"IF WE COULD FIRST LEARN WHERE WE ARE AND WHERE WE ARE GOING, WE WOULD BE BETTER ABLE TO JUDGE WHAT TO DO AND HOW TO DO IT." ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Bachelor of Urban Planning (BS)

School of Science and Engineering
Atlantic International University

The Bachelor of Urban Planning (BS) program helps students obtain develop professional career in planning or to further advanced their education in a range of other professional disciplines such as law or public administration. A career in planning requires knowledge of planning philosophy, analytical methods, problem formulation and resolution, law and local government, and the aesthetic, cultural, social, economic, ecological, and physical characteristics of human settlement. The Bachelor of Urban Planning (BS) program is offered online via distance learning. After evaluating both academic record and life experience, AIU staff working in conjunction with Faculty and Academic Advisors will assist students in setting up a custom-made program, designed on an individual basis. This flexibility to meet student needs is seldom found in other distance learning programs. Our online program does not require all students to take the same subjects/courses, use the same books, or learning materials. Instead, the online Bachelor of Urban Planning (BS) curriculum is designed individually by the student and academic advisor. It specifically addresses strengths and weaknesses with respect to market opportunities in the student’s major and intended field of work. Understanding that industry and geographic factors should influence the content of the curriculum instead of a standardized one-fits-all design is the hallmark of AIU’s unique approach to adult education. This philosophy addresses the dynamic and constantly changing environment of working professionals by helping adult students in reaching their professional and personal goals within the scope of the degree program.

Important: Below is an example of the topics or areas you may develop and work on during your studies. By no means is it a complete or required list as AIU programs do not follow a standardized curriculum. It is meant solely as a reference point and example. Want to learn more about the curriculum design at AIU? (Course and Curriculum)

Core Courses and Topics in Urban Planning:

Alternative Dispute Resolution
Site Planning and Design Studio
History and Theory of Planning
Communication and Presentation Techniques
Microeconomics
State and Local Politics
Regional Analysis and Design Studio
Planning and Private Development
Urban and Neighborhood Analysis Studio
Quantitative Methods for Urban Planning
Urban Geography
Urban Economics
Politics and Administration of Local Government Budgets
Economics of Government Budgets
Environment and Society

Orientation Courses:

• Communication & Investigation (Comprehensive Resume)
• Organization Theory (Portfolio)
• Experiential Learning (Autobiography)
• Seminar Administrative Development (Book Summary)
• Seminar Cultural Development (Practical Experience)
• Seminar International Development (Publications)

Research Project in Urban Planning:

Bachelor Thesis Project
MBM300 Thesis Proposal
MBM302 Bachelor Thesis (5,000 words)
Publication: Each Bachelor of Urban Planning graduate is encouraged to publish their research papers either online in the public domain or through professional journals and periodicals worldwide.

Career Center Bachelor of Urban Planning

Job Description Bachelors in Urban Planning

Urban and regional planners determine the best uses of land and resources for homes, businesses, and recreation. They devise ways to renovate slums, expand cities, modernize transportation systems, and distribute public facilities such as schools and parks. They also find ways to attract industries to communities to create jobs. Urban planners design new communities and develop programs to revitalize and expand existing cities. Regional planners work on a much larger scale, studying the problems of states, multistate regions, and sometimes entire countries.

Skills for Success

• Ability to translate user needs to solu­tions
• Communication skills
• Project management skills
• Good writing skills
• Detail oriented
• Portability of skills
• Ability to design data models
• Basic understanding of programming

Employment Opportunities for Urban Planning

• Urban and Regional Planner
• Urban Planner
• Project Manager, Construction
• Transportation Planner
• Geographic Information Systems
• Real Estate Analyst
• Project Coordinator

Professional Associations

• American Planning Association (APA)
• American Public Works Association (APWA)
• Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA)
• International City/County Management Association (ICMA)

Resources and Tools

• Resource Centres on Urban Agriculture (RUAF)

Contact us to get started

We understand how busy adults do not have time to go back to school. Now, it's possible to earn your degree in the comfort of your own home and still have time for yourself and your family. The Admissions office is here to help you, for additional information or to see if you qualify for admissions please contact us. If you are ready to apply please submit your Online Application and paste your resume and any additional comments/questions in the area provided.