Masters in Urban Studies and Planning

[Lionel Hutz]

So I'm sick of being a lawyer. The idea of getting a masters in urban studies and planning from Portland State is starting to excite me.

Does anybody on here have such a degree? Useful? Did you enjoy the school work? Has it helped further your career? Easy to get a job with such a degree? Do you like what you're doing?

Also, anybody familiar with the program at Portland State?

Thanks. Just want to find out some more about this area to see if it is something I might like to do.

[Columbus Civil]

I have also been mulling over a career change and this is something that I've been more and more interested in..so I, too, would be interested in any responses to this thread.

It would be cool to go to school in Portland!

[jsoto3]

I got a Masters of Architecture with an Urban Design focus, which isn't quite the same thing. An urban studies and planning (US&P) degree is more about policy and geo-data than the physical design of urban form, so a legal background would definitely give you a leg up. While I am not yet utilizing my urban design education in my profession (currently doing just architecture), I fully intend to in the future. A US&P degree would afford you a pretty diverse and broad education and the market for jobs is just as broad and diverse. My understanding is that the US&P program at Portland State is fairly reputable. Fellow forumer Larchlion can say more than I about US&P. Also check out www.planetizen.com & www.cyburbia.org for much more info.

[gc]

^ Jsoto, doesn't UTA have a reputable architecture and planning degree?

[HarryMoto]

Why Portland? Not that there's anything wrong with that. . .

It does seem like a very interesting field.