Create lasting improvements for people and communities as a city and regional planning or community development professional.
Communities of all sizes and geographies deserve safe, well planned and functional spaces that best serve everyone. Historically, this hasn’t been the case — with larger, more affluent places getting better economic opportunities, housing, transportation and recreational options.
You can change that.
Tyler offers a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning. Learn more about furthering your education here.
You can change power and resource imbalances as a social warrior for equity and climate impact. As a professional in community development or city planning, take a true leadership role.
Bring your empathy and understanding into new or soon-to-be revitalized places. Develop stellar communication and collaboration skills to engage with local stakeholders, including local interest groups and government officials.
Work to bring much-needed, lasting and equitable change to those who need it most. Make plans that support community resilience in the face of any future challenges. Practice what you learn in the communities near Temple University’s Philadelphia campus.
And, begin your career with confidence.
The Tyler School of Art and Architecture features its own admissions team, who can provide you with the information you need to make the best decision for your educational and career goals.
The Tyler School of Art and Architecture features a vast selection of allied disciplines—architecture, landscape architecture, and planning and development—all in one place. This is a significant asset and makes your education more robust. It better prepares you for your professional life because it mirrors how things work in the real world —side-by-side partnerships with experts in other fields to achieve your goals.
Associate Professor and Program Head
Planning and Community Development
“As one of a handful of community development undergraduate programs in the country, our practice-focused curriculum gives our students the skills they need to transform neighborhoods and communities. Our graduates have real impact in their professional lives, advancing equity and sustainability.”
Whether you want to make community development your major or you simply want to add something unique to your degree in something else with a minor, Tyler can help you achieve your goals and make a difference in the world — potentially in ways others without your passions and education can’t.
Earn your BS in community development degree and prepare for a career as an innovative and collaborative leader. Learn to empower residents to take charge of the future of their communities.
Your coursework instills critical knowledge, values and job-ready skills. Faculty members challenge you to build stronger critical-thinking skills and to develop an understanding of the social, political, economic, historical and cultural dynamics that shape modern society.
Throughout your community development classes and hands-on work in local communities, you gain professional and transferable skills so that you feel ready no matter the path your career takes.
Engage stakeholders in problem solving and decision making.
Assess community assets, needs and opportunities.
Develop and implement strategies, programs and policies.
Improve housing, local economy, food access, social cohesion and resilience.
Philadelphia extends your education into real communities, where you observe and use best practices. Here, you do field research and partner with professionals and organizations to tackle complex challenges facing cities.
Tyler’s holistic approach to your education and professional preparation make you a bold problem-solver.
Our graduates launch successful careers in organizations like these.
Community development corporations
Housing agencies
Nonprofits
Foundations
Community-based organizations
You will also complete a capstone course — Community Development Workshop. It’s the perfect culmination of bringing everything you learn into a final, comprehensive project.
Whether you plan to major in community development or something entirely different, you can earn 2 degrees in 5 years by adding a master’s degree in city and regional planning.
The Tyler School of Art and Architecture and Temple University offer an accelerated BA/BS+MS degree option. This plan lets you take up to 12 semester credit hours of graduate coursework as an undergraduate.
Then, once you earn your BA degree or BS degree, you move seamlessly into the master’s degree in city and regional planning. In most cases, you can finish your second degree in just one year instead of two.
Tyler also offers 2 minors for students from other majors with interest in city and regional planning or community development. It’s a great opportunity to add an academic bonus to your degree that helps you stand out when competing for jobs in a variety of fields.
To support your educational goals, the Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University in Philadelphia is happy to share information about scholarships available to students in our city and regional planning and community development degree programs.
Professionals in the worlds of city and regional planning as well as community development do important work that affects lives for a long time. Learn more about the studios and resources Tyler provides and about our community’s recent work.
Tyler maintains strong relationships with community partners around Philadelphia and throughout the region, including through the American Planning Association as well as government, non-profit and community organizations. These connections, along with our active alumni, provide internships and job opportunities.
Connect with your classmates at Tyler and with working pros in the community through student chapters of several professional organizations.
Learn more about Tyler’s city and regional planning and community development faculty. They teach your courses and challenge you to grow your professional skills. They also serve as supportive mentors who help guide academic progress and career plans.
Read the latest news from our dynamic community of faculty, current students and successful alumni in the fields of city and regional planning and community development.
In addition to Tyler’s specialized admissions team, you’re welcome to contact these program leaders in city and regional planning and community development.
Associate Professor and Chair, Architecture and Environmental Design Department
Associate Professor and Program Head of Planning & Community Development
