Community & Regional Planning

Founded 2001

Deborah Howe, F.A.I.C.P., Ph.D.

Chair
West Hall 210
267-468-8300
crp@temple.edu
www.ambler.temple.edu/crp

There is a need in this region and throughout the nation for professionals with the skills and knowledge to positively influence the growth and revitalization of communities.  The Bachelor of Science in Community Development provides students with the skills to empower culturally, economically, or geographically disadvantaged communities to address inequalities and improve their long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Students learn how to engage stakeholders; assess a community’s assets, needs and opportunities; plan what the community wants to achieve; and develop strategies, programs, and policies to improve the quality of life in urban, rural, and suburban communities.  Learning extends beyond the classroom with hands-on experience through service learning, field research, informal gatherings, and workshops. 

The Community Development program prepares students for a variety of employment opportunities including community outreach efforts; economic development; community development corporations; nonprofit organizations; private foundations; and consultants.   This major also prepares students for graduate studies in planning and related fields.   Community Development majors with a minimum grade point average of 3.50 will be eligible to participate in a  “four plus one”  program in which they may take up to four graduate courses that count toward both the bachelor’s degree in Community Development and the Master of Science in Community and Regional Planning. 

The Department of Community and Regional Planning offers a four-year baccalaureate program (B.S.) in Community Development, undergraduate minors in Community Development and in Community and Regional Planning, a master’s program (M.S.) in Community and Regional Planning, and two graduate certificates.  The Master of Science in Community and Regional Planning is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board.

Community Development Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science degree in Community Development may be conferred upon a student by recommendation of the faculty and upon the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 124 semester hours of credit with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 overall and in the major. A grade of C- or higher is required in all required General Education courses and in the required courses for the major.  At least half of the courses required for the major must be completed at Temple University.

Summary of Requirements for the Degree

1.  University requirements

• Mathematics 0701 (4 s.h.) and/or English 0701 (4 s.h.), if required by placement testing.

• All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major.  See below for a list of the specific courses that are required for Community Development majors.
• Students must complete requirements of the university General Education (GenEd) program (35-36 s.h.)  

2.  Community Development (CDEV) major requirements (13 courses with minimum of 39 s.h.)

• Two (2) Fundamentals courses (6 s.h.):
• One (1) statistics course chosen from: Mathematics 1013; Sociology 1167; Psychology 1167 or Psychology 1003; or Anthropology/Sociology/Psychology/Political Science 0825
• One (1) Economics course chosen from: Economics 1001, 1101, or 1102
• Seven (7) Community Development Core courses (21 s.h.): Community Development 1113; Community Development 2155 OR Community Development 3313; Community & Regional Planning 2524; Community Development 2596; Community Development 3113; Community Development 3197; and Community Development 4889
• Four (4) Community Development electives from the approved list (12 s.h.)  See list below.

3.  Electives (approximately 49-50 s.h.)

• Students should consult with their advisor for recommended electives.

Suggested Semester By Semester Plan

Note: The symbol (F) or (S) after the course number indicates that the class is offered ONLY in the semester indicated: (F) = offered only in fall semester; (S) = offered only in spring semester; (FA)/(SA) = offered only in fall/spring of alternate years.

Suggested Sequence of Required Courses for Students Who Begin the Community Development Major as Juniors

Note: The symbol (F) or (S) after the course number indicates that the class is offered ONLY in the semester indicated: (F) = offered only in fall semester; (S) = offered only in spring semester; (FA)/(SA) = offered only in fall/spring of alternate years.

Community Development Approved Electives List

Note: This list will be modified periodically by adding appropriate courses and categories and deleting courses no longer offered. In addition, other courses may be added to this list with the approval of the School of Environmental Design academic advisor and the Community & Regional Planning Department Chair.

* May be used as approved Community Development elective if not used as the required Community Development Core course.

** This course has a prerequisite(s).  Visit the Course Catalog at https://www.temple.edu/apply/common/catcheck.asp.

Minor in Community Development

Students in the School of Environmental Design (except for Community Development majors) as well as students in other colleges, schools, and departments may choose to minor in Community Development.  Community Development as a field embraces both citizen activists and professionals in planned efforts to identify, enhance and create social and physical assets that increase the capacity of residents to improve their quality of life.  Through this minor students undertake formal studies about community development, thereby preparing themselves for contributions as informed citizens and civically engaged professionals. The minor provides students with stronger credentials to apply for graduate level work in planning and other related fields.

In this 18 credit minor, students will learn to understand and think critically about the social, political, economic, historic, and cultural dynamics shaping various types of communities.  Courses provide important knowledge, values, and skills necessary for community development work.  The three electives allow students to explore interests in different facets of community development.

A student may not double count any course for the Minor in Community Development toward any other major, minor, or certificate. At least half of the courses for the minor must be taken at Temple University. Students must complete successfully each of the following courses with a grade of C- or better and a cumulative average of 2.0 or higher for all courses in the minor: 

Note: The symbol (F) or (S) after the course number indicates that the class is offered ONLY in the semester indicated: (F) = offered only in fall semester; (S) = offered only in spring semester; (FA)/(SA) = offered only in fall/spring of alternate years.

Minor in Community & Regional Planning

Students in the School of Environmental Design (except for Community & Regional Planning majors) as well as students in other colleges, schools, and departments may choose to minor in Community and Regional Planning. Through this minor students undertake formal studies about public planning, thereby preparing themselves for contributions as informed citizens, civically engaged professionals, or ultimately as professional planners. The minor provides students with the background and with stronger credentials to apply for graduate level work in planning.

In this 18 credit minor, the required courses provide common background in the basics of planning, including history, theory, comprehensive planning and its components, ethics and principles of planning practice with particular emphasis on citizen participation, and exposure to a range of analytical methods for understanding community planning issues. The four electives allow students to explore interests in different facets of community planning: land use; housing; economic development; transportation; sustainability and environmental planning.

A student may not double count any course for the Minor in Community & Regional Planning toward any other major, minor, or certificate. At least half of the courses for the minor must be taken at Temple University. Students must complete successfully each of the following courses with a grade of C- or better and a cumulative average of 2.0 or higher for all courses in the minor:

Note: The symbol (F) or (S) after the course number indicates that the class is offered ONLY in the semester indicated: (F) = offered only in fall semester; (S) = offered only in spring semester.