2025-2026

Urban Planning and Design, Minor

Department of Geography, Planning, and Recreation

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Urban areas and communities continue to adapt to changing environments and geography as well as new political pressures, transportation-land use systems, and population trends. This minor provides a conceptual and applied foundation for those interested in land use planning, its legal and ethical components, and contemporary urban planning subdisciplines.

  • A minor is earned in conjunction with a bachelor's degree.

    To receive a minor (18 - 24 units) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject matter areas with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. At least 12 units of the minor must be unique to that minor and not applied to any other minor.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

No more than fifty percent of the units used to satisfy minor requirements may be used to satisfy major requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion 18
Major GPA C

Purpose Statement

The minor in urban planning and design prepares students to plan and design for more livable and sustainable places and to engage with the public. With this minor you will learn about the environmental, political, and social aspects of places and how to implement effective and and inclusive planning strategies. You will understand the legal, ethical and procedural aspects to urban planning and design projects, work on solving problems related to the built and natural environment, create community designs and gain practical skills in community engagement.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Relate urban economic, social, political, built environment and legal considerations to past, present and future land use patterns.
  • Understand the issues of design, sustainability and livability in regard to human and physical landscapes.
  • Apply critical thinking skills to design or redesign areas or spaces using various visual technologies, research and justification.

Minor Requirements
Additional Information

  • Some courses may have prerequisites. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.