COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master in Urban Planning (MUP) program at San José State University is a 48-unit graduate degree designed to prepare students for professional practice in urban and regional planning through a combination of core theoretical training, applied technical skills, and specialized elective study. The program provides a strong foundation in planning principles, policy analysis, land use law, quantitative methods, and sustainable city development, while also emphasizing practical tools such as geographic information systems (GIS), urban design, and community-based planning methods. Core coursework includes seminars on urban and regional planning, quantitative analysis, planning policy tools, land use planning and law, and sustainable city development, culminating in a capstone studio focused on community planning where students apply their knowledge to real-world planning problems. Students also gain training in spatial analysis and digital planning technologies through GIS-focused coursework. In addition to the core curriculum, students complete 17 units of electives chosen from a wide range of urban and regional planning topics, allowing them to specialize in areas such as housing policy, environmental planning, transportation planning, real estate development, urban design, public finance, and social issues in planning. Many students are encouraged to focus their electives within a single specialization to develop deeper expertise in a particular planning field. The program culminates in a 6-unit planning report sequence, where students complete a substantial applied project demonstrating their ability to analyze urban issues and propose effective planning solutions. The MUP program is professionally oriented and prepares graduates for careers in government agencies, consulting firms, nonprofit organizations, and community development sectors. It emphasizes equitable, sustainable, and inclusive planning practices aimed at improving urban environments and enhancing quality of life for diverse populations.