Community and Environmental Planning Major (B.S.)

The Community and Environmental Planning (CEP) program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to become effective community planners in the public or private sector. All of the courses are designed to give the student a diverse skill-set in planning for the sustainability of communities. CEP students are provided a solid planning background with planning courses covering local, state and regional planning topics and methods. CEP students also take foundational courses in natural resources, geographic information systems, economics, and statistics, as well as a political science course, and a social issues course. The internship requirement allows the planning student to apply their knowledge in the real world for instrumental hands-on experience. Semester in the City is also an option for the internship experience. CEP students are encouraged to focus their remaining hours on skills that can enhance their CEP major such as a dual major, a minor, or study abroad.

Expected CEP Student Outcomes:

• The foundational education in planning, natural resources, economics and sustainability.
• The fundamental values of diversity, equity, justice, and protection of community and the environment.
• The ability to assess, discuss, and engage others in the problems and potential solutions associated with impacts of land use changes.
• The ability to work with community members and professionals in the design and implementation of community improvements in building and transportation while protecting natural and built resources.

Students may go on to work in the community development or community planning departments in local communities. They may also choose to work in regional planning agencies, or with a state or federal office. Other options include the private sector, such as architectural or development companies, or the non-profit sector, such as with community development corporations or conservation groups. The American Planning Association provides a certification process for the planning profession (American Institute of Certified Planners) after several years of planning experience. Students may also choose to go on to graduate studies in Community and Environmental Planning, Natural Resources Management, Public Administration, or a related field.

Degree Requirements

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

Courses with the subject prefix CEP must be completed with a C- or above (6 courses total). In addition to the CEP degree requirements (below), students must complete the University Discovery Program and the University Writing Requirements. 

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INCO 505I Internship: Semester in the City (Boston) or Semester for Impact (NH) and INCO 505A Becoming a Problem Solver are taken as a 12-credit internship along with INCO 505B Social Innovator's Toolbox, which fulfills the Social Issues course requirement.

CEP students are encouraged to have a study away/abroad experience, a dual degree, a minor, or focused area of study which add value to the CEP degree. Consider the following to complete the minimum of 128 credits:

• Semester in the City (if you have not done this in the CEP major)
• EcoQuest New Zealand (16 credits in electives - must qualify with EcoQuest)
• Study Away
• Study Abroad
• Minor as approved by the minor program
• Courses to round out a focus area. It is recommended that you choose upper level courses in NR and EREC.

Sample Course Sequence for Community and Environmental Planning

• Functional fluency in the use of traditional and contemporary planning tools, methods, projects, programs, and regulatory tools.
• Analysis and articulation of social and environmental problems through the use of reliable and valid sources.
• Inventory, assessment, and documentation techniques of existing resources in the built and natural environment.
• Assessment methods of the consequences of proposed changes to the landscape at different scales, from local to regional.
• Communication strategies for a diverse population regarding social and environmental issues related to community planning and development.
• Engagement strategies for various stakeholders in the planning process through a variety of public engagement techniques.
• Development of the comprehensive master planning process and documentation with lay and professional planners.
• Skilled writing and public speaking in order to engage all stakeholders in the planning process.
• Creative thinking and scenario design development and use regarding possible futures.
• Networking with a variety of stakeholders for building a strong social network within and between communities and organizations.
• Ability to work with the various scales of planning – federal, state, regional, local, neighborhood, and site levels.
• Awareness of the opportunities for planning work in government, non-government, non-profit, Cooperative Extension, and the private sector in planning, environmental conservation, architecture, construction, and others.
• Advocacy focus for all residents, businesses, organizations and visitors regardless of income, gender, race, ethnicity, religion or other stratifications within society.
• Applied application of planning education and tangible experience through a community planning internship.