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Masters in Urban and Regional Planning

Thank you for expressing your interest in the Master in Urban and Regional Planning Degree offered through The School of Planning, Design and Construction at Michigan State University. The goal of the MURP degree is to prepare our graduates to assume the responsibilities of citizens of a democratic society and to participate in professional planning practice. We strive to help students develop basic knowledge of the history and theory of planning, presentation techniques, legal and administrative procedures and their applications, and technical skills in survey, research, and analysis of the structure and growth of communities. The MURP degree is nationally respected; our alumni enjoy competitive starting salaries in a wide variety of fields across the United States and the world.

The degree requirements include a set of core course, which are designed to provide essential knowledge and understanding to function as a planning professional. The second part of the program requires students to choose an area in which they wish to focus their studies. This requirement provides flexibility within the program to allow students to develop expertise and competency within a certain area of planning practice. Students may speak with an advisor to develop a specific area of study within the program or university. The final part is a research component with the option of Plan A thesis or Plan B research paper.

Students pursuing the degree will have opportunities to focus on topics including:

  • Urban Transportation Planning

  • Housing and Real Estate Development

  • Golf Course Planning and Design

  • Geographic Information Systems 

  • International Development

  • Environmental Science and Policy

  • Community Development

  • Environmental and Resource Economics

  • Economic Development

  • Planning Law – Dual Degree Option (MURP-JD)

The curriculum requirements for the Master in Urban and Regional Planning may be found here.

It is not required that applicants possess a bachelors degree in Urban and Regional Planning. We encourage students from various backgrounds and different stages in their professional careers to apply.

How to Apply

  1. Complete the MSU Online Application for Graduate Study.

    1. Apply for Major Code 7619–Urban and Regional Planning
    2. Submit $50 Application Fee online

  1. Submit Academic Statement – May be completed online in the application or submitted to SPDC directly with other application documents. See the Online Application for a description of what needs to be addressed in the statement.

  2. Submit Personal Statement – May be completed online in the application or submitted to SPDC directly with other application documents. See the Online Application for a description of what needs to be addressed in the statement.

  3. Submit Resume or Curricula Vita

  4. Provide Official Transcripts from any colleges or universities attended. Transcripts MUST be in a sealed envelope from the institution.

  5. Provide 3 Recommendations using this form.

    1. References may attach a letter to this form if they desire.
    2. Your reference should place the recommendation in a sealed envelope, place their signature across the label and return it to the applicant for mailing with application documents.

  1. Have GRE scores reported to MSU by ETS testing service.

    1. For reporting purposes please use School Code (1465 - Michigan State University) AND Major Code (4402 –City and Regional Planning)
    2. If you have a copy of your GRE scores, you may include a copy with your application documents but an official copy still needs to be sent to MSU.
    3. GRE Scores should be from a test taken within the last 3 years.

  1. International Applicants must report scores from the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).

    1. For reporting purposed please use School Code – 1465 for Michigan State University
    2. If you have a copy of your TOEFL scores, you may include a copy with your application documents but an official copy still needs to be sent to MSU . 

After you have completed your online application, submitted the application fee, and gathered all the application documents required, please mail application documents together in one large envelope.

Submit ALL Application Documents at the same time to:

Michigan State University
School of Planning, Design and Construction
ATTN: Graduate Secretary
112C Human Ecology Building
East Lansing, MI 48824-1030

NOTE: If you have academic questions related to the Urban and Regional Planning curriculum, please contact Dr. Herbert Norman at normanh@msu.edu

If you have application questions, please contact the Graduate Secretary at pdcgrad@msu.edu