Urban Planning

About this opportunity

Urban Planning offers multi-faceted opportunities for students interested in diverse people, places, and environments. Many of our students pursue our degree programs or Honors theses with our faculty “to make a difference” by “solving problems in the real world.” The core strengths of faculty experts in the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning include the following.

• Community development: evaluating and planning healthy and vibrant neighborhoods, cities, and economies
• Transportation systems: designing and assessing transit methods for mobility and quality of life
• Climate and environmental planning: understanding and managing environmental problems and fostering community resilience
• Urban sustainability: examining and planning cities for affordable housing, equity, and community wellbeing
• Geospatial technologies: mapping and analyzing social and environmental dynamics across diverse places

For more information on our major, see Urban Planning (BSP)

The School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning also offers majors, minors and certificates in Geography and Planning, as well as Geographic Information Sciences and Meteorology.   

• Special activities for our majors and friends include the Student Planning Association, Geography Club and Honors Society, Youth Mappers and Sun Devil Weather and Climate groups, along with internships and other opportunities

Thesis

Opportunities for thesis projects in Urban Planning are highly varied. Consistent with the Barrett requirements, Honors students work with a two person committee. 

• Thesis Director: Any member of the ASU faculty with professional expertise in the project area. This excludes graduate students.
• Second Committee Member: A member of the ASU faculty or staff, including graduate students, or a qualified local professional who the student and Thesis Director decide is appropriate to serve based on their professional expertise in the project area. 
• Third Committee Member (Optional): Any individual with sufficient expertise or experience relevant to the project area as determined by the student and Thesis Director.

To check out potential advisors in SGSUP, you can check out our faculty here. Or reach out to Kelli.Larson@asu.edu with your interests or to schedule a meeting, and she can help direct you to faculty with relevant expertise.

Academic Preparation

As the exact appropriate academic preparation varies, depending on the thesis subject, students should coordinate with their potential thesis directors on how to prepare. Students are encouraged to get involved with undergraduate research and engage in their coursework to best prepare for the thesis. 

Recommended Timeline

Students will need to ensure that they follow the Barrett Honors College requirements and deadlines. For students pursuing honors theses in Geography, the following is a recommended timeline:

Freshman and Sophomore years: Focus on your general studies requirements and meeting faculty. Reach out to our advising team to inquire about course offerings and faculty expertise. Also, make an appointment with Kelli.Larson@asu.edu. To discuss your interests.  

Junior year: Complete a thesis workshop, and meet with the Faculty Honors Advisor, Kelli.Larson@asu.edu. Narrow down your thesis project ideas and identify a Thesis Advisor (First Reader) and ideally the Second Reader. Prepare for your Honors Thesis Prospectus.

Senior year: Work with your Thesis Advisor (First Reader) submit an Honors Thesis Prospectus and confirm your Second Reader early in fall term. Enroll in 492 (typically in fall) and 493 (spring) as you work on your Honor’s Thesis and Defense.

Other Honors Opportunities

Several courses in SGSUP provide Honors contracts or credit, and many of our faculty oversee undergraduate research as well. To learn more, contact Kelli.Larson@asu.edu