Master of Science in Planning and Development
ECU’s Master of Science in Planning and Development prepares students for professional work in urban and regional planning, community development, coastal and environmental planning, and related public, private, and nonprofit roles. The fully online, non-thesis degree is designed for working professionals and students who want applied planning training with flexibility.
At a Glance
- Degree: Master of Science in Planning and Development
- Format: Fully online
- Credit hours: 36 s.h. minimum
- Thesis: Non-thesis program with a portfolio-based comprehensive assessment
- Concentrations: Coastal and Environmental Planning; Rural and Regional Planning; Urban and Community Planning
Dr. AJ Jacobs
Program Director
Planning students at ECU study how communities grow, adapt, recover, and invest in their futures. The program combines planning theory with practical work in GIS, research methods, design, land use, environmental policy, transportation, economic development, disaster planning, and community development.
Why Study Planning at ECU?
Program Overview
The MS in Planning and Development gives students the theoretical background, practical skills, and experience needed for planning work across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Students complete a shared core, choose one concentration, and use electives to shape the degree around their professional interests.
The program has three concentrations. Coastal and Environmental Planning focuses on disaster planning, coastal policy, environmental planning, growth management, and water resources. Rural and Regional Planning includes regional planning, rural development, international regional planning, economic development, environmental planning, growth management, and transportation planning. Urban and Community Planning includes urban planning, historic preservation, housing and community development, community facilities, economic development, growth management, and transportation planning.
The comprehensive assessment for this non-thesis program is a curated portfolio that showcases work completed throughout the degree. It may include research papers or posters, professional reports, and design posters. Every portfolio must follow the degree program’s guidelines.
The M.S. in Planning and Development does not currently hold programmatic accreditation from the Planning Accreditation Board. East Carolina University is institutionally accredited by SACSCOC.
Courses
The degree requires a minimum of 36 s.h.: 18 s.h. of core courses, 9 s.h. in one concentration, and 9 s.h. of electives. Course titles link to the 2026-2027 ECU Graduate Catalog.
Core (18 s.h.)
Choose one:
- GEOG 6401 – Geographic Information Systems
- PLAN 6301 – Computer Applications for Planning and Development
Choose one:
Required core courses:
- PLAN 6003 – City Planning and Design
- PLAN 6032 – Administrative and Legislative Aspects of Planning
- PLAN 6060 – Land Use Controls
- PLAN 6110 – Planning Project Design and Practice
Concentrations (9 s.h.)
Select one concentration and complete 9 s.h. from that concentration.
Coastal and Environmental Planning
- PLAN 6015 – Disaster Planning, Policy, and Practice
- PLAN 6029 – Research in Coastal and Environmental Planning
- PLAN 6045 – Environmental Planning and Policy
- PLAN 6055 – Coastal Planning and Policy
- PLAN 6065 – Growth Management
- PLAN 6270 – Advanced Water Resources Management and Planning
- PLAN 6305 – Developmental Planning and the Environment
Rural and Regional Planning
- GEOG 6350 – Seminar in Rural Development
- PLAN 6010 – Seminar in Regional Planning
- PLAN 6011 – International Regional Planning
- PLAN 6019 – Research in Rural and Regional Planning
- PLAN 6035 – Economic Development Techniques
- PLAN 6045 – Environmental Planning and Policy
- PLAN 6065 – Growth Management
- PLAN 6075 – Transportation Planning and Policy
Urban and Community Planning
- PLAN 5985 – Historic Preservation Planning
- PLAN 6000 – Seminar in Urban Planning
- PLAN 6009 – Research in Urban and Community Planning
- PLAN 6025 – Housing and Community Development
- PLAN 6035 – Economic Development Techniques
- PLAN 6040 – Community Facilities and Capital Budgeting
- PLAN 6065 – Growth Management
- PLAN 6075 – Transportation Planning and Policy
Electives (9 s.h.)
Students choose 9 s.h. of electives from the following catalog list.
- GEOG 6350 – Seminar in Rural Development
- GEOG 6355 – Rural Development Practicum
- GEOG 6401 – Geographic Information Systems
- MPH 6027 – Mixed-Methods Research
- PLAN 5985 – Historic Preservation Planning
- PLAN 6000 – Seminar in Urban Planning
- PLAN 6009 – Research in Urban and Community Planning
- PLAN 6010 – Seminar in Regional Planning
- PLAN 6011 – International Regional Planning
- PLAN 6015 – Disaster Planning, Policy, and Practice
- PLAN 6019 – Research in Rural and Regional Planning
- PLAN 6025 – Housing and Community Development
- PLAN 6029 – Research in Coastal and Environmental Planning
- PLAN 6035 – Economic Development Techniques
- PLAN 6038 – Internship in Planning
- PLAN 6040 – Community Facilities and Capital Budgeting
- PLAN 6045 – Environmental Planning and Policy
- PLAN 6046 – Advanced Planning and Design Studio
- PLAN 6050 – Seminar on World Architecture and Urbanism
- PLAN 6055 – Coastal Planning and Policy
- PLAN 6065 – Growth Management
- PLAN 6075 – Transportation Planning and Policy
- PLAN 6150 – Quantitative Methods in Planning
- PLAN 6250 – Advanced Environmental Impact Analysis
- PLAN 6270 – Advanced Water Resources Management and Planning
- PLAN 6301 – Computer Applications for Planning and Development
- PLAN 6305 – Developmental Planning and the Environment
Career Relevance
Planning and development training supports work with communities, infrastructure, environmental policy, coastal resilience, transportation systems, housing, land use, and public investment. Graduates may work in public agencies, consulting firms, regional organizations, nonprofit groups, or private-sector development and analysis roles.
The occupations below are examples of career areas connected to planning coursework. They are not a complete list of career outcomes, and actual job paths depend on prior experience, location, employer, and any additional credentials.
| Example O*NET Occupation | Why It Fits Planning Skills | Median Annual Salary | Projected Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban and Regional Planners | Land use, community development, public engagement, plan preparation, policy analysis, and growth management | $83,720 | Average (3% to 4%) |
| Transportation Planners | Transportation policy, mobility planning, regional analysis, infrastructure planning, and data-informed decision-making | $100,340 | Decline (-1% or lower) |
| Sustainability Specialists | Environmental planning, sustainability policy, resilience work, impact analysis, and organizational planning | $81,270 | Average (3% to 4%) |
Occupation data obtained from O*NET OnLine, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data reflect 2024 national median wages, and projected growth reflects 2024–2034 national employment projections.
How to Apply
Students apply through the ECU Graduate School. Review the Graduate School application instructions, confirm current deadlines and admission requirements, and select the Master of Science in Planning and Development as the intended program.
Questions?
For questions about the MS in Planning and Development, contact Program Director AJ Jacobs at jacobsa@ecu.edu or 252-328-1933.