M.R.P. Degree and Ph.D. Degree for Students Lacking a Master’s Degree in Planning
The following are the list of courses required to complete a typical two-year M.R.P. degree. In order to make sure that you complete your degree on time, please check with
Tina Nelson, the graduate field administrator, before the beginning of your final semester to determine if you meet all graduation requirements. This will ensure that you have sufficient time take a required course, petition, or finish incomplete courses.
1. CRP 5130 Introduction to Planning Practice and History (4 credits)
This course is an introductory graduate seminar on the theory and history of planning, administration, and related public intervention in urban affairs. Topics are analyzed from the perspective of the political economy of the growth and development of cities. Students improve their understanding of the planning process and of the urban application of the social sciences, get practice in writing, and explore one research topic in depth.
2. CRP 5250 Introductory Methods of Planning Analysis (4 credits)
This is a course on quantitative and qualitative analysis of neighborhoods, cities, and regions. Focus is on data from various regions in the U.S., but tools are applicable throughout the world, and include, descriptive and inferential statistics, mapping, and observation. Required lab exposes students to essential microcomputer applications and builds skills in writing and analysis.
3. CRP 5190 Urban Theory and Spatial Development (3 credits)
This course surveys theories on the existence, size, location, and functioning of cities and their metropolitan areas in rich and poor regions of the world. We will consider orthodox / conservative treatments as well as critical / left-wing perspectives of planners, geographers, economists, sociologists, and political economists. These theories are indispensable for understanding the origins of cities, the persistence of urban and regional spatial patterns, and the distinctive nature of urban problems.
4. Demonstrate competence in economics, or take an economics course at Cornell:
CRP 5120 Public and Spatial Economics for Planners (3 credits) RECOMMENDED
This course covers basic microeconomic theory and some topics in macroeconomics. What distinguishes it from foundation courses in economics is that the context of every topic is both spatial and public. The concept of space is central to city and regional planning. The perspective of the public and nonprofit sectors is the same as that of city and regional planning. Both space and the public-nonprofit sectors are peripheral to (or absent from) the usual graduate foundations courses in economics. The course will also cover the economic theory necessary to understand the many applications of economics presented in subsequent courses in city and regional planning. Contact
Tina Nelson for a list of additional choices.
| CRP 5040 |
Urban and Regional Economics |
3 credits |
| CRP 6640 |
Economics & Financing of Neighborhood Conservation & Preservation |
3 credits |
| AEM 6510 |
Environmental & Resource Economics |
4 credits |
| ECON 1010 |
Introduction to Microeconomics (for 5th year URS/M.R.P. only) |
3 credits |
| ECON 3010 |
Microeconomics |
4 credits |
| ECON 3130 |
Intermediate Microeconomics Theory |
4 credits |
| PAM 2000 |
Intermediate Microeconomics |
4 credits |
| PAM 2040 |
Economics of the Public Sector |
3 credits |
5. Demonstrate competence in statistics, or take a course at Cornell. Choices include, but are not limited to, the following:
| CRP 5450 |
Introduction to Public Policy Analysis and Management |
3 credits |
| ILRST 5100 |
Statistical Methods for the Social Sciences I |
3 credits |
| ILRST 6100 |
Statistical Methods I (also BTRY/STBTRY 6010) |
4 credits |
| AEM 4110 |
Introduction to Econometrics |
3 credits |
| BTRY 6010 |
Statistical Methods I (also STBTRY 6010) |
4 credits |
| ECON 3210 |
Applied Econometrics |
4 credits |
6. Take an advanced methods course. Choices include, but are not limited to, the following:
| CRP 5080 |
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) |
4 credits |
| LA 7010 |
Urban Systems Studio |
5 credits |
| CRP 5460 |
Introduction to Community and Environmental Dispute Resolution |
3 credits |
| CRP 5820 |
Introduction to Physical Planning |
3 credits |
| CRP 6210 |
Quantitative Techniques for Policy Analysis and Program Management |
4 credits |
| CRP 6270 |
Regional Economic Impact Analysis |
3 credits |
CRP 5230
|
Analysis Mapping and Spatial Modeling |
3 credits |
| CRP 6320 |
Methods of Regional Science and Planning I |
4 credits |
| DSOC 6190 |
Quantitative Research Methods |
4 credits |
| CSS 6200 |
Spatial Modeling and Analysis |
3 credits |
| CRP 6201 |
Qualitative Methods |
3 credits |
| PAM 3050 |
Introduction to Multivariate Analysis |
4 credits |
7. Take a law or international institutions course. Choices include, but are not limited to, the following:
| CRP 5440/NTRES 4440 |
Resource Management and Environmental Law |
4 credits |
| CRP 5510 |
Environmental Law |
4 credits |
| CRP 5590 |
Legal Aspects of Land Use Planning |
3 credits |
| CRP 6570 |
Real Estate Law |
3 credits |
| CRP 6630 |
Historic Preservation Law |
3 credits |
| CRP 6720 |
International Institutions |
3 credits |
| AEM 3200/NBA 5600 |
Business Law I |
3 credits |
| AEM 3210/NBA 5610 |
Business Law II |
3 credits |
| COMM 4280 |
Communication Law |
3 credits |
| HADM 3385 |
Business Law I |
3 credits |
| HADM 4487 |
Real Estate Law |
3 credits |
| ILRCB 2010 |
Labor and Employment Law |
3 credits |
| ILRCB 5010 |
Labor and Employment Law |
3 credits |
| ILRCB 6340 |
International Labor Law |
4 credits |
| ILRCB 6890 |
Constitutional Aspects of Labor Law |
4 credits |
| LAW 6521 |
International Business Transactions |
2 credits |
| LAW 6621 |
Law and Social Change: International Experience |
3 credits |
| LAW 6791 |
Public International Law |
3 credits |
| LAW 7855 |
International Human Rights Clinic |
4 credits |
8. Take a workshop. Workshops are offered in land use, community and economic development, international, historic preservation planning, real estate, and design. Offerings vary each year.
| CRP 5072 |
Land Use, Environmental Planning, and Urban Design Workshop |
4 credits |
| CRP 5073 |
Historic Preservation Planning Workshop |
4 credits |
| CRP 5074 |
Economic and Community Development Workshop |
4 credits |
| CRP 5075 |
Real Estate Workshop |
4 credits |
| CRP 5076 |
International Planning and Development Workshop |
4 credits |
9. Complete an exit project. Options include the following:
- A research paper (recommended 4 credits), or
- A professional report or a thesis (recommended 10 credits). Two bound copies must be submitted to the graduate field administrator.
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M.A. in Historic Preservation Planning
To complete the M.A. degree in historic preservation planning, a student must do the following:
- Obtain a total of 60 credit hours, including two semesters of American architectural history, if no background in this area
- Earn two registration units
- Have two committee members on file by the end of the first year
- Fulfill the core course requirements, unless the department has waived or modified upon recommendation of your Special Committee
- Successfully defend and submit a thesis, and have it approved by your Special Committee and the thesis secretary (formatting only) at the Graduate School
- No grades at the C level in any subject are acceptable for credit toward the degree
Core Courses Curriculum for the M.A. in Historic Preservation Planning
To assure that M.A. graduates are familiar with central concepts and skills of the field, each student should successfully complete the following core courses:
1. CRP 5600 Documentation of Preservation (3 credits)
Methods of identifying, recording, collecting, processing, and analyzing information dealing with historic and architecturally significant structures, sites, and objects.
2. CRP 5610 Historic Preservation Planning Workshop: Surveys and Analysis (4 credits)
Techniques for the preparation of surveys of historic structures and districts; identification of American architectural styles, focusing on upstate New York; and explorations of local historical resources, funding sources, and organizational structures. Lectures and training sessions. Emphasis is on fieldwork with individuals and community organizations.
3. CRP 5620 Perspectives on Preservation (3 credits)
Introductory course for preservationists. A survey of the historical development of preservation activity in Europe and America leading to a contemporary comparative overview. Field trips to notable sites and districts.
4. CRP 8950 Master's Thesis in Preservation Planning (6 credits)
5. Obtain a total of 60 credits hours, including two semesters of American architectural history (ARCH 3810 / AMST 3810 and ARCH 3811 / AMST 3811), if no background in this area.
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Ph.D. Program Courses
| Theory |
| CRP 8000 |
Advanced Seminar in Urban and Regional Theory I |
Regional Theory |
Christopherson |
Every other year |
| CRP 8010 |
Advanced Seminar in Urban and Regional Theory II |
Urban theory/Urbanism |
Donaghy |
Every other year |
| CRP 8300 |
Seminar in Regional Science Planning & Policy Analysis |
Regional Theory |
Donaghy |
Fall 2011 |
| CRP 8100 |
Advanced Planning Theory |
Planning Theory |
Donaghy |
Every other year |
| CRP 6011 |
Ethics, Development, and Globalization |
Development Theory |
Donaghy |
Spring 2012 |
| CRP 7770 |
Theories of Development and Underdevelopment |
Development Theory |
Staff |
Not offered fall 2011 |
| Methods |
| CRP 7201 |
Research Design |
Research design |
Warner |
Fall 2011 |
| CRP 8900 |
Ph.D. Professional Seminar |
Research Design and Methods |
Staff |
Every other year |
| CRP 6330 |
Methods of Regional Science and Planning |
Methods of Regional Science and Planning |
Staff |
Spring 2012 |
| CRP 6201 |
Qualitative Methods |
Qualitative Methods |
Forester |
Every other year |
| Writing |
| CRP 7960 |
Professional Writing and Publishing |
Professional writing and publishing |
Christopherson |
Not taught every year |
| CRP 9920 |
Doctoral Dissertation (up to 12 credits/ semester) |
|
Committee Chair |
Fall and spring |
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