Dear prospective students, alumni, and friends:

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Department of Planning, Development and Preservation at Clemson University. As you will see, the School of PDP comprises three dynamic and integrated professional fields that are critical to quality of life in the 21st century: City and Regional Planning, Real Estate Development, and Historic Preservation.

PDP is an exciting place to be. Our master’s degrees in each of our three fields deal with cutting edge and complex matters pertaining to sustainability, livable communities, integrating natural and built environments, and the heritage of towns and cities. We are able to deal with the challenging matters of our era through a rich combination of talented, dedicated and diverse faculty, effective curriculums for each of our programs, using the world outside the classroom and studio as integral to our approach to teaching, and maintaining strong ties with the professions that our students are preparing to join. We also have study abroad programs in Italy, Spain, and more locally in Charleston, South Carolina that add to the richness of education at Clemson through their global perspectives.

You should also know that Clemson's home – the Upcountry of South Carolina – is a great place to pursue an education in subject areas so critical to our times. The resources of a major research institution within a land-grant university, outstanding cultural and recreational resources on campus, a great college-town atmosphere, and an abundance of outdoor opportunities offered through our location at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains make this a great place to be.

I invite you to look closely at us through this website as you consider your involvement with PDP, whether as a student, alumnus, or friend of the program. I would be glad to respond to your email or – better yet – talk with you by phone or to host your visit to Clemson University. I look forward to hearing from you.

With warm regards,

Cliff Ellis, PhD
Acting Chair
Department of Planning, Development and Preservation