Apply
How to Apply
Applications to the Master of Urban Design (M.U.D.) program are accepted from October 1 until January 15. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible. Depending on the size and quality of the applicant pool each year, applicants who apply later may be at a competitive disadvantage.
Application deadline
All application materials are due at Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning no later than January 15.
Note to international applicants: students are advised (but not required) to submit a complete application by December 1 to provide adequate time for admissions review and visa processing before the M.U.D. program begins in July.
Eligibility
To be eligible for admission to the Master of Urban Design (M.U.D.) degree program, applicants should already possess one (or more) of the following degrees:
- 5-year Bachelor of Architecture
- 5-year Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
- Master of Architecture, Master of Landscape Architecture, Master of Urban Planning, or their international equivalent.
Applicants must show evidence of understanding, aptitude, and achievement in the design of the physical environment, as well as an interest and a commitment to urbanism. Professional design experience will be viewed favorably.
Selective courses may be waived on a case by case basis for prior academic experience or work experience in urban design, architecture, landscape architecture, or urban planning or in organizations such as non-profit housing or real estate development corporations.
Application form
The application form is required from all applicants and must be completed online via the link below.
https://apply.embark.com/Grad/Umich/Arch/
All supplementary material (official transcripts, application fee check or money order, letters of recommendation, portfolio, and certification for financial support for international students) must be sent in one package to Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Attn: M.U.D. Admissions. The form must be filled out completely and accurately to be considered a valid application for admission. Do not use an application form from the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies.
Application fee
A nonrefundable application fee is required from all applicants. The rates are:
- Domestic students: $60.00 USD
- International students: $75.00 USD
Applicants may pay the fee online using a credit card or include a check or money order, made payable to the University of Michigan with their application materials. DO NOT send cash.
Statement of purpose/Personal statement
This essay should be 1000–1500 words and give the admissions committee a clear idea of a) Why you want to study urban design, b) What you want to learn/gain from the program, c) Why you want to pursue your degree at University of Michigan. The statement of purpose may be submitted as an attachment to the online application or mailed in with your application materials.
Official transcripts
Taubman College requires applicants, domestic and international, to provide one official transcript or certified credentials (transcripts) from all universities and community colleges attended. If your academic credentials are in any language other than English, you must submit both the original document and a certified English Translation. International credentials should include a certified copy of the diploma, if awarded. Applicants holding degrees from Bangladesh, Sri-Lanka, Burma, India, Nepal, or Pakistan must include detailed examination records, for all years of the program, showing subjects, marks received, and class obtained. UM graduates and current students do not need to submit a transcript from Michigan, but should request transcripts for any other schools they have attended.
Letters of recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required for all applicants. If possible, at least two of these should come from former professors. Recommendations should be completed online as part of the online application process. Please ask your recommenders to complete the online form and attach their letter electronically. If absolutely necessary, we will also accept hard copy recommendations if they are on University or company/firm stationery. Please request your letters of recommendation sufficiently early to ensure your recommenders submit their letters along with your application.
Master of Urban Design Recommendation Form (PDF 56KB)
Portfolio
All applicants are required to submit samples of their academic work and, if possible, their professional work. The following guidelines have been prepared by the Graduate Admissions Committee to help applicants select and prepare these samples. Please see the Portfolio requirements page for details.
Resume or C.V.
Please submit an up to date resume or curriculum vitae with your application.
The Graduate Record Examination
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required. Information about the GRE including test dates and locations can be found at http://www.gre.org. Please contact ETS (http://www.ets.org or http://www.gre.org) to have an official score report sent to the University of Michigan (Institution code 1839, department code 4401) at least 6-8 weeks prior to the deadline. GRE scores must be no older than five-years old to be valid. There is no minimum requirement for the GRE test.
Evaluation
Applications will not be evaluated until all credentials have been received and the application fee has been paid. Applications missing credentials cannot be guaranteed a review by the Admissions Committee. Eligible applicants are considered for admission on the basis of the following criteria:
- Quality and content of all previous academic education
- Evidence of professional commitment and direction-statement of purpose, employment record, letters of recommendation, portfolio, etc.
- The number of openings available
Final decisions on all complete files are made by the first week of April. All admitted students must pay a $500 enrollment deposit fee to accept their offer of admission.
