B.S. Public Planning (extended major)

To earn this degree, you must complete at least 120 units of coursework, which we describe in the sections that follow:

• at least 35 units of liberal studies requirements.  Be aware that you may not use courses with a PL prefix to satisfy these liberal studies requirements.

• at least 60 units of major requirements

• elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units

Be aware that some courses required for your degree may have prerequisites that you must also take. Check the courses in the appropriate subject. (You may be able to count these prerequisites toward your liberal studies or general elective credit.)

Please note that you must complete NAU’s diversity requirements by taking two 3-unit courses, one in ethnic diversity and one in global awareness. These courses may be used to meet other requirements within your academic plan if you choose them carefully. Click here for a list of the available diversity courses.

Also be aware that NAU requires that at least 30 units of the courses you take for your degree must be upper-division courses (those numbered 300 and above).

You should also know that you must have an overall grade point average of 2.5 to earn this degree.

Finally, please note that you may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement; however, you must still meet the total of at least 120 units to graduate. Contact your advisor for details.

Major Requirements

For this 60-unit major, you must complete both core and focus requirements, as we describe in the sections that follow. Please note that you must have a grade of C or higher in all courses applied to your major.

Planning Core Requirements

You take the following 45 units:

• PL 201, 301, 303, 306, 401, 406, and 431 (21 units)

• GGR 371 (3 units)

• STA 270 or ECO 201 (3 units)

• ENG 205 (2 units)

• one of ENG 302W, 305W, and 310W (3 units)

• 6 units of PL 408, a planning internship with an agency appropriate to your area of interest

• PL 308W, which meets NAU’s junior writing requirement (3 units)

• PL 405C, which meets NAU’s senior capstone requirement (4 units)

Focus Areas

Select one of the following focus areas to complete your major.

Environmental Planning Focus. For this focus, you take the following 15 units:

• PL 302 and 402W (6 units)

• 9 units chosen with your major advisor’s approval from GGR 250 and 437; PL 407 and 432; BIO 326 and 326LW; CENE 150; CJ 312; COM 150; ECO 325; ENV 101, 280, and 285; FOR 222; POS 345; and PRM 230, 300, and 423

Indigenous/Native American Planning Focus. For this focus, you take the following 15 units:

• AIS 101, 304, and 404 (9 units)

• one of AIS 202, 210, or 320 (3 units)

• AIS 301W (3 units)

(Please note that you must complete the previous courses before taking AIS 301W.)

Geographic Information Systems Focus. For this focus, you take the following 15-18 units:

• GGR 230 or 239 (4 units)

• GGR 331 (4 units)

• one of GGR 433, GGR 437, or PL 432 (3-4 units)

• 4-6 units chosen with your major advisor’s approval from GGR 250, 330, 422, 433, 437, and 525 and PL 432

Land-Use Planning Focus. For this focus, you take the following 15 units:

• PL 302 (3 units)

• POS 224 or 241 (3 units)

• 9 units chosen with your major advisor’s approval from GGR 239, 250, 376, and 437; PL 402W, 432, 501, and 543; PRM 423; CM 120; and ECO 284 and 285

Recreation and Tourism Planning Focus. For this focus, you take the following 15 units:

• PL 376 (3 units)

• PRM 423 (3 units)

• 9 units chosen with your major advisor’s approval from GGR 376; PRM 300, 383, and 460; FOR 403, 404, and 405; and HA 100, 284, 365, 384, 401, and 494

General Electives  

Additional coursework is required, if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.  

You may take these remaining courses from any academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you. (Please note that you may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren’t used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.)  

Click here for more information regarding Geography undergraduate courses, Parks & Recreation undergraduate courses, Planning undergraduate courses, and Faculty.