Master of Urban and Regional Planning
Application Deadline:
January 15 annually
Enrollment Deposit and Intent to Enroll Deadline:
April 15 annually
About
A top program for urban and regional planning graduate programs by Planetizen, our Master of Urban and Regional Planning (M.U.R.P.) degree prepares students to become leaders who plan for and engage with communities for the greater good. Graduates apply their knowledge and technical skills in a wide variety of settings, from private business to social impact non-profit organizations to public sector agencies at all levels.
Applied Planning Skills
Community and Economic Development
Global and Comparative Planning
Housing and Equitable Development
Land Use and Environmental Planning
Physical Planning and Design
Social Justice and Urban Development
Sustainability, Resilience, Adaptation and Climate Change
Transportation Planning
Focus Areas
The Master of Urban Regional Planning program’s flexible curriculum provides students the opportunity to explore a wide range of topics in the field of urban and regional planning or gain depth in a specific area. These areas include Applied Planning Skills; Community and Economic Development; Global and Comparative Planning; Housing and Equitable Development; Land Use and Environmental Planning; Physical Planning and Design; Social Justice and Urban Development; Sustainability, Resilience, Adaptation, and Climate Change; and Transportation Planning.
/ Student Work: Exit Projects
Most students participate in a Capstone project in the final semester of the program. Students can also undertake an individual professional project or thesis as an alternative exit project. Many of these plans, developed by students for real clients, have won awards from the National American Planning Association and the Michigan Association of Planning.
/ Paying for your Degree
Making decisions about the next step in your educational journey is a time full of opportunity and potential; however, it may also be accompanied by concerns regarding paying for your degree. There are numerous financial resources to help you manage tuition and living expenses.
/ Sample Schedule
A series of core courses serves to give the student a broad-based knowledge of planning. These classes deal with urban and regional planning analysis, history and theory, professional practice, and the social, economic, political, legal, and physical aspects of planning.
/ Accredited Degree
The M.U.R.P. degree, which is formally accredited through the Planning Accreditation Board, takes a broad view of the scope of urban and regional planning. The core courses provide a foundation for all areas of planning, and electives at both Taubman and other highly-ranked UM graduate programs provide flexibility to shape your studies to your interests.
Career
Taubman College Career and Professional Development offers a variety of programs, services and resources to assist students and alumni in exploring careers, securing positions and continuing skill development and management.
For additional information on career opportunities, visit our career and professional development page.
/ STEM Designated Degree Program
The Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree is an approved field of study within the U.S. government’s official STEM fields list. When a student earns a degree in a field on the STEM fields list, they may be eligible for the 24-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension. OPT is defined as practical work experience in your field of study after completion of a degree. With a STEM degree, a student’s “regular” OPT of 12 months may be extended for an additional 24 months. For further details regarding STEM extensions contact the International Center.
Taubman College Pathways
The Taubman College Pathways program seeks to create avenues to diversify the Taubman College community and the fields of architecture and urban planning. Geared toward those exploring graduate education, the program provides an opportunity for career exploration and learning more about Taubman College’s academic offerings in an intimate setting. Our goal is to expand the diversity of our College and disciplines in as many ways as possible, including but not limited to socioeconomic status, educational experiences, race/ethnicity, etc.
/ Why Urban Planning in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, Michigan is a phenomenal place to study urban planning. A city with progressive urban planning efforts, Ann Arbor has been called the sixth borough, the 21st arrondissement, the second Loop, and the seventh Zone. Explore this website to discover why Ann Arbor is the #6 best city to live in America (niche.com)!
/ Concurrent Undergraduate/Graduate Studies (CUGS)
A CUGS student graduates with a Master in Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) degree in one additional year after the combined year.
Up to 15 credits of graduate-level courses may be counted toward both the bachelor’s and the master’s degrees. Students interested in CUGS should consult their undergraduate advisors and the Taubman College Urban and Regional Planning Program in their sophomore year. To be eligible for the CUGS option, a student must have a 3.7 GPA or greater and have completed at least 105 credits before dual enrollment begins. Students earning dual bachelor’s degrees are NOT eligible for CUGS.
The applicant must first submit a written request for entering CUGS to the appropriate advisor in LSA Newnan, LSA Honors, or the Residential College. If the applicant’s request is granted, the student is provided a letter expressing this approval. Applicants must submit the Rackham application, the application fee, and a letter of approval from the appropriate advisor serving as a proxy of the Dean of LSA by October 15th of their junior year. International applicants are also required to submit financial resource information. Applications for CUGS are evaluated by looking at a student’s breadth of the undergraduate program, commitment to the field, degree of motivation, academic ability, and GPA, among other factors ordinarily used by graduate admissions committees.
More detailed information on the application procedure can be obtained from the following:
/ Frequently Asked Questions
Are there opportunities for hybrid, virtual, or part time courses?
Courses are offered fully in-person. The MURP Program is a full time program and does not offer part-time options.
Is it required or expected of me to reach out to the Faculty before I apply?
No, but you are welcome to reach out to any faculty member that you want to connect with.
I do not have an undergraduate degree in urban planning, will my application be considered for this program?
Yes, we accept students from various backgrounds of study and work experience.
My English proficiency score doesn’t meet the minimum requirement, can I still apply?
Yes, you can still apply. However, Taubman College doesn’t provide conditional admission. We encourage you to retake the test until you receive the minimum score.
Will I be considered for assistantships when I apply for admission?
Taubman College assistantships are available for students to apply after one semester enrolled. Please review the Paying for Your Degree webpage for additional funding resources.
When will I receive my admission decision?
Applicants will be notified of their admission decision by late-February or early March. If you are admitted, you will see that you have been recommended for admission via the online Wolverine Access web application status portal. Decision letters are sent via email. Any merit scholarship award decisions made by the Program Chair will be noted in the letter of admission.
When do I need to enter my decision?
April 15th. Students choosing to accept admission to the Master of Science must pay a $500 enrollment deposit. Payment may be completed online by e-check through Wolverine Access, credit card, or in the form of a check or money order (in US dollars) made payable to University of Michigan. This deposit reserves your space in the program. The $500 payment will be credited to your student account and applied toward your tuition.
Alumni Profile
Pankaj Duggal
M.U.P./M.Arch ’95,
President + Chief Operating Officer, Jensen Hughes
Alumni Stories