New Mup Handbook 6

mup
Student Handbook
master of urban planning @ texas a&m
If you can plan in Texas, you can plan

anywhere
The Texas A&M Master of Urban Planning program brings
together some of the finest thinkers and researchers in
many critical, cutting-edge areas of contemporary planning.
Graduates of the program go on to become leaders in the state,
nation, and around the globechanging our world, one plan at
a time.
Texas is brimming with planning challenges: air quality, water
quality, congestion, poverty, transit, sprawl, and natural hazards
are just a few. So when Texas plans, it plans big. For example,
planning for the area between Dallas, Houston and San
Antonio, which surrounds Texas A&M, is big by any standards:
it contains more than three-fourths of the states population,
covers over 57,000 square miles and 66 counties. The Trinity
River Corridor plan includes over 100 miles of river that flows
through the heart of Dallas and Fort Worth.
Texans like their property rights, and they arent fond of
government regulation: innovative approaches to growth
management and land use regulation are needed here.
The situation just makes us more creative, responsive and
pioneering. Planners trained in Texas have all the tools and
master of urban planning

pla
@ texas a&m
techniques of standard planning and then some.

Texas offers a microcosm (a big one) of the changes the
larger earth is undergoing. We have three of the ten most
populous cities in the country, and two of only twelve American
metropolitan areas in the world top 100. The sheer number of
cities in Texas creates vast urbanized areas, sometimes referred
to as megapolitans. We are diverse in many ways: more than
half of our (very large) population is a racial or ethnic minority,
our historic diversity is unparalleled (we have been part of six
nations), we have huge cosmopolitan cities surrounded by rural
areas steeped in tradition, and we have almost every imaginable
topographical feature, including a coastline, mountains, deserts,
forests, plains and rivers, along with the hazards, threats and
planning opportunities that come with them.
Our program boasts unique diversity of its own. We are housed
in a college that offers graduate education in everything from
Hollywood animation to construction science. Add in our low
cost of living, warm climate and very reasonable tuition rates,
and its easy to see why we say with pride, This is not your
typical planning school!
Table of Contents
Program introduction
Interdisciplinary Program
Dual Degree Program
Curriculum
Professional Curriculum
Research Curriculum
Core Curriculum
11
Emphasis areas & Certificates
12
Transportation
13
Resilient Communities
15
Urban and Economic Development
17
Graduation Checklist
19
Assistantship and Internships
20
Program Policies and Guidelines
23
Association of Student Planners
27
MUP survival guide
29
Portfolio Guideline
33
Jobs & Internships
35
Interdisciplinary Program
Interdisciplinary education is a cornerstone of planning at Texas A&M. Within the college,
you can take courses in Architecture, Land Development, Construction Science, Landscape
Architecture, and even Visualization (the breeding ground of modern movie animation). No
other program in the nation offers such a panoply within its own college. Likewise, opportunities
for international study and research at A&M are outstanding. Not only in our own internationally
diverse classrooms, but also by studying abroad in one of our many international programs,
including ones in Europe, China and Latin America.
Here, students from landscape
architecture and urban
planning pose with their final
presentations after a semester in
Bonn, Germany, with Professor
Chang-Shan Huang (third from
left).
Dual Degree and Articulated Programs

Students with strong motivation to work towards obtaining a more than one degree can make
arrangements at the beginning of their degree program. The Department of Landscape
Architecture and Urban Planning offers two dual degrees which include the Master of Urban
Planning, as well as an articulated program that allows students to earn both the Master of Urban
Planning and the Ph.D. in Urban & Regional Science. Dual degrees enable students to complete
two degrees in three years, instead of the four years both degrees would normally take. The
articulated program can save students up to a year of coursework.
Students interested in these programs must be admitted to both degree programs, and both
degrees will be conferred at the time of graduation. Interested students should contact the
Program Coordinators of each program listed below as soon as they are admitted for studies.
Available programs:
Master of Land and Property Development + Master of Urban Planning
Master of Architecture + Master of Urban Planning
Master of Urban Planning + Ph.D. Urban & Regional Science
Contacts
Shannon Van Zandt
MUP Coordinator
(979)458-1223
svanzandt@tamu.edu
Forster Ndubisi
MLPD Interim Coordinator
(979)845-1019
fndubisi@arch.tamu.edu
Marcel Erminy
M.Arch Coordinator
(979)845-6436
merminy@tamu.edu
Thomas Oomen earned masters

degrees in both urban planning and
architecture. He now serves as an
Assistant Professor at the Sushant
School of Art and Architecture in
Gurgaon, India.
6
George Rogers
Ph.D. Coordinator
(979)845-7284
grogers@tamu.edu
overview of the maste

CORE
Students will be able to:
1
Foundations
Physical Planning
PLAN 604 (3)

Methods I
PLAN 613 (3)

Methods II
identify, create and employ policies,

tools, and strategies that lead to a
sustainable built, human, and natural
environment;
PLAN 610 (3)

Urban Structure
PLAN 625 (3)

GIS for Planners
use a transparent, inclusive process to facilitate coordination and

implementation among government agencies and private sector
organizations;
PLAN 664 (3)

History & Theory
facilitate a process of articulating com

munity goals and objectives;
analyze local conditions to develop a
valid fact basis;
Summ
PLAN 6XX (3)

Site Planning
PLAN 6
Interns
The internlows studen

ply their cor
edge and to
work-place
and et
PLAN 640 (1)

Planning Law
evaluate and monitor the success of

plans and programs; and
communicate and educate through
written, visual, and oral channels to
achieve these objectives.
12
13
7
er of urban planning
mer
684
ship
Applications
Implementation
PLAN 662 (3)

Applied Planning
PLAN 658(3)
Plan Implementation
EMPHASIS AREA OR CERTIFICATE

Through their elective choices, students
develop specialized knowledge and tools in
an area of their choosing.
Emphases (four courses):
Transportation Policy & Planning
-ship alnts to apre knowlo ob-serve

practices
hics
PLAN 665 (3)

Participatory Plan
Making
PLAN 693 (1)

Professional Paper
on specialized topic
Urban & Economic Development
Interdisciplinary Certificates (five courses):

Transportation Planning
Environmental Hazard Management
Elective (3)
Elective (3)
Sustainable Urbanism
Health Systems & Design
Elective (3)
Elective (3)
12
12
Facilities Management
Core Curriculum
Planners help communities envision their potential and
understand strategies for reaching it. They gather data and
present it in meaningful ways so that a participatory planmaking process is possible for all the groups affected by it,
from policy maker to business owner to citizen. Planners are
also key to carrying out plans, responsible for coordinating
actions and policy enforcement among diverse groups of
people.
Our programs core courses are centered on understanding
and applying this multi-layered process so that students
graduate capable of planning for a variety of clients and at
a range of scales, from the site plan to the comprehensive
plan.
Comprehensive education
All students are introduced to the theoretical, historic and

legal foundations of the planning field, but a specialty of
the MUP program is its emphasis on practical and hands-on
experience. Several courses have lab or studio components,
and students yearly work with clients from all over Texas
to produce plans and reports through applied planning
courses. Student work culminates in an individuallyconducted professional project or report meant to
contribute analysis and recommendations to the planning
field.
Program coordinator:
Shannon Van Zandt, svanzandt@tamu.edu
CORE COURSES
PLAN 604
PLAN 610
PLAN 613
PLAN 625
Second-Year MUP student Long Chen presents

his teams comprehensive plan to the Navasota
City Council and community members.
PLAN 640
PLAN 662
PLAN 658
PLAN 664
PLAN 665
PLAN 6XX
Planning Methods I: Demography and

Economic Analysis
Structure and Function of Urban
Settlements
Planning Methods II: Land Use,
Transportation and Infrastructure
GIS for Landscape Architecture and
Urban Planning
Legal Basis for Planning
Applied Planning Studio
Plan Implementation
Foundations of Planning (History and
Theory)
Participatory Plan-making
Site Planning
9
Emphasis areas & Certificates

A&M is known throughout the world for its expertise in planning for hazards and the coastal environment, transportation
systems and healthy and resilient communities. Students can tap this expertise in two ways: by pursuing an emphasis area
within the master of urban planning program and, if desired, by pursuing interdisciplinary certificates, which are offered
through the College of Architectures research centers.
10
EMPHASIS AREAS
CERTIFICATES
The Master of Urban Planning program at Texas A&M

University offers a variety of emphasis areas for its students.
Students choose a minimum of four electives from a published
list of acceptable courses, both within and outside the
department. Students must take at least half (6 hours) of
their emphasis area electives from within the Urban Planning
program (PLAN).
The College of Architectures research centers offer

interdisciplinary certificates, which feature courses and faculty
from each of the Colleges three departments. Certificates
require a minimum of five courses. Students who complete
the requirements for the certificate will be recognized on their
diploma. Certificates may be earned separately from, or in
conjunction with, an emphasis area within the MUP program.
While students initially seek advising from the MUP

Coordinator, once they have selected their emphasis area,
they should see the emphasis area coordinator for advising on
courses. The Emphasis Areas include:
Certificates available in the College include:

Sustainable Urbanism Certificate
(Center for Housing and Urban Development)
Transportation Planning and Active Living

(Coordinator: Dr. Ken Joh)
Transportation Certificate
(Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center)
(Coordinator: Dr. Walt Peacock)
Emergency Management Certificate

(Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center)
Urban and Economic Development

(Coordinator: Dr. Yu Xiao)
Historic Preservation Certificate

(Center for Heritage Conservation)
Design Your Own this allows a student to create a set of

courses that meets their specific interest outside the choices
offered.
Health Systems Design Certificate

(Center for Health Systems Design)
Key Outcomes
The substantive base of knowledge needed to be broadly
successful in the transportation profession, and
EMPHASIS AREAS
transportation planning
While transportation planning is about
achieving efficient and effective movement of
people and goods, the impact of transportation
systems extends far beyond the physical roadway.
Transportation systems shape urban form, affect
economic vitality and impact quality of life.
The issues faced by transportation planners
in the 21st century are increasingly complex
and interdisciplinary in nature, requiring
skills, knowledge, and expertise that transcend
traditional professional boundaries.
The 15- credit hour Graduate Certificate

in Transportation Planning (CTP), offered
through a collaborative partnership between
the Colleges of Architecture and Engineering,
the Texas A&M Transportation Institute
(TTI), and the Bush School of Public Policy,
seeks to provide students with the education
and training needed to address these
professional challenges.
Specialized instruction in one of four critical areas

of professional need: Multimodal Systems Planning,
Transportation and Urban Design, Transportation and Public
Policy, and Transit Management.
Emphasis area and Certificate coordinator and link:
Dr. Kenneth Joh, kjoh@arch.tamu.edu
laup.arch.tamu.edu/academics/certicates/ctp/
Course Requirement
Total credit hours required
(Certificate)
Foundation
PLAN 612
15
(3x5)
Transportation in City Planning
Capstone
PLAN 678
Applied Transportation Studio
Focus Area (Choose Threee)

PLAN 626
Advanced GIS in Landscape Architecture
and Urban Planning
PLAN 650
Disaster Response Planning
PLAN 670
Urban Public Transportation Planning
PLAN 672
Transportation and the Environment
PLAN 673
Design for Sustainable Transportation
PLAN 674
Transportation Systems Analysis
PLAN 676
Transportation Investment Decisions
CVEN, LAND,
For applicable courses offered outside the
MGMT, PSAA
department, see http://laup.arch.tamu.
edu/academics/certificates/ctp/
11
Faculty Involvement
Books
LAUP faculty members who commonly chair or serve on

graduate advisory committees include:
Cervero, Robert (1998).The Transit Metropolis: A Global Inquiry

Duany, Andres, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk and Jeff Speck (2001).Suburban Nation: The Rise of
Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream
Girling, Cynthia and Ronald Kellett (2005).Skinny Streets and Green Neighborhoods
Bill Eisele, TTI, LAUP

David Ellis, TTI, LAUP
Ken Joh, LAUP
Hanson, Susan and Genevieve Giuliano, eds. (2004). The Geography of Urban Transportation,
Third Edition
Chanam Lee, LAUP
National Complete Streets Coalition, smartgrowthamerica.org/complete-streets
Ming Han Li, LAUP
Ortuzar, Juan and Luis Willumsen(2011). Modeling Transport, Fourth Edition
Wei Li, LAUP
Newman, Peter and Jeffrey Kenworthy (1999). Sustainability and Cities: Overcoming Automobile
Dependence
Michael Lindell, LAUP
Shoup, Donald (2011). The High Cost of Free Parking
Teresa Qu, TTI, LAUP
and Blogs: Streetsblog Network, streetsblog.net

Walk this way: Students conduct a
pedestrian audit
Tim Lomax, TTI, LAUP
Doug Wunneburger, LAUP
Transportation Planner & MPO Coordinator

City of Victoria, TX
EVERY DAY AT MY JOB IS DIFFERENT. One day may involve
sitting at my desk all day either writing a plan or report, reading
up on a new topic, or preparing meeting materials.Another day I
could be out in the field collecting information for a project.
Things I do in my job now that I learned about at TAMU are: using
GIS and creating maps, finding and analyzing demographic data,
writing goals and objectives for a plan, and UNDERSTANDING
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION NEEDS.
THE PROGRAM WAS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST ACADEMICS,
and I really valued the conferences, volunteer opportunities, and
social activities with other students, faculty, and former students.
Dan Burden, executive director of Walkable

Communities, pointed out successes and shortcomings
of the Texas A&M campus and adjoining streets to
students during a pedestrian audit, March 2009.
12
MUP Student Profile:

Mary Craighead, 12
TAKE A COURSE IN THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.

So much of what I do ends up overlapping with engineers and
having some insight into the engineering world is helpful. It also
helps you get to know a professor outside the department.
EMPHASIS AREAS
Today, planners have their eye on resiliency,
realizing that it is not if a community will be
faced with a challenge but when. Resiliency,
the concept of how well we bounce back from
the hazards we face, has been a core research
area for the faculty and students at Texas A&M
Universitys Hazard Reduction and Recovery
Center (HRRC) for 25 years. We are leaders
in the study of hazard and disaster mitigation,
preparedness, response, and recovery, especially
in effective practices for hazard mitigation
in coastal environments which our Coastal

Planning Atlas and continuing education
workshop, Planning for Sustainable Coastal
Communities, address.
Students who pursue an emphasis in Resilient
Communities can expect to come away with
these key outcomes:
Crafting land use and environmental

plans;
Mitigating and recovering from

natural hazards;
Fostering sustainable urban

communities;
Protecting the integrity of ecological

systems; and
Examining the impact of the

environment on human health.
Emphasis area coordinator:

Dr. Walt Peacock wpeacock@arch.tamu.edu
Course Requirement
12
Total credit hours required.......................................(3x4)
Foundation courses required

PLAN 625
GIS for LAUP
PLAN 641
Coastal Environmental
Planning
Focus area courses
PLAN 616
Analyzing Risk/Hazard and

Public Policy
PLAN 623
Planning in 3rd world
countries
PLAN 631
Health Systems Planning
and Policy
PLAN 634
Environmental Health
Planning and Policy
PLAN 642
Coastal Planning
PLAN 647
Disaster Recovery/Hazard
Mitigation
PLAN 649
Organizational & Cmty
Response to Crises
PLAN 650
Disaster Response Planning
PLAN 673
Design for Sustainable
Transportation
ARCH, LAND, RENR, PSAA For applicable courses
offered outside the
department, speak to the
emphasis area coordinator
13
Faculty Involvement
Books
MUP faculty members who commonly chair or serve on

graduate advisory committees include:
Beatley, Timothy and Kristy Manning (1997). Ecology of Place
Sherry Bame
Brody, Samuel (2011). Rising Waters
Samuel Brody
Hilgenkamp, Kathryn (2006). Environmental Health
Changshan Huang
Peacock, Walter Gillis, Betty Hearn Morrow, and Hugh Gladwin,

eds. 1997. Hurricane Andrew: Ethnicity, gender and the
sociology of disasters. Psychology Press.
Michael Lindell
George Rogers
-Heather Wade, 11
Tierney, Kathleen J., Michael K. Lindell, and Ronald W. Perry.

2001. Facing the unexpected: Disaster preparedness and
response in the United States. Joseph Henry Press.
Coastal Planning Specialist,

Texas Sea Grant
McHarg, Ian (1969). Design With Nature
Shannon Van Zandt
Mileti, Dennis S. (1999). Disasters by Design
Yu Xiao
I love that I get help

communities that lack the
capacityformeaningful
urban planning...My job
enables our organization to
bring planning capabilities
to those communities who
need it
An annual planning forum: Imagining New

Futures
Forster Ndubisi
Walter Peacock
Disaster recovery and community development senior planner,

Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC)
THE MUP ENVIRONMENT IS VERY UNIQUE in that the
faculty not only engage through the advising process but actively
encourage students to apply the more theoretical concepts from
the coursework within on-going research projects.
My time at TAMU helped me to think analytically about the
INTERSECTIONS OF LAND USE, HOUSING, ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT, AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
H-GACS ENVIRONMENT IS FAST-PACED. Over the course
of a day, I will work on a variety of projects like the H-GAC Fair
Housing Equity Assessment, the Rapid Housing Recovery Pilot
Program, and activities associated with the Gulf Coast Economic
Development District.
The annual department event, Imagining New Futures,

brings professionals and students together to learn about and
participate in activities centered on themes of sustainability.
Above, a team presents their ideas during the 2012 event.
14

Travis Young, 11
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ONEPAGE MEMO AND THE TWO-MINUTE ELEVATOR SPEECH.
The research side of planning is very important, but being able
to succinctly and clearly communicate findings and priorities to
a general audience is paramount in advancing any sort of policy.
EMPHASIS AREAS
urban and economic development

Planners help cities manage growth
that coincides with the visions of their
community stakeholders. Today, more
cities are focusing growth inside their
existing boundaries, increasing density,
and infilling under- or undeveloped areas.
Students who choose an emphasis in this
area have as a great resource the Center
for Housing & Urban Development
(CHUD), a leader in the inquiry for
creating sustainable housing and
communities
Students who pursue an emphasis in
urban and economic development can
expect to come away with these key
outcomes:
How distressed neighborhoods and

areas may be revitalized;
Principles of business location,

development and attraction, publicprivate partnerships, public sector
incentives and revenue sources;
Tools and techniques for addressing

regional and local economic
development needs; and
Methods of increasing the supply

of affordable, quality housing
opportunities.
Emphasis area coordinator:

Shannon Van Zandt, svanzandt@tamu.edu
Course Requirement
Total credit hours required
12
(3x4)
Foundation
PLAN 689
(temporary number)
Urban & Regional Economic

Development
Choose at least one from:
PLAN 629
Neighborhood Revitalization
PLAN 627
Community Economic Development
PLAN 656
Housing and Community
Choose remaining from:

RPTS 604
Principles of Community
RPTS 605
Community Organization
ALEC 631
Dev and Planning of Community
Education Programs
LDEV 661
Development and the Environment
LDEV 664
Market Analysis for Development
15
Books
Faculty Involvement
Tighe and Mueller (eds). 2012. The Affordable Housing Reader.
Faculty members who commonly chair or serve on graduate

advisory committees include:
Medoff and Sklar. 1997. Streets of Hope: the Fall and Rise of an Urban Neighborhood
LeRoy, Greg. 2005. The Great American Jobs Scam: Corporate Tax Dodging and the Myth of Job
Creation.
Elise Bright, LAUP

John Cooper, LAUP
Logan and Molotch. 1987. Urban Fortunes: The Political Economy of Place
Cecilia Giusti, LAUP
Jackson. 1985. Crabgrass Frontier.
David Matarrita-Cascante, RPTS

Walter Peacock, LAUP
and Blogs: Shelterforce (http://www.shelterforce.org/)
Shannon Van Zandt, LAUP

Yu Xiao, LAUP

Erin Newcomer, 08
Planning director, City of Belton, TX

MY FAVORITE COURSE WAS HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
(PLAN 656). This course allowed me to research and write
about mixed-income housing, a subject I was most interested in
during my time in the MUP program,
Due to the education I received in the housing and applied
planning courses, I AM ABLE TO PROVIDE DEVELOPERS
WITH ADVICE CONCONCERNING SITE DESIGN FOR
FUNCTIONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.
Erin wrote her Masters paper

on an early warning system
for housing abandonment
in Harrisburg, PA, the City
with which she had previously
interned. She came to the
program after studying wildlife
and fisheries science at Texas
A&M.
16
THERE IS NEVER A TYPICAL DAY FOR A PLANNER because

we are responsible for several tasks such as reviewing plats
and construction plans; commercial site plans; zoning change
requests; variance requests; annexations; sign permits; and
alterations and improvements to historic buildings,
A goal that I attempt to achieve with any new development is to
CREATE A WALKABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE CITIZENS
AND PATRONS. I enjoy offering guidance when designing a
site plan that complies with the ordinances and is conducive for
future growth and the citizens within Belton.
Graduation Checklist
The information below provides guidance for meeting
recommended benchmarks on the way to successful completion
of your degree program. It is not intended to represent the
deadlines or requirements set by the Office of Graduate Studies
(OGS) or the University. Each semester, the OGS publishes
Deadline
online a Calendar of key dates for the filing of degree plans,

applying for graduation, and the submission of paperwork
necessary for successful completion of the final defense/
examination. It is each students responsibility to know and
adhere to the deadlines set by OGS.
Task
SPRING of first year and FALL of second year

May of First year
Choose a committee and file degree plan.
Sept-October
Meet with committee chair several times to develop study topic. Write
proposal and gain chairs approval.
November
Gain committee approval of proposal.
Begin research and writing of draft.
SPRING
Mid January
Apply for degree to be awarded in May.
Late February
First complete draft due to Committee Chair, who should return with
comments within one week of receiving draft.
Mid March
Revised first draft to committee members, who should return it within one week
of receipt.
Late March
Final draft of professional study due to Committee Chair (at least two full weeks
before scheduled exam date).
At least one week prior to exam

date, final drafts should be delivered to each committee member.
Late March
Last day to submit Request and Announcement of the Final

Examination or 10 working days prior to the examination, whichever comes
first, to the Office of Graduate Studies.
Early April
Take final examination.
Early May
Commencement.
17
Assistantship and Internships
Graduate Assistantships
Several types of graduate assistantships are possible, but there
are usually not enough to go around. Incoming students
may be granted departmental assistantships (GAs, graduate
assistantships), which may be teaching (GATs) or non-teaching
(GANTs). These students will be assigned to a particular
professor to help with classes, research, or special projects.
Typically, these assistantships are for 20 hours per week,
although sometimes they may be split between two professors
(10 hours each). Once the student has been assigned to
the professor, he or she should arrange a meeting with the
professor to discuss what things the student will be working on,
and what expectations the professor has for the student. These
expectations may vary widely from professor to professor. Some
professors are very strict about the number of hours worked
and will meet with students every week, while others will have
students work independently by assigning them projects that
may take weeks or even months. It is a good idea to ask to meet
with your supervising professor regularly so that you have the
opportunity to clarify questions that you may have and make
sure you are on the right track.
18
Students who do not receive graduate assistantships from the

department and still need work may seek graduate research
assistantships (GARs). These assistantships may be offered by
individual faculty members who have funded research projects.
Faculty members will seek students with particular skills or
areas of expertise that are needed for their research project,
such as statistical analysis, GIS skills, strong writing skills, verbal
communication skills, specialty software skills, programming,
etc., depending on the needs of the project. To learn about
these opportunities, its best to talk to other students and faculty
members about which faculty members tend to hire research
assistants, and to approach these faculty members to ask if they
have anything available. Its best to have a resume available to
help faculty members learn about what skills you have to offer.
Remember, though, that faculty members get a lot of these types
of requests, so these positions can be competitively awarded.
Assistantships typically include tuition and insurance for
students. Another alternative is hourly work as a student
technician. Faculty members will often hire students for an
hourly wage to work on specific projects related to research,
outreach, or other special projects. These student technician
positions are more like regular jobs, where you get paid for the
number of hours that you actually work, and you have to fill out
time sheets. They also do not include any additional benefits
like tuition or insurance. They are often also limited in the
time that workers are neededit may be for just one semester,
or it may be longer, or even shorter. You can talk to individual
faculty members about the availability of these jobs, and also pay
attention to the MUP listserv, where these positions are often
advertised as they become available. International students will
have limits on the number of hours that they can work each
week (not more than 20).
The type of work for research or non-teaching assistants will
vary widely, and may include data entry; literature searches;
making phone calls, creating charts, graphs, maps or figures;
cataloging photos or data; creating graphics or drawings; writing
and editing; etc. Teaching assistants will often be responsible
for doing initial grading, scanning or copying materials,
keeping track of attendance or participation, retrieving
videotapes or materials from the library, and doing classroom
set-up when needed. Sometimes, and depending on their
experience and capability, teaching assistants will conduct some
classesgiving a lecture or running an exercise.
Internships
Be sure and read the policy section on internships in
the MUP handbook (p. 35). In the spring of the first
year, the Association of Student Planners will have a
special meeting dedicated to internships, where second
year students will share their experiences and answer
questions. Generally, however, it is the individual
students responsibility to find an internship. There are
no right ways or wrong ways to find internships. Below
are some typical types of organizations that would offer
appropriate internships, followed by common kinds of
searches.
Typical types of organizations:
Cities (departments of planning, community development,
economic development, housing, environmental services,
emergency management, transportation, etc.)
Councils of Government (COGs)
Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs)
Counties
State or federal agencies (related to area of interest,
like transportation, housing, economic development,
environmental resources, water, coastal issues, emergency
management, land use, and so on)
Non-profit or non-governmental organizations (that
advocate for something related to your area of interest)
Private sector planning, architecture, landscape architecture
firms (EDAW, Jacobs, Glatting Jackson, Lane Koenig, etc.)
Developers or real estate firms
Research groups (may be non-profit or university, like the
Texas Transportation Institute)
Places to look:
Website of the organization itself
Website of a parent organization (e.g., American
Planning Association, or APA Texas; but also special interest
organizations like the Congress for New Urbanism, and so on)
Job search engines (monster.com; opportunityknocks.org;
etc.)
Google searches (dont just enter planningthatll get
you nowhere. Use terms like urban planning internships,
sustainable urbanism internships, economic development
internships, housing internships, transportation
internships, and so on)
Conferences, like the state conference of the APA Texas
chapter, the APA conference, the Congress for New Urbanism,
other specialty conferences
Your search for an internship will be guided by the

constraints that you have or the kind of internship youre
looking for. Some common paths are outlined on the
following page.
Search for an official internship (i.e. a regular,
organized, usually paying internship)
This is a good place to start if you dont have too many
constraints on where you go. Some organizations have
standing internship programs that are well organized,
carefully supervised, and involve planned interactions
and programmatic activities with other interns. These
are usually really good experiences and result in good
networking opportunities for permanent jobs. Many
universities have internship programs to match you with
organizations both in the US and internationally. In
addition, many federal agencies and special interest
groups in Washington, DC offer internship programs.
19
Each of these sources for internships is typically quite

competitive. You will often find these through job search
engines and Google searches. Also, look at TAMUs
internship office to see what you might be eligible for/
interested in.
Search constrained by location (i.e. you need to live at
home, stay in B/CS, or want to spend the summer in a
specific, really cool city)
Further, many types of organizations are members of

state and national organizations, such as the Texas
Chapter of the American Planning Association, and the
American Planning Association itself. These and other
similar, large organizations will often list internships and
job opportunities on their websites. If you know a few
organizations that you would like to work for, see what
other organizations they are a member of and visit their
websites to see if they list internships.
Generate a list of organizations with offices in your

location of choice. Visit the website of each of these
organizations and look for posted internships. If there are
none, you may also identify a contact person that you can
e-mail or call directly to inquire about internships. You
can also use existing networks to identify opportunities. If
you are searching in your hometown, use your parents or
parents of friends to inquire about contacts at appropriate
organizations.
Search aimed at a specific organization or group related
to your emphasis area (i.e. you really want to get involved
in some cutting-edge project or initiative)
Make a list of the organizations that are doing what
you want to do. Pay attention to the external links on
these websites to identify other organizations that are
involved in this type of work that you may have not known
about. Look for posted internship opportunities on
their websites, but dont be limited by this. Contact these
organizations directly by e-mail, mail, or phone, to inquire
about potential opportunities. You may need to be willing
to work for no pay.
20
Policies and Guidelines

admissions
Students seeking admission into the Master of Urban Planning program should review
the university and department websites for information about applications, deadlines,
and financial assistance. Applications for both domestic and international students may
be found at www.applytexas.org.
In general, we accept applications at any time of year. While we do not prohibit spring
(January) admissions, we strongly discourage beginning the program at this time, since it
puts the student off-sequence in the curriculum. Further, the chances of being admitted
are considerably lower in the spring because there are fewer spaces available. Financial
aid is also very difficult to secure for students beginning the program in the spring.
When students apply, they should expect to submit the following:
All official transcripts and test scores to the University
A Statement of Purpose
Three letters of recommendation from former professors or employers
Applicants may also submit a resume. Portfolios are unnecessary for admission into the
Master of Urban Planning program.
Admissions
Academic Integrity
Students with Disabilities
Course Substitution Policy
Internship Policy
Financial Aid Guidelines
Once an application is complete, it will be forwarded to a committee of at least three

faculty members who will review it. When reviewing applications, faculty look for
evidence of a students academic ability,
motivation for graduate study, fit in the program (whether the student wants the type of
education we provide), and appropriate preparation.
There is no minimum GRE or TOEFL (English proficiency, for international students
only) score required. Applicants are considered relative to the rest of the applicant pool,
and the best candidates are accepted on a space-available basis. Financial aid is awarded
on a competitive basis to the most qualified applicants.
Outreach Partnership Guidelines
21
university policies
program policies
Academic Integrity
Course Substitution Policy
HONOR CODE An
An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do
do.
Students may substitute an independent study for an existing course if the

faculty member who teaches the course and the program coordinator agree.
Students should prepare a brief Request for Substitution which includes their
reasons for the request and describes their proposed program of independent
study in sufficient detail for the faculty involved to determine whether the
proposed work is an acceptable substitute for the course. This form must be
approved by the faculty member who teaches the course, the faculty member
who will supervise the independent study, the MUP Program Coordinator and
the Department Head.
Upon accepting admission to Texas A&M University, a student immediately

assumes a commitment to uphold the Honor Code, to accept responsibility for
learning, and to follow the philosophy and rules of the Honor System. Ignorance
of the rules does not exclude any member of the TAMU community from the
requirements or the processes of the Honor System.
To meet this standard in the Master of Urban Planning courses and program
requirements such as the masters paper or thesis, all ideas (including text, data,
or graphics) that are not your own must be properly cited. Note that ideas that
require citation may not have been published or written down anywhere.
If you have questions about what constitutes plagiarism, please see the Student
Resources on Academic Integrity and Plagiarism section on the TAMU Library
website. Violations of university policies on academic integrity will be handled
according to university guidelines. Depending on the severity of the infraction,
sanctions for academic dishonesty include:
A failing grade for the assignment
A failing grade for the course
Student dismissal from the program
Student dismissal from the university
Americans With Disabilities Act (Ada) Policy

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination
statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with
disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with
disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable
accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring
an accommodation, please contact the Department of Student Life, Services for
Students with Disabilities, in Cain Hall or call 979-845-1637.
This policy was APPROVED by the MUP Program Committee Dec. 12, 2007.
Internship Policy
Students enrolled in the Master of Urban Planning program must complete the
internship component of the program as a requirement for graduation. The
internship requirement is 120 hours of work (paid or unpaid) with a planning
or planning-related agency. To complete this requirement, students must enroll
in PLAN 684, a one-hour course.
Finding an internship is solely the responsibility of the student. Students may
review announcements for job postings on the MUP list serv, on the office door
of the MUP program coordinator, or by meeting with MUP faculty to discuss
other available opportunities. Students may also visit the following web sites
in search of job opportunities: www.planning.org and www.planetizen.org.
Students may also contact an agency directly to seek internship opportunities.
As planning is a particularly broad field, so too are the types of internships a
student might seek. Students have sought internships with:
Local planning departments, including the cities of Bryan and College
Station, Texas, and the Brazos Valley Council of Governments;
Metropolitan planning organizations;
Local housing authorities;
Private consulting firms which specialize in planning, architecture, and
engineering;
Non-profits and advocacy groups; and
Non-governmental organizations.
22
Students are encouraged to seek internships locally, nationally,

and abroad, both paid and unpaid. The Department office
maintains electronic and hard copy files of potential
employers that students can review; it also has lists of Career
Fair-participating firms, many of whom hire students.
Students may seek advice on the appropriateness of an
internship from the MUP program coordinator. The program
coordinator may refer a students internship proposal to the
Masters of Urban Planning Program Advisory Committee for
more detailed review and approval. The program coordinator
will consider the following factors when advising students in this
regard:
Type of employer;
Job duties;
Appropriateness with respect to students stated career

track;
Other relevant factors.
In the rare instance that a student has exhausted all internship

opportunities which are feasible, he or she may appeal to the
MUP program coordinator, in writing, to ask for placement.
The student must raise this appeal before the end of the spring
semester of their first year in the program. The MUP program
coordinator will assist the student in finding a supplemental
opportunity to fulfill the internship requirement. This
supplemental opportunity might include assisting a faculty
member with an on-going research project which is practice
related. Students should be aware that paid compensation is
unlikely in this option. Participation in study abroad programs
provides another unique opportunity for students to earn the
internship credit.
In order to facilitate the successful completion of the

internship requirement, students should follow these
steps:
Apply for internships during the spring semester of

their first year;
Interview broadly with prospective employers;
Provide an intern-agency agreement or letter signed

by the potential employer which states the scope of
the interns responsibilities, number of hours, and

scheduling to the academic secretary for placement in
their permanent file;
Register for PLAN 684;
Before grades are due, submit a report to the

supervising professor for signature;
Give a copy of the signed report to the academic

secretary for placement in their permanent file.
The report is intended to give the student an opportunity to

reflect on his or her experiences during the internship as those
experiences relate to the broader context of urban planning.
To expedite the writing of the report, students should consider
keeping a journal of their experiences during the course of
the internship. No grade of pass will be given for PLAN 684
until this report has been approved by the students supervising
professor.
This policy was APPROVED by the MUP Program Committee
Dec. 12, 2007.
financial aid guideline

The goal of these policies is to make awarding of aid more
consistent, equitable, and efficient in recruiting students.
Aid for all MUP students is awarded with the goal of
attracting and retaining the highest quality students. Need
should be an important secondary consideration, as the
international and out of state students receive an out of state
tuition waiver if they receive a $1000 award.
The deadline for aid applications is April 15. This takes into
account the application deadline of March 1 for international
applicants, since.
Additional financial aid may be awarded in arrears at the
Awards Banquet held in the spring of each year. That is, those
MUP students receiving aid would be recognized toward the
end of their aid-receiving year instead of immediately upon
receiving the aid. This ensures that the aid recipient actually
remains in the program and allows recognition of many
more deserving students at the banquet, including GAs and
recipients of tuition remissions.
Departmental scholarships available to MUP students
should generally be awarded to continuing students only (see
23
6 below for the exceptional case); the amount awarded may

vary from person to person and year to year. Students should
submit an application and a letter from their supervising
professor to the Academic Secretary by April 15. Other
criteria should be kept to a minimum so as to afford the
greatest flexibility in making offers to applicants.
In order to continue in a GA position for a second year, a
MUP student must receive no grade lower than B in the first
year and must also obtain a letter from his/her supervising
professor recommending that he/she be allowed to continue.
GAs must submit the letter and a printout of grades received
in the fall semester to the Academic Secretary by April 15;
the committee will then award GA positions for the second
year pending the students earning satisfactory grades for the
spring semester. If a student loses a GA position he/she may
still be awarded other aid by the committee.
In late March the Academic Secretary will notify (via email
and posted notices near the MUP student boxes) second year
students of the need to complete an application and submit
a letter by April 15 if they wish to continue as a GA or to be
considered for Departmental aid.
If some likely aid (for example, GA positions or
tuition remissions) is still unknown by April 15 then the
Departmental aid should be held in reserve and the aid award
letters for new MUP students should simply award $1000
without listing the source of funds. This allows the Committee
to cover aid awarded to deserving new students with available
departmental scholarship funds, then switch them to
remissions or GAs as those funds become available. All award
letters must include a date (within one month of the date of
the letter) by which an acceptance must be received or the aid
will be awarded to another applicant.
outreach guidelines
The MUP Program Committee supports the initiative to match
students beginning their final professional study reports with
communities in need of assistance; the Target Cities program
(in which the Applied Planning class works with a community
on a larger project); and the efforts of individual professors
to complete limited projects in their lecture classes. The MUP
Program Committee wishes to reiterate and support the policy
that the role of the Partnership for Community Outreach
(PCO) in these matters includes project solicitation, publicizing
opportunities, tracking proposals, and cataloging completed
projects; while the role of the supervising faculty is to provide
substantive guidance, oversight, review and quality control of
the work performed; responsibility for the quality of the work
rests solely with the supervising faculty involved in all instances
cited above. Should the PCO decide to accept a project without
supervising faculty involvedfor example, to hire a student
worker directly to complete a projectthen responsibility and
authority for substantive review, oversight, guidance and quality
control would rest with the PCO.
These guidelines were APPROVED by the MUP Program
Committee Dec. 12, 2007.
Beginning April 1 the academic secretary will prepare an

updated spreadsheet before each MUP Program Committee
meeting that includes every new student who has sent in an
application, whether complete or not. The Committee will
then prioritize the list based first on merit, then need. If a
need for names for GAs or remissions arises between meetings
the Program Coordinator is authorized to submit the highest
priority names from the list, and let the committee know via
email.
These guidelines were APPROVED by the MUP Program
Committee on Dec. 12, 2007.
24
Association of Student Planners

The Association of Student Planners (ASP) is the Texas A&M University student organization
for the American Planning Association (APA) that represents students in the Masters of Urban
Planning (MUP) program. It is led by students in the Masters of Urban Planning program and
is a recognized organization of Texas A&M University and the American Planning Association. It
consists of over 30 students and participates in numerous activities throughout the school year.
The officers of ASP play an important role in both the College of Architecture and Department
of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, by serving on committees such as:
College of Architecture Student Advisory Council,
College of Architecture Executive Committee,
Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning Student Leaders Council
Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning Faculty Council
Masters of Urban Planning Faculty Committee
Monthly Meetings
ASP members get together monthly to discuss important issues related to the students and
their future activities. Often the meetings are anchored by a guest speaker that talks about
professional work outside academia. This creates a great medium for outside involvement and
increased knowledge of professional planning. In the past we have had speakers from the Cities
25
of Bryan and College Station and the Brazos Valley Council of

Governments.
Career Fair
Each year the Department of Landscape Architecture and
Urban Planning hosts a career fair which attracts companies
from across the state and even from other parts of the country.
The Association of Student Planners collaborates with the
American Society of Landscape Architects, student chapter
(ASLA) to organize and invite different firms for this special
event. This event occurs every February and allows students to
spread their rsums and interview with different firms.
Elections
The Association of Student Planners holds annual elections
every March for the officer positions of president, vicepresident, treasurer and secretary. This timeline allows for the
new officers and old officers to transition between academic
years. In October of every year a 1st-year representative officer
is elected among the incoming Masters of Urban Planning
student class.
As a student in the Masters of Urban Planning program at
Texas A&M University, participation in ASP enhances your
personal and professional experience.
Conferences
Twice a year, ASP arranges for students to attend conferences,
one at the state level and the other at the national level. In the
fall, Texas APA holds a conference to bring planners together to
mingle and learn about new initiatives with regards to planning
in Texas. It is a good opportunity for students to network as
well as learn from other practicing planners in Texas. National
APA is held in the spring and brings together planners across
the country to do the same, but at a much larger scale. Both
conferences provide opportunities to network, learn and also to
come closer as a planning class.
In order to offset costs incurred by attending these conferences,
ASP receives assistance from former students and the
Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning.
However, they also participate in fundraising activities such
as shirt and textbook sales, as well as other campus activities
such as replacing seat cushions at Kyle Field before the football
season.
Community Service
professional advisory council

The Planning Professional Advisory Council (PAC) is a support
group between the program and key leaders in the design,
planning, and development fields who share a common interest
in the development of high-quality, functional, and
sustainable built and natural environments. By joining
together key leaders, students, and faculty in the common
quest for creating functional and sustainable places, the PAC
and the College of Architecture make a profound difference
in enhancing peoples lives in Texas, the United States, and
beyond.
The PACs support greatly assists the MUP Program as the
program addresses issues related to the creation of improved
human environments, the education of our students, and the
improved condition of our natural environment.PAC members
are the leaders who will be able to make a major difference in
shaping the design and environmental quality of our built and
natural environment in Texas, the United States, and beyond.
As planners we like to think of ourselves as altruistic in our

desires to improve our communities and cities, and our student
planners are no different. Each year, Texas A&M University
holds the BIG EVENT. This activity gets students out into the
community to help the residents. The Association of Student
Planners participates in this event each year with pride. In
2008, we were able to complete two separate service projects for
different residents in Bryan and College Station.
26
MUP survival guide
Members of the MUP class of 12

show off their new Aggie rings
on Aggie Ring Day
Information
for students from students
Frequently asked questions
1. Where do I get a campus map?
An online campus map is available at: http://aggiemap.tamu.
edu.
approve your Student ID card for official system recognition.

You may also gain access by asking a faculty member or other
students for the four digit door key code. Another oldfashioned and desperate method is to wait for another student
to open it and slip in behind them.
3. What is the MUP space?
2. How do I get into the Langford Building on weekends

and in the evening?
See the Langford Building Administrator (located on the first
floor of Langford A across from the stairs) and have them
The open space with couches, tables, a microwave and a fridge

on the third floor of Langford A in the central section of the
cubicle walls is the MUP space. It is meant to be a common
room for MUP students to study, chat or have lunch.
27
4. How can I get a locker?

You can either get a locker in the MUP space or in the Evans library. For the
MUP lockers, talk to Thena Morris (tmorris@arch.tamu.edu) who can give you
a key. Since there are only 6 lockers, these are usually shared by two students.
For information on how to rent a locker in the Evans library, go to their website
or information desk. The link is:
http://library.tamu.edu/services/lockers.html
5. Where are computer labs, how do I obtain a computer access ID, and
how can I get remote computer access?
In Langford A there is a computer lab on the third floor and one on the
first floor. The one on the first floor is often occupied by lectures, so please
check the schedule first. Additionally, there are computers in the stairway of
the building that can be used. All computers in the Langford building can
be accessed with your Langford ID that is composed of your initials and the
last four digits of your Student ID. For the initial password check with the
computing center on the first floor of Langford A (also the print center).
Around the campus there are several open access labs, for example in the
Student Computing Center (SCC), the Horticulture building or Blocker that
can be accessed by your NetID. For more information visit: http://oal.tamu.
edu/
The library has computers on several floors that can be accessed by your NetID.
7. How do I get ArcGIS and other software?

Students can get a one-year student version of ArcGIS from the secretary of
the department on the third floor of Langford A for free. Note: ArcGIS is also
available on all computers of the Open Access Labs around campus as well as
on the computers in Langford A.
Other software, such as Office 2007, EndNote, SPSS, and etc may be purchased
at reduced cost from software.tamu.edu. Introductory software short courses
may be offered for free by the university. For details check shortcourses.tamu.
edu.
8. Where can I make copies?
There is a copy machine in the TRC library on the second floor of Langford
A. One copy costs 10. If you get a copy card, you can make copies at the Evans
library. Another possibility is to make copies at FedEx/Kinkos on University
Dr. or at Copy Corner on Texas Ave.
9. Where can I print cheap posters?
In order to print posters, choose the appropriate printer on one of the
computers in Langford A. Print your poster, then go down to the Media Center
on the first floor of Langford A, pay your prints and theyll print your poster.
You can choose the paper quality and size, before paying. If you are unsure
which printer to choose to print to for large format ask the Media Center first.
https://wikis.arch.tamu.edu/display/HELPDESK/Printing. You can also go to
a copy shop and print the poster there, but it is certainly more expensive.
To work remotely from home, the main TAMU computing center can set
you up with remote access. Take your computer and student ID takes a few
minutes to set up. This computer center also offers technical support for
computer problems which is part of your student fees.
Go to the Media Center on the first floor of Langford A and ask for more
paper.
6. Where and how can I print?
11. Where do I bind reports?
Around Langford A there are several printers that you can use. Check which
ones are working before you print! A good choice is the printer 9050n on
Cluster B which is located across from the MUP space. Printing is sometimes
a fickle process. Generally each lab has a B/W printer that can double-side
documents.
You can bind your reports at FedEx/Kinkos on University Dr. for about $5; just
ask for the spiral bind.
7. How do I pay for prints?

Youll get a balance of about 600 pages (150 pages per class in which you are
enrolled) automatically at the beginning of your first semester. This balance can
be checked in the lower right corner of your desktop when you are logged into
your account in Langford.
28
10. What should I do if the printers dont have any more paper?
12. Where can I scan?

There is a scanner in the TRC library in Langford A that can be used for
educational purposes.
13. Where can I study quietly?
This is a good question
Most students study at home or in the library. Evans library has several study
rooms for rent; go to their website for more information. You

will find a niche that matches your preference.
14. Where do I get my Student ID card?
Student IDs can be obtained at the General Services Complex
(GSC), which is located on West Campus on Agronomy Rd. You
can take bus #6 to its terminal stop. In order to get a student
ID, your picture is taken and you need your UIN. The cashiers
office are located in the same building.
15. Where do I get my grade report, transcript and proof of
enrolment?
Online: https://howdy.tamu.edu/
You can also request the documents in person on the first floor
of the General Services Complex (GSC), which is located on
West Campus on Agronomy Road. Take bus #6 to its terminal
stop.
16. How do I get a cheap bike?
TAMU offers a Borrow a Bike for short term needs. Go to
http://transport.tamu.edu/bicycles/borrowabike.aspx. You can
also lease a bike through Maroon Bikes (maroonbikes.com).
Sometimes surplus bikes are made available by auction. Check
http://transport.tamu.edu/bicycles.aspx for updates.
17. Where do I get cheap books, find out what books are
required for courses and when should I order books?
There are several book stores on and around campus, e.g. the
TAMU Bookstore in the MSC: http://tamu.bkstore.com, or
Traditions bookstore. A list of books for your courses are listed
according to the department and course number of your class
on their website. You can also purchase your books online: most
students buy cheap used books on www.half.com or on www.
amazon.com.
Most professors expect for you to have your books the first week
of class, so it is a good idea to check early with your professors
what books are required for your classes instead of waiting until
the first day of class. Our faculty are friendly and responsive,
do not hesitate to look up a professors email address and ask
them.
18. What are good places to eat lunch?

On campus there are several cafeterias and food courts where
you can eat.
http://diningservices.tamu.edu/
There are several restaurants along University Drive in an area
locals call Northgate, e.g. Freebirds, Potbellys Sandwiches,
Chipotle, and others.
19. How do I get financial aid (graduate assistantship,

scholarship, other forms)?
Most Departmental aid is awarded to incoming fall semester
students, but there are some scholarships that are awarded in
the spring, usually to returning students.
For information on available scholarships and financial aid,
first turn to pp. 25 and 30 of this handbook, and then ask
the Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning (LAUP)
Department Office or your advisor if you still have questions.
Individual professors may also hire students and/or offer
scholarships when they are awarded research grants etc.
There is some aid available at the University level; visit the A&M
financial aid office at https://financialaid.tamu.edu/ for more
information.
20. How do I find an internship?
General information and regulations on internships can be
found in the MUP Handbook.
The Department Office has a list of several hundred firms that
hire planners. Some of these firms participate in the career fair
that is held annually in February. Several organizations post
jobs and internships on their websites, so be sure to check the
Central Texas, Texas, and national APA websites.
If you are interested in public transportation, contact
Texas Transportation Institute http://tti.tamu.edu/, e.g.
Linda Cherrington for opportunities based on TTI project
29
requirements. As of Spring 2013, several 2nd Year MUPs and

recent program graduates work for TTI either full or part time.
Contact professors who teach/research in specialties that
interest you: ask them for recommendations and for help
networking to find that perfect opportunity.
21. Where can I find planning-related info online?
By no means a comprehensive list, but a good place to start is by
checking these out:
American Planning Association www.planning.org
APA Texas txplanning.org
Planetizen www.planetizen.com
Project for Public Spaces pps.org/blog
StreetsBlog streetsblog.net
The Atlantic Cities theatlanticcities.com
Urban Land Institute www.uli.org
How do I find out about parking permits, campus bus

schedules and city bus schedules?
TAMU Campus Transportation: http://transport.tamu.

edu/
Bryan/College Station Public Transit: http://www.btd.

org/BryanCollegeStation.htm
the planning profession,
Pay lower prices for books or seminars offered by APA,

and
Have access to exclusive opportunities for financial aid,

internships and jobs
24. What are the deadlines for filing a degree plan,

applying for graduation, and other issues?
Information of deadlines and the academic calendar can be
found at the Office of Graduate Studies at http://ogs.tamu.
edu/. The Office of Graduate Studies provides Steps to Fulfil
Masters Degree Requirements at http://ogs.tamu.edu/
current/steps-masters.html.
25. Other items to be aware of:
Sometimes class rooms change before the first day of class, so
check your schedule the week before classes begin.
You didnt find the answer to a question you had? Or you think
the given answer is not up to date or could be improved? Or
you can think of other questions that should be included? let us
know!
The impetus for this survival guide is input of students like you.
If you have more questions, concerns, or simply want to share
please contact an ASP officer (e.g. 13-14 president, Maria
Watson, at mw574@tamu.edu)
22. How do I become a member of the American Planners

Association?
Students of the MUP Program get a free APA membership in
their first year. In order to enrol as a student member, please
contact an ASP officer to file the appropriate paperwork.
23. What are the benefits of being an APA member?
There are several benefits of being an APA member. These are
just a few! APA members:
30
Pay lower registration fees for conferences,
Receive Planning Magazine, a publication of APA, and

the APAs monthly newsletter about what is going on in
Portfolio Guideline
What is a portfolio?
http://dharmin.hostei.com/
A portfolio is a synopsis of ones creativity and development

on specific knowledge over time. For students of the Master of
Urban Planning program, a portfolio is required to be created
in Texas A&M University web portal in the format of e-portfolio.
E-portfolio is a powerful tool to showcase and summarize
your personal views on topics covered in your courseworks,
research works, both in the form of text and graphics, maps
and photographs with proper illustration. For MUP students,
each of these components of portfolio needs to be tied with
the following learning objectives to demonstrate specific skills
learned in different projects.
The outcome of an e-portfolio is to help students seeking to

enter professional field or pursuing higher education. It is
the medium of demonstrating creativity, in-depth knowledge,
analytical and research capability.
What to include in a portfolio?
Learning objectives:
An e-portfolio should include a short biography, resume and

examples of academic works. Since MUP program is research
oriented, the most of the projects are text-intensive. However
e-portfolio does not need to be based on text only. The best way
to showcase projects is through maps, graphs, photographs and
other creative graphics with a consistent layout.
1.
Assess and evaluate a communitys social, economic,

environmental, and physical characteristics
Where should I create the portfolio?
2.
Engage in (create) a planning process that is

collaborative, inclusive, and participatory
3.
Analyze primary and secondary data to identify

community issues, problems, strengths, opportunities,
inequities, and threats
4.
Design alternative solutions (designs, policies,

development projects, etc.) to address identified
problems
5.
Assess the legal, fiscal, and/or political feasibility/

appropriateness of potential solutions
6.
Communicate effectively (in writing, verbally, and

graphically) to help communities understand options,
visualize futures, and make informed choices
7.
Practice planning according to professional standards of

ethics, demonstrating an understanding of principles of
social justice and diversity
For students of Texas A&M University, there is an option to

create eportfolio at E-campus web portal, located in https://
ecampusprod.tamu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_
group_id=_29_1.
E-portfolio site contains two options:
Create Personal portfolio and
With the help of this option, students can create, modify and
upload their academic works with the format provided on
e-campus. Students also have the option to download their
portfolio and share with prospective employers from this site.
31
Create Basic Portfolio

Basic portfolio option creates a personal profile page for
a student. Students can modify the layout with the options
embedded in different tabs on the e-portfolio site.
There are some other free eportfolio websites that students
oftern create online portfolios Below is the list of some of the
popular ones:
www.behance.net
www.wix.com
www.weebly.com
www. squarespace.com
32
City of Georgetown, TX
Missouri City, TX
City of Galveston, TX
City of Rio Rancho, NM
Jobs & Internships

MUP student alumni have always been a great resource for identifying and contacting different
organizations in both the public and private sectors. Below is a list of organizations where recent
MUP alumni have served and are serving as interns or full time professional planners.
Water Resources, City of Austin, TX

Harforc County, MD
City of Waco, TX
Houston Housing Authority
Regional Planning Agencies
Jobs
Middle Georgia Regional Commission
State or University Agencies
Harris County Community Services Department
Center for Texas Beaches and Shores
Houston Galveston Area Council
Texas Transportation Institute
Brazos Valley Council of Governments
Texas Department of Public Safety
Northeast Texas Council of Governments
Texas Sea Grant
Middle Georgia COG, Macon, GA
Texas Department of Emergency Management
Research Valley Partnership
Southwest Conservation Corps/Texas Railroad Commission
Champaign County Regional Planning Commission
City
San Antonio-Bexar County Metropolitan Planning

Organization
City of Victoria
International
City of Bryan Planning & Development Services

City of McKinney
City of Austin
City of College Station
City of Stephenville
Sushant School of Art and Architecture, Gurgaon, Delhi NCR,

India
Public Forum, Urban Design Research Institute, Mumbai,
India
City of Houston
Institute for Transportation & Development Policy,

Ahmedabad, India
City of Lafayette LA
B+H Architects, Vietnam
City of League City, TX
Private Planning firms
City of Pflugerville,TX
Calthorpe Associates
City of Tennessee
Kendig Keast Collaborative
City of NYC, NY
Kimly Horn Associates
City of San Antonio, TX
33
T-Concepts Corporation
Village of Burdett, NY (Planning Commission)
Carter Burgess
Bryan College Station MPO
Gunda Corporation
BV COG Housing Services
JHP
Brazos Valley MPO
Batelle
Northwest Indiana Regional Bus Authority
Population and Survey Analysts, College Station TX
Singapore Mass Rapid Transit
HNTB, Houston
Dickinson Bayou Watershed Partnership, Houston, TX
Alfred Williams Consultancy, San Francisco
Downtown Memphis Commission
GEVAS (Transportation Engineering), Linz, Austria
Goodman Corporation (Transit Planning), Austin, TX
Parsons Brinckerhoff, Los Angeles
National Park Service
Internships:
Texas Coastal Watershed Program
City of Columbia, SC
Texas Center for Beaches & Shores
Transportation Services, TAMU
Texas Transportation Institute (TTI)- Multimodal Freight
Harris County Metropolitan Transit Authority
Woodlands Township Parks and Recreation
San Antonio Deaprtment of Environmental Policy
Texas Governors Land Office
Emergency Operations Center, Bryan and HRRC
City of College Station, Community Development
City of College Station, Neighborhood Development
City of College Station, Bikeways and Greenways
City of Bryan Planning & Development Services
Zhuozhou City, China

STIPDG Intern, US DOT
Texas Forest Service Emerging Communities
Landscape Architect Intern, NES, Inc.
Seattle Airport
Urban Design Intern, Marthas Vineyard Commission
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
Dept of Sociology, GIS work
Development and Construction Intern at Brazos Valley
Affordable Housing Corporation
Planning Commission, Hillsborough Co, FL
Glatting Jackson
Engineering & Design Services, Texas A&M University
Population and Survey Analysts, College Station, TX
Sam Trans
City of Flatonia, TX
City of Ft. Worth Planning & Development
City of Frisco, TX
City of Corpus Cristi
City of Austin Planning & Development
City of Montogmery AL
34
College of Architecture
Contact: College of Architecture/ Dept. of Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning, Mail: 3137 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843-3137

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mup

master of urban planning @ texas a&m

If you can plan in Texas, you can plan

master of urban planning

techniques of standard planning and then some.

Dual Degree Program

Emphasis areas & Certificates

Urban and Economic Development

Assistantship and Internships

Program Policies and Guidelines

Association of Student Planners

MUP survival guide

Jobs & Internships

master of urban planning @ texas a&m

master of urban planning @ texas a&m

Dual Degree and Articulated Programs

Thomas Oomen earned masters

master of urban planning @ texas a&m

overview of the maste

PLAN 604 (3)

PLAN 613 (3)

identify, create and employ policies,

PLAN 610 (3)

PLAN 625 (3)

use a transparent, inclusive process to facilitate coordination and

PLAN 664 (3)

facilitate a process of articulating com

PLAN 6XX (3)

The internlows studen

PLAN 640 (1)

evaluate and monitor the success of

master of urban planning @ texas a&m

PLAN 662 (3)

EMPHASIS AREA OR CERTIFICATE

-ship alnts to apre knowlo ob-serve

PLAN 665 (3)

PLAN 693 (1)

Interdisciplinary Certificates (five courses):

master of urban planning @ texas a&m

All students are introduced to the theoretical, historic and

Second-Year MUP student Long Chen presents

master of urban planning @ texas a&m

Planning Methods I: Demography and

Emphasis areas & Certificates

The Master of Urban Planning program at Texas A&M

The College of Architectures research centers offer

While students initially seek advising from the MUP

Certificates available in the College include:

Transportation Planning and Active Living

Emergency Management Certificate

Urban and Economic Development

Historic Preservation Certificate

Design Your Own this allows a student to create a set of

Health Systems Design Certificate

master of urban planning @ texas a&m

The 15- credit hour Graduate Certificate

Specialized instruction in one of four critical areas

Transportation in City Planning

master of urban planning @ texas a&m

Applied Transportation Studio

Focus Area (Choose Threee)

LAUP faculty members who commonly chair or serve on

Cervero, Robert (1998).The Transit Metropolis: A Global Inquiry

Bill Eisele, TTI, LAUP