Practicum

The Urban and Regional Planning Program, as part of both our undergraduate and graduate curricula, requires students to take a course in their final year called practicum. This is the Program's capstone course that creates the opportunity for students to work with communities to help them reach their goals and for the students to gain valuable and realistic, hands-on experience. While many of our other classes have opportunities for students to work with communities on a variety of projects, practicum is the only class that is solely dedicated to that purpose.

Practicum is a unique experience where students guided by faculty, practicing planners, and community members converge to complete a project the community has requested within one semester. Practicum occurs every spring semester and must be completed by all students. The class of students is divided into 4-6 groups with 3-7 persons per group (this may vary greatly from year to year depending on class size). Each group is assigned a project to complete within the semester. During the semester there may be several meetings with community members, faculty, and other advisors. The students final product is typically a report and a presentation to their client.

Practicum is administered under the Urban Planning Partnerships as one area where community service and outreach may be attained. Below are titles of past projects.