Beginning in fall 2008, we will be introducing a set of Policy and Planning Competencies. These competencies are clustered around Knowledge, Skills and Policy and Planning in Practice. In addition to our core values these competencies are what we expect a UEP graduate, a Practical Visionary to leave with. You can use these competencies when you and your adviser are planning which classes you might take. Our course syllabi will, in fall 2008, show which particular competencies are highlighted in each course so that you can make sure you get coverage in all the competencies shown below. Another benefit to you is that you'll be able to more accurately describe your abilities and competencies to an employer. These competencies are being developed and tested during academic year 2007-2008 ready for a fall 2008 rollout. They may change slightly in detail, but the list below will give you an idea of what to expect: Knowledge – Upon completion of the UEP Master’s of Arts program, you should have basic familiarity with:

• The evolution, structures and functions of cities and metropolitan regions
• The relationship between the ‘Market’ and the ‘Polis’ in economics, policy and planning
• The role(s) of government, governance, citizenship and NGOs
• The history, theory and processes of both policy making and planning together with Implementation procedures and practices
• The administrative, legal and political aspects of policy and plan-making
• Areas of specific policy or planning content-based knowledge related to your professional interest(s) and an in-depth knowledge of one policy or planning domain through thesis or other terminal project

Skills – upon completion of the MA program, you should have basic skills in the following:

• Critical thinking
• Individual problem Identification and research methodology selection and primary and secondary data gathering and analysis
• Quantitative analysis, computer proficiency and spatial analysis
• Written, oral and graphic communication
• Collaborative problem solving, negotiation and mediation
• Synthesis and application of policy and planning content-based knowledge from theory into practice

Policy and Planning in Practice – The UEP MA program will provide the following professional opportunities:

• At least 150 hours, supervised, in a organization relevant to your interests
• Demonstrate through the Internship Agreement and Learning Assessment that your Internship gave opportunity for significant learning in a field relevant to your interests and meets at least one of your career goals
• Reflections on the role of ethics in professional policy and planning processes, practices and behavior