The Graduate Program in Community and Regional Planning and the Graduate Program in Urban Design offer a coordinated dual degree program. The coordinated program leads to the award of the Master of Science in Urban Design (MSUD) and the Master of Science in Community and Regional Planning (MSCRP). The Graduate Program in Urban Design, along with the Graduate Program in Community and Regional Planning, offer a dual-degree option that gives students an opportunity to supplement their planning degree with additional expertise in physical planning and the design of urban areas. The dual-degree program can be completed in a total of three years. While available for any student undertaking either degree program, this particular dual-degree program is primarily structured as a vehicle for students interested in urban design who do not have either the design background or professional degree credentials necessary to establish themselves professionally. The program combines the advanced studies necessary to effectively address planning issues while also providing students with an opportunity to supplement their planning degree with additional expertise in physical planning and the design of urban areas.<br><br>The Coordinated Program offers research, internship and service learning opportunities through coursework in Community and Regional Planning as well as Architecture, formal programs, and informal engagements with faculty projects.<br><br>Opportunities are increasing rapidly for graduates with specific skills who can combine urban policy planning with an in-depth understanding of the design of physical environments. Graduates with expertise these areas are in more and more demand from prospective employers in government, private industry, and the non-profit sectors. The University of Texas at Austin has a long history of academic excellence in both planning and urban design. Building on that experience, the School of Architecture's new MSUD/MSCRP program combines these strengths to not only provide the urban policy expertise required to plan cities, but also the design proficiency required to help shape the construction of the future city in order to create sustainable and livable places. The unique set of skills provided by this new dual-degree program will be an important addition to the graduate offerings at The University of Texas at Austin