Because the planning profession is practiced in the public, private and non-profit sectors, and the Master of Urban and Regional Planning complements many other academic programs at the University of Florida, a background in planning can serve a variety of careers very well. As a result, UF provides a framework for an individual in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning to pursue a concurrent degree with any other master’s program, or a joint degree with the Levin College of Law.
Concurrent Degree
A concurrent degree program is simultaneous study on an individualized basis that leads to two master’s degrees in two different graduate programs or two master’s degrees in the same major. Such a program is initiated by the student and requires prior approval of each academic unit and the Graduate School. If the student is approved to pursue two master’s degrees, up to 9 credits of course work from one degree program may be applied toward the second master’s degree, thereby allowing both degrees to be completed in less time. The forms required for approval of the concurrent program and petition for acceptance of nine credits of coursework in a second master’s program may be found here.
In particular, planning students with a serious interest in transportation are encouraged to apply for a concurrent degree program in Transportation Engineering with the Department of Civil & Coastal Engineering.
Joint Degree
A joint degree program is a course of study that leads simultaneously to a graduate degree and a professional degree (i.e., D.M.D., D.V.M., J.D., M.D., Pharm.D.). Normally 12 credits of professional courses are counted toward the graduate degree and 12 credits of graduate courses are counted toward the professional degree. Individual academic units determine whether a joint degree program is appropriate. Joint programs established before January 1, 2003, may have other requirements.
In cooperation with the Levin College of Law, the Department offers a four-year program leading to a Juris Doctor and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning. Interested students must follow the regular admission procedure and apply separately to the College of Law and the Department of Urban and Regional Planning.