Master of Regional and Community Planning (MRCP)

Location(s): Manhattan Campus

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Program Definition

The Master of Regional & Community Planning integrates the concept of comprehensive community development planning in an environmental context with considerations for social, economic, cultural and political issues in the community while recognizing the importance of financial management, private enterprise-government relations, and citizen participation in community decision making. Core courses reflect the impact of these key concerns on traditional planning activities, while exploring related ethical issues in depth.

With a firm educational foundation in basic planning and analytical techniques, management, human relations, and ethics, today’s MRCP graduate will have the skills and judgment to become tomorrow’s successful practicing planner.

Graduates of our program become directors or managers of community development / city planning departments, economic development agencies, housing or related departments and agencies in cities, small communities, counties and regions. Some graduates may use the same educational background to become directors of planning or related activities in private consulting firms and research organizations, while others may enter the field of real estate development and a host of related disciplines.

Program Mission and Objectives

We prepare graduates to be effective advocates of resilient cities and responsible for community growth and redevelopment. We engage in the exchange of ideas that develop strategic visioning to enhance quality of life in ways that are sustainable, equitable, and accessible to all our citizens. We contribute to the expansion of knowledge through research and its dissemination, outreach to various constituents, and professional education grounded in creative and critical thinking. Students and faculty engage in exploration, analysis, synthesis, and resolution of planning, design and management issues. Our aim is to help communities effectively address challenges related to resource conservation, growing of diverse populations, and continually changing technologies and value systems.

Non-Baccalaureate Master of Regional and Community Planning

First semester (16 credit hours)

COMM 106 - Public Speaking I Credits: 3
ENVD 203 - Survey of the Design, Planning and Community Development Professions Credits: 1
MATH 100 - College Algebra Credits: 3
Humanities/Design Elective* Credits: 3
Social Science/History Elective* Credits: 3
Social Science/Sociology Elective* Credits: 3

Second semester (15 credit hours)

ENGL 100 - Expository Writing I Credits: 3
Humanities/Design Elective* Credits: 6
Natural Science Elective with Lab* Credits: 4
General Elective* Credits: 2

Sixth semester (14 credit hours)

Internship, KCDC, or Study Abroad options:
PLAN 703 - Off-Campus Studies Credits: 5
Professional Electives Credits: 9

Seventh semester (12 credit hours)

PLAN 707 - Writing and Thinking the City Credits: 3
PLAN 720 - Infrastructure and Plan Implementation Credits: 3
PLAN 801 - Knowledge Methods Credits: 3
Professional Elective Credits: 3

Eighth semester (14 credit hours)

LAR 500 - Site Planning and Design Credits: 3
PLAN 020 - Planning Field Trip 2 Credits: 0
PLAN 812 - Planning Theory & Law Credits: 3
PLAN 836 - Plan Making Credits: 5
PLAN 897 - Proposal Writing Credits: 2-3

Ninth semester (12 credit hours)

PLAN 730 - Planning Professional Practice Credits: 3
Professional Electives Credits: 9

Tenth semester (11 credit hours)

PLAN 705 - Master’s Project Credits: 3
PLAN 898 - Master’s Report Credits: 2
Professional Electives Credits: 6

Total Credits Required for the Non-Baccalaureate MRCP Degree (138 hours)

Undergraduate Hours: 92

Graduate Hours: 46

*A minimum of fourteen (14) general elective credits must be taken. General electives may be taken in pursuit of a minor. They may be taken any time prior to or during the Regional and Community Planning program and may include KSU approved AP, IB, CLEP and transfer credit. Students may not count more than three (3) total hours of recreation credits toward graduation.

Professional Electives must include 6 graduate credit hours of PLAN courses.

All required courses taught in the Landscape Architecture and Regional & Community Planning Programs that are counted toward the degree must be passed with a grade of C or better.

Post-Baccalaureate Master of Regional and Community Planning

First semester (12 credit hours)

PLAN 707 - Writing and Thinking the City Credits: 3
PLAN 720 - Infrastructure and Plan Implementation Credits: 3
PLAN 801 - Knowledge Methods Credits: 3
Professional Elective Credits: 3

Second semester (10-11 credit hours)

Thesis Option (10 credit hours):

Report Option (11 credit hours):
PLAN 020 - Planning Field Trip 2 Credits: 0
PLAN 812 - Planning Theory & Law Credits: 3
PLAN 836 - Plan Making Credits: 5
PLAN 897 - Proposal Writing Credits: 2-3

Third semester (12 credit hours)

Thesis Option (12 credit hours):
PLAN 730 - Planning Professional Practice Credits: 3
Professional Electives Credits: 6
PLAN 899 - Research in Planning Credits: 0-18
Report Option (12 credit hours):
- PLAN 730 - Planning Professional Practice Credits: 3
- Professional Electives Credits: 9

Fourth semester (11-12 credit hours)

Report Option (11 credit hours):
PLAN 705 - Master’s Project Credits: 3
PLAN 898 - Master’s Report Credits: 2
Professional Elective Credits: 3
Professional Elective Credits: 3
Thesis Option (12 credit hours):
PLAN 899 - Research in Planning Credits: 0-18
Professional Elective Credits: 3
Professional Elective Credits: 3
Professional Elective Credits: 3

Total credits required for the post-baccalaureate MRCP degree (46 hours)

Students in the post-baccalaureate track must complete PLAN 115 Introduction to City Planning prior to their first semester of study or demonstrate proficiency through similar previous coursework. They must also demonstrate basic proficiency in Geographic Information Systems through previous coursework and/or employment prior to enrollment.