Florida State University’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning’s Master of Science in Planning (MSP) program has been ranked No. 18 among U.S. programs by Planetizen, a planning news site. 

Joining FSU in the top 20 are programs at other preeminent public universities, including the University of California Los Angeles, the University of Michigan, Georgia Tech and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

The program rose from No. 22 last year to No. 18 among public and private universities nationwide, making it the top-ranked program in Florida and the No. 11 ranked public university program nationally. 

“FSU’s Urban & Regional Planning program has long been the largest and best in Florida,” said Tim Chapin dean of the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. “I am thrilled to see the program again recognized as one of the finest in the nation by Planetizen.”  

Now in its seventh edition, Planetizen’s Guide to Graduate Urban Planning Programs is the only comprehensive ranking and listing of graduate urban planning programs in the U.S. It includes detailed program profiles, advice and rankings for graduate urban planning programs nationally. 

Chapin said FSU’s MSP program makes an impact throughout Florida and beyond. 

“The program trains professional planners that work throughout Florida, produces research that strengthens communities around the globe and engages in community-based work that showcases the power of town-and-gown relationships,” he said. 

Planetizen’s evaluation process used data from 95 programs and hundreds of educators. Programs are evaluated by assessing 29 metrics drawn from four main areas including program characteristics, faculty characteristics, student characteristics and opinions of planning educators. 

“FSU’s Master of Science in Planning program is a rigorous and rewarding avenue for students interested in pursuing careers in planning,” said Chris Coutts chair of the department. “The program is typically two years and nurtures collaboration, competitive research, and helps students to develop professional planning skills that will help them to advance into leadership positions in Florida, nationally, and internationally.” 

For more information, visit coss.fsu.edu/durp/masters-program. 

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