Juris Doctor and Master Urban Planning

The dual MUP/JD program recognizes the values of interdisciplinary study and encourages students having an interest in both law and urban planning to pursue these degrees simultaneously. Both planning and legal issues pervade most decisions about land use, whether made by government institutions, environmental or business entities, or private landowners. Local control and management of land use requires not only comprehensive and well-informed planning for the future, but also the use of legal tools like zoning and permits, and the consideration of legal authority, rights, duties, and dispute resolution processes. The urban planner who understands legal principles and processes has an advantage in effectuating good planning. Likewise, the real estate, land use, or environmental lawyer who understands the principles and tools of planning has an advantage in representing his or her clients on real property issues. There is a growing set of career pathways involving the integration of planning and law in creative and sophisticated ways. Moreover, the dual MUP/JD program brings together two academic units critical to advancing the University s metropolitan-oriented mission in teaching, research, and service to the community.