Department of Political Science
About Us

Accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board

The Auburn University Master of Community Planning program is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB), effective January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2027. 

Program Mission

The mission of the Master of Community Planning (MCP) program at Auburn University, a Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) accredited program, is to prepare competent, ethical, and responsible future professional planners for addressing complex planning issues in an interdisciplinary and dynamic environment, with an explicit focus on social justice, equity, and inclusion, and making communities resilient and sustainable. Active, hands-on, and community-engaged learning on real projects, with partners in underserved communities in Alabama and the Southeast region, and facilitated by professionally active faculty, is the foundation of the program.

Students also have multiple opportunities to participate in the MCP program’s Alabama City Year program, which provides real-life, practical, hands-on experience in multiple classes for a real client in the Southeast.

Program Strategic Plan

The Master of Community Planning (MCP) program's 2023-2028 Strategic Plan includes the program’s mission and vision statements and centers around the following core values: (1) student excellence, (2) sustainability, and (3) social justice, equity, and inclusion. It is organized into three primary goals that advance the program’s vision and mission, and identify the program’s future aspirations: (1) program growth and visibility, (2) education, planning skills, and job readiness, and (3) community engagement. There are a set of sub-goals tied to each primary goal, along with measurable indicators that help operationalize the plan and determine progress towards meeting the goals articulated in the plan.

Read the full 2023-2028 Community Planning Program Strategic Plan.
 

Dual Degrees and Second Master's Degrees

The Master of Community Planning program offers dual degree options with the Master of Landscape Architecture and Master of Public Administration programs. The MCP program also participates in the Graduate School Second Master's Degree program.

View the MCP-MPA dual degree curriculum or contact the MCP Program Director for more information on dual degree options and requirements.
 

Graduate Minor in Community Planning

The Community Planning minor is open to graduate students in any discipline. This minor affords students with interests in planning, development and urban design the opportunity to explore the discipline. Students must complete 9 credit hours of Community Planning coursework and notify the MCP program director of their interest and intentions to complete a Graduate Minor in Community Planning. Students are encouraged to contact the MCP program director to discuss prior to enrollment any courses that might best meet the interests and needs of the student. In addition, students must complete and submit the Graduate School Minor Form with the necessary signatures.