Master of Urban Planning and Development

Student Resources

MUPD

The Master of Urban Planning and Development (MUPD) program integrates planning, design and development into one graduate course of study. The MUPD program is designed for students who wish to continue their education and for current planning practitioners who wish to receive a professional graduate degree focused on cities and their regions.

About Planning

What is planning? What is its value for society?
Planning is a profession that began during the progressive era in the United States to address aesthetic, land use, economic, housing, open space, urban design and public health conditions that threatened quality of life and efficient function of the industrializing city. The role of planning as a profession is to bring knowledge to action in public decision making processes and lead an inclusive, democratic process. Planners help communities define the future vision of their community, set goals to achieve that vision, identify problems or challenges, conduct research to understand opportunities and problems more fully, suggest strategies and plans for directing change, develop decision making criteria by which community leaders and residents can select or reject these plans, and develop actions through which these plans are implemented. The value gained from planning as an intellectual and decision making process is to clarify the values and goals of the community, bring information to bear on decisions, and allow community members to participate in these decision making processes. Planners have a special responsibility to work in the public interest, whether they work for public agencies or in the private sector.

Where do planners work?
Planners work in many different settings, including for city, county and regional planning agencies, for non-profit organizations, for private sector planning or development firms, and for other public agencies. How can a trained planner work in so many different contexts? Planners have a mode of work (described above) and a set of skills that can be applied in a variety of organizational settings and to a variety of urban and regional challenges and opportunities.

How is the planning profession governed?
Planning was institutionalized as a profession early in the 20th century, and today the American Institute of Certified Planners is the governing body for the profession. The American Planning Association is the body that provides technical assistance and professional development for practicing planners.

For additional information about planning and its professional practice, visit the American Planning Association.

CSU American Planning Association Student Chapter

CSU/APA strives to facilitate the exchange of ideas and thoughtful discussions, foster professional development, and create a sense of community among all students at Cleveland State University. Check them out on Twitter for current news and events.

Planning Links

Cleveland City Planning Commission

Cuyahoga County Planning Commission Weblog

American Planning Association
APA is a nonprofit public interest and research organization committed to urban, suburban, regional, and rural planning. APA and its professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, advance the art and science of planning to meet the needs of people and society.

The Ohio APA Chapter
Ohio's Chapter of the American Planning Association is a statewide, non-profit association of citizens and professional planners committed to promoting and enhancing planning and the quality of planning for all governmental entities in order to maintain and improve the quality of life for all Ohio citizens.

Planners Network
Planners Network is an association of professionals, activists, academics, and students involved in physical, social, economic, and environmental planning in urban and rural areas, who promote fundamental change in our political and economic systems.

The Center for Community Planning and Development

Urban Planning, 1794-1918: An International Anthology of Articles, Conference Papers, and Reports

CSU Library Urban Planning Research Portal

Contact Information

MUPD Program Director: Dr. Wendy A Kellogg
Email: w.kellogg@csuohio.edu 

Dave Arrighi, Graduate Programs Coordinator
Public Affairs Student Services Center
Telephone: (216) 523-7522 / E-mail: urbanprograms@csuohio.edu