The degree will prepare students for an influx of jobs in DFW – the fastest growing region in the United States.
DENTON (UNT), Texas – The North Central Texas Council of Governments projects an additional four million people will be moving to North Texas by 2030 – which is more than the population of the entire state of Oklahoma.
“City officials are aware that this growth is coming and are becoming proactive to better plan for the next 20-30 years,” said Doug McDonald, president of the American Planning Association Texas Chapter.
With a projected 13 percent increase in demand for urban and regional planners over the next 10 years, the University of North Texas College of Health and Public Service’s new bachelors of arts degree in urban policy and planning is addressing the need for skilled workers.
Students may begin taking courses for the degree in spring 2019. Dean Neale Chumbler is ready to expand on the award-winning programs in HPS.
“I am thrilled that the college will be adding this novel academic program to the list of many high-achieving, cutting-edge offerings for our students. In fact, I am excited that the students who graduate from this program will bolster the workforce needs of DFW,” Chumbler said.
Ken Schmidt, lead planner for the City of Plano, echoes the importance of UNT training the urban planners of tomorrow.