Community and Regional Planning
Shape the future of cities, towns and communities with a BS in community and regional planning - preparing you to improve quality of life, sustainability and community well-being.
Community and Regional Planning Program Overview
Do you seek a career through which you can impact your community and the world? Do you want to help shape the future of cities, towns and neighborhoods? Are you motivated to improve quality of life and enhance sustainability?
The Bachelor of Science (BS) in community and regional planning equips students with the knowledge and skills to make a lasting difference in communities and the broader world. Planners play a vital role in shaping urban growth and development by preparing for infrastructure such as roads, railways, sidewalks, greenways and housing, while balancing the built and natural environment.
The curriculum requires 48 credit hours, including core courses, an area of emphasis in either community planning or coastal planning, and electives. Students also complete a minor, and internships are strongly encouraged to provide real-world experience.
Planning is a broad and dynamic field that spans multiple scales — from neighborhoods and individual development sites to counties, states and even international contexts. Topics include environment, transportation, land use, housing, community development, and social and economic development. Graduates pursue careers in government agencies, nonprofit organizations and private firms, where they apply their expertise to foster sustainable and vibrant communities.
ECU Advantage
ECU's BS in community and regional planning is the only accredited undergraduate planning program by the Planning Accredited Board (PAB) in North Carolina and one of just 16 nationwide. With a long history and a strong alumni network across eastern North Carolina and beyond, the program connects students to valuable professional pathways.
Students build hands-on experience through classwide projects and senior-year capstone courses with real clients. They learn from both theory and practice, guided by faculty and planners-in-residence who share professional expertise. Beyond the classroom, students may take the opportunity to study abroad. They may also join the Student Planners’ Action Network (SPAN), an active organization affiliated with both ECU's Student Government Association and the American Planning Association, which offers opportunities for community service, alumni networking, professional development, and building connections across ECU.
What You Will Study
Program Director: Misun Hur (215-A Brewster Building; 252-328-1270; hurmi@ecu.edu)
Students entering the Community and Regional Planning, BS program are encouraged to declare their major as soon as possible in accordance with university requirements.
The degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h. as follows:
Core Requirements:
I. General education requirements including the one listed below - 40 s.h.
(For information about courses that carry general education credit view the General Education Program section.)
- COMM 2410 - Public Speaking
II. Core - 33 s.h.
- GEOG 2400 - Spatial Data Analysis OR
- MATH 2228 - Elementary Statistical Methods I OR
- MATH 2283 - Statistics for Business
- PLAN 2410 - Introduction to GIS in Planning
- PLAN 2900 - Introduction to Urban and Regional Planning
- PLAN 3020 - Environmental Planning
- PLAN 3021 - Introduction to Planning Techniques
- PLAN 3022 - History and Theory of Planning
- PLAN 3031 - Quantitative Analysis in Planning
- PLAN 3032 - Planning Legislation and Administration
- PLAN 4065 - Land Use Planning
- PLAN 4096 - Planning Studio
- PLAN 4099 - Practicum in Planning
III. Areas of emphases - 9 s.h.
(In consultation with the planning advisor, choose one area of emphasis from the following.)
A. Coastal planning and development:
Choose three courses from the below list:
- PLAN 4015 - Disaster Planning
- PLAN 4045 - Environmental Resources Planning and Management
- PLAN 4055 - Coastal Area Planning and Management
- PLAN 4305 - Ecological Landscape Planning
B. Community planning and development:
Choose three courses from the below list:
- PLAN 4003 - Urban Form and Design
- PLAN 4025 - Housing and Neighborhood Planning
- PLAN 4035 - Economic Development Planning
- PLAN 4040 - Community Facilities Planning
- PLAN 4075 - Transportation Planning
IV. Electives - 6 s.h.
Choose two additional elective courses from the below list:
- GEOG 2420 - Cartography
- PLAN 1900 - Sustainable Cities
- PLAN 2030 - Global Cities
- PLAN 3018 - Planning Internship *
- PLAN 3025 - Racial Geographies
- PLAN 3028 - Planning Internship *
- PLAN 3038 - Planning Internship *
- PLAN 3041 - Computer Applications in Planning
- PLAN 3430 - Geographic Information Systems I
- PLAN 4003 - Urban Form and Design **
- PLAN 4015 - Disaster 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
- PLAN 4131 - Problems in Planning
- 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
Note:
*May count a maximum of 6 s.h. from PLAN 3018, PLAN 3028, PLAN 3038 toward the degree.
**If taken to satisfy III. A. or B. cannot count as an elective in IV.
V. Minor and general electives to complete degree requirements for graduation.
Choose a minor in consultation with the program coordinator.
Note:
Excluding general education requirements, no one course may be used to fulfill two or more degree requirements.
ECU Minor Requirements Policy
The university's policy regarding double counting credits between major and minor can be found in the Academic Advisement, Progression and Support Services section of this catalog. See "Minor Requirements".
If you have questions, please reach out to your program coordinator or director.
- No more than 9 credit hours required for satisfying a major can count towards the credits required for satisfying a minor, excluding specified cognates (required courses but outside of the major discipline).
- Individual programs may have additional restrictions.
- A student may not major and minor in the same discipline as defined by the program's 6-digit CIP code.
For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
Related Programs
Planning and Development – MS
Master of Science
- Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences
-
Online
Advance your career or transition into planning with our online MS in planning and development — designed for professionals seeking to shape communities, address societal challenges, and meet growing workforce demand.