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.

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 "interdisciplinary approaches" in completing their second and final year of study. The interdisciplinary 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 interdisciplinary options, are described fully under "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 students 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.

Current Curriculum

Curriculum prior to Fall 2009

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.
  • PD 697 Master's Project is a capstone course which should be taken in a MUP student’s final semester.  PD 697 Masters Project cannot be taken concurrently with PD 581 Studio.
  • 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.
  • PD 698 Master's Thesis Preparation and PD 699 Master's Thesis must be taken consecutively. Thesis students would take PD 698 in one semester and PD 699 in the final semester. Upon special permission of the chiar, students may take them simultaneously.
  • Any graduate student who receives a "D" in any course goes immediately into probationarey status. Two sequential probationary semesters can lead to dismissal.
  • Students interested in CPT during the summer should have all paperwork completed and approved by ISSS and the department no later than June 15.
  • It is the policy of the faculty of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning that students who pursue the project option and receive a grade of “U”, must retake the project and pass in order to graduate. The maximum number of attempts to take the masters project is two. Students who opt to complete the MUP with a thesis must receive a grade of “S” in thesis prep. Students earning a grade of “U” or “L” in thesis prep/master thesis are permitted to take the project option, but students are not allowed to use the thesis or thesis prep credits towards the MUP degree. Students may take thesis after successfully completing the project per the Graduate School’s approval of extension of time limit to complete the degree.