SANJOSESTATEUNIVERSITY

URBAN&REGIONALPLANNINGDEPARTMENTSPRING2018STUDENTHANDBOOK

TABLEOFCONTENTS

ProgramHistory................................................................................................1

ProgramRequirements.....................................................................2-3

TheUrbanPlanningCoalition...........................................................4

The“MURPs”EmailList...........................................................................5

CoursePathwayOptions..................................................................6-7

TrackingGraduationProgress..................................................8-9

AreasofFocusandGraduateCertificates.......................10

GraduateAdmissionsandProgramEvaluations(GAPE).......................................................................................................................11

TipsforSuccessintheMastersProgram........................12

FinancialSupportResources.........................................................13

ThePlanningAccreditationBoard..........................................14

AdditionalResources..............................................................................15

“ACITY’SENVIRONMENTISSHAPEDNOTONLYBYPEOPLEWHOHAVEANIMPORTANTINFLUENCE,BUT

BYEVERYONEWHOLIVESORWORKSTHERE.”

ROBERTCOWAN

PROGRAMHISTORY

•Thedepartmentwasestablishedin1970•Strongfoundationongeneralknowledgeandskills,whileprovidingspecializedtraininginaplanningsub-field•Balanceofpracticeandtheory•Specialfocusoncommunity-basedtrainingandapplications;partnershipswithlocalplanningagenciesandneighborhoodgroups•Specialemphasisonaccommodatingworkingprofessionalswhoattendonapart-timebasis(approx.two-thirdsattendpart-time)•OnlynationallyaccreditedgraduateprograminNorthernCaliforniaforpart-timestudents:Firstaccreditedin1988,reaccreditedin1994,1999,2005,2012.Reaccreditationisontrackfor2017

SJSUMUPGraduation,May2017

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PROGRAMREQUIREMENTS

MinetaTransportationInstitute(MTI)course/certificateprogram:IfyouareinterestedintakingMasterofScienceinTransportationManagement(MSTM)classesaspartofyourMUPcourserequirements,youwillneedtocheckwiththeURBPGraduateAdvisorforpermission.Forhelpwithregistering,(sincethisrequiresextraadministrativesteps),contacttheMSTMEducationProgramAssistant,ViviannFerea(viviann.ferea@sjsu.edu)

IfyouhavequestionsabouttheMSTMclassesandiftheywouldbeappropriateforyoucareergoals,youcancontactURBPProfessorAshaW.Agrawal(asha.weinstein.agrawal@sjsu.edu).Formoreinformationvisit:transweb.sjsu.edu/MTIportal/education/MSTM/index.html

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ADDITIONALRESOURCES

MUPHONORS298REPORTS:•www.sjsu.edu/urbanplanning/URBP298/Sample298urbanplanningreports/

WEBSITES:•www.planetizen.com–agreatresourceforplanning-relatednews,jobs,andonlinecourses•www.spur.org–anonprofitresearchorganizationthatseekstobringplannerstogetherintheSanFranciscoBayArea•www.planning.org/join/students–anorganizationdedicatedtobringingprofessionalplannerstogetheratannualconferencesandprovidingeducationalresourcesformembers.APAmembershipisnowfreeforanystudentactivelyenrolledormatriculatedinanyuniversityorcollegedegreeprogram.Itremainsfreeforthedurationofanindividual’sstudies

BLOGSANDPODCASTS:•www.urbanophile.com–AaronRennfromtheManhattanInstituteforPolicyResearchdiscussesvariousplanningrelatednewswithpoliticalinterviewsintheurbanplanningfield•www.strongtowns.org/podcast–TheStrongTownsPodcastadvocatesforbottom-upandinclusiveplanningapproachesforsolvingurbanproblems•usa.streetsblog.org/category/special-features/podcast–Apodcastthatfocusesonthetopicsoftransit,bike/pedestrian,andsmartgrowth•99percentinvisible.org/episodes–Podcastfocusesonarchitectureandurbandesign

SOCIALMEDIA:•www.facebook.com/sjsuurbanplanning/•www.facebook.com/SJSUCoSS/

URBANANDREGIONALPLANNINGDEPARTMENT:•Phone:(408)924-5882•Email:urbplan@sjsu.edu•Website:www.sjsu.edu/urbanplanning

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•URBP200(seminar)•URBP204(quantitativemethods)•URBP225(landuseplanningandlaw)•URBP236(policyanalysis)•URBP241(planningsustainablecities)•URBP275G(geographicinformationsystemsoverview)•URBP295(capstonestudioincommunityplanning)•URBP297P(planningreport–preliminaryproposal)

CORECLASSES(26UNITS)

Sampleelectives:•URBP278:IntroductiontoGISforUrbanPlanning•URBP223:HousingEconomicsandPolicy•URBP226:RegionalTransportationPlanning•URBP231:UrbanDesigninPlanning•URBP232:UrbanDesignStudio

SeeGraduateadvisorforapprovaltotakeelectivesinotherSJSUdepartments.

ELECTIVES(16UNITS)

Takeninthefinal3semesters:•URBP297P(listedincoreclassessection)•URBP298A(3units)•URBP298B(3units)

PLANNINGREPORT(6UNITS)

NOTE:Beforeenrollingin298A,studentsmust(1)pass297P(2)pass200or225and(3)passtheWritingSkillsTest

THEPLANNINGACCREDITATIONBOARD

MissionofthePlanningAccreditationBoardThePlanningAccreditationBoard(PAB)ensureshighqualityeducationforfutureurbanplanners

WhyisAccreditationimportant?Althoughgraduatingfromanaccreditedprogramdoesnotguaranteejobsorlicensureforindividuals,itmayfacilitatesuchachievement.Itreflectsthequalitybywhichaprogramconductsitsbusiness.Itspeakstoasenseofpublictrust,aswellasprofessionalquality.

Accreditationprovidesprospectiveandcurrentstudentstheassurancethattheprogramisengagedincontinuousreviewandimprovementofitsquality,thatitmeetsnationallyendorsedstandardsfortheprofession,andthatitisaccountableforachievingwhatitsetsouttodo.

CoreValuesThePABembracesthefollowingfivecorevalues•.Stewardship:preservingtheknowledgeofurbanplanning•.Collaboration:buildingandsustainingabridgebetweentheacademicandpractitionercommunities•.Communication:fosteringawarenessofurbanplanningeducation•.Integrity:maintainingacommitmenttofairnessandconsistency•Leadership:maintainingcurrencywithregardtoaccreditationpracticeandinstructionalinnovation

FunctionsInordertoaccomplishitsmission,thePAB:•AccreditsgraduateandundergraduateplanningprogramsinNorthAmerica•Mentorsprogramstofurtheracademicexcellenceinprofessionaleducation•Collectsandprovidesdataonthestateofplanningeducation•Strengthensprofessionaleducationinpartnershipwithitssponsors:theACSP,theAICP,andAPA

Formoreinformationvisit:www.planningaccreditationboard.org/

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PROGRAMREQUIREMENTS

MUPalumnaDanaHuangattheCSUEastBayGradSchoolFair

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WRITINGSKILLSTEST(WST)ThedepartmentrequiresstudentstotaketheWSTbeforetheybegintheMUPprogramorduringtheirfirstsemester.StudentsmustsubmitWSTscorereportstotheurbanplanningdepartmentofficeduringtheirfirstsemester.ProofofpassageoftheWSTisrequiredtoenrollinURBP236and298A,andforgraduation.

ThisWSTrequirementiswaivedonlyforstudentswhohavecompletedabachelorsormastersdegreefromaCaliforniaStateUniversitycampus.

TheWSTisadministeredattheSJSUcampus.Forinformationonregistrationandtestdates,visittheTestingofficewebsiteattesting.sjsu.eduorcall(408)924-5980.

PROFESSIONALWORKEXPERIENCEStudentsmusthaveatleast180hoursofprofessionalworkexperienceinurbanandregionalplanning(orcloselyrelatedexperience)beforegraduation.Studentsfulfillthiswithaninternshiporemploymentduringtheprogram.SeetheGraduateAdvisortodiscusspossiblewaiversforpastprofessionalexperience.

THEURBANPLANNINGCOALITION

TheUrbanPlanningCoalition(UPC)isastudent-runcampusorganizationthataimstoenrichtheacademicexperienceforallstudentsinterestedinurbanandregionalplanning.Theyaccomplishthisbyfacilitatingtheexchangeofideasandthoughtfuldiscussions,buildingprofessionalnetworks,andadvisingstudentsoftheopportunitiesinthefieldofurbanplanning.

IfyouwouldliketogetinvolvedwiththeUPC,pleaseemailadmin@theupc.orgorjoinourFacebookgroup.Monthlyboardmeetingsareopentoallstudents.

TheUPCplansandparticipatesinseveraleventsthroughouttheschoolyear,includinganannualSpringSymposiumfocusedonacurrenturbanplanningtopic,workshops,fundraisers,andsocialandprofessionalnetworkingevents.

TheUPCisaPlanningStudentOrganization(PSO)affiliatedwiththeAmericanPlanningAssociation,andtherecipientofthe2015NationalOutstandingPSOAwardfortheFall2014symposium,“BoomersandMillennials:PlanningforChangingDemographicsintheBayArea.”

2016-2017UPCEXECUTIVEBOARD

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FINANCIALSUPPORTRESOURCESFAFSATheFreeApplicationforFederalStudentAid(FAFSA)isaformthatcanbepreparedannuallybycurrentandprospectivecollegestudents,bothundergraduateandgraduate,intheUnitedStatestodeterminetheireligibilityforstudentfinancialaid.CALIFORNIADREAMACT(AB540)ThisapplicationallowsstudentswhoareexemptfrompayingnonresidenttuitionunderAB540(andwhoareineligibleforfederalfinancialaid)toreceivescholarships.Formoreinformationaboutapplyingvisit:www.sjsu.edu/faso/Types_AID/californiadreamactof2011/FEDERALWORK-STUDYTheFederalWork-StudyProgram(FWS)allowsSJSUstudentstogainvaluableworkexperiencewhileearningmoneytohelppayforcollege.Afocusisplacedonprovidingjobs,bothonandoffcampus.Theminimumworkstudyawardis$5,000.Formoreinformationaboutwork-studyandyoureligibilityforjobsvisit:www.sjsu.edu/faso/Types_AID/workstudy/GRANTSANDLOANSTherearemanygrantsandloansawardedtoSJSUstudents.Formoreinformationonbothstateandfederalgrantsvisit:www.sjsu.edu/faso/Types_AID/Grant/Formoreinformationonloansyoucanreceivevisit:www.sjsu.edu/faso/Types_AID/Loans/MIDDLECLASSSCHOLARSHIP(MCS)TheCaliforniaStudentAidCommission(CSAC)willnotifystudentsifselectedtoreceiveaMCSbasedontheeligibilityrequirements.Formoredetailsvisit:www.sjsu.edu/faso/Types_AID/mcs/.

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TIPSFORSUCCESSINTHEMASTERSPROGRAM

QuotesfromMUPgraduatestudentsandfaculty:

“Allofthefacultyarereallyniceandareheretohelpyou,sotakeadvantageofvisitingthemduringtheirofficehours!”

“Youareherebecauseyouaredeterminedtobeaplanner,andyouwanttoservethecommunityyoulive/work/playin.Sobepersistentuntilyoureachthisgoal,growdynamicallyandbeopportunisticduringthiscourseofactionbecauseyoursuccesswillbeyourcommunity’ssuccess.”

“Attendplanningeventsoncampusandoffcampustobetterunderstandcoursematerial.”

“Keepacalendarwithimportantdeadlinessuchasassignmentduedates,classmeetingtimes,andteammeetings.”

“Considerjoiningorbuildingastudygroupthatmeetsweeklytoreviewcoursematerial.”

“Giveresearchashot!Youmayhavestartedaprojectinaclassthatcalledtoyou.Orperhapsthere’sanissueorquestionthatyouwouldliketoexploremorefully.URBP280(anindependentstudycourse)offerstheperfectenvironmentforexploringideas.”

“Speakupinclass.Undergraduateeducationisoftenaboutabsorbinginformation.However,ingraduateschool,youareageneratorofknowledge!”

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WHATISMURPs?Thisisane-groupthatwasformedin2000bystudentsintheMUPprogramatSanJoseStateUniversity(SJSU).UsingMURPs,youwillfindannouncementsaboutjobsandinternships,inadditiontoeducationalandnetworkingeventsofinteresttoBayAreaplanners.ItisacentralizedlocationforinformationexchangeamongSJSUstudents,faculty,alumni,andanyoneelseinterestedinplanningintheBayArea.Notethatthise-groupisnotofficiallysponsoredbytheUrbanandRegionalPlanningProgramatSJSU,andthedepartmentdoesnotinanywayendorsethemessages

posted.

HOWTOJOIN?Visit:groups.yahoo.com/group/SJSU_MURPsandclockJoinGroup(seebelow)

“CITIESHAVETHECAPABILITYOFPROVIDINGSOMETHINGFOREVERYBODY,ONLYBECAUSE,ANDONLYWHEN,THEYARECREATEDBYEVERYBODY.”

JANEJACOBS

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COURSEPATHWAYOPTIONSRECOMMENDEDPATHWAYSTHROUGHMUPCOURSEREQUIREMENTSNOTE:Coursesare4unitsunlessotherwisenoted.FeelfreetovisittheGraduateAdvisortodiscusscourseselectionoptions.TWO-YEARPROGRAM,ENTERINGFALL

TWO-YEARPROGRAM,ENTERINGSPRING

THREE-YEARPROGRAM,ENTERINGFALL

GRADUATEADMISSIONSANDPROGRAMEVALUATIONS(GAPE)GAPE is a university department and an important resource because this is where you will find most of the forms you will need during the MUP program. For instance, if you are pursuing a graduate certificate, remember to complete an Advanced Certificate Audit form when you have completed all of the courses for the certificate. The main website for GAPE is: http://www.sjsu.edu/gape/forms. List of forms from the GAPE website: • Change of Classification in Master's Program • Application for a Change of Graduate Major • Master's Level Double Degree Application • Request for Validation of Transfer Credit • Petition for Advancement to Graduate Candidacy • Request for Course Substitution in Master's Degree Program • Request for Re-validation of Course that has Exceeded the Seven-Year Time Limit • Guide for Interdisciplinary Studies • Online Graduation Date Change Request • Online Duplicate Diploma Request • Graduate Petition for Excess Units • Graduate Petition for Course Drop/Semester Withdrawal • Healthcare Provider Verification of Medical Condition Form • Graduate Petition for Extension of Time Limit for Removal of Incomplete Grade • Graduate Petition for Extension of Time Limit for Removal of Report-in-Progress Grade • Graduate Reinstatement Petition • Verification of Culminating Experience • Advanced Graduate Certificate Audit

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AREASOFFOCUSANDGRADUATECERTIFICATESAreas of focus are a recommended series of elective courses in planning subfields. Focus areas do not appear on student transcripts. Advanced certificates are available to formalize a student's work in one or more focus areas. We offer six focus areas and certificates: • Affordable Housing and Community Development Finance • Applications of Technology in Planning • Community Design and Development Environmental Planning • Real Estate Development • Transportation and Land Use Planning To learn about each certificate visit: www.sjsu.edu/urbanplanning/programs/certificateprogram/index.html NOTE: No one course (e.g., URBP 225) can count towards earning more than one certificate. See Graduate Advisor to discuss course substitutions. Be sure to download an Advanced Certificate Audit Form from the GAPE website and submit it to the Graduate Advisor when you complete all courses needed to earn a certificate. You do not need to wait for graduation to do this. You must complete the Audit Forum for you certificate to be listed on your SJSU transcripts.

“ONE OF THE WONDERFUL TRAITS OF CITIES: HOW THEIR DIVERSITY AND VITALITY CAN SATISFY THE NEEDS AND DESIRES OF MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE”

PETER NUNNS

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COURSEPATHWAYOPTIONS

THREE-YEARPROGRAM,ENTERINGSPRING

FOUR-YEARPROGRAM,ENTERINGFALL

FOUR-YEARPROGRAM,ENTERINGSPRING

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TRACKINGGRADUATIONPROGRESS

1. Sign into MySJSU at http://my.sjsu.edu/ 2. Once you have signed in, find the Academics section below View my

Messages. On the left side of your Spring 2018 Schedule, there is a drop down menu where you can select MyProgress, as shown below.

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3. Once you are on the MyProgress page, scroll to the next box titled General Information and click the option to Expand All. After you have selected Expand All, you will see all the courses you have taken (green check mark) or will need to take (red box).

4. It is in your best interest to review your MyProgress page at the start and end of each semester to ensure that you are on track to graduate. All of the information can be printed as well look for Print Report above the Current Academic Summary, as shown below.

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