They offer the student an opportunity to study the central core of knowledge that is common to all planning activities and to develop specialized knowledge in particular problem and issue areas. Graduates of the programs are equipped to function both in generalist and specialist roles and to adapt to new challenges as the nature of the issues and preferred policy responses change. The Master's degree program is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board. The Department is located in the state capital, thereby offering students opportunities for interacting with the central executive, legislative, and judicial offices of the state. The school maintains close ties with state, regional, and local planning agencies, the state legislature, and the governor's office, and these agencies provide substantial support services to the department in the form of internships and field placements, data and research reports, visiting lecturers and adjunct faculty, and permanent employment positions.
Students come from across the nation and from many foreign countries and U.S. territories.
Women and persons of color are well represented. While we are not indifferent to student backgrounds, the program is able to accommodate students from a wide variety of disciplines that are relevant to the issues addressed by the planning field. Hence, the total number of students in residence at any time numbers about 80 to 100. With 12 permanent faculty, plus adjunct instructors, this produces a favorable faculty-student ratio. At the same time, the Department is sufficiently large to reflect the diversity of the field and to allow students the opportunity to study a number of different problem and policy areas.