Bachelors + masters in UP or bachelors in unrelated field + masters in UP

[unkownFuture]

Hi,

What would you think employers value more a Bachelors of Urban Planning and a Masters of Urban Planning or Bachelors in an unrelated field (i.e-biology, economics, etc.) and a Masters in Urban Planning?


I see the pro's and con's of both sides, but was just curious what others thought.


Plus, would it be "bad" if someone did there bachelors and masters at the same university? I was thinking of doing my bachelors at Ryerson and then do Ryerson's masters since it seems "reputable". Any comments? recommendations?

[Hink]

I think you should view it more as what would you get from doing each. You would most likely be better served getting an undergrad is something else, and getting a master's in planning. Undergrad gives you a base for your education. Get a degree in finance if you like that, or real estate, or public policy, or anything.

Once you get that, then go back to your thought process when it comes to a master's degree...

[mike gurnee]

What Hink said.

[kjel]

The MCRP/MURP is one of the longer graduate degree programs coming in at 48 credits for most schools. It's not any advantage to come in with a BUP and it's likely that you will find having to complete the core redundant. Because planning has so many facets, you are best served to do your BS/BA in something else. Some of the most common undergraduate degrees in my graduating class in no specific order: political science, environmental science, history, public administration, engineering, architecture, sociology, geography, and liberal arts.

[Vancity]

I don't know if it was the university trying to grab my cash or not... but when I asked about going to different universities vs. going to the same for the Bachelor and Master's programs, the University which I want to do my Master's at suggested that it would be beneficial to do my undergrad there as well, because it gives you the opportunity to get to know the professors and staff, some of which may be decision makers in your Grad school application, and others (which ofcourse you'll be using for references) will be known more personally by the decision makers...

I'm still going to go to a different school for my undergrad because that school suits me better. But I'm apprehensive about missing out on the connections I could make otherwise.

[Blide]

I don't know if it was the university trying to grab my cash or not... but when I asked about going to different universities vs. going to the same for the Bachelor and Master's programs, the University which I want to do my Master's at suggested that it would be beneficial to do my undergrad there as well, because it gives you the opportunity to get to know the professors and staff, some of which may be decision makers in your Grad school application, and others (which ofcourse you'll be using for references) will be known more personally by the decision makers...

That's a pretty weak line of reasoning they gave you. Most planning programs aren't competitive enough that knowing the staff and faculty would make much of a difference as to whether you'll be accepted or not. To top it off you can make even more contacts and gain a new perspective on the field by going to a different school.

[WooTang]

If you're certain you want to get your Masters in Urban Planning it really wont hurt you to major in something else

[akshali2000]

I've also struggled with the same question but by the time I realized that very very few people get their undergrad in planning, I was already an upperclassman and it was too late...but I'm hoping that having a background knowledge will help with a couple things: a) an easier time adjusting to the academic rigor of grad school if the material is a bit familiar already and b) previous internship experience can get you...more internships? lol

Also, most people I've heard who do their Master's and Bachelor's at the same university do so primarily out of convenience (via a 4+1 program).

[akshali2000]

I think another good idea is along with your Bachelor's in Planning, double major in something else that could be helpful in gaining some hands on skills, such as Finance or Landscape Architecture. That way, it provides another outlet for obtaining internships and jobs during/after graduation kind of as a "backup" if planning after a Bachelor's doesn't work out. I wish someone had told me that before. At least at my undergrad, the planning program was pretty broad with a lot of room for electives so it was fairly easy to double major or do planning as a minor instead of a major.