Program: Master of Urban Planning/Master of Public Administration (MUP/MPA) - University of Southern California

Apr 04, 2025

USC Catalogue 2023-2024

The Master of Urban Planning/Master of Public Administration dual degree program is designed for the study of the relationships between planning and public administration. Administrative skills, budgeting and fiscal analysis, a knowledge of operations services of local governments, and formulation and conduct of planning operations within the context of municipal management are required. This dual degree program normally requires five semesters in residence.

Requirements

Requirements for completion of the dual degree program are 64 units, including 32 units in public administration (including 8 units of management and analytic electives) and 32 units in urban planning.

Public Administration

PPD 503 Economics for Public Policy Units: 4
PPD 504 Essential Statistics for Public Management Units: 2
PPDE 505 Professional Workshop in Public Administration Units: 2
PPD 540 Fundamentals of Public Administration Units: 4
PPD 545 Public and Nonprofit Organizational Behavior Units: 4
PPD 546 Capstone in Public Administration Units: 4
PPD 541 Public Financial Management and Budgeting Units: 4 or
PPDE 645 Financial Management of Nonprofit Organizations Units: 4

Electives

Students select one management elective (4 units) and one analytic elective (4 units) for a total of 8 units. Please see the Master of Public Administration for course options.

Urban Planning

PPD 522 Planning Theory and History for a Just Society Units: 4
PPD 523 Urban and International Development Units: 4
PPD 528 Physical Planning: Urban and Community Design Units: 2
PPD 529 Planning Law and Legal Frameworks of Planning Units: 2
PPD 531L Planning Studio Units: 4, 8, 12 (4 units required)
PPD 534 Data, Evidence, and Communication of the Public Good Units: 4
PPD 629 Capstone in Urban Planning Units: 4

Concentrations

There are six concentrations available in the Master of Urban Planning program. They are as follows: Arts and Culture, Design of the Built Environment, Planning for Climate Change and Sustainability, Housing and Real Estate Development, Economic Development, and Mobility and Transportation Planning. Students must select a concentration gateway and methodology course (4 units each, 8 units total). Please see the Master of Urban Planning section of the catalogue for the concentration descriptions and course lists.