Tufts University

Turn Vision Into Practice

For more than four decades, the Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning at Tufts University has been a place where students, faculty, and the community at large turn vision into practice. UEP’s mission is centered at the intersection of planning, policy, justice, and sustainability. Our alumni play critical roles in government, nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, NGOs, and the private sector, in the U.S. and across the world

UEP offers four Master’s degree programs designed to sharpen the skills of policy and planning professionals working toward inclusive, just, and sustainable communities:

• Master of Arts in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning, which is accredited in urban planning and requires two years of full-time study.
• Master of Science in Environmental Policy and Planning, which is similar to the Master of Arts with an explicit focus on environment and sustainability policy and planning. 
• Master of Public Policy for mid-career professionals, which can be completed in one year of full-time or two years of part-time study.
• Master of Science in Sustainability, which can be completed in one year of full-time or two years of part-time study. 

In addition, UEP offers certificate programs for students at various stages of their careers:

• Certificates of GIScience and Spatial Data Analytics, which are available to currently matriculated students in any of the department's degree programs, as well as to outside students interested in pursuing one of the GIS certificates as a stand-alone credential. 
• Two flexible certificates programs to enable working adults to enhance existing careers, move into new professional work, or prepare for a graduate degree program:
  • Management of Community Organizations
  • Community Environmental Studies

UEP has strong partnerships and dual degree programs with other Tufts departments and schools (including Economics, Engineering, Fletcher, and the Friedman School of Nutrition), as well as with the Boston College Law School and School of Management.

Core Learning

UEP instills social, economic and environmental justice perspectives throughout our programs. Students develop competencies in policy and planning knowledge, research and analytical skills, and professional practice.

A few examples of the competencies that students gain through our master’s programs:

• History and theories of policy and planning
• Economic, environmental, social and cultural influences on policy and planning
• Roles of government, governance, and citizenship in policy and planning
• Data analysis, including qualitative, quantitative, and spatial
• Oral, written, and visual communication
• Understanding, mapping and influencing political and economic power dynamics
• Leadership and organizational management skills

Building Community

UEP faculty are a diverse mix of leading scholars, change agents, and seasoned practitioners. Our core courses provide a well-rounded education of critical planning and policy skills, and a flexible set of electives, allowing students to customize the program to their interests.

Community partnerships are an integral part of UEP’s teaching and research. Our students are deeply involved in hands-on, innovative policy and planning, and they collaborate with long-term community partners and a strong network of supportive alumni. At UEP, we work to model the community that our students and alumni aspire to build in the world around us.