Department of Environmental Studies, Huxley College of the Environment
117-121 credits
Introduction
This interdisciplinary program prepares students to enter professional fields concerned with the sustainability of the human and natural environment. The Urban Planning and Sustainable Development major consists of a core and specialization courses. The core incorporates the interdisciplinary foundation of Huxley College’s approach to the study of the environment, with emphases in public policy development, law, and the methods, theory, and processes of planning and decision-making. The specialization courses allow students to develop an area of special interest in a defined planning sub discipline, to concentrate on a minor in an academic discipline, or to select from a number of thematically oriented clusters of courses.
Huxley’s Urban Planning and Sustainable Development major emphasizes innovative approaches to solving complex problems facing communities from the local to the global level. The program stresses progressive change leading towards equitable, healthful, livable, and sustainable communities with the emphasis on social and environmental justice, multiculturalism, diversity, and under-served communities. The curriculum combines urban planning, sustainable design, environmental policy, and environmental science to provide students with an understanding of the linkages between urban and natural systems and the multidimensional problems in urban development.
Graduates are prepared for entry-level careers in planning agencies, consulting firms, and nonprofit organizations in various fields locally, nationally, and internationally, as well as advanced graduate studies.
Why Consider a Study of Urban Planning and Sustainable Development Major?
Do you want to acquire knowledge and skills that promote positive change in the environment and help create more livable communities? Do you enjoy the challenge of solving complex problems and implementing shared visions in both natural settings and urban communities? Are you committed to working towards building a more equitable and sustainable society? Are you interested in the laws and policies, and processes that guild community and environmental change? Then Urban Planning and Sustainable Development is the major for you.
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Urban Planner | Regional Planner | Sustainable Development Consultant | Planning Consultant | County Planner | Environmental Planner and Resources Manager | Emergency Manager | Director of Non-Profit Organizations
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How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):
How to Apply as a Pre-Major:
At any time, you can declare yourself as a pre-major with interest in urban planning and sustainable development or any other major in the Department of Environmental Studies. There are several advantages to declaring an Environmental Studies department pre-major during your freshman or sophomore year. Once you are declared as a pre-major you are assigned a Huxley professional advisor and a faculty advisor based on your academic interests. Your professional advisor can help you understand graduation requirements and how to navigate through the Huxley curriculum. Your faculty advisor can discuss with you which courses to take, and when, and give you advice about how to prepare for graduate school or a future career. As a pre-major,
your email is added to an email distribution list for Huxley majors so you will begin to receive notifications and general announcements. Pre-major status will also give you access to priority registration for some classes.
How to Apply to the Major:
Admission to the urban planning and sustainable development major is a competitive process. Before applying, students should complete urban planning and sustainable development foundation courses. To apply, students should submit an application that includes a 1-2 page essay describing your reasons for wanting to enter into the major, as well as a plan of study created with the Huxley professional advisor and signed by a faculty advisor.
Urban planning and sustainable development applicants are strongly encouraged to submit additional material such as a resume or portfolio to strengthen their application. The format and contents of a portfolio are not prescribed, but should demonstrate your skills and affinity with the major. You may want to include material such as examples of your best academic writing, a list of inspirational readings, examples of creative expression, volunteer activities, and a sample of drawings or other illustrative skills.
Urban planning and sustainable development major applications are accepted at the Huxley College office in ES 539 in the spring quarter only for admission to the program in fall quarter.
If you have any questions, please contact a professional advisor at the Huxley College Student Support office in Environmental Studies Building 539, or by phone 360-650-2817, or 360-650-3748.
Grade Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.
