Urban Planning Major
*Available to students starting Summer 2026*
Why Study Urban Planning at Virginia Tech?
The Urban Planning major combines policy, analytics, sustainability, and public service to prepare students for careers shaping the future of cities and regions.
Students build expertise in:
- Urban analytics and spatial thinking
- Sustainable urbanization
- Public policy and planning
- GIS and data visualization
- Community engagement and collaboration
- Systems thinking and problem-solving
The curriculum integrates quantitative analysis with real-world planning challenges, giving students opportunities to explore topics such as:
- Housing and land use
- Transportation and infrastructure
- Environmental planning
- Economic and community development
- Urban design and placemaking
- Global urbanization
Students also customize the major through electives in GIS, urban design, policy, economics, sustainability, real estate, and international development.
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Jason Tongarm, '25
Jason switched to the major that was formerly Smart and Sustainable Cities during his freshman year at Virginia Tech. During his undergraduate experience, he studied abroad across Europe through the university to learn about sustainable policy-making and planning, interned at one of the top 10 general contractors in the United States as a Sustainable Construction intern, and gained transferable skills through teamwork and other unique opportunities. Jason is in the 4+1 master's program in Urban and Regional Planning.
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Samantha Dunn, '25
Samantha earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public and Urban Affairs, as well as a Master of Urban and Regional Planning and a Graduate Certificate in Local Government Management through SPIA's Accelerated Master's program. During her time at Virginia Tech, she conducted research with the Center for Economic and Community Engagement and completed internships with Atlantic Builders, Volvo Group, and the Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce. Samantha now works as a Transportation/Design Planner at VIKA Virginia.
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Cecilia Smith, '25
Cecilia completed internships with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Research Council and Kittelson as an undergraduate student, gaining experience in both the public and private sectors. These opportunities helped her develop a passion for active transportation and safety planning while building valuable real-world experience. As a student, Cecilia valued the program's small class sizes, close relationships with faculty and peers, and opportunities to participate in undergraduate research on environmental communication. She is pursuing a Master of Urban and Regional Planning at Virginia Tech.
Careers and Further Study
What Can You Do With an Urban Planning major?
Our graduates pursue careers in:
- Urban and regional planning
- Transportation planning
- GIS and spatial analysis
- Community and economic development
- Housing and land use planning
- Public policy analysis
- Local, state, and federal government
- Nonprofit and advocacy organizations
- Planning and consulting firms
Alumni also pursue graduate programs in Urban and Regional Planning, Public Administration, Public Policy, Geography, Sustainability, Law, and Architecture.
Beyond the Classroom
Experiential Learning
Students have an opportunity to study in the National Capital Region through the Washington Experience.
Washington, D.C. is at the center of global affairs. It is home to government agencies, many of the world’s leading think-tanks, numerous international organizations and a range of non-governmental organizations. Here, the most significant policy decisions are debated and made, holding both domestic and international importance.
Open to undergraduate and graduate students, this three-week seminar combines a one-week online pre-seminar with two weeks in person in Washington, D.C. The course explores U.S. government and international affairs through direct engagement with the institutions and actors shaping foreign policy, national security, and international development, including public officials, diplomats, policy experts, journalists, and practitioners.
SPIA offers study abroad programs for Urban Planning majors.
Curriculum
What You'll Study
Bachelor of Arts in Public and Urban Affairs Degree
- Including Virginia Tech's Pathways
Urban Planning Major Requirements
- Data and the Art of Policy-Making and Planning
- Future of Cities
- Public Policy Analysis
- Sustainable Urbanization
Minor and Elective Hours
Our program gives you the opportunity to build knowledge in another area by pursuing a minor, double major, or cognate.
120 hrs
B.A. Public and Urban Affairs Degree
45 hrs
General Education
51 hrs
Major Requirements
30 hrs
Electives
Campus Life
Campus Life
Discover all that Virginia Tech has to offer inside and outside of the classroom. Our campus life aims to build communities, promote holistic education, and cultivate environments that offer opportunities for leadership, innovation, and service.