Urban Studies & Planning

Design equitable cities and thriving communities.

Located in the heart of Tacoma's revitalized downtown, our School of Urban Studies & Planning trains planners, advocates, and policymakers to tackle housing, transportation, sustainability, and equity in cities across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

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Degree Programs

Urban Studies

BA4 years

Interdisciplinary study of cities, neighborhoods, and communities. Combines sociology, political science, economics, and design thinking.

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Community Development

BA / MA4 / 2 years

Grassroots organizing, nonprofit management, and equitable economic development. Strong service-learning component.

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Urban Planning

MUP2 years

AICP-accredited Master of Urban Planning. Concentrations in Land Use, Transportation, Environmental Planning, and Housing Policy.

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Public Policy & Administration

MPA2 years

NASPAA-accredited program for future public servants, nonprofit leaders, and policy analysts at all levels of government.

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Research & Focus Areas

Housing AffordabilityTransit-Oriented DevelopmentClimate ResilienceGentrificationParticipatory PlanningSmart CitiesFood SystemsHomelessness Policy

Featured Faculty

Dr. Rubén Casas

Associate Professor of Urban Studies

Walkability, 15-minute cities, and transportation equity in mid-size US cities.

Dr. Jasmine Liu

Professor of Urban Planning

Affordable housing production and land use policy in high-cost metros.

Dr. Andre Mensah

Asst. Professor of Public Policy

Community land trusts as a tool for generational wealth building.

Send an Inquiry to Urban Studies & Planning

Have a question about programs, admissions, or research opportunities? Our team will respond within 2 business days.