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Finish in Four/Three Academic Plans

Updated 4/11/2024

Important Notes

The plans below do not include any college or university requirements. Students should consult with their college advising office to add any missing coursework such as general education and university requirements. Students may be able to overlap gen ed/universitity and major requirements.

All courses taken to satisfy USP major requirements must be taken for a letter grade and a C- or better must be earned for major credit. *Only USP 30, which is a 2-unit lower division course can be completed with Pass/No Pass grading.

USP 186 and USP 187, should be taken the last consecutive fall and winter quarter enrolled. There are prerequisite courses for the senior sequence (USP 186 & 187) which include USP 124, Research Methods, Technical Elective and effective Fall 2025 USP 30 and USP 60. It is recommended that students prioritize these prerequisites in their junior year.

Lower division courses should generally be taken before upper division courses, but overlapping is allowed. It is also recommended that students complete one foundation course before taking upper division electives. Options for major requirements with options to choose from can be found on the USP Major Requirements pages

Students should review major requirements and academic plans on the USP website each quarter for potential changes and updates. Customizable Academic Plans with a major requirement checklist can be found on the USP Academic Advising page of the USP website under Class Planning Tools.

While Summer Session is not a requirement for UCSD students, major courses may be available during summer terms. Students wishing to graduate early or who have missed a prerequisite course during the academic year are encouraged to consider summer courses.


Academic Plan for Students that Enter UCSD Fall 2024 and Later

The USP Major consists of 18 courses:

  • Six (6) lower division courses
  • Twelve (12) upper division courses

The following chart is a helpful guide to ensure successful completion of all required courses in time to graduate at the end of one's 4th year. If you are planning to graduate in three years, please start the sophomore planned courses during your first year.

Courses in blue are prerequisities for the USP Senior Capstone (USP 186/187).

Year

Fall

Winter

Spring

Sophomore
  • USP 1: History of US Urban Communities
  • USP 4: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • USP 30: Urban Studies and Planning Colloquium (can also be taken junior year)
  • USP 2: Urban World System or USP 6: Introduction to
    Global Architecture
  • USP 3: The City and Social Theory or USP 5: Introduction to Real
    Estate and Development
    Process
  • USP 60: The Practice of Planning Research
Junior
  • USP 124: Land Use Planning
  • USP 30: Urban Studies and Planning Colloquium (can also be taken sophomore year)
  • USP Third Foundation Course
  • USP Technical Elective
  • USP 173: History of Urban Planning and Design
  • USP Research Methods
  • USP Upper Division Elective
Senior
  • USP 186: Senior Sequence Research Proposal (Fall Only)
  • USP Upper Division Elective
  • USP 187: Senior Sequence Research Project (Winter Only)
  • USP Upper Division Elective
  • USP Upper Division Elective
  • USP Upper Division Elective

Academic Plan for Students that Entered UCSD Prior to Fall 2024

The USP Major consists of 17 courses:

  • Four (5) lower division courses
  • Twelve (12) upper division courses

The following chart is a helpful guide to ensure successful completion of all required courses in time to graduate at the end of one's 4th year. If you are planning to graduate in three years, please start the sophomore planned courses during your first year.

Courses in blue are prerequisities for the USP Senior Capstone (USP 186/187).

Year

Fall

Winter

Spring

Sophomore
  • USP 1: History of US Urban Communities
  • USP 4: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • USP 30: Urban Studies and Planning Colloquium (can also be taken junior year - new prereq for USP 186 effective Fall 2025.
  • USP 2: Urban World System
  • USP 3: The City and Social Theory
  • Lower Division Statistics (POLI 30D or PSYC 60 or SOCI 60) - will count in place of USP 60 if already completed otherwise aim to take USP 60.
Junior
  • USP 124: Land Use Planning
  • USP Upper Division Elective
  • USP 30: Urban Studies and Planning Colloquium (can also be taken sophomore year - new prereq for USP 186 effective Fall 2025.
  •  
  • USP Technical Elective
  • USP Second Foundation
  • USP Research Methods
  • USP Upper Division Elective
Senior
  • USP 186: Senior Sequence Research Proposal (Fall Only)
  • USP Upper Division Elective
  • USP 187: Senior Sequence Research Project (Winter Only)
  • USP Upper Division Elective
  • USP Upper Division Elective
  • USP Upper Division Elective