit internship are also required. The degree may be pursued on either a full-time or part-time basis.
Core Curriculum
The core curriculum comprises four lecture-seminar courses: PLUS 501 Planning Theory 2 PLUS 502 Statistics and Arguing from Data 4 PLUS 505 Comparative International Development 2 PLUS 506 The Social Context of Planning 2 PLUS 507 The Urban Economy 2 PLUS 509 Legal Environment of Planning 2 PLUS 510 Historical Analysis of Urban Form and
Planning Practice2 ____ 16
Laboratory/Workshops
Laboratory/workshops are an integral part of the curriculum of the School of Urban Planning and Development, providing the essential educational link between academic education and the world in which graduates will function as professionals. The laboratory/workshops require that students learn to work together as a team by applying their respective capabilities and knowledge to a common problem; much of their work as professionals will involve this kind of collaborative effort.Local agencies, corporations and firms often sponsor PLUS 676L to obtain research and analysis. Community groups seek assistance from laboratory/workshops as a means of informing themselves more thoroughly on community problems and issues or for obtaining planning analysis otherwise unavailable to them. The products of laboratory/workshops are usually in the form of policy recommendations, a suggested plan or alternative plans, data bases, background information, base maps, or any one of many specific contributions.
Each summer, the school offers one or more international laboratory/workshops. Recent international labs have been held in Mexico, Venezuela, Vietnam, Italy and China. All students are encouraged to take at least one international laboratory course, especially students in the international planning and development concentration.
Students will complete a total of eight units of PLUS 676L (4) to satisfy this requirement.
Specialization Methodology
Students select one methodology course appropriate to their concentration area or professional interests in consultation with their academic advisor.
PLUS 504 Research and Analytical Techniques 4 PLUS 573 Design Skills for Urban Planners 4 PLUS 574 Planning Analysis and Evaluation 4 PLUS 606 Advanced Research Methods in Planning:
Multivariate Statistical Methods4 PLUS 607 Advanced Research Methods in Planning:
Optimization and Matrix Methods4 PLUS 608 Advanced Research Methods in Planning:
Survey Research Methods4 PLUS 609 Advanced Research Methods in Planning:
Qualitative Methods4
Planning Electives
Students may elect one or two concentrations which represent the areas of most rapid professional and intellectual development within the field of planning. One concentration must contain 12 units of which at least eight units must be selected from the curriculum of the School of Urban Planning and Development. Non-school courses may be selected by the student with the approval of an academic advisor and must be directly concerned with the subject matter of the concentration.The courses listed under each concentration are illustrative; other approved graduate elective courses may be selected with the approval of an academic advisor. Concentrations are not mandatory, but strongly encouraged, as they represent the teaching and research strengths of the school. Courses may be listed in several concentrations.
Built Environment and Urban Design:
PLUS 610 (4), PLUS 615 (4), PLUS 631 (4), PLUS 633 (4), PLUS 643 (4); RED 673 (2), RED 674 (2), RED 675 (4)
Community Change, Housing, and Social Policy:
PLUS 508 (4), PLUS 539 (4), PLUS 540 (4), PLUS 543 (4), PLUS 545 (4), PLUS 550 (4), PLUS 552 (4), PLUS 570 (4), PLUS 633 (4), PLUS 643 (4); RED 598 (2)
Environmental Policy and Planning:
PLUS 508 (4), PLUS 526 (4), PLUS 539 (4), PLUS 541 (4), PLUS 561 (4), PLUS 562 (4), PLUS 600 (4), PLUS 615 (4), PLUS 623 (4), PLUS 626 (4)
History and Preservation:
PLDV 426 (4), PLDV 485 (4), PLDV 486 (2); RED 573 (2)
Information Technology and Geographic Information Systems:
PLDV 427L (4); PLUS 526 (4), PLUS 626 (4), PLUS 676L (4)
Land Use and Transportation:
PLUS 560 (4), PLUS 562 (4), PLUS 565 (4), PLUS 566 (4), PLUS 580 (4), PLUS 581 (4), PLUS 582 (4), PLUS 680 (4)
Local Economic and Land Development:
PLUS 521 (4), PLUS 540 (4), PLUS 541 (4), PLUS 543 (4), PLUS 545 (4), PLUS 546 (4), PLUS 547 (4), PLUS 550 (4), PLUS 552 (4), PLUS 560 (4), PLUS 562 (4), PLUS 565 (4), PLUS 566 (4), PLUS 570 (4), PLUS 623 (4), PLUS 643 (4); RED 509 (4), RED 542 (4), RED 546 (4)
International Planning and Development:
PLUS 543 (4), PLUS 631 (4), PLUS 632 (4), PLUS 633 (4), PLUS 634 (4), PLUS 635 (4), PLUS 640 (4), PLUS 643 (4); RED 583 (2), RED 585L (4)
Urban and Regional Analysis:
PLUS 539 (4), PLUS 565 (4), PLUS 566 (4), PLUS 635 (4); RED 509 (4)
Comprehensive Examination
Successful completion of a comprehensive written and oral project-oriented examination is required of all students seeking the Master of Planning degree (except for students pursuing the dual degree with either economics or gerontology). The examination explicitly covers the core courses and laboratory/workshops, but it is expected that students will also utilize material covered in their specialization methodology and concentration(s) and/or electives.The comprehensive examination normally is given in the fall and spring semesters of each year. Students usually take the examination in the last semester of their second year.
The examination is administered by a faculty committee appointed by the dean. Examinations are graded on an honors/pass/ fail basis. Students who fail the examination may take it again within one year. The examination may only be repeated once.
Internship
Students working toward the Master of Planning degree must complete an internship of at least 10 weeks' duration and a minimum of 400 hours in an organization engaged in planning or a closely related activity. Students must submit a report describing and evaluating the internship experience. Arrangements must also be made for an evaluative report of the internship by the student's supervisor submitted directly to the academic advisor. The internship is not for unit credit.Students often fulfill their internship while working part-time in a planning-related job during their course of study in the program or in the summer between the two academic years. If a student has had equivalent experience prior to admission to the program, the internship may be waived by the dean on the recommendation of the student's academic advisor.
The school provides information to students concerning internship and summer employment opportunities. While it is the ultimate responsibility of the student to secure the internship and fulfill the requirement, the school does have a Professional Development office that actively works with school alumni and area planning organizations to place students in appropriate internships. There are numerous internship opportunities in the greater Los Angeles area.
Directed Research
With the advice of the faculty, a student may elect to enroll in directed research either as an elective or as a substitute for up to four units of the laboratory/workshops requirement. Working directly with a faculty member, the student pursues an interest or problem appropriate to the student's program of study.The final product of directed research will be approved by the faculty member supervising the student. This may be a written report, graphic formulation, physical model, mathematical-statistical analysis, computer output or film - depending on the most appropriate expression of the research undertaken.
General Requirements
Residence and Course Load
The Master of Planning normally requires two academic years of full-time study. Courses are also scheduled to allow completion on a part-time basis.At least 36 units of graduate-level study must be done in residence at USC. The residency requirement may not be interrupted without prior permission from the School of Urban Planning and Development. Students accepted into the program with academic deficiencies will require a correspondingly longer time to complete their course work. Students seeking the degree on a part-time basis must take at least one course each semester and one semester must be in full-time residence. The semester in residence must be taken within two academic years after admission to the program, and at least eight units of required course work must be taken.
Students must be enrolled at USC for the fall and spring semesters each year until all degree requirements have been met. Students who find it necessary to be excused from a semester of registration must request a leave of absence from the Student Affairs Office by the last day to drop/add courses of the semester in question; such leaves may be granted for up to one year. For additional information refer to USC policies governing continuous enrollment, readmission, and leaves of absence in the Academic Policies section of this catalogue.
Time Limits
All requirements for the Master of Planning must be completed within five calendar years from the beginning of the semester in which the student was admitted to the program. University regulations prohibit the acceptance of credits for courses taken toward the Master of Planning degree more than seven years after the date they were successfully completed.
Grade Point Average Requirement
While enrolled in the program a student must maintain a grade point average of at least a 3.0 for all courses taken toward the degree.
Probation and Disqualification
Any student with a cumulative grade point average below 3.0 for all courses taken in the program will be placed on academic probation. A student whose semester grade point average is below 3.0, but whose cumulative grade point average is 3.0 or higher, will be placed on academic warning.A student may be disqualified to continue toward a graduate degree if the student has been on academic probation for two consecutive semesters. Whether or not on academic probation or warning, a student may be disqualified at any time from continuing in the program if the dean of the school, after consultation with the faculty, determines that the student is deficient in academic achievement or in another qualification required for the attainment of the Master of Planning degree.
Course Exemptions and Transfer of Credits
Graduate work by transfer may be accepted from approved graduate schools as determined by the USC Articulation Office upon recommendation of the dean of the school. Not more than 12 units of graduate work, with grades of B or better may be transferred for credit to the Master of Planning degree.The following courses, or their equivalents, cannot normally be transferred for unit credit from other institutions: PLUS 501, 502, 505, 506, 507, 509, 510, 590, 594 and 676L. Undergraduate work will not be credited for advanced or graduate standing. Students may petition to receive subject credit for these courses; unit requirements must be met through the completion of additional electives.
Some applicants for admission to the school will have been engaged in work in planning, development or closely related activities. Although this experience may have been beneficial to the students involved, it may not be considered equivalent to academic education.
Master of Planning and Development Studies
The Master of Planning and Development Studies degree is designed for mid-career professionals in planning, development or related disciplines who desire to update and/or redirect their professional skills and careers. The program is very flexible, allowing students to pursue areas of expertise that they find valuable in their present or future careers. Entering students must have a minimum of five years of planning, development or related professional work experience.
Curriculum Requirements
The Master of Planning and Development Studies program requires completion of 28 units. Basic degree requirements consist of two core courses; 16 units in an emphasis area approved by an advisor; and an integrative seminar course during which the student completes a written and oral comprehensive examination.
Core Courses Units PLUS 503 Policy Issues in Planning and Development 4 PLUS 504 Research and Analytical Techniques 4 PLUS 591 Integrative Seminar (normally in the
last semester in conjunction with
the comprehensive examination)4
Concentration Area(s)
Students elect a concentration area from one of three already defined or, with prior approval by an advisor, design a concentration from School of Urban Planning and Development courses and USC graduate courses. A minimum of eight units must be School of Urban Planning and Development courses. The three defined concentration areas are:
Community Economic Development
Select 16 units from the following courses: PLUS 526 (4), PLUS 540 (4), PLUS 543 (4), PLUS 545 (4), PLUS 546 (4), PLUS 547 (4), PLUS 560 (4), PLUS 570 (4); RED 509 (4), RED 542 (4), RED 546 (4)
Environmental Policy and Planning
Select 16 units from the following courses: PLUS 526 (4), PLUS 539 (4), PLUS 541 (4), PLUS 561 (4), PLUS 562 (4), PLUS 563 (4), PLUS 581 (4), PLUS 600 (4), PLUS 626 (4), PLUS 633 (4), PLUS 643 (4), PLUS 676L (4)
International Planning and Development
Select 16 units from the following courses: PLUS 543 (4), PLUS 631 (4), PLUS 632 (4), PLUS 633 (4), PLUS 634 (4), PLUS 635 (4), PLUS 640 (4); RED 583 (2), RED 585L (4)
Integrative Seminar and Comprehensive Examination
Successful completion of a comprehensive examination is required of all students seeking the Master of Planning and Development Studies degree. The integrative seminar course (PLUS 591) and comprehensive exam should be taken during the semester of intended graduation. During the seminar class, students identify a practice-oriented problem covering the core courses and concentration area, which ideally is sponsored by a planning and/or development office or firm. The student will: (1) prepare a professional-quality document; (2) present the solution to a faculty committee with invited sponsor guests; and (3) have an oral defense. Students who fail the examination may take it again within one year, but it may only be repeated once.
General Requirements
Residence and Course Load
The Master of Planning and Development Studies may be completed in one academic year of 12 units in the fall and spring semesters and the four-unit integrative seminar/comprehensive examination the following summer semester.At least 18 units of graduate study must be done in residence at the University Park Campus or at an approved off-campus study center.
Time Limit
Students in the program must complete all requirements for the Master of Planning and Development Studies within five calendar years from the beginning of the semester in which the student was admitted to the program.
Grade Point Average Requirement
While enrolled in the program, a student must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0 (A = 4.0) for all courses taken toward the degree.
Probation and Disqualification
Any student with a cumulative grade point average below 3.0 for all courses taken in the program will be placed on academic probation. A student whose semester grade point average is below 3.0, but whose cumulative grade point average is 3.0 or higher, will be placed on warning.A student may be disqualified to continue toward a graduate degree if the student has been on academic probation for two consecutive semesters. Whether or not on academic probation or warning, a student may be disqualified at any time from continuing in the program if the dean of the school, after consultation with the faculty, determines the student is deficient in any degree requirement.
Course Exemption and Transfer of Credits
Credit for graduate work may be transferred from approved graduate schools as determined by the USC Articulation Office on recommendation of the dean of the school. Not more than four units of graduate work, with grades of B or better, can be transferred for credit toward the Master of Planning and Development Studies degree.The following courses, or their equivalents, may not normally be transferred for unit credit from other institutions: PLUS 503, PLUS 504 and PLUS 591. Undergraduate work may not be transferred into the degree program for unit credit.
Some applicants for admission to the school will have been engaged in work in planning, development or closely related activities. Although this experience should be beneficial to the students involved, it may not be considered equivalent to academic education.
Master of Real Estate Development
The Master of Real Estate Development program is a carefully integrated program that brings together the three main elements of real estate development: design, finance and public policy. It is a full-time, one year program of study designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills they require to compete successfully in the development industry. The curriculum encompasses eight areas of study with which developers must be conversant, including real estate law, economics, finance, marketing, negotiation, planning, architecture and engineering. Courses are taught by full-time faculty members from the School of Urban Planning and Development. In addition, practicing developers, lawyers, planners and other professionals make regular contributions to the course of study, helping students link learning to practice.
Curriculum Requirements
The program of graduate study for the professional degree requires successful completion of the core curriculum (32 units), elective courses (8 units) and a comprehensive examination. Students must complete a total of 40 units.
Core Curriculum
The core comprises nine lecture-seminar courses that combine lectures, projects, case analyses, and exercises which allow students to experience all facets of the developer's tasks and problems. The integrative project, RED 675L, provides problem solving exercises and the evaluation of actual development situations. Courses emphasize various design, regulatory and fiscal problems associated with urban development and the developer's role in improving development standards in the industry.
Core courses Units RED 500 Real Estate Development and the Economy 2 RED 509 Market Analysis for Real Estate Development 4 RED 542 Finance of Real Estate Development 4 RED 546 Development Processes 4 RED 547 Project Management and Construction 2 RED 551 The Approval Process 4 RED 662 Legal Issues in Real Estate Development 4 RED 673 Design History and Criticism 2 RED 674 Building Typologies 2 RED 675L Community Design and Site Planning 4 Eight units of elective course work are required for the Master of Real Estate Development. These courses may be taken in the Schools of Urban Planning and Development, Architecture, and Business Administration, the Law School and the Department of Civil Engineering. Admission to some classes requires advanced prerequisites and is subject to availability and approval of the instructor.
Comprehensive Examination
Successful completion of a comprehensive written and oral examination is required of all students seeking the Master of Real Estate Development degree. The examination explicitly covers the core courses. It is normally administered late in the spring semester and is administered by faculty committees appointed by the dean. Students who fail the examination once may take it again within one year. The examination may not be repeated more than once.
General Requirements
Residence and Course Load
The Master of Real Estate Development may be completed on either a full-time or part-time basis. Both options begin in the summer session in July. The full-time program requires 10 months of study. Students will enroll in eight units in the summer session and 16 units in the fall and spring semesters. The part-time option is completed over a two-year period. Students will enroll in four units in the summer session and eight units in the fall and spring semesters. Students are also expected to participate fully in all extracurricular activities associated with the Master of Real Estate Development program, including the weekly speaker series and site visits.Students who wish a leave of absence for a semester or longer must request it from the dean in writing; such leaves may be granted for up to one year.
Students must have use of an approved laptop computer as required by instructors and must demonstrate calculator and spreadsheet skills; a calculator and/or spreadsheet one unit class is offered on a pass/no pass basis during the summer session.
Time Limits
The time limit within which students in the program must complete the requirements for the Master of Real Estate Development is governed by the following regulations:All requirements for the Master of Real Estate Development must be completed within five calendar years from the first course at USC applied toward the degree. University regulations prohibit the acceptance of credits for courses taken toward a Master of Real Estate Development degree more than seven years after the date they were successfully completed.
Grade Point Average Requirement
While enrolled in the program, a student must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0 for all courses taken toward the degree.
Probation and Disqualification
Any student with a cumulative grade point average of below 3.0 for all courses taken in the program will be placed on academic probation. A student may be disqualified to continue toward a graduate degree if the student has been on academic probation for two consecutive semesters. Whether or not on academic probation or warning, a student may be disqualified at any time from continuing in the program if the dean of the school, after consultation with the faculty, determines that the student is deficient in academic achievement or in another qualification required for the attainment of the Master of Real Estate Development degree.
Course Exemptions and Transfer of Credits
Courses taken toward other degree programs, if determined by the dean to be equivalent to courses in the curriculum, may be accepted for subject credit only. All students are required to complete 40 units while enrolled in the Master of Real Estate Development program. Course work taken prior to admission will not be retroactively applied toward the degree; students will be granted subject credit. The acceptance of previous course work for subject credit will enable the student to take additional elective courses.
Master of Construction Management
Curriculum Requirements
Students possessing a bachelor's degree and with sufficient training in capital management and statistics may work toward the Master of Construction Management. This is an interdisciplinary degree program offered jointly by the Department of Civil Engineering and the School of Urban Planning and Development. A single application is made to the Department of Civil Engineering. The purpose of the Master of Construction Management program is to educate and train multidisciplinary professionals to understand and execute the broad array of technical and non-technical activities associated with construction management. The program provides special attention to the function of the constructor in real estate development.The core of the program is drawn from the Master of Science in Civil Engineering program in construction engineering and management and from the School of Urban Planning and Development's Master of Real Estate Development program:
Core Curriculum Units ARCH 511L Seminar: Building Systems 4 CE 501 Functions of the Constructor 3 CE 556ab Project Cost Estimating and Control 3-3 CE 502 Construction Accounting and Finance, or GSBA 510 Accounting Concepts and Financial Reporting, or ACCT 538 Tax and Accounting Issues in Real Estate 3 RED 509 Market Analysis for Real Estate Development 4 RED 542 Finance Real Estate Development 4 Additional advisor approved technical and advanced electives 9 ____ 33 The minimum requirement for the Master of Construction Management degree is 33 units. At least three elective courses totaling at least nine units are required for this degree. These may be taken from the Department of Civil Engineering, other engineering departments, the School of Urban Planning and Development, the School of Architecture, the School of Public Administration, the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, the Law School or the Graduate School of Business Administration subject to advisor approval. Admission to some classes requires advanced prerequisites and is subject to availability and approval of the instructor.
General Requirements
Residence and Course Load
The normal time required for earning the Master of Construction Management is three semesters, including one summer session beginning in July and continuing through the spring semester ending in May. Students are expected to participate in extracurricular activities associated with the Master of Construction Management program, including the speaker series and field trips. A candidate must complete the last four semester units of course work at USC.Students who wish a leave of absence for a semester or longer must request it from the chairman of the Department of Civil Engineering in writing. Such leaves may be granted for up to one year.
Time Limits
It is expected that the work for a Master of Construction Management degree will be completed within a maximum of five calendar years. An extension of up to one year at a time may be granted for a maximum of two years. Courses taken more than seven years prior to the date upon which the degree is to be awarded cannot be included for the degree.
Grade Point Average
A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (A = 4.0) is required for the Master of Construction Management degree. The minimum GPA must be earned on all course work applied toward the degree. A minimum grade of C (2.0) is required in a course to receive graduate credit. Work graded C- or below is not acceptable for subject or unit credit toward any graduate degree. Transfer units count as credit toward the Master of Construction Management degree and are not computed in the grade point average.
Probation and Disqualification
Any student with a cumulative grade point average below 3.0 for all courses taken in the program will be placed on academic probation. A student may be disqualified to continue toward a graduate degree if the student has been on academic probation for two consecutive semesters. Whether or not on academic probation or warning, a student may be disqualified at any time from continuing in the program if the chairman of the Department of Civil Engineering, after consultation with the Civil Engineering faculty and the dean of the School of Urban Planning and Development, determines that the student is deficient in academic achievement or in another qualification required for the attainment of the Master of Construction Management degree.
Course Exemptions and Transfer of Credits
Up to four transferred units will be accepted from another engineering school with the approval of the Department of Civil Engineering.Real estate development classes may not be transferred from other schools. Courses taken toward other degree programs, if determined by the dean of the School of Urban Planning and Development to be equivalent to real estate development courses in the construction management curriculum, may be accepted for subject credit only. The acceptance of previous course work for subject credit will enable the student to take additional elective courses. Real estate development courses taken at USC prior to admission to the Master of Construction Management program may be applied toward the Master of Construction Management degree.
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