Primary Contact

Chelsea Smith - Evans Liberal Arts Building (ELA) 136
Phone 512-245-1852 / Email

Major Faculty / Advisors

Mr. Mark Carter, Dr. Brock Brown, Dr. Robert Larsen, Dr. Kevin Romig , Dr. Ron Hagelman

Major Description

Planning is a diverse profession, which draws upon fields of knowledge and technical skills closely related to geography. Urban and Regional Planning provides the means to evaluate and facilitate programs that benefit our neighborhoods, communities, cities, and regions. Population growth, economic development, transportation, education, public services, and the environment are a few of the essential factors evaluated by planners. Many of our graduates are employed as planners in Texas, as well as within other states and countries. Others have continued in graduate studies at Texas State or in other programs at the University of Texas or Texas A&M, as well as universities outside Texas. 

Urban and Regional Planning Major Course Checklist

Pre-Major Requirements

Students who meet the university admission requirements enter the Department of Geography’s undergraduate program as pre-majors. To become a major in geography, students must:

1. Complete GEO 1309 and/or GEO 1310, GEO 2410 & GEO 3301 with a minimum grade of C for each course.
2. Complete 45 or more credit hours with an overall minimum GPA of 2.25 for all courses.

Degree/Major Requirements

1. Students majoring in Urban and Regional Planning complete the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. 
2. The B.S. degree requires a minimum of 36 semester hours of geography with:
    a) at least a 2.5 GPA for all geography courses attempted at Texas State University and  
    b) at least a 2.25 GPA for all courses taken at Texas State University. 
3. The degree requires a minor area of study with a minimum of 18 semester hours. 
4. Texas State requires a minimum of 120 semester hours of coursework to graduate including:   
    a) general education core requirements;
    b) major requirements;
    c) minor requirements; and   
    d) additional elective courses selected from disciplines other than major or minor. 
5. At least 36 semester hours must be advanced (3000 – 4000) level courses.     
6. At least 9 semester hours must be writing intensive (WI).

Minor Requirements

Minor may be any approved Texas State minor. Students interested in entering the professional planning field are strongly advised however, to consider a minor in either public administration through the Department of Political Science, a minor in business administration, or a minor in construction technology through the Department of Technology. A public administration minor will assist the planning student in understanding the workings of the municipal government - where most land use planning decisions occur. A minor in business administration will help prepare students for management positions in the planning process. Courses from the construction technology minor include construction systems, site organization, building project estimating and architectural drafting - all important for planning and land-development careers. Other minors may be appropriate depending on career goals. Plan to discuss choice of minor as well as selection of elective courses with your advisor. 

Optional Certificates

Geographic Information System (GIS) - The GIS Certificate requires completion of 16 hours:  GEO 2426 & (Choose one: GEO 2427 or GEO 3411 or GEO 3416) & GEO 4426 & GEO 4427 with a minimum grade of C for each course and an overall minimum GPA of 2.5 for all four courses. Additional course work beyond minimum degree/major requirements may be required for the certificate. 

Water Resources Policy -The Water Resources Policy certificate requires completion of 13 hours: GEO 3434,  GEO 4313, GEO 4314 and GEO 4341 (spring only) with a minimum grade of C for each course and an overall minimum GPA of 2.5 for all four courses. Additional course work beyond minimum degree/major requirements may be required for the certificate.