UPSD Program Information
UPSD Public Information & Accreditation
UPSD Quick Links
UPSD Materials
The Urban Planning and Sustainable Development (UPSD) Program Brochure provides information about urban planning, outlines the UPSD program’s vision and mission, provides a recommended class sequence, a map of the curriculum, and instructions on how to apply to the major.
The UPSD Program has a revised major for the 2026-2027 AY, organized into 4 phases. On this webpage you will find information about recommended course sequencing, a list of elective courses, suggested capstone courses, and information about experiential credits.
2026-27 Course Schedules and Recommended Sequencing Table
| Recommended Course Sequencing | Fall Quarter | Winter Quarter | Spring Quarter |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Year (Phase I) |
Declare as Pre-Major |
Declare as Pre-Major |
Declare as Pre-Major |
| Second Year (Phase II) |
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Apply to UPSD Major |
| Junior Year (Phase III) |
|
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Apply to UPSD Major |
| Senior Year (Phase IV) |
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*New Courses
- UEPP 405 combines land use law (UEPP 461) & land use regulations (UEPP 374). It can serve as a substitute for either UEPP 461 or 374, or vice versa.
- UEPP 435 is the new version of UEPP 343; it can substitute for UEPP 343 or vice versa.
Bold: only offered once in AY 26-27
Electives
In addition to Foundation and Core Planning Courses, UPSD majors must take 12 credit of elective courses or choose to complete a minor.
AY 2026-2027 Elective Offerings:
| Fall 2026 | Winter 2027 | Spring 2027 |
|---|---|---|
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Complete a Minor
Students may elect to complete a minor or certificate to meet the program requirements. Students can choose a minor in the College of the Environment, or another minor on campus. Minors/certificates should be reviewed and approved by your faculty advisor.
Capstones
College of the Environment (CENV) capstone courses are a tradition in the college. They bring together students from all college majors to integrate skills and knowledge gained in the major to a real-world problem that they work in teams to address. UPSD students can select a capstone course in one of the three college departments: UEPP, ESCI, or ENVS. You can view a list of CENV capstone courses on the College of the Environment capstone webpage.
UPSD students are encouraged to take one of the following capstones:
- UEPP 410 Agroecology
- UEPP 474 Planning for Sustainable Communities
- UEPP 493 Environmental Impact Assessment (WP3)
Experiential Credits
USPD students can earn their minimum of 5 experiential credits in the following ways:
- UEPP 498A – Senior Thesis
- UEPP 498B – Internship
- UEPP 498C – Senior Project
- UEPP 498D – International Study (or an UEPP 437 Faculty-led Global Learning Program)
The goal of experiential credits is for students to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in their major in a real-world context by completing an internship or international study, to diver deeper into a particular topic in a senior thesis, or to work on a project for a professor or a community-based organization that results in a tangible deliverable.
Click here to view Current Internship & Senior Project Opportunities
Signing Up for Experiential Credits:
Learn how to sign up for Experiential Credits including internships, senior thesis or senior projects and international study here.
Students can get information about internships, senior thesis, and senior projects by talking with their faculty advisor, the CENV Internship Coordinator Ed Weber, or WWU’s Career Services Center. The college hosts an annual internship and career fair each February. The UEPP Department sends out an annual request for projects and internships survey to cities, counties, and tribal nations to identify internship and project opportunities.
Internship Examples:
City of Marysville, WA
The City of Marysville is currently working on the comprehensive plan update, a new middle housing ordinance, new ADU regulations, an affordable housing tracking system, updating house design standards and more. Total hours: Approximately 180 hours. Skills and qualifications needed: basic understanding of urban planning; ability to research complex land use topics; strong written, oral and communication skills.
City of Granite Falls, WA
Work with the planning director to conduct a city-wide land use survey, research and apply guidance for GMA Resiliency requirements, support comprehensive plan update, prepare and present information to planning commission.
Okanogan County, WA
The summer intern will work with the county and the Mazama Advisory Committee (MAC) to update the Mazama Sub Unit A Plan to ensure alignment with the updated county plan. Tasks include revising current plan, collecting data to update relevant sections, collecting public input, and working with MAC and county to draft a revised plan.
Senior Project Examples:
Earn 1-2 credits a quarter serving as a student representative on the UEPP Diversity and Student Outreach Committee
Earn 1-2 credits a quarter working with a special project with a UEPP professor like conducting research on the causes/solutions to Washington’s housing crisis and produce a poster for a conference.
Earn 1-2 credits a quarter working on a special project with a university office or program like helping the campus architect collect student input on the university’s capital plan or identifying student interest for an outdoor climbing structure on campus.
Talk to your faculty advisor to get ideas or find potential projects.
Senior Thesis Topic Examples:
Detached Solutions for Attached Communities (2018) by Jewel Hamilton – Analysis of public comment during the City of Bellingham’s accessory dwelling unit (ADU) debate.
Creating Housing Access for College Students in Bellingham, WA (2026) by Colin Bruce – Assessment of current conditions and recommendations for student housing solutions.
Talk to your faculty advisor for examples and ideas for senior thesis topics.
Faculty-led Global Learning Programs:
International Business, Planning, and Environmental Sustainability: Mexico’s cultures, histories, activism with UEPP’s Dr. Gigi Berardi, winter quarter
Business and Food Cultures of Italy: Entrepreneurship, sustainability, and heritage in Florence and Tuscan Parks with UEPP’s Dr. Gigi Berardi, summer quarter
Other Global Learning Programs or study abroad programs may be applicable. Please check with your faculty advisor to ensure it meets major requirements.