Program: Master of Planning/Master of Arts, Curatorial Practices and the Public Sphere (MPl/MA) - University of Southern California

Apr 06, 2025

USC Catalogue 2018-2019

The Master of Planning/Master of Arts, Curatorial Practices and the Public Sphere offers an unusually rich opportunity for students interested in developing a new knowledge base to become successful professionals working in the arena of organizing art projects in urban public space, planning and community development. Los Angeles and the facilities at USC provide a unique learning laboratory to educate a more competitive professional with a better understanding of both the administration of public art and issues of urban planning.

Required Roski courses

The following Roski courses are required for the degree (26 units):

ART 515 Visiting Artist and Scholar Seminar Units: 2
CRIT 510 History and Theory of Art and Exhibitions Units: 4
CRIT 512 Art and Curatorial Visits Units: 2
CRIT 555 Methods of Curating: Introduction to Curatorial Practicum Units: 4
CRIT 556 Curatorial Practicum: Individual/Group Projects Units: 4
CRIT 557 Curatorial Practicum: Group Project Summation Units: 4
CRIT 594a Master’s Thesis Units: 2
CRIT 594b Master’s Thesis Units: 2

Required Planning Courses

The following Planning courses are required for the degree (26 units):

PPD 500 Intersectoral Leadership Units: 2
PPD 501a Economics for Policy, Planning and Development Units: 2
PPD 524 Planning Theory Units: 2
PPD 525 Statistics and Arguing from Data Units: 2
PPD 526 Comparative International Development Units: 2
PPD 529 Legal Environment of Planning Units: 2
PPD 531L Planning Studio Units: 4, 8, 12
PPD 533 Planning History and Urban Form Units: 2

Concentration Gateway

Choose one course from the following:

Economic Development:
PPD 639 Introduction to Community and Economic Development Units: 4
Preservation and Design:
PPD 644 Shaping the Built Environment Units: 4
Social and Community Planning:
PPD 628 Urban Planning and Social Policy Units: 4
Sustainable Land Use:
PPD 619 Smart Growth and Urban Sprawl: Policy Debates and Planning Solutions Units: 4
Transportation:
PPD 634 Institutional and Policy Issues in Transportation Units: 4

Concentration Methodology

Choose one course from the following:

Economic Development:
PPD 625 Planning and Economic Development Finance Units: 4
Preservation and Design:
PPD 627 Design Skills for Urban Planners Units: 4
Social and Community Planning:
PPD 616 Participatory Methods in Planning and Policy Units: 4
Sustainable Land Use:
PPD 634 Institutional and Policy Issues in Transportation Units: 4
Transportation:
PPD 633 Urban Transportation Planning and Management Units: 4, 2 years

Additional requirements for the dual degree

There are 6 units of open electives;

There is a required comprehensive exam for Planning in the spring of the second year (fourth semester);

There are 400 hours of internship required for the degree, usually pursued in the summer of the second year (fifth and final semester).