Congratulations on exploring the higher education opportunities in the field of planning!

Planning is a broad and diverse field, and there are several ways to pursue a career in this rewarding area of work. An education in planning from an accredited planning program at a college or university is the most common and standard route. There are many legal, technical, political, social, and scientific issues in planning, and it is important to learn and understand the issues, methods, and processes for addressing them with communities before you practice in the field.

The APA’s Planning Accreditation Board grants accreditation to planning master’s programs to ensure these issues are comprehensively covered by the core curriculum. As you explore your options, understand the difference between accredited and non-accredited planning schools in order to choose the one that is right for you. Many employers prefer graduate-level degrees from accredited schools.

While the standard and most common degree is a master’s in Urban Planning or City & Regional Planning offered by one of the 73 accredited master's programs in the U.S., additional non-accredited programs also offer undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees. Check out the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning for additional resources.

In Colorado, there is one accredited planning program, the Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Colorado Denver.  The University of Colorado Boulder offers an undergraduate planning-related degree in Environmental Design. Other universities, colleges, and community colleges in Colorado also offer planning-related courses.

I encourage you to explore the various educational options to find a program that is right for you! Take time to investigate the learning outcomes; speak with the faculty, students and alumni; research the student resources; estimate the total costs, as well as available scholarships and work-study opportunities; consider the location of the program in relation to where you would like to work; ask about the subsequent career opportunities after you have completed the degree; and identify the full and part-time options. Visit the APA website for more background on planning education and tips for selecting a planning program.

Best wishes!
Carrie Makarewicz
Assistant Professor
University of Colorado Denver
Dept. of Planning & Design
Carrie.makarewicz@ucdenver.edu

Undergraduate Programs

Colorado College

• Bachelor's in Environmental Studies and Science
  • Phone: (719) 389-6965
  • Email: ev@coloradocollege.edu

• Minor in Environmental Studies
  • Phone: (719) 389-6965
  • Email: ev@coloradocollege.edu

• Minor in Urban Studies
  • Email: cmckendry@coloradocollege.edu or chughes@coloradocollege.edu

Metropolitan State University

• Bachelor of Environmental Science
  • Phone: (303) 615-1177
  • Email: eas@msudenver.edu

University of Colorado Boulder

• Bachelor of Environmental Design
  • Phone: (303) 492-8010
  • Email: envdoffice@colorado.edu

• Bachelor of Environmental Studies
  • Email: ENVSAdmissions@colorado.edu

• Minor in Environmental Planning
  • Phone: (303) 492-8010
  • Email: envdoffice@colorado.edu

Western Colorado University

• Bachelor of Environment and Sustainability
  • Clark Family School of Environment and Sustainability
  • Phone: (970) 943-2248
  • Email: ses@western.edu

• Bachelor or Minor of Environmental Science
  • Phone: (970) 943-2015
  • Email: aryter@western.edu

Master's Programs

University of Colorado Boulder

• Master's of Environmental Studies
  • Phone: (303) 735-1043
  • Email: ENVSAdmissions@colorado.edu

University of Colorado Denver

• Master's of Urban and Regional Planning Program
  • College of Architecture and Planning, Department of Urban and Regional Planning
  • University of Colorado Denver
  • Accredited through December 21, 2029
  • Phone: (303) 315-1000
  • Email: CAP@ucdenver.edu

Within the college, there is also a one-year post-professional Master’s in Urban Design, and a Ph.D. in Planning & Design.

University of Denver

• Master's of Environmental Science Management

• Master's of Geographic Information Systems

Western Colorado University

• Master's of Environmental Management
  • Phone: (970) 943-2248
  • Email: MEM@western.edu

Certificates in Planning-Related Programs

Metropolitan State University

• Introduction to Affordable Housing Finance
  • Email: anproctor@msudenver.edu

Scholarships are available for public sector employees! Email Andy Proctor (see email address above) to apply.

• Must be from a public sector jurisdiction
• Maximum of two scholarships per jurisdiction
• A preference for Planners involved in housing, however, this is not an absolute exclusion for city Planning staff otherwise.

University of Colorado Denver

• Certificate in Geospatial Information Science (GIS)

• Certificate in Historic Preservation

University of Denver

• Certificate in Geographic Information Systems