The environmental planning specialization deals with the protection and stewardship of air, water, land and other natural resources. Concerns include both the management of natural resources directly, as well as the mitigation of adverse impacts on these resources caused by human settlements and activities. The specialization offers an overview of key environmental issues, and provides the theoretical, methodological, and legal background necessary for the planner to have an effective role in dealing with these issues. <br>The Master's of Science in Planning (MSP) degree is the professional degree of most planners in the United States. The graduates of our program work in more than 40 states and about 30 foreign countries, with the largest proportion working in Florida. Click here to learn more about our program's measures of student achievement. The principal aim of the MSP program is to train students for professional careers in planning, allowing them to function in both generalist and specialist roles. The MSP degree is normally obtained after two years of full time study, involving the completion of at least 48 semester hours of course work and 400 hours of work as a planning intern. Part-time students can also be accommodated. The principal aim of the MSP program is to train students for professional careers in planning, allowing them to function in both generalist and specialist roles. The MSP degree is normally obtained after two years of full time study, involving the completion of at least 48 semester hours of course work and 400 hours of work as a planning intern. Part-time students can also be accommodated. Course work is organized into the following curriculum components: The capstone research project, paper, or thesis is designed to give students an opportunity to pursue a particular topic in depth and in an integrated fashion before assuming professional employment. All students are required to successfully complete and defend a group studio project, research paper, thesis, or student-initiated professional project.