Master's in Urban Planning

The M.U.P. degree requires 52 graduate credits, which are typically earned in four semesters over two full-time academic years. The curriculum features a core curriculum, foundational and general electives, a planning studio, a departmental colloquium, and a culminating professional thesis or project exam.

For some years, planning education has felt a tension between an approach that aims to train good generalists, with knowledge and skills geared to adaptability and life-long learning, and an approach that attempts to focus, particularize, and deepen knowledge with training in job-specific skills. Because this debate has no simple conclusion, the faculty has opted to give students a choice in selecting which form of education and professional training most suits them.

Effective for MUP classes entering the program in 2005 and thereafter, at the start of the third semester of study students must declare an option to pursue one of five "specialization options," or they must opt to pursue one of two "generalist approaches" in completing their second and final year of study. The generalist track options are to pursue the traditional "core" curriculum, or the same core, but with more emphasis on methods and techniques. Specialization track options, including the generalist options, are described fully on the page labeled "Specializations."

The curriculum of any vital and dynamic program will change from time to time. The description which follows should be considered illustrative. All enrolled graduate studetns should have in their possession an original copy of the curriculum they must satisfy based upon their date of matriculation. Copies of each student's required curriculum are sent to all students several months before entering the program, are distributed again during graduate student orientation, and an official copy is placed in each student's file in the department. If you need a copy of your curriculum, please contact the department secretary.

Curriculum:

Core (4 courses; 12 credits)
  • PD 501 Evolution of Urban Structure
  • PD 510 Planning Concepts and Controversies
  • PD 512 Research Methods for Planners
  • PD 513 Quantitative Methods for Planners
Foundational Electives (minimum 3 courses; 9 credits)

Students take a minimum of three of five foundational electives, each covering a fundamental lens through which planning practice may be viewed. Courses meeting the foundational elective requirement are determined by department faculty and may be changed in future years.

  • economics: PD 538 Economic Concepts
  • law and legal systems : PD 567 Planning Law
  • physical and spatial relations: PD 573 Land Use and Physical Planning
  • political process/public policy: PD 535 Urban Management and Governance
  • race, class, gender: PD 508 Race, Class, Gender and the City
Studio (1 course; 6 credits)

The planning studio is a six-credit experience in applied practice with a public, private, nonprofit or civic group as client.

  • PD 581 Laboratory Practicum
  • PD 580 Laboratory Practicum Dual (only for M.Arch./M.U.P. majors -- credit hours will differ)
Professional Project (1 course; 3 credits) or Thesis (1-2 courses; 3-6 credits)

Students culminate the program with either a professional project or a master’s thesis.

  • PD 697 Master's Project Preparation (3) (no more than 2 semesters)
  • PD 699 Master's Thesis Preparation (no more than 3 credits per semester)
Department Colloquium (1 course; 1 credit)

The department colloquium is a combination seminar, speaker series, and professional development workshop.

  • PD 691 Colloquium I
General Electives (6-7 courses; 18-21 credits)

General electives enable students to pursue specializations, complete a second studio, take an independent study, do an internship, or take additional courses within or outside the department. Study outside the department is limited to two courses (normally six credits). See graduate courses for listings and descriptions.

Curriculum Notes
  • Students usually enter the M.U.P. program in the fall semester, although entry in the spring semester is an option.
  • The program encourages full-time study; however, students may pursue their degree part time.
  • Students may apply to waive a required course based on prior coursework.
  • All M.U.P. students are assigned a faculty advisor to assist with academic planning.
  • No more than 3 credits of PD 545 (Internship) and PD 599 (Independent Study) (6 credits total) may be applied to the M.U.P. degree.
  • All M.U.P. students opt to pursue a specialization or to complete their coursework under a "general track" option. Upon recommendation of their faculty advisor, the department chair may approve a student's request to complete more than one specialization. See specializations for more information.
  • Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in degree courses to remain in academic good standing. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for successful completion of the M.U.P. degree.
  • Students who receive a grade of "unsatisfactory" in PD 697 Master's Project Preparation may retake the course during a future semester in which it is offered. Note that the next time the class is offered it will likely assign a different geographical focus area. Students are allowed to retake the class only once. Students in this position may also (at the department chair's discretion) be required to take additional coursework to help them improve their skills. If a student receives a grade of "unsatisfactory" in the second Master's Project Preparation class, s/he will not be awarded an MUP degree.