UPP Admissions & Programs
The Department of Urban Planning and Policy offers degree programs at the bachelor, master and doctoral levels.
Undergraduate Degrees Heading link
Our four year Urban Studies program offers the opportunity to share the laboratory that great urbanists and planners used to study and transform cities, the Chicago metropolitan region. Our students experience and analyze urban issues from many different academic and practical perspectives in a department dedicated exclusively to the city.
The Urban Studies (formerly Urban and Public Affairs) degree is a pre-professional program that prepares students to enter urban professions and graduate programs. Students will gain knowledge and understanding of the complexity and diversity of cities as well as seek specializations in particular issues affecting cities. Aside from this, students have the opportunity to complete internships and to acquire computer, research and other skills proper of the field of urban planning and policy.
Graduate Degrees Heading link
The Department of Urban Planning and Policy offers both master and doctorate degrees. UIC’s Master’s in Urban Planning and Policy degree, ranked 16th nationally, is the only professional planning program in the Chicago metro area accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board. UPP graduates have built successful careers in public and private sector planning and management throughout the city, region, country and world.
The PhD program has a traditional research focus, preparing students for university faculty positions as well as careers as urban policy analysts and researchers.
Certificate Programs Heading link
The department offers two campus certificates to both current students and non-degree students with a bachelors degree: the certificate in Geospatial Analysis and Visualization (GSAV) and the certificate in Public Transit Planning and Management (PTPM).