Master's program to answer growing demand for urban planners

Master's program to answer growing demand for urban planners

Students who are unsure which field they wish to enter may want to consider enrolling in a classroom-based or online degree program that spans many disciplines, such as urban planning.

This fast-growing field is expected to offer favorable job prospects in the coming years, as many communities will require experts to prepare for high-speed and commuter rail lines or industrial growth. As a result, many campus-based and online schools are creating new courses of study that can lead graduates to careers in this field.

For example, officials from the University of Central Florida recently announced that the school will now offer a master's program in Urban and Regional Planning. Individuals who choose to pursue this degree will have the option to focus on healthy community planning, environmental planning or transportation planning.

All enrollees will be exposed to a variety of topics, including land use, urban design, environmental protection, housing and real estate. The curriculum will also examine more foundational subjects, such as economics, management, public administration and sociology.

Individuals who complete this or similar master's programs may be eligible for high-paying jobs, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that urban and regional planners who were working in May 2008 earned as much as $91,520 per year.

By Stefanie Hughes