Master of Urban and Regional Planning
Our top-ranked Master of Urban and Regional Planning (M.U.R.P.) degree prepares you to lead the way toward better urban and regional futures. You will become a future-focused practitioner who plans for and engages with communities for the greater good, a core value at our top-ranked, research-intensive public university. You will learn to apply your theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to any number of career paths, from private business to social impact non-profit organizations to public sector agencies at all levels.
Our robust core curriculum and deeply committed faculty focus your learning on solutions that consider current and future planning and city-making scenarios for society, climate, and technology. You will engage in co-creative planning that involves building places, institutions, and policies with people and for people, while pursuing sustainable solutions that take into account the environmental impact on the planet. You will gain a theoretical and practical foundation and advanced skills that prepare you to make real-world impact from day one as part of a diverse and thriving network of deeply engaged faculty, students, staff, and alumni around the world.
We prepare you for the rapid expansion and application of technologies in the planning field.
As climate realities set in, you will be positioned to play a crucial role in future adaption efforts.
We infuse evolving urbanism as Michigan and Detroit consider the possibilities of reindustrialization and population growth.
You will be exposed to different planning areas and perspectives through electives, minors, certificates, and dual degree offerings.
Student Work: Exit Projects
As a M.U.R.P. student, you will complete an exit project by choosing between a Capstone, thesis, or individual professional project in your final semester of the program. Many individual professional projects, developed by students for real clients, have won awards from the national American Planning Association and the Michigan Association of Planning.
Community and Connections
You will be well-supported by a large and inclusive community of students, faculty, and staff who are knowledgeable, curious, collegial, and just as excited about planning as you are. They bring a variety of experiences and points of view. They will be your sounding board, your support network, and your friends.
Intellectually Diverse Faculty
Our program’s strength is rooted in a collaborative culture of intellectual diversity. You will learn from faculty with a wide variety of expertise and methodologies.