Both degree programs were formally recognized by the Planning Accreditation Board since 1985. In addition, the department offers a number of dual degrees with the Master of Business Administration, Master of Public Administration, Master of Architecture, and Master of Landscape Architecture. In addition, the department parcitipates in the Housing interdiciplinary minor, and the Master of Transportation. The Program Departmental curricula prepare individuals for planning practice, providing a broad, generalist planning education with opportunities for specialization. Job placement is high for program graduates, many of whom secure public-sector jobs all over the country and the world.
Departmental strengths are in physical, rural, community, county, and state planning.
The department actively engages in ongoing interdisciplinary research collaboration focused on transportation planning, comprehensive planning, growth management, environmental planning, community economic development, rural policy and planning issues, and others. This collaboration regularly provides several research assistantships for both graduate and undergraduate students. The department also stresses the social and policy aspects of the curricula and better prepare graduates for work at different levels of government and with private consulting firms. The bachelor of science degree requires a minimum of 128.5 semester credit hours. Students who wish to pursue a special area can work with their advisor to design such a program.