MA/MPL Dual Degree

M.A. Art and Curatorial Practices in the Public Sphere / Master of Planning

The M.A. Art and Curatorial Practices in the Public Sphere/Master of Planning dual-degree program, offered by the USC Roski School of Fine Arts and the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development, provides an unusually rich opportunity for students interested in developing a new knowledge base to become a successful professional working in the arena of organizing art projects in urban public space, planning, and community development. Los Angeles and the facilities at USC provide a unique learning laboratory to educate a more competitive professional with a better understanding of both the administration of public art and issues of urban planning.

Students must complete the following requirements in this program: 70 units, including 28 units in the M.A. Art/Curatorial Practices in the Public Sphere program, 22 in policy, planning, and development, and 20 in a field of study with no more than 8 units taken from other USC programs.

Art and Curatorial Practices in the Public Sphere (28 units)   Units
PAS 549 Methodologies of Art Writing 3
PAS555abc Curatorial Practicum 2-2-2
PAS 561 Curatorial/Organizational Models 2
PAS 571 Histories of Art in the Public Sphere 3
PAS 572 Contemporary Art in the Public Sphere 3
PAS 581 Critical Conversations 3
PAS 585 Theorizing the Public Realm 3
PAS 591 Field Internship Experience 1
PAS 594ab Master's Thesis 2, 2
Policy, Planning, and Development (22 units)   Units
PPD 500 Intersectoral Leadership 2
PPD 501a Economics for Policy, Planning and Development 2
PPD 524 Planning Theory 2
PPD 525 Statistics and Arguing from Data 2
PPD 526 Comparative International Development 2
PPD 529 Legal Environment of Planning 2
PPD 531L Core Laboratory Workshop 4
PPD 533 Planning History and Urban Form 2
PPD 627 Design Skills for Urban Planners 4
Note: 2-unit courses may be offered in seven-and-a-half week blocks.

Dual degree students, like all other MPL students, must take a comprehensive examination and fulfill the internship requirement.

Field of Study (20 units)
No more than 8 units from outside the Roski School of Fine Arts and the School of Policy, Planning, and Development.

Capstone Projects
Students must complete a master's thesis or final thesis project through the Roski School of Fine Arts and the M.Pl. comprehensive examination through the School of Policy, Planning, and Development.

Internship
All students must complete 400 hours of internship through the School of Policy, Planning, and Development. This internship may be partially or completely fulfilled through prior professional experience.