Bachelor of Science in Community and Regional Planning
In the Bachelor of Science in Community and Regional Planning at ECU, students learn how decisions about land, housing, transportation, public services, and environmental risk shape their community. The major is practical by design: students study planning law, GIS, public participation, and community development while learning how to read plans, analyze data, work with maps, and communicate recommendations clearly.
At a Glance
- Degree: Bachelor of Science in Community and Regional Planning
- Accreditation: Accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB)
- Credit hours: 120 s.h. minimum
- Format: On-campus
- Areas of emphasis: Coastal Planning and Development; Community Planning and Development
- Experiential learning: Planning studio, practicum, and optional internship coursework
- Study abroad: Program-aligned opportunities available
Dr. Misun Hur
Program Director
Planning shapes how communities use land, manage growth, and respond to change. At ECU, students work with the kinds of issues eastern North Carolina communities face every day: growth, redevelopment, coastal risk, housing, transportation, and public investment. The program gives students a planning foundation with room to focus on coastal planning, community development, GIS, or transportation.
Why Study Planning at ECU?
Program Overview
The BS in Community and Regional Planning at ECU is the oldest program in North Carolina to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in planning. Urban and regional planning courses began at ECU in 1960, an undergraduate pre-planning minor was established in 1963, and the BS in Urban and Regional Planning was approved in 1974, making ECU the first higher education institution in North Carolina to offer such a degree. The program was renamed Community and Regional Planning in 2019.
ECU’s BS in Community and Regional Planning is one of only 16 undergraduate degree programs in the nation accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB). It is also the only accredited undergraduate planning program in North Carolina.
The BS curriculum develops the theoretical and analytical skills needed to evaluate societal problems and propose solutions, with sustained attention to the values that improve quality of life in communities.
Coursework typically begins in the second semester of the sophomore year, or upon completion of the general education requirements. In consultation with a faculty advisor, students complete core courses in planning theory, law, and techniques; select one of two areas of emphasis (Coastal Planning and Development or Community Planning and Development); complete two planning electives; and choose a minor.
Students complete one of two areas of emphasis. The Coastal Planning and Development emphasis focuses on disaster planning, environmental resources, coastal area planning and management, and ecological landscape planning. It is a good fit for students interested in coastal communities, natural hazards, environmental management, and development decisions in sensitive places.
The Community Planning and Development emphasis focuses on urban form and design, housing and neighborhood planning, economic development, community facilities, and transportation planning. It is a good fit for students interested in local government, neighborhood change, public infrastructure, housing, mobility, and community development work.
The degree requires a minimum of 120 semester hours. That total includes general education, the planning major core, one area of emphasis, planning electives, a minor, and the general electives needed for graduation.
Student Opportunities
Planning students build experience outside the classroom through internships, studio and practicum projects, study abroad, and the Student Planners Action Network (SPAN), the program’s student organization. Department scholarships and awards recognize student work each year.
The program also maintains active alumni connections. Alumni advising and mentorship help students see how planning work looks across local government, consulting, nonprofits, environmental and transportation agencies, housing, and community development.
Courses
The course list below follows the 2026-2027 ECU Undergraduate Catalog. Course titles link to catalog entries. The full program catalog page is linked at the end of this section.
General Education Course Listed in the Major Requirements
- COMM 2020 – Fundamentals of Speech Communication (3 s.h.) or COMM 2410 – Public Speaking (3 s.h.)
Core (33 s.h.)
Statistics requirement, choose one:
- GEOG 2400 – Spatial Data Analysis (3 s.h.)
- MATH 2228 – Elementary Statistical Methods I (3 s.h.)
- MATH 2283 – Statistics for Business (3 s.h.)
Required planning core:
- PLAN 2410 – Introduction to GIS in Planning (3 s.h.)
- PLAN 2900 – Introduction to Urban and Regional Planning (3 s.h.)
- PLAN 3020 – Environmental Planning (3 s.h.)
- PLAN 3021 – Introduction to Planning Techniques (3 s.h.)
- PLAN 3022 – History and Theory of Planning (3 s.h.)
- PLAN 3031 – Quantitative Analysis in Planning (3 s.h.)
- PLAN 3032 – Planning Legislation and Administration (3 s.h.)
- PLAN 4065 – Land Use Planning (3 s.h.)
- PLAN 4096 – Planning Studio (3 s.h.)
- PLAN 4099 – Practicum in Planning (3 s.h.)
Areas of Emphasis (9 s.h.)
Students complete 9 s.h. from one area of emphasis.
Coastal Planning and Development
Electives (6 s.h.)
Planning electives are chosen from the catalog list below. Internship courses may be repeated for a maximum of 6 s.h. Courses used to satisfy the area of emphasis cannot also count as electives.
- GEOG 2420 – Cartography
- PLAN 1900 – Sustainable Cities
- PLAN 2030 – Global Cities
- PLAN 3018 – Planning Internship (1 s.h.)
- PLAN 3025 – Racial Geographies
- PLAN 3028 – Planning Internship (2 s.h.)
- PLAN 3038 – Planning Internship (3 s.h.)
- PLAN 3041 – Computer Applications in Planning
- PLAN 3430 – Geographic Information Systems I
- PLAN 4003 – Urban Form and Design
- PLAN 4015 – Climate Change, Disasters, and Adaptation Planning
- PLAN 4025 – Housing and Neighborhood Planning
- PLAN 4035 – Economic Development Planning
- PLAN 4040 – Community Facilities Planning
- PLAN 4045 – Environmental Resources Planning and Management
- PLAN 4046 – Planning and Design Studio
- PLAN 4050 – World Architecture and Urbanism
- PLAN 4055 – Coastal Area Planning and Management
- PLAN 4065 – Land Use Planning
- PLAN 4075 – Transportation Planning
- PLAN 4121 – Problems in Planning (2 s.h.)
- PLAN 4131 – Problems in Planning (3 s.h.)
- PLAN 4250 – Environmental Impact Analysis
- PLAN 4270 – Water Resources Management and Planning
- PLAN 4305 – Ecological Landscape Planning
- PLAN 4430 – Geographic Information Systems II
- PLAN 5985 – Historic Preservation Planning
For general education, minor, general elective, and graduation requirements, see the full Community and Regional Planning, BS entry in the ECU Catalog.
Career Relevance
Community and regional planning connects to work in local and regional government, planning departments, transportation agencies, community development organizations, consulting firms, environmental and coastal planning offices, and nonprofit organizations. Some graduates begin in planning support or analyst roles. Others continue into graduate study, public administration, law, design, geography, or related professional programs.
The occupations below are examples of fields connected to planning coursework, not a complete list. Job titles, salaries, and advancement depend on experience, location, employer, degree level, and any additional training or certification.
| Example O*NET Occupation | Why It Fits Community and Regional Planning | Median Annual Salary | Projected Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban and Regional Planners | Land use, zoning, public meetings, community plans, housing, infrastructure, environmental review, and planning policy | $81,800 | Average (3% to 4%) |
| Transportation Planners | Transportation systems, land use impacts, traffic and mobility data, public engagement, GIS, and long-range planning | $100,340 | Decline (-1% or lower) |
| Sustainability Specialists | Sustainability plans, resource use, green building practices, policy review, reporting, and community-facing projects | $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
The Bachelor of Science in Community and Regional Planning is an on-campus program. New first-year and transfer students apply through ECU Undergraduate Admissions. Current ECU students can contact Dr. Hur to discuss changing their major to Community and Regional Planning or adding it as a second major.
New Students
Apply through ECU Undergraduate Admissions and select Community and Regional Planning as your intended major.
Current ECU Students
Contact Dr. Hur if you want to change your major to Community and Regional Planning or talk through how the degree fits your goals.
Plan a Visit
To tour the department and learn more about our programs and research, complete the Contact Form or call 252-328-6230. Prospective students with specific research interests are encouraged to share them so we can connect you with relevant faculty and facilities. The department also welcomes visitors during the spring ECU Pirates Aboard and fall ECU Open House events; campus tours are available year-round.
Cost of Study
For current tuition, fees, and room and board, see the ECU cost of attendance.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Departmental, university, and external scholarships are available to undergraduate students based on merit, financial need, or both. Visit ECU Financial Aid for application procedures and deadlines.
Questions?
For questions about the BS in Community and Regional Planning, contact Program Director Dr. Misun Hur at hurmi@ecu.edu or 252-328-1270. Dr. Hur’s office is A-215 Brewster Building.