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Environmental and Community PlanningMajor

Make a difference in the sustainability of communities, influence development decisions and create places that preserve history and protect the environment.

By the numbers1

First academic planning program offered at a West Virginia college or university

Overview

What is Environmental and Community Planning at WVU like?

Description

Environmental and Community Planning provides you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to help shape your community, region, the state and the world. You’ll also gain a deeper understanding of the natural environment, the built environment and human engagement with the environment.

Upon graduation, you’ll have expertise in both the analysis and the synthesis of the physical, social, political and economic issues that shape development.

The curriculum emphasizes project-based and place-based learning in an interdisciplinary environment. Participation with communities and individuals in envisioning their future is a key component of the planning process. This approach allows you to see how different environments and situations exist, operate and interact in real-life settings. You'll learn to make informed decisions related to alternative futures in community and environmental development and management.

Environmental and Community Planning program highlights:

At a Glance

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here are some suggested next steps:

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Areas of Emphasis

Tailor this major to your interests by taking courses in one of these areas:

  • Community
  • Environment

Fast Facts

What makes Environmental and Community Planning at WVU unique?

Research and Academic Opportunities

Research opportunities include looking at the implementation and impact of plans, examining the importance of plans, and determining what difference exists between places that undertake planning compared to those that do not.

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Student Organizations

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Professional Organizations

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Graduates will primarily seek to work as planners (general planners or entry level planners) for local governments and regional entities. Some graduates will find work for development agencies, environmental firms or other organizations focused on issues related to land use, development, and protection/preservation issues.

Regardless of where they work, the recent graduate will be tasked with reviewing proposed projects and developments, examining how they will impact the community where they are proposed and determining whether or not they fit within the vision of the place.

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Environmental and Community Planning major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Courses

What are the courses like in Environmental and Community Planning at WVU?

Plan of Study

Check out a program overview, learning goals, course descriptions and suggested plan of study for WVU's Environmental and Community Planning major.

View the Plan of Study
 

Popular Courses

LARC 351:
Landscape Architectural Design 3

Site-design problems dealing with complex environmental systems emphasizing rural and urban design. Projects are integrated with landscape architectural construction. (1 hr. lec., two 3-hr. studios.)

LARC 448:
Design Analysis

Analysis of planning and design projects to offer solutions to a given problem.

RESM 450:
Land Use Planning Law

Focus is on identification and understanding of legal issues related to planning and land use. This involves understanding rights, regulations, and responsibilities associated with land use, planning, and related activities.

RESM 455:
Practice of Land Use Planning

Examines comprehensive land use planning including planning's origin and evolution plus the processes used to create and implement a plan. Focus is on land use and how it relates to other issues.

Cost and Aid

How much does Environmental and Community Planning at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates for the 2022-23 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current West Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.

West Virginia Resident
Per Credit $436
Per Semester $5,232
Fall and Spring Semesters $10,464
Non-Resident
Per Credit $1,161
Per Semester $13,932
Fall and Spring Semesters $27,864
International
Per Credit $1,161
Per Semester $14,232
Fall and Spring Semesters $28,464
Scholarship Chart

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Visit the Scholarship Chart
Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

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Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Extra Merit-based Scholarships

Incoming freshmen to the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design may qualify for merit-based scholarships based on GPA and SAT/ACT test score. No additional application is necessary. These scholarships are in addition to University scholarships.

See if You Qualify

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Environmental and Community Planning at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Environmental and Community Planning major, you must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2022-23 academic year. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Related Majors and Minors

What other options does WVU have?

What minors could I consider?

Related Pathways

What majors share similar career interests with this major at WVU?

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

Apply Now

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission. Our online application makes the process as convenient as possible.

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Request Information

Want to know more about Environmental and Community Planning at WVU? Fill out the Request Information form to receive more information about the program and life at WVU.

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Visit WVU

It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.

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