In addition to its regular degree, the MCRP program provides for dual degrees that allow students to expand their education in interdisciplinary ways. The MRCP program provides such students a unique opportunity to gain additional credentials for specialized professional practice.

Students with undergraduate degrees in any discipline may be admitted, provided they meet the entrance requirements of both degree programs. A new student wishing to pursue a dual program applies for admission to both departments, identifying each department to the other in their applications. Although a single application fee is charged, each department will review the application separately. A continuing student may apply for admission to a second program by filing a Change of Degree Program/Addition of Major form by the regular application deadline. Acceptance of this petition by the second department will establish the student's status in the dual degree program.

Students pursuing a dual degree program do not necessarily follow the same curriculum as regular MCRP students. Full-time dual-degree students can expect to complete all requirements in six semesters (3 years). Students interested in these opportunities should contact the appropriate coordinator.

MALAS/MCRP

Master of Arts in Latin American Studies and Community and Regional Planning (MALAS/MCRP)
Coordinator--Claudia Isaac (505-277-5939, cisaac@unm.edu)

The MALAS/MCRP degree is jointly awarded by the Latin American Studies Program and the Community & Regional Planning Program. The Latin American Studies Program is housed at the Latin American Institute, 801 Yale Blvd NE, UNM (505-277-2961).

The dual degree is designed for students who are interested in the professional practice of planning in a Latin American context. Issues of particular importance to Latin American planners include land development, natural resources management, energy and water issues, economic development, migration, decentralization, regional integration, non-governmental organizations, and grass-roots organizing.

Students are encouraged to build skills in socio-economic analysis and in project development, implementation and evaluation. The program draws from the regional and national planning traditions in Latin America. Planning in Latin America involves developing public sector solutions to an array of social, economic, and political concerns.

Prerequisites to the program are competence in either Spanish or Portuguese (a fourth semester course or higher) and basic course work in economics (micro and/or macro) and statistics. Deficits may be made up after admission to the program.

The program requires a minimum of 53 hours of graduate credit, compared to 72 hours if the two degrees were pursued separately. The required 53 graduate credit hours are distributed among:

• a 3 hour bridge seminar, CRP/LAS 578: Latin American Development & Planning
  
• 26 hours of core course work in CRP, and
  
• 24 hours of course work in two Latin American Studies concentrations.

MLAS/MCRP students are required to prepare a Thesis (Plan I). The Master's Exam will consist of an oral examination at the final presentation of the thesis; this examination will include coverage of the student's two areas of concentration in Latin American Studies

MPA/MCRP

Masters of Public Administration and Community & Regional Planning (MPA/MCRP)
Coordinator--William Siembieda (505-277-6455, leslie@unm.edu)

The MPA/MCRP degree is jointly awarded by the Division of Public Administration and the Community & Regional Planning Program. The Division of Public Administration is housed on the 3rd Floor of the Social Sciences Building, University of New Mexico (505-277-3312).

This dual degree addresses the needs of students who desire public sector careers requiring the skills of both a planner and an administrator. The program of studies enables students to develop skills and backgrounds necessary to assess public needs, determine public goals, develop planning strategies and implementation programs, and to become capable and effective administrators of planning organizations, special districts, and public service agencies at the federal, state and local levels. Students may earn the MPA/MCRP degree in 61 credit hours, compared to 92 hours to earn both degrees separately.

Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for all graduate courses taken at UNM regardless of the sponsoring department and must pass a written qualifying exam in Public Administration. Successful candidates must complete the core courses in both programs and may choose either a joint Thesis (Plan I) or a joint Professional Project (Plan II) option

MArch/mcrp

Master of Architecture and Community & Regional Planning (MArch/CRP)
Coordinator--Paul Lusk (505-277-4518, plusk@unm.edu)

The dual MArch/MCRP degree is jointly awarded by the Architecture and the Community & Regional Planning programs. Both programs are housed in the School of Architecture and Planning (505-277-2903). [note: this program is awaiting final approval.]

Students completing this program will have flexibility in designing their future careers in either or both professions. This dual degree is designed for students who wish to pursue a design-oriented practice along with the policy orientation of community planning.

Students may earn this degree in 73 credit hours, compared to the 98 hours it would take to earn the degrees separately.

Students entering this dual degree program must have a BA or BS in Architecture or a Bachelor of Architecture degree. Students must take both Architecture and Planning core courses and must fulfill all exit requirements for the MArch and MCRP programs. The graduate review committee will be comprised of faculty from both departments. Successful candidates will prepare both a graphic and a written component of their thesis (Plan I) or professional project (Plan II).