All NYC Planning Schools Virtual Open House, Fall 2025

Monday, November 17, 2025 | 7:00 – 8:30 PM EST

Are you passionate about making cities more livable, equitable, and sustainable? Do you want to create healthy spaces for people of all generations and backgrounds? Do you want to help decarbonize cities and help them adapt to a changing climate? Are you concerned about congestion, gentrification, displacement, and the lack of affordable housing?

Consider a field that starts with people and unites policy, design, economics, environment, and society: Urban Planning! Planning students learn how and why cities function, strategies to transform cities, and skills like design software, economic modeling, and facilitation. Develop your career in government, the private sector, or with non-government agencies helping communities in the U.S. or abroad.

New York City can become your classroom! Join us for an open house bringing together all eight planning programs in the New York City region. Get inspired by alumni working in the field, and hear from program directors about what makes their programs unique. Start your search here, then attend a future information session for your best fit.

Confirm your attendance by registering here for the event. We look forward to meeting you in November!Registration Link: All NYC Planning Schools Virtual Open House

Monday, November 17, 2025 | 7:00 – 8:30 PM EST

Registration Link: https://pratt.zoom.us/j/96164270905?pwd=YHMIZhCRbvjxMZuSh0OolMTbpbks1N.1

7 p.m. | Welcome & Introductions

We’ll kick off the session with an introduction to the second annual All NYC Planning Schools Open House.

7:05 p.m. | Alumni Panel: Why a Career in Urban Planning?

Four distinguished practitioners who have dedicated their lives to shaping cities from different approaches will share their thoughts on why they went to planning grad school, how it’s different from other fields, and what a career in planning has allowed them to do.

7:35 p.m. | Snapshots of NYC Planning Schools

Faculty from eight different planning and urban design programs in the New York region share what makes their program unique.

8:20 p.m. | Q&A Session

8:30 p.m. | Thank you & Session Concludes

There are many planning schools to pick from, including eight in the New York City region alone. We’ve made it easier for you by compiling a cheat sheet of the key features of these NYC-area schools.

There are
many planning schools
to pick from, including eight in the New York City region alone. We’ve made it easier for you by compiling a cheat sheet of the key features of these NYC-area schools.

School	Details
City College of New York	Name of the program Master of Urban Planning in Urban Design Degree conferred (additional degrees options) Master of Urban Planning Location(s) of campus / study abroad/away opportunities New York, NY (Harlem) Length of program 45 credits (1 1/2 years full-time) Timing of program (days a week on campus, morning/night) 3–4 days per week on campus, primarily daytime hours Size of the cohort 8–12 Number of T/TT/Permanent faculty The program is within the Architecture Department, which has 25 full-time and 70 adjunct faculty members, about six of whom teach in the Urban Design program in any given semester. Areas of Expertise / Concentration Urban Design towards social and environmental justice; urban environmental, social, and technological systems; space and alternate governance; participatory urbanism Communities we work with We have deep links and interests locally and in the Global North and Global South. We are currently collaborating with local communities and the NYC DDC and Sanitation Departments. The spring studio typically includes a study trip to a far-flung urban site to both learn from and tackle challenges in a different context. Recent collaborators include the General Directorate of Urban Anthropology and Planning Office of Buenos Aires. Required classes / studios Urban Design Lab and Seminar (3 semesters); prescribed courses in Urban Histories and Theories, Urban Ecologies and Technologies, and Socially Situated Practices; and an elective option
Columbia GSAPP	Name of the program Master of Science in Urban Planning (professional degree) Degree conferred (additional degrees options) Master of Science in Urban Planning (Dual degree options within GSAPP include Architecture, Historic Preservation, and Real Estate Development; Dual degree options within Columbia University include Business Administration, International Affairs, Juris Doctor, Social Work, and Public Health) Location(s) of campus / study abroad/away opportunities Urban Planning Studio involves projects at locations both domestic or international, so do GSAPP-wide summer workshops. Length of program 2 years Timing of program (days a week on campus, morning/night) Full-time, in-person, and Part-time in-person for eligible students with a minimum of 2 years of related experience Size of the cohort 50–60 Number of T/TT/Permanent faculty 6 full-time faculty, 40–45 part-time faculty Areas of expertise / Concentration Concentrations: Built Environment, Climate Adaptation and Social Justice, Community and Economic Development, International Planning and Development, Urban Analytics Communities we work with New York City Department of City Planning, Buro Happold, Philip Habib & Associates, Economic Development Corporation, HR&A Advisors, Sam Schwartz, Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and BFJ Planning. Offices Visits: Regional Plan Association, Karp Strategies, New York City Housing Authority, New York City Emergency Management, Arup, WSP, HR&A Advisors, and New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. International partnerships vary by time. Required classes / studios 27 required points (History and Theory of Planning, Geographic Information Systems, Planning Methods, Economics for Planners, Planning Law, Planning Studio, Thesis I/Capstone I, Thesis II/Capstone II)
Cornell CRP	Name of the program Master of Regional Planning Degree conferred (additional degrees options) Master of Regional Planning (M.R.P.) (Master of Arts in Historic Preservation Planning, Master of Professional Studies in Real Estate, Graduate Degrees in Regional Science) Location(s) of campus / study abroad/away opportunities Ithaca, NY, with options to study for a semester in AAP campuses in New York City and Rome Length of program 2 years Timing of program (days a week on campus, morning/night) Full-time, in-person courses during the day Size of the cohort 40–60 Number of T/TT/Permanent faculty 20 Areas of Expertise / Concentration Climate adaptation, infrastructure systems, environmental justice; Governance, institutional transformation, policy-making, access to services; Urban design, historic preservation, circular reuse, city histories; Urban data analytics, spatial and statistical analysis, GIS; Place-based collaborative planning, participatory research, ethics; Planning theory and politics. Concentrations: Designing the City; Economic Development Planning; Land Use and Environmental Planning; International Studies in Planning Communities we work with New York City, Rust Belt cities and towns like Cleveland, Buffalo, and other Upstate New York towns, Northeast cities and towns, Chicago (IL), Los Angeles (CA), Jackson (MS), coastal US communities, Shanghai (China), Nilgiris (India), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Cape Town (South Africa) Required classes / studios 3 required classes (Intro to Planning History and Practice, Urban Theory, Methods of Planning; competency in statistics and economics; 2 required qualitative and quantitative methods classes from a selection of options; a workshop class from a selection of options; an internship; and an exit project.
Hunter College	Name of the program Department of Urban Policy and Planning, Master of Urban Planning Degree conferred (additional degrees options) Master of Urban Planning Location(s) of campus / study abroad/away opportunities New York City, Upper East Side, 68th Street/Hunter Subway Stop on the 6 Line Length of program 2 years full-time Timing of program (days a week on campus, morning/night) Full-time, in-person. All courses meet after 5:30 p.m. from Monday to Thursday. All courses except Studio meet once per week. Opportunities to take in-person courses at other CUNY campuses. Size of the cohort 50–60 Number of T/TT/Permanent faculty 13 Areas of Expertise / Concentration Concentrations: Economic Development, Community Planning and Advocacy, Housing and the Built Environment, Transportation and Infrastructure, Climate Change and Urban Environmental Futures, General Practice Communities we work with Extensive studio commitments in New York City and the NY region. Recent clients include the Brooklyn Department of City Planning, NYC DOT, Regional Plan Association, NYC Department of Sanitation, Towns of Mount Vernon and New Rochelle, Association of Neighborhood and Housing Development, Community Service Society, Newtown Creek Alliance, Bricks and Mortals, Westchester County Department of Planning, Bronx Community Land Trust, City of Stamford. Required classes / studios 18 Credits in Core Courses (such as Intro to Planning, History, and Theory, Intro to GIS, and Urban Data Analysis); 12 credits in a Planning Concentration; 12 credits in Elective choice; 6 credits in Studio.
NYU Wagner	Name of the program Master of Urban Planning Degree conferred (additional degrees options) Master of Urban Planning with specialization in either City & Community Planning or International Planning Development Location(s) of campus / study abroad/away opportunities New York City: Global Field Intensives are available. Length of program 45 credits (2 years full-time / up to 5 years part-time) Timing of program (days a week on campus, morning/night) Full-time or part-time options (for eligible students). Core classes are only available virtually. All other courses are in-person. Classes meet 1× per week (2× if lab component). Classes typically meet in the late afternoon/early evening. Size of the cohort 40–50 Number of T/TT/Permanent faculty 11 Areas of Expertise / Concentration Students choose either City & Community Planning or International Development Planning. Additional Focus Areas include Cities, Communication Skills, Data Science & Data Management, Education, Environment, Climate Change & Sustainability, Health Policy & Management, Inequality, Race & Poverty, International Development & Humanitarian Action, Nonprofits & Government, Philanthropy & Fundraising, Program Evaluation, Social Justice & Democracy, and Transportation. Communities we work with New York City and tristate area, Buffalo, Albany, Chicago. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and international centers, including Berlin, Seoul, Istanbul, and Lagos. Research centers include collaborations with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (through university centers at NYU, USC, and Dartmouth), the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Transportation Region 2 University Transportation Research Center, the NYS Department of Transportation, and the Fund for Public Health in NY. Required classes / studios 5 Core classes are required (waivers available): Statistical Methods, Microeconomics, Management and Leadership, Financial Management, Urban Planning: Methods and Practice, and History and Theory of Planning. Three (15 credits) specialization-specific courses and 15 credits (approx. five classes) of the student’s choice are required. Cross-registration options are available to other NYU graduate programs, including NYU Law, NYU Stern, or NYU Tandon. Professional Experience Requirement (~8-week internship) must be completed unless waived by the Office of Career Services. The final project is a year-long Capstone project in conjunction with a foundation, government office, or organization.
The New School	Name of the program Design and Urban Ecologies in the School of Design Strategies Degree conferred (additional degrees options) Master of Science Location(s) of campus / study abroad/away opportunities New York City, NY, with optional Global Intensive Studio in cities such as Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen, New Delhi, Rio de Janeiro, Venice, and Medellin. Length of program 2 years, 60 credits Timing of program (days a week on campus, morning/night) Full-time, in-person courses during the day Size of the cohort 12–17 Number of T/TT/Permanent faculty 6 full-time faculty, 20+ part-time faculty Areas of Expertise / Concentration Our areas of expertise include Urban and Community Planning; Community Advocacy and Organizing; Urban and Housing Policy Analysis and Development; Cooperative Housing, Community Land Trusts, and other non-speculative development models; Neighborhood Decline and Restructuring; Public Space; Urban Mobilities; Political Ecology; Strategic Design for Socio-Spatial Justice; Sustainable and Equitable Development; Housing and Tenant Rights; Feminist and Queer Geographies; Spatial Analysis and Visualization. Students can select a graduate minor in Capitalist Studies, Civic Service Design, Creative Community Development, Design and Urban Justice, Global Urban Futures, Managing for Social Justice, Methods and Concepts of Political Economy, Migration Studies, Anthropology and Design, and some others. Communities we work with Community-based organizations, Grassroots Groups, and Public Agencies located within New York City’s boroughs and tri-state area; The New School’s Institutes, Centers, and Laboratories, including Housing Justice Lab, Tishman Environment and Design Center, Urban Systems Lab, Center for New School Urban Affairs, and Zolberg Institute for Migration and Mobility; Universities located in international hubs such as Hong Kong, the Pearl River Delta (PRD), Quito (Ecuador), Medellín (Colombia), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), and Venice (Italy). Required classes / studios 4 required Urban Methods courses, 3 required Urban Studio courses, two required Urban Colloquium courses, Urban Theory Lab, Urban History Lab, Thesis Studio, and 4 Electives. Students can use their electives to earn one of the graduate minors offered across The New School or to create their own path by selecting 4 courses offered across the university.
Pratt Institute	Name of the program Urban and Community Planning Degree conferred (additional degrees options) Master of Science Location(s) of campus / study abroad/away opportunities Brooklyn, NY Length of program 2 years, 50 credits Timing of program (days a week on campus, morning/night) Full-time and part-time; evening classes; 2–3 evenings per week on campus, in-person. Size of the cohort 12–16 Number of T/TT/Permanent faculty 6 Areas of Expertise / Concentration Community Development; Heritage/Cultural Conservation; Environmental Systems; Environmental Justice; Climate Justice; Urban Placemaking and Management; Spatial Analysis; Regenerative Economies; Urban Design; Land Use Planning. Planning students can simultaneously pursue an Advanced Certificate in Historic Preservation, Sustainable Environmental Systems, or Urban Placemaking. Communities we work with Multiple neighborhoods throughout New York City; Newark, NJ; Hudson Valley; Atlanta, GA; Havana, Cuba; Tokyo, Japan; the Netherlands; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Puerto Rico; Mexico City, Mexico. We maintain strong connections with grassroots organizations across this city, some which span decades: Bronx: Nos Quedamos; The Point CDC; Mothers on the Move; Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition; Manhattan: Brotherhood/Sister Sol; Good Old Lower East Side; CAAV; Queens: Guardians of Flushing Bay; National Housing Services of Queens; Dominican American Society of Queens; Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity; Brooklyn: Brooklyn Movement Center; Bed-Stuy Restoration; Cypress Hills LDC; UPROSE; Coney Island Neighborhood Revitalization Corporation, among others. Required classes / studios Up to 36 required credits, including skills, methods, history & theory, economics, law, statistics, research design, participatory planning techniques; one introductory and one advanced Studio; thesis or demonstration of professional competence. Electives can be taken in planning or sister programs in preservation, placemaking, environmental systems, and interdisciplinarity are encouraged and fostered. Work credits and advanced standing placement may be options for students with relevant academic or work experience.
Rutgers University	Name of the program Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP) Degree conferred (additional degrees options) Master of City and Regional Studies (MCRS); Ph.D. in Planning and Public Policy Location(s) of campus / study abroad/away opportunities Rutgers University’s main flagship campus in New Brunswick, NJ Length of program 2 years full-time Timing of program (days a week on campus, morning/night) Full-time and part-time study available; courses are offered mostly in person with some online options on M–Th from 9 a.m.–9 p.m. ET. Size of the cohort 50–60 Number of T/TT/Permanent faculty 19 Areas of Expertise / Concentration Community Development and Housing, Design and Development/Redevelopment, Environmental Planning, International Development, Transportation Policy and Planning, Urban Informatics. Hybrid concentrations can be created by students as well in consultation with their faculty academic advisor. Communities we work with The MCRP program at Bloustein School has strong collaborative relationships with communities, NGOs, and government agencies in the larger NY-NJ-PA metropolitan region and also internationally. Studio classes and research projects have recent collaborations with City of Newark Planning, Jersey City, Asbury Park, City of Elizabeth, Dunellen, Unity Square community organization in New Brunswick, Latino Action Network Foundation, Monarch Housing Associates, St. Joseph’s Carpenter Society, New Community Corporation in Newark, Vehicles for Change in Baltimore, the community development corporation and Asociacion Puertorriquenos en Marcha (APM) in Pennsylvania, the Anchorage Museum and Bike Anchorage in Alaska, NJ Housing Mortgage Finance Agency, NJ Department of Health, NJ Sports and Exposition Authority; NJ Department of Environmental Protection, Northeast Corridor transportation planning, NJ Department of Transportation, NJ Transit, NJ Board of Public Utilities, NJ Office of Planning Advocacy. Internationally, collaboration partners include the UN Dept Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the Global Environmental Facility (HQ Washington, DC), The Organization of Urban Re-s in Taiwan, School of Architecture at the University of Campania and the Region Centre for Cultural Heritage, Ecology and Economy in Italy, the Consejo de Gobierno de Galápagos, the Gobierno de Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, and the Galápagos Education and Research Alliance in Ecuador. Required classes / studios 24 credits of core courses such as History and Theory of Planning, Urban Economy and Spatial Patterns, 2 graduate Planning studios, Basic Quantitative Methods, Planning Methods, Survey of Planning Law Principles, etc.; students must also complete 12 credits / 4 graduate courses in their concentration area.

All NYC Planning Schools Virtual Open House, Fall 2025

Overview

Agenda

Participating Programs