Career Opportunities

Regional Development Planning is one of the most important emerging foci of the planning profession. All states, and most metropolitan areas, cities, and towns have adopted economic development programs, and, in most cases, have established an agency to coordinate and guide these programs. The State of Ohio has placed major emphasis on the economic development of its counties, townships, cities and villages and has been competing energetically with other states for the retention of business, the attraction and establishment within the state of new business, the improvement of employment opportunities for its labor force, and the creation of the conditions for a better quality of life for its citizens, both urban and rural, through economic growth and the expansion of economic opportunity. The doctoral program is focused on the needs, problems, priorities and potential for regional development. It is designed to assist the state and its political units (e.g., regions, counties, metropolitan areas and municipalities) in their regional development efforts by providing the professionals and scholars who will constitute the high level analysts, researchers and teachers.