Overview

The Community and Regional Planning programme at Western Michigan University provides students with the essential theoretical and practical foundations required to excel in the field of urban development. This curriculum is specifically designed to address the unique challenges faced by small cities and their surrounding regional communities.

Students engage in a rigorous academic journey that balances core planning principles with interdisciplinary knowledge. By integrating social science perspectives and statistical methods, the course ensures that graduates possess a well-rounded understanding of the administrative and ethical frameworks governing modern planning.

The degree structure allows for significant customisation, enabling students to align their studies with specific career goals.

Why Community and Regional Planning at Western Michigan University?

Western Michigan University offers a distinctive focus on small-city planning, a niche that prepares students for impactful roles in diverse regional settings. The programme emphasises pre-professional practical experience, encouraging students to undertake internships that bridge the gap between academic study and industry practice.

Students benefit from a vibrant community of peers through active student organisations such as the Western Michigan Association of Planning Students and the Geography Club. These groups provide networking opportunities and a platform for discussing sustainable development and geographic techniques outside of formal lectures.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 20525 per year
National fee: USD 20525 per year
Local fee: USD 16449 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum includes core planning subjects and cognate social science courses. Modules may include:

Planning Theory
Planning History
Planning Techniques
Planning Methods
Planning Ethics
Planning Law
Planning Administration
Statistics
Environmental Analysis and Resource Management

Careers with Community and Regional Planning

Graduates are well-equipped for diverse roles within the public and private sectors. Many alumni secure positions as urban, regional, or transportation planners, while others focus on environmental planning and site analysis. The skills gained are highly valued by government agencies, research firms, and consulting companies.

Common career paths for graduates include:

Urban Planner
Regional Planner
Transportation Planner
Environmental Planner
Economic Development Specialist
Site Analyst

Employment opportunities are frequently found within travel and tourism agencies, local government departments, and specialised urban design consultancies.

Programme Structure

Courses included:

Environmental Economics

Economic Development

Conservation and Environmental Management

Tourism Marketing

Tourism Planning and Development

Water Resources Management

Environmental Impact Assessment

Spatial Analysis

Geodatabase Design and GIS Workflows

Remote Sensing of the Environment

Historic Preservation

Public and Nonprofit Administration

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-01-11 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-09-01 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2027-01-01 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-09-02 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-06-01 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

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Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Kalamazoo, United States

Disciplines

Urban Planning View 191 other Bachelors in Urban Planning in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

100

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Copy of passport identification page

Proof of English language proficiency

Complete high school or post-secondary education transcripts

$100 non-refundable application fee

Proof of sufficient funds for the first academic year of study at WMU according to estimated cost of attendance

ACT or SAT Scores

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

20525 USD / year

≈ 20525 USD / year
Out-of-State

20525 USD / year

≈ 20525 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

16449 USD / year

≈ 16449 USD / year

Additional Details

Local Summer Tuition: 3,768 International Summer Tuition: 4,711

Living costs

Kalamazoo

United States

1000 - 1500 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Community and Regional Planning.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Additional Details

Living costs

Kalamazoo

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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