The program provides a core of 24 credit units and an additional 24 credit units of electives or research, for a total of 48 credit units over a two-year period. Included in the core is one of the planning project courses (6.0 credit units), which should be related to the designated area of concentration. The core courses introduce theories and methods common to all fields of urban and regional planning. Almost all courses emphasize linking theory with action. Within the elective component of the program, each student will designate an area of concentration from the three specializations offered by the School, namely,

1. Health and Social Planning,
2. Environmental Services, and
3. Land Use and Real Estate Development.

Alternatively, a student also has the option of setting up a special area to pursue professional interests. In each case, the area of concentration will normally consist of at least 6.0 credit units, approved by the faculty advisor, from the offerings of the School or cognate disciplines, plus at least 3.0 credit units in methodology course modules. Beyond the area of concentration a student will have an opportunity to pursue other academic and professional interests, with the approval of the faculty advisor, through the remainder of the electives, which may include up to 6.0 credit units from the undergraduate 300 and 400 series.

The core courses are indicated by a (†). These have been arranged to form a coherent program of study appropriate to urban and regional planning. Students may also pursue a research project in considerable depth through the medium of a master's report or thesis. Both these projects are research-oriented, and their difference lies essentially in the degree of elaboration and evaluation required. A master's report is considered to be equivalent to 6.0 credit units and the thesis to 12.0 credit units. Students who wish to pursue the report or thesis option must find a research supervisor prior to commencing the second year of the program and are required to successfully complete the SURP 800 Master's Research Proposal  module at the beginning of second year.

Students are required to maintain an average of 'B' at all times in their programs. All courses offered by the School are to be designated primary for which a passing grade is 'B-' (B minus). Only primary courses can be counted towards the minimum program requirement. Courses (graduate and undergraduate) from outside the School may be taken in fulfillment of program requirements, but these have to be approved by the advisor and designated as primary. For students who would like to take courses (graduate or undergraduate) outside the School to enhance their program over and above the minimum requirements, they can designate these elective courses as secondary. A maximum of two secondary courses is allowed, with the advisor's approval. A secondary course is considered passed with a 'D-' (D minus) grade, and an overall 'B' average must be maintained.

For further information on the School and its program visit our website at https://www.queensu.ca/geographyandplanning/surp. Students interested in doctoral studies with research topics in urban and regional planning should consult the Geography and Planning Ph.D. requirements in this calendar.