master of urban and regional planning

8/9/2019 Master of Urban and Regional Planning

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Urban Af fa i rs and Planning

MURP Handbook

Academic Year2010-2011


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Table o f Cont ents

Mast ers of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP)About UAP. 3

Mission of the Program 3

MURP Curr ic u lum Requi rement sMURP Curriculum. 4

Areas of Spec ia l izat ionEnvironmental Policy and Planning... 6

Land Use and Physical Development Planning... 6

Housing, Community, and Economic Development.... 7

International Development Planning...... 8

Peac e Corps/Mast ersIn ter nat iona l Program (MIP)Admission to the PC/MIP Program .. 9

Cert i f i ca tes and Jo in t Degree Program sCertificates,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,... 10

Joint Degree Programs.. 10

Adv is ing and Program of StudyRequirements for a Masters Degree.. 10

Student Advising...... 10

Capstone Pro jec t sThe Practicum... 11

The Thesis..... 11The Major Paper... 11

I n te rnsh ipsProgram Details.... 12

Relevant Stude nt an d Profess iona l Organ izat i onsOrganization Information.. 13

Graduat ion Proc eduresChecklist of Requirements... 14

Facul ty

Faculty, Associate Faculty and Emeritus Faculty.... 15

Frequent l y Asked Quest ionsFrequently Asked Questions... 17


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Mast er of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP)

About UAPThe Urban Affairs and Planning (UAP) programserves the university, students, and society throughits instruction, research, and outreach activities inurban planning and public policy.

The program applies an interdisciplinary, compara-tive, and applied approach to instruction and researchin its two undergraduate degrees (B.A. in Public andUrban Affairs and B.S. in Environmental Policy andPlanning), masters in Urban and Regional Planning(MURP), and doctoral program. The curricula of theseprograms rest on the premise that no single disciplineor approach can explain the complexities of moderncommunities. In UAP, faculty with expertise in eco-nomics, geography, history, sociology, political sci-

ence, planning, law, and engineering all work togetherto provide students with a coherent vision of howcommunities work and how to facilitate positivechanges within them.

The graduate program in Urban Affairs and Planningis provided in two locations: Blacksburg and Old TownAlexandria in the National Capital Region. The MURPprogram is accredited by the Planning AccreditationBoard. Concentrations in the graduate program in-clude land use and physical planning; environmentalplanning; housing, community, and economic devel-opment; and international development. Joint mas-ters degrees are available with Landscape Architec-ture, Natural Resources, Public and International Af-fairs, and Public Administration. Graduate certificatesare offered in Metropolitan Development and in UrbanDesign.

UAPs Grad uat e Offer ingsUrban Affairs and Planning also offers the Ph.D. in Plan-ning, Governance, and Globalization (PGG). UAP offersthe PGG track in Urban & Environmental Design & Plan-ning (UEDP). The program is administered in the Schoolof Public and International Affairs (SPIA) office.

Urban Affairs and Planning, along with the Center forPublic Administration and Policy (CPAP) and Govern-ment & International Affairs (GIA), is one of three pro-grams in SPIA within the College of Architecture andUrban Studies (CAUS) at Virginia Tech.

UAP also offers an Accelerated Undergraduate/MURPDegree. The Accelerated Undergraduate/MURP Pro-gram is for Virginia Tech undergraduate students whoare interested in pursuing a graduate planning degree atVirginia Tech. The program allows undergraduate stu-dents with a minimum GPA of 3.3 to take up to 12 credithours applied to the MURP degree. Students must beaccepted into the program prior to the beginning of thesemester in which they would enroll in courses to beused in the accelerated program. Students qualifying forthe program must be in the last 12 months of their un-dergraduate degree. Interested students should consultwith a faculty advisor prior to applying to the program.

MURP students in 2009-2010 participated inplanning the Eco-CityAlexandria initiative


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MURP Curr ic u lum Requi rem ent s

Foundations of Planning (9 credit hours)

UAP 5174 Theory and Practice of Planning (3)

UAP 5234 Urban Economy and Public Policy (3)

UAP 5554 Land Use and Planning Law (3)

Analytical Methods (7 credit hours)

UAP 5224 Quantitative Techniques (4)

Choose 1 of the following Courses for the remaining 3 credit hours

UAP 5494 Advanced Quantitative Techniques (3)

UAP 5484 Advanced Urban Research Methodology (3)

UAP 5114 Computer Applications in Planning (3)

UAP 5464 Qualitative Methods (3)

OR Approved advanced methods course (3)

Planning Applications (6 credit hours)

UAP 5124 Urban and Regional Planning Studio (3)

Choose 1 of the following courses for the remaining 3 credit hours

UAP 5434 Urban Development Project Studio (3)

UAP 5764 International Development Studio (3)

UAP 5774 Economic Development Studio (3)

UAP 5794 Environmental Planning Studio (3)

OR Equivalent course (3)

Capstone Project (2-6 credit hours)


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MURP Cur r ic ulum Require m ent s (Cont d)

Select from elective listings (see pages 6-12).

Major Paper Option:

UAP 5904 Project and Report (3)

Note: International Students may postpone UAP 5554 to 2nd year.

Sequence of Graduate Courses

Year 1

Fall Semester:UAP 5174UAP 5224UAP 5554*

3 hours in area ofspecialization

Spring Semester:UAP 5124UAP 5234

UAP 5494/5464/51143 hours in area of specialization

Year 2

Fall Semester:Specialty Studio

9 hours in area ofspecialization

Spring Semester:Thesis/Major Paper/ Practicum

hours in area of specialization

One of the following:

Thesis Option:

UAP 5994 Research and Thesis (6)

UAP 5464, or UAP 5484, or UAP 5494 As second methods (3)

Students participate in aReality Check exercisethat focuses on futuregrowth of the Washington

DC region


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Areas of Spec ia l iza t ion

Each student is required to (1) define and declarean area of specialization in consultation with his/herprogram advisor and (2) identify a set of coursesconsistent with this specialization.

The following are examples of popular specializa-tions along with appropriate courses. Students arealso encouraged to consider additional planning-related topics for their specializations, drawing oncoursework available throughout the University andacross disciplines.

There are no required courses under these areas,but students must work with their advisor to deter-mine an appropriate set of electives for their particu-lar specialization. Students are restricted to 6

hours of 4000 level courses on their Plan ofStudy.

Environm ent al Pol icy andPlanningGoal: Provide students with the conceptual andanalytical skills involved in planning and policy de-velopment for protection and enhancement of envi-ronmental quality.

Career Opportunities: Students in this area of con-centration may pursue careers with local, regional,and state planning agencies; state and federal envi-ronmental agencies; public interest environmental

groups; and private consultants.

Support Faculty: Browder, Hall, Hirt, Mastran,Randolph, Rich, Richardson, Schilling, Wernstedt,Zahm, Zhang

Recommended Electives:UAP 5374G Land Use and Environment:

Planning and PolicyUAP 5384G Pollution Control Planning and

PolicyUAP 5394G Community Renewable Energy

SystemsUAP 5414 Natural Resources PlanningUAP 5794 Environmental Planning StudioUAP 5264G Environmental Ethics and Policy

Environmental Land Analysis and ManagementUAP 5184G Community InvolvementUAP 5344G Law of Critical Environmental AreasUAP 5304 Land Use PlanningUAP 5114 Computer Applications: GISGEOG 5354G Introduction to Remote SensingLAR 5044 Land Analysis and Site Planning

Pollution Prevention and ManagementBSE 4324 Non-point Water PollutionCEE 4114 Public Health EngineeringCEE 4144 Air Resources EngineeringCEE 4594 Soil and Groundwater Pollution

(prereq.)CEE 5114 Solid Waste Management

Natural Resources ManagementAAEC 5000 Environmental and SustainableDevelopment Economics

CEE 4344 Water Resources PlanningCEE 5364 Water LawFIW 5414 Endangered Species ManagementFOR 5484 Wilderness ManagementLAR 4084 Landscape Design and Planning

Studio (Pre: LAR 3016 orpermission)

Land Use and Phys ic alPlanningGoal: Provide students with skills that enable them to

improve the quality of life of communities through theeffective analysis, planning, and development of physi-cal land use and related resources of their environment.

Career Opportunities: Students with this area of spe-cialization will likely become physical planners qualifiedto discharge a wide variety of assignments in town,county, city, and regional planning agencies, with pri-vate consulting firms, and with non-profit corporations.

Support Faculty: Buehler, Hall, Hirt, Koebel, Mastran,Morton, Randolph, Richardson, Sanchez, Schilling,Wernstadt, Zahm, Zhang; LAR: Jacobson; AAEC:Geyer; GEOG: Campbell, Cartstenson


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Areas of Spec ia l izat ion (Cont d)

Recommended Electives:

UAP 5374G Land Use & EnvironmentUAP 5854G Planning the Urban InfrastructureUAP 5104 Urban & Regional Development /

TheoryUAP 5304 Land Use PlanningUAP 5434 Urban Development Project

Studio

Land Use Analysis & Geographic InformationSystemsUAP 5114 Computer Applications in Urban

Planning and Management: GISGEOG 5354G Advanced Introduction to Remote

SensingGEOG 4384 The ARC/INFO Geographic

Information SystemGEOG 5104 Seminar in GIS/Remote SensingUAP 5394G Community Renewable Energy

SystemsUAP 5984 Urban Transportation PlanningCEE 5624 Transportation & Land UseCEE/UAP 5644 Transportation Systems PlanningCPAP 5984 Transportation Policy

Land Development & Real EstateUAP 4744 Principles of Real Estate &

DevelopmentBC 5014 Management of Interdisciplinary

Functions in Construction

BC 5124 Land Development forConstruction Facilities

AAEC 4754 Real Estate LawAAEC 4764 Real Estate AppraisalFIN 4154 Real Estate Finance (consent)LAR 5044 Land Analysis & Site Planning

Land Use PlanningUAP 5184G Community InvolvementUAP 5344G Law of Critical Environmental

AreasUAP 5194 Urban Growth ManagementUAP 5314 Social Analysis of Land Use

Planning

Urban Design

LAR 4084 Landscape Design & Planning Stud(Pre: LAR 3016 or permission)LAR 4234 Theory & Practice of Urban Design

Transportation and Infrastructure PlanningUAP 5394G Community Renewable Energy

SystemsUAP 5984 Urban Transportation PlanningCEE 5624 Transportation & Land UseCEE/UAP 5644 Transportation Systems PlanningCPAP 5984 Transportation PolicyUAP 5664 Topics in Transportation Policy and

Planning

Hous ing, Comm uni ty andEconom ic DevelopmentGoal: Provide students with the background knowledge,analytical perspectives, and methodological skills thatwill enable them to assist effectively in the developmentand implementation of public and private policies relat-ing to housing socio-economic development at the local,metropolitan, and regional scales.

Career Opportunities: Students who complete thisarea of concentration can expect to be specialist plan-ners who focus on community and economic develop-ment policies and issues with general planning agen-

cies; with specialized economic development, commu-nity development and redevelopment organizations; andwith private development corporations and consultingfirms.

Support faculty: Bohland, Cowell, Hyra, Knox, Koebel,Morton, Provo, Stephenson, Sanchez

Recommended Electives:UAP 5184G Community InvolvementUAP 5104 Urban & Regional Development

TheoryUAP 5164 Collaborative Processes & Civil

SocietyUAP 5774 Economic Development Studio

UAP 5784 Local Economic DevelopmentPlanning

UAP 5714 Community Building Seminar


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Areas of Spec ia l izat ion (Cont d)

Economic Development

UAP 4744 Principles of Real Estate &DevelopmentAAEC 5224 Rural DevelopmentECON 6054 Economic Development

Community DevelopmentUAP 5454 Non-Profit Organization &

ManagementUAP 5534 Non-Profit Organization

Leadership & ManagementUAP 5244 The Multicultural CityUAP 5314 Social Analysis of Land Use

PlanningUAP 5604 Housing PolicySOC 5514 Perspectives on Community

Housing Planning & PolicyUAP 4744 Principles of Real Estate &

DevelopmentUAP 5854G Planning the Urban InfrastructureUAP 5604 Housing PolicyAHRM 4604 Housing Design, Energy &

EnvironmentAHRM 4664 Universal DesignAHRM 5604 Advance Family HousingAHRM 5624 Housing & GovernmentAHRM 6605 Housing for Special Groups

In ter nat iona l Development

PlanningGoal: The international development planning con-centration provides graduate training in theory,methods, and skills within a multidisciplinary frame-work needed to prepare students for effective plan-ning work in developing countries.

Career Opportunities: Planning students who spe-cialize in this area may pursue professional careersin public and private agencies concerned with ur-ban, rural and regional development, internationallending institutions, non-profit organizations, advo-cacy groups, private business, or universities andconsulting firms engaged in international develop-ment planning and policy.

Support Faculty: Browder, Dunaway, Hall, Hirt,Knox, Stephenson, Zhang

Recommended Electives:

UAP 5764G International DevelopmentPlanning and PolicyUAP 5364 NGOs and DevelopmentUAP 5384 Infrastructure Planning in the

Third WorldGIA 5525 Critical Issues in International

DevelopmentUAP 5764 International Development

Planning Studio

Urban, Regional, & Rural DevelopmentUAP 5184G Community InvolvementUAP 5104 Urban & Regional Development

TheoryAAEC 5154 International Agricultural

Development & TradePSCI 5434 Politics of Developing Areas

Environmental & Natural Resource ManagementUAP 4214G Women, Environment &

Development in Global PerspectiveUAP 5344G Law of Critical Environmental

AreasUAP 5374G Land Use & Environment: Planning

& PolicyUAP 5414 Natural Resources PlanningAAEC 5304 Environmental & Sustainable

Development EconomicsUAP 5384 Infrastructure Planning in 3rd

World: Water Supply & SanitationGEOG 5204 Geography of Third WorldDevelopment

Public Management in DevelopmentUAP 5454 Non-profit Organization &

ManagementUAP 5534 Nonprofit Organization, Leadership

& GovernanceUAP 4714 Economics & Financing of State &

Local GovernmentsUAP 4724 Capital BudgetingUAP 5474 Program EvaluationUAP 5514 Public Budgeting & ManagementUAP 5544 Public & Non-profit Financial

Management


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Peac e Corps/Master s In t er nat iona l Program(MIP)MURP students have the opportunity to participate

in the Peace Corps Masters International Program(MIP). Upon acceptance to both programs, studentsspend one year in the graduate program, then un-dertake a Peace Corps assignment in which theyintegrate both their experience and graduate study,followed by a return to campus for two semesters tofinish the degree.

Students enroll in the Master of Urban and Re-gional Planning degree with a focus on internationaldevelopment and non-profit organization and man-agement. Students can take other courses in envi-ronmental planning and policy, economic and com-munity development, physical development, or so-cial planning and policy (e.g.,housing, health).

Adm iss ion t o t he PC/MIPProgram

Prospective students apply to both Virginia TechsGraduate School and the Peace Corps separately,indicating the MIP program in both applications. Toensure timely processing of application materialsstudents should have submitted all of the requiredapplication materials to the Peace Corps beforearriving on campus for their first semester.

Given the normal Peace Corps placement cycle,new MIP students are strongly encouraged to begintheir graduate studies in the Fall Semester.

While prospective MIP students who meet admis-sion requirements for the graduate degree pro-grams in Urban Affairs and Planning will be admit-ted into the program with the expectation that theywill serve a full two-year term in the Peace Corps,the approval of applications for field service aremade entirely by the Peace Corps.

Students admitted to the graduate program who donot receive Peace Corps field service invitationsmay complete their graduate studies as any othergraduate student.

PC/MIP Prog ram Cur r ic ulum

Year 1: at Virginia Tech (all courses 3 credit hoursunless noted)

Fall Semester: 14 credit hours

UAP 4764 International DevelopmentPlanning & Policy

UAP 5174 Theory & Practice of PlanningUAP 5224 Research Methods in Planning &

Policy (4 hrs)Electives (2-4 hrs)

Spring Semester: 12 credit hoursUAP 4244 Nonprofit Organization &

ManagementUAP 5124 Urban & Regional Planning StudioUAP 5364 NGOs & DevelopmentUAP 5764 International Development Studio

Year 2-3: on Peace Corps assignment: Up to 4 credithoursUAP 5924 Peace Corps Enrollment (0 hrs;

placeholder class)UAP 5974 Independent Study (up to 4 hrs)

Year 4: at Virginia Tech

Fall Semester: Up to 12 credit hoursUAP 5554 Land Use LawUAP 5804/ Practicum, Project/Report, or

5904/5994 Thesis (3-6 hrs)UAP 5964 Field Study (4 hrs)

Spring Semester: Up to 12 credit hoursUAP 5234 Urban Economy and Public

PracticeUAP 5804/ Practicum, Project/Report, or

5904/5994 Thesis (3-6 hrs)Electives (3-6 hrs)


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Cer t i f i ca tes and Jo in t Degree Program s

Cer t i f i ca tes Graduate Certificate in Watershed Manage-

ment

Graduate Certificate in Race and Social Policy

Graduate Certificate in Non-profit and Non-governmental Organization and Management

All students must file a Plan of Study (POS) withthe Graduate School no later than the end of thesemester prior to the proposed graduation date.However, students and their advisors should begindrafting their POS in their first semester, and havea draft program on file with the department at pre-registration during the second semester. Studentsshould complete a POS form, which is available on

the UAP website. The POS must be signed by allof the appropriate faculty members before beingsubmitted to the UAP department office.

Requi rements In developing your plan of study for the Masters

Degree, students must adhere to the following re-

quirements:

4000-level coursesMaximum hours....65000-level courses*Minimum..215974, & 5984 courses** Maximum...9

Project and Report (5904)Maximum3Practicum (5804)Maximum2Research & Thesis (5994)Maximum6Does not include 5804, 5904, 5994**A maximum of nine hours of independent study coursesand a maximum of nine hours of special study courses,with the total for both independent study and special study

Dual Degree Program s Dual Degree MLA/MURP Dual Degree MPA/MURP

Dual Degree MNR/MURP

In departments outside of CAUS:

Geospatial Information Technology (GEOG)

Infrastructure Systems (CEE)

Intermodal Transportation Planning and Analysis(ENG)

Construction Engineering and Management (BC/ENG)

International Research and Development

Natural Resources

Solid Waste Management Transportation Policy

Student Adv is ingThe faculty members in UAP take their teaching andadvising responsibilities seriously. Any faculty memberwill be available for either academic or career advisingby appointment.

Upon entrance into the program, all first year studentsare assigned an interim advisor by the Program Chair.Assignments are made on the basis of student aca-

demic interests as stated in their application as well asfaculty advising loads. Students should take the oppor-tunity to introduce themselves to their advisor and meetwith him/her sometime early in their first semester tobegin preliminary planning for their program of study. Ifa student eventually wishes to change advisors, thismay be done simply by 1) Obtaining approval from thenew advisor; 2) Notifying the old advisor, and 3) Notify-ing the Program Chair of the change.

During spring semester of the first year, students shouldwork with their advisor to establish their capstone pro-

ject advisory committee. Committee membership variesdepending upon the form of capstone project a studentselects (see Capstone Projects on p. 11). Final mem-

bership must be approved by the Program Chair.

Before the POS is signed by the advisory committee,changes in the composition of the committee may occurfollowing the procedure for changing advisors outlinedabove. After the POS is signed, committee changes aremade with the Graduate School Change of Committeeform requiring signatures of both old and new membersand the Program Chair. This form may be obtainedfrom the UAP department main office.

For more inform at ion, see:

www.grads.v t .edu/academics /

programs/cer t i f i ca tes .h tml

Advis ing and Program of St udy


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Capst one Pro jec t s

All students must successfully complete a thesis,major paper, or practicum. Student work on thecapstone project will be directed by a student com-mittee consisting of: Thesis (3 faculty memberswith two members-including chairperson-fromUAP), Major Paper (2 faculty members with Chairfrom UAP; the Program Chair must also sign theGraduate School examination form), Practicum (1faculty member with the signature of the Chairper-son from UAP as lone reader; Program Chair andSchool Director must also sign the Graduate Schoolexamination form). Theses must be submittedelectronically to the Graduate School and conformto its guidelines. Major papers and practicum re-ports are submitted electronically to the UAP Pro-

gram Chair.

The Prac t i cum (2 h rs )

The practicum provides graduating students with anopportunity to demonstrate their grasp of generalconcepts, principles, skills, and techniques in plan-ning, policy analysis or public management by exe-cuting a task typical of professional practice inthese areas. Students selecting this option shouldenroll in UAP 5804 Practicum Problem.

The student completing a practicum is expected todemonstrate his/her ability to:

1. define and assess a problem;2. design an appropriate work program to address

the problem; and3. perform the work described in the work program.

The Thes is (6 hrs )

The thesis presents the results of a well definedand original research effort that involves either:1. the analysis of primary or secondary data

sources (an example of a primary sourcewould be the statistical analysis of the resultsof a questionnaire you designed and mailed toa set of state economic development agencies,a secondary source would be a statisticalanalysis of HUD Housing Survey data in an

innovative way);2. the analysis of primary or secondary document

sources (an example of a primary documentsource would be a set of municipal ordinancesrelating to economic development which youcollect and analyze, a secondary source wouldbe a set of such sources collected by someoneelse but which you analyze in an innovativeway);

3. the analysis of primary or secondary ethnographic

sources (an example of a primary ethnographic sourcesis a set of interviews with city planning directors whomyou interview personally, a secondary source would bea set of interviews someone else collected but whichyou interpret in your own original way); or4. the use of another academically legitimate analyticaltechnique (such as history, jurisprudence, philosophy)with approval and guidance of your thesis advisor andyour committee.

Students selecting this option should enroll in UAP 5994- Research & Thesis.

The Majo r Paper (3 hrs)

The major paper can be considered a scaled-downthesis. It does not necessarily involve formal analysis ofprimary sources. Instead, the major paper may consistof a case study or a comprehensive review of the theo-retical literature related to a specific policy, planning,methodological issue or technique. The exact nature ofthe activities reported in a major paper will be approvedby the students committee, and should be reflected in awritten proposal signed by committee members and theProgram Chair. Students selecting this option shouldsign up for UAP 5904 - Project & Report.

While a specific schedule and details related tocompletion of degree requirements will be estab-lished by each students committee chair, there arecertain general expectations which are outlinedhere. For a more detailed description of the cap-stone project process, including relevant deadlinesand milestones, see the flow charts including in thegraduate section of the UAP department website.


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In te rnsh ips

For-credit and not-for-credit internship placements

are an important part of the pre-professional experi-ence and are highly encouraged. Students in themaster of urban and regional planning degree pro-gram may receive up to three hours of credit forsuccessful completion of an internship placement.The internship coordinator assists in locating intern-ship opportunities and distributing information abouttheir availability, but the student is responsible foracquiring the position.

General requirements when an internship is to betaken for course credit:

1. Students must be in good academic standing(GPA 3.0 or higher.)

2. Students must attend an internship orientationsession prior to enrolling for credit.

3. The student, the sponsor/supervisor and theinternship coordinator enter into an internshipagreement that defines the duties and responsibili-ties of the position and establishes objectives rela-tive to student learning and/or skill development. Ingeneral, the internship experience should be:

consistent with the students professionalgoals;

related to the major program of study; and

integrated into full range of activities and re-

sponsibilities of the organization.

4. The internship must provide the student an op-portunity to engage in independent professionalwork. Clerical work is not acceptable.

5. Credit for internships is based on total hoursworked. The policy is 60 hours of work equals onehour of credit, with a maximum of 3 credit hours forthe internship. Students must enroll in the appropri-ate number of credits during the time of the intern-ship placement (e.g., summer credits for summerwork).

6. Each student submits a portfolio of work to the co-ordinator for the final grade. The portfolio includes:

examples of work completed during the internship,with a description of the interns role/responsibilityrelative to the final product/deliverable; and

a reflective essay assessing preparedness for theinternship, learning achieved during the internship,relationship to personal and professional back-

ground, goals, etc., and any needs identified(relative to future coursework).

A site supervisors evaluation will constitute a small por-tion of the grade (~10-15%).

If any of the work the student completes is confidentialso that he/she cannot produce copies for review by thecoordinator, the intern and the coordinator will agree ona proxy for that particular requirement.

Students hear from special guest speakers as part of a UAP

class.


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Relevant Stu dent a nd Professiona lOrganizat ions Capi ta l Area Student

Planning Assoc ia t ion(CASPA) The Capital Area Student Planning Association(CASPA) serves as a student organization for theUrban Affairs and Planning program at VirginiaTechs Alexandria campus. CASPAs committeesare: Curriculum/Faculty Liaising, Social Activities/Lectures, Volunteering, Mentoring/Job Listings/Alumni, and website maintenance.

The organization aims to provide a creative andprofessionally forum for the programs graduatestudents to facilitate dialogue and friendship, whilealso providing resources and support from the uni-

versity, faculty, and the public and private sectors tohelp students reach their academic and profes-sional goals. Ultimately, the organization serves asthe voice for students in the UAP pro-gram. CASPA representatives attend faculty meet-ings offering input on the curriculum. Social activi-ties, often paired with lectures, are held on campusor in the D.C. Metropolitan area.

Graduate Urban Af fa i rs &Planning Assoc ia t ion(GUAPA)Students in Urban Affairs and Planning, Blacks-burg, have an active organization, the GraduateUrban Affairs and Planning Association (GUAPA),which maintains links with professional organiza-tions at the local, state, and national levels and isthe liaison between the students and the faculty ondepartmental issues. GUAPA elects student repre-sentatives for the following:

Faculty meetings

UAP curriculum committee

UAP visiting speakers committee

Alumni committee

State Chapter of the American PlanningAssociation

University and College student committees

GUAPA sponsors a speakers series for UAP stu-dents. Professionals from the local area are invitedto present their perspectives on issues germane tothe planning and policy fields. GUAPA also organ-izes social activities for graduate students, includingparties, athletic teams, and various outdoor events.

Amer ic an P lanningAssoc iat i on (APA) Full-time students interested in planning are eligible to

join APA at a reduced cost. The APA will be offeringfree membership to first-year planning students. Whensubmitting a membership form, students must remem-ber to also join the local APA chapter, either the Virginia

Chapter, or the National Capital Area Chapter.

Ot her Organ izat io ns There are a number of graduate student organizationson campus that seek to help students successfully com-plete their course of study and integrate them into cam-pus life. The Graduate Student Assembly(www.gsa.uusa.vt.edu) represents the interests ofgraduate students on campus. Election to that body isthrough the college. The Cranwell Center serves as theheadquarters of the International Student Organizationon campus. For those interested, there are also numer-ous social, athletic, political and academic societies andclubs on campus. A list of student groups is available

from the Student Affairs Office.

Participants at the recent Mapping Spectral Traces Symposiumhosted by UAP, whichinitiated the development of an internat-ional network between partner institutions that seek to promote re-

spectful ways of knowing, acknowledging, representing, and mapping

spectral traces through various media, creative and community-based

projects, and publications.


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Graduat ion Proc edures

1) Schedule Final Exam or Final Defense: A

Request to Admit Candidate to Final Exam formmay be obtained online from the Graduate Schoolwebsite. Once completed, it is to be returned to theGraduate School not later than two weeks prior tothe date of the examination to permit a completeclerical review and to ensure that all degree re-quirements have been satisfied. All graduate stu-dents must schedule a final exam or final defense.When the exam request is submitted, the ETD ar-chiving fee ($20.00) is assessed to the studentsaccount if the student chooses the thesis option.

2) Application for Degree: Electronically submitApplication for Degree (AFD) and/or Application forCertificate Conferral (ACC) online using Hokie SPA

by deadline. An AFD fee will be assessed to thestudents account when the application is submit-ted. If the student does not apply for a degree ontime, his/her name will not appear in the Com-mencement bulletin and there will be a delay inreceiving a diploma.

3) Submission of Final Electronic Thesis/Dissertation (ETD): Students have two weeksafter the date of the exam to submit the electroniccopy of the thesis, dissertation, project or paper tothe Graduate School office (see Graduate SchoolETD instructions: http://etd.vt.edu). If additionaltime is needed, the Advisor will need to submit arequest in writing to the Dean of the Graduate

School indicating the reason and date to be submit-ted.

4) Record Review: All students (especially non-thesis masters) should plan to stop by the Pro-grams and Clearances office to verify that all re-cords are complete before leaving campus.

5) Defending Student Status (1 hour): Students not

registered for classes during the semester of their de-fense must register at the Programs and Clearancesoffice in the Graduate School under GRAD 6864. Theadvisory committee chairs signature is required on theform. To be eligible for registration as a defending stu-dent, the degree candidate should have completed allcourse and degree requirements including writing of thecapstone product. Further, she/he needs to scheduleand pay for the defense before the academic term be-gins and take their exam during the first twenty classdays of the semester. Exceptions to this requirement,such as inability to get the advisory committee together,must be requested on the form used for defending stu-dent registration and certified by the advisory committeechairs signature. Please note that this fee is non-

refundable.

6) Completing Between Semesters: Students whoare defending or taking a final exam between semesterscan qualify to be a graduate of the earlier semester ifthey were enrolled during the earlier (previous) semes-ter and have completed all requirements by the deadlinefor the earlier (previous) semester. Permission to defendor complete degree requirements between semestersrequires a deans approval. Masters candidates finish-ing degree requirements, as listed above, are welcometo attend fall and spring commencement.

For more information on graduation procedures, seewww.grads.vt.edu/academics/dates_deadlines/commencement_deadlines.html, or contact 540-231-5078 or 540-231-9558.


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Fac ul t y and Assoc ia t ed Fac ul t y

Facul tyJames R. Bohland, Professor, and Vice President,Virginia Tech Northern Virginia Operations. Ph.D.(geography), University of Georgia. Researchmethods, information technology and society,health policy and planning. (540-231-5517, jay-

[email protected])

John O. Browder, Professor and Associate Deanfor Academic Affairs. Ph.D. (planning), Universityof Pennsylvania. International development, LatinAmerican development, environmental planning,planning theory. (540-231-6217, [email protected])

Ralph Buehler, Assistant Professor. Ph.D., Rut-gers University. Transportation policy and plan-ning, land use, energy and regional governance.

(703-706-8104, [email protected])

Margaret Cowell, Assistant Professor. Ph.D., Cor-nell University. Economic development, urban poli-tics, regional development, economic restructuring.(703-706-8101, [email protected])

Ralph Hall, Assistant Professor. Ph.D., Massachu-setts Institute of Technology. Sustainable develop-ment, transportation, water/sanitation in developingcountries. (540-231-5485, [email protected])

Sonia Hirt, Associate Professor and Director ofMURP. Ph.D., University of Michigan. Land usepolicy and planning, environmental planning, sus-tainable metropolitan development, urban design,

physical planning, urban governance, internationalplanning. (540-231-7509, [email protected])

Derek Hyra, Associate Professor. Ph.D., Universityof Chicago. Urban politics, race, globalization,neighborhood poverty, affordable housing finance,qua l i t a t i ve m e t hods . (703 -706 -8111 ,[email protected])

Paul L. Knox, University Distinguished Professor,College of Architecture and Urban Studies. Ph.D.(geography), University of Sheffield (U.K.). Urbansocial policy, comparative urbanization, urban ser-vice delivery. (540-231-6416, [email protected])

C. Theodore Koebel, Professor, UAP; Senior As-

sociate, Center for Housing Research. Ph.D.,(planning and development), Rutgers University.Housing, urban and regional development. (540-231-0412, [email protected])

Shelley Mastran, Visiting Professor. Ph.D., Geogra-phy, University of Maryland. Preservation planning,community planning projects, heritage areas, scenicbyway management plans. ([email protected])

Elizabeth Morton, Professor-In-Practice. Ph.D., UrbanPlanning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Urbandesign, historic preservation and cultural policy andplanning. (540-706-8111,[email protected])

John Randolph, Professor, Urban Affairs and Planning.Ph.D. (civil engineering), Stanford University. Environ-mental planning, natural resources, energy planning.(540-231-6971, [email protected])

Jesse J. Richardson, Jr., Associate Professor. J.D.,

University of Virginia. Land use law, environmental law.(540-231-7508,[email protected])

Thomas W. Sanchez, Professor and Chair, Urban Af-fairs and Planning. Ph.D. (city planning), Georgia Insti-tute of Technology. Transportation, land use, environ-mental justice, planning technology. (540-231-5425,[email protected])

Joe Schilling, Assistant Research Professor. J.D.,Law, Hastings College. Land use law, sustainable re-gions through better building and community design.(703-706-8111,[email protected])

Max Stephenson, Jr., Associate Professor and Direc-tor, Institute for Policy & Governance. Ph.D.

(government), University of Virginia. Public policy, pub-lic management, non-profit organizations and manage-ment. (540-231-7340, [email protected])

Kris Wernstedt, Associate Professor. Ph.D. (city andregional planning), Cornell University. Environmentalplanning, management, and policy, with emphases oncontaminated properties and water resources. (703-706-8132, [email protected])

Diane L. Zahm, Associate Professor. Ph.D.(environmental science), State University of New Yorkat Syracuse. Land use, physical planning, design andcrime prevention. (540-231-7503, [email protected])

Yang Zhang, Assistant Professor. Ph.D., Urban andRegional Planning, Texas A&M University. Urban Landuse planning, natural hazards mitigation, post-disasterre-development, and sustainable urban form, Geo-graphic Information Systems (GIS). (540-231-1128,[email protected])


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Fac ul t y and Assoc ia t ed Fac ul t y

Assoc ia ted Facul t y G. William Anderson, Visiting Professor of Prac-tice. MPA, Princeton University. Foreign assis-tance reform, interagency collaboration in nationalsecurity and foreign affairs, strategic planning, pro-gram design and evaluation. (540-921-1803,[email protected])

Wilma Dunaway, Professor. PhD., University ofTennessee. Globalization, world political econ-omy, women and development. (540-231-5177,[email protected])

Randy Dymond, Associate Professor, CGIT Direc-tor. Ph.D. (civil engineering), Penn State. Geo-graphic Information Systems (GIS). (540-231-9023, [email protected])

Richard Rich, Professor and Director, Center forEnvironmental & Energy Studies. Ph.D., IndianaUniversity. Environmental policy, public policyanalysis, urban ecology, citizen participation, re-search methods. (540-231-5323, [email protected])

Joyce Rothschild, Professor. Ph.D. (sociology),University of California, Santa Barbara. Economyand jobs policy, cooperative workplaces, commu-nity development. (540-231-5426,

[email protected])

Emer i t us Facul t y John W. Dickey, Emeritus Professor of UAP and CPAP.Ph.D. (transportation), Northwestern University. Transpor-tation planning, computer applications, developing coun-tries. ([email protected])

Robert G. Dyck, Emeritus Professor. Ph.D. (public andinternational affairs), University of Pittsburgh. Internationaldevelopment, regional planning, environmental health.([email protected])

Patricia K. Edwards, Emeritus Dean and Professor.Ph.D. (sociology), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and StateUniversity. Urban sociology, survey and evaluation re-search, policy analysis. ([email protected])

John M. Levy, Emeritus Professor. Ph.D. (urban public

policy), New York University. Urban planning, urban eco-nomics, economic development. ([email protected])


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Frequent ly Ask ed Quest ions

1. HOW DO I APPLY FOR ADMISSIONS TO

VIRGINIA TECH?Students may apply online or download a pa-per application at www.grads.vt.edu. The dead-line for spring admissions is October 1 and forfall admissions it is March 1. Applicants arerequired to submit the application along withtwo copies of their transcripts (one sent to theGraduate School and one sent directly toUAP), Official GRE (and TOEFL for interna-tional applicants) scores from ETS, three rec-ommendations sent to UAP, and a resume andpersonal statement (applicants may use thespace provided in the online application to sub-mit these). Although the department acceptsapplications on a rolling basis, assistantship

decisions are made by March 1. Students whowish to be considered for an assistantship areencouraged to submit their applications beforethat time. For more information, visit theGraduate School and UAP websites or call(540) 231-5485.

2. WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME AS A GRADU-ATE STUDENT AND/OR GA?For more information on expectations forGraduate study, the Graduate Honor System,principles of community, and the Code of Stu-dent conduct, visit www.grads.vt.edu/academics/expectations.

3. WHERE CAN I FIND A LIST OF GRADUATECOURSES?The graduate catalog is online atwww.grads.vt.edu/academics/gcat/index.html.

4. WHERE CAN I GET HELP FINDING A JOB?Students can visit Virginia Techs Career Ser-vices office at the Career Services Building (atthe corner of Washington Street and WestCampus Drive), as well as its website:www.career.vt.edu. Job announcements arealso posted on the programs bulletin boards inthe Architecture Annex and also at http://www.planning.org.

5. CAN I RECEIVE A GRADUATE ASSISTANT-SHIP (GA)?Decisions made concerning financial aid aremade solely on the basis of merit (academicperformance). GAs are awarded on the rec-ommendation of the Program Chair, MURPCoordinator, or the Admissions Committee for

5, 10, 15, or 20 hours. Two stipend levels are used

by UAP for GAs: Step 5 for students with less than24 hours of course work completed and Step 6 forstudents with 24 hours or more of completedcourse work. All GA students also receive a tuitionscholarship proportional to their GA support (10-hour GAs receive a half tuition scholarship, 20-hourGAs receive a full tuition scholarship). For moreinformation on financial matters such as assistant-ships and stipend amounts, visit www.grads.vt.edu/financial/assistantships/index.html.

6. TO WHOM DOES THE OUT-OF-STATE TUITIONWAVER APPLY?Graduate students who earn more than $4000 anacademic year on assistantship appointments qual-

ify for this waver. Students must also be enrolledfull-time (12 hours).

7. CAN I RECEIVE OTHER FORMS OF FINANCIALAID?Financial aid information is available atwww.grads.vt.edu/financial/financial_aid. Informa-tion about other sources of financial aid is availableat the Council of Graduate Schools website(www.cgsnet.org).

8. WHERE CAN I FIND OUT TUITION & FEES FORTHE CURRENT ACADEMIC YEAR?Current tuition and fee rates are listed at the Uni-versity Bursars website:

(www.bursar.vt.edu/tuition/index.php).

9. DO YOU HAVE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TOBE ACCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM?The minimum qualifications are: 1) 3.0 undergradu-ate GPA, 2) a cumulative GRE score of 1100, and3) a total TOEFL score of 80 (internet), 213(computer) or 600 (paper). Applicants who havegraduated from an accredited university where Eng-lish is the language of instruction are not required toprovide TOEFL scores. Domestic applicants do nothave to provide TOEFL scores. The admissionscommittee reviews the entire application in evaluat-ing qualification for admission to the program.

Other L ink s Information for new graduate students:

www.grads.vt.edu/admitted

International Graduate Student Services: seewww.grads.vt.edu/international


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VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTEAND STATE UNIVERSITY

Urban Affairs and Planning Program

Blacksburg Alexandria

201 Architecture Annex (0113) 1021 Prince Street, 2nd Floor

Blacksburg, VA 24061 Alexandria, VA 22314

540.231.5485 703.706.8111

fax 540.231.3367 Fax 703.706.8009

www.uap.vt.edu

[email protected]

Virginia Tech is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.

master of urban and regional planning

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