The dual degree combines course work from the Architecture and Urban Studies and Planning programs to enable a student to complete both the Master of Architecture and Master of Community Planning degrees with fewer credits than it would take to complete the two separately. Students of the dual degree program acquire specialized knowledge tailored to understanding the urban environment from several perspectives. Students learn how social, economic, and political forces have led to the development of human habitats. The emphasis on urban design in the dual degree program yields an education that is particularly applicable for persons interested in the revitalization of metropolitan areas and their center cities.