Skip to main content

BJMLSPA - UPEP


About

Departments

Student Services

Centers & Units

Photo Gallery

Contact Us

Courses

Degrees

Chair's Message

Faculty

Resources

Program Overview

The mission of our program is to train policy-oriented planners and environmental policy analysts for leadership positions in planning and environmental policy-related organizations, with special emphasis on issues of significance to the communities and regions of the Southwest. The goal of the program is to equip future professionals with analytical and policy formulation skills that will enable them to address with vision and foresight, the current and future environmental problems caused by our impact on the environment. Our MUPEP program is the only accredited planning program in the Greater Houston region and the fourth accredited planning program in the State of Texas. It was first accredited in 2009. Recently it was awarded a four year re-accreditation to December 31, 2022 by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB).

Courses 

 

Careers

Students will develop the understanding, sensitivity, and skills necessary to pursue professional careers in a variety of public, private, and nonprofit roles. The Department values environments where cities have vital centers and efficient means of movement, and where neighborhoods offer opportunities for all to live affordably and safely. Our curriculum introduces students to the theories of planning, methods of analysis, effective means of communication, a range of planning processes, and creative strategies for implementation. U.S. News has rated planning as one of the top 50 best careers of 2011. Click Public Information to see details.

Careers Info
uepimage

 

Recent Academic Achievements

Houston Area GIS Day | November 19–21, 2025
UPEP Ph.D. student Jiwan Thapa and faculty collaborator won 1st Place in the GIS Poster Competition for their project “Houston Landmark Districts by LiDAR Point Cloud.” The team received a $200 award for their outstanding work.

Texas APA Bronze Award | Fall 2024 Studio
Under the instruction of Dr. Sheri Smith, MUPEP students Isaiah Allen, Petra's Hsia, and Joshua Lathan earned the Bronze Award from the Texas American Planning Association for their model and plan of the 1867 Historic District in Texas City.

Picture