Community & Regional Planning

Deborah Howe, F.A.I.C.P., Ph.D.

Chair
West Hall 211
267-468-8300
crp@temple.edu
www.ambler.temple.edu/crp

There is an urgent need in this region and throughout the nation for professionals involved in developing plans for the growth and revitalization of urban, suburban, and rural communities. Students with degrees in planning have many employment options in the public and private sectors.

The mission of the Department of Community and Regional Planning at Temple University is to strengthen the effectiveness of planning practice in creating healthy, sustainable communities. Our educational programs prepare students with the understanding, values and skills that enable positive contributions in a rapidly changing world. Our research and service seek to advance knowledge and guide public decision making.  Our place is metropolitan Philadelphia. We have a responsibility for articulating public interests that are important not only to Philadelphia, but to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the mid-Atlantic region.  (Adopted by the faculty, Department of Community and Regional Planning, February 2008)

The Community and Regional Planning program helps students understand how to create and evaluate plans that make the best use of a community’s land and resources for commercial, institutional, residential, and recreational purposes. Through classroom experience, team projects, and a required internship, students learn about the economic issues of planning and develop sensitivity to the social and environmental impact of planning decisions. They acquire communication and problem-solving skills through knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), site planning, planning and zoning law, research and design methods, American political institutions, negotiation, and mediation. Students in Community and Regional Planning have the opportunity to take advantage of the Center for Sustainable Communities to obtain practical experience on campus.

Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science degree in Community and Regional Planning may be conferred upon a student by recommendation of the faculty and upon the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 124 semester hours of credit with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 overall and in the major. A grade of C- or higher is required in all General Education and Core courses and in the required courses for the major.  At least half of the courses required for the major must be completed at Temple University.

Summary of Requirements for the Degree

1.  University requirements

• Math 0701 (4 s.h.) and/or English 0701 (4 s.h.), if required by placement testing.

• All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major. See below for a list of the specific courses that are required for Ambler College majors.

• Students must complete a set of university requirements: General Education (GenEd) or Core

New freshmen students starting in the 2008-2009 academic year are required to complete the General Education curriculum (35-36 s.h.).  See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin.

New transfer students starting in the 2008-2009 academic year are required to complete the university Core curriculum requirements (40-52 s.h.) including completion of the library orientation, Temple Information Literacy Tutorial or TILT. Transfer students should see the Core Curriculum section of the Undergraduate Bulletin.

2.  Major requirements (minimum of 42 s.h.)

• Fourteen (14) courses are required for the major in Community and Regional Planning (C+R PLN):

     Eleven (11) Required Community and Regional Planning Courses

     Three (3) Community and Regional Planning Electives

3.  Electives (approximately 46-47 s.h. for General Education students and approximately 30-42 s.h. for Core students.)

• Students should consult with their advisor for recommended electives.