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Master of Urban and Regional Planning
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The application fee for U.S. Citizens or permanent residents is $75 (U.S.D.). The fee for international students is $90 (U.S.D.). The application fee is paid online, via credit card, before the application is submitted.
Taubman College and Rackham Fee Waivers
Rackham administers fee waivers. Please review the requirements at Application Fee Waivers.
Taubman College is able to provide support to a limited number of Master of Urban and Regional Planning applicants. We offer waivers of the required application fee, upon request, to U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents that fit one of the following criteria:
- Teach for America (current volunteer or alumni)
- Peace Corps alumni
- AmeriCorps alumni
- Active U.S. Military
- U.S. Military Veteran
- Significant financial need not covered by Rackham fee waivers
To request an application fee waiver, complete the Urban & Regional Planning fee waiver request form. After you submit your request, you will receive an email from taubmancollegeadmissions@umich.edu asking for a Letter of Verification or other documentation from your organization that includes dates of service. Upon receipt of the Letter of Verification, Taubman staff will confirm eligibility and determine if a waiver is available. If approved, you will receive a fee waiver code via email with additional instructions.
Eligibility
- Undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better.
- All applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution.
Guidance and Policies for Ethical Use of GenAI for Rackham Applicants
Opportunities for Current U-M Students
Early Admission
Current undergraduate U-M students in certain degrees or minors with at least a 3.25 GPA are eligible to apply for Early Admission into the Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree.
Concurrent Undergraduate / Graduate Studies
CUGS offers advanced U-M LSA undergraduates the opportunity to combine their senior year with the first year of the Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree.
Required Information
Statement of Purpose
This is a vital component of your application. Explain how you arrived at the decision to pursue a Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree, what you plan to do during the course of your studies, and how you hope to use your graduate education in planning. There are no requirements for length. The typical length is two double-spaced pages.
Personal Statement
The personal statement should be a concise, well-written statement about how your personal background and life experiences, including social, cultural, familial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges, have motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan. This is not an academic statement of purpose, but a brief (500 word limit) discussion of the personal journey that has led to your decision to seek a graduate degree.
Resume
A good curriculum vitae or resume will give us another view of who you are and elaborate on your strengths and skills outside of the classroom, showcasing your accomplishments. In addition to your educational experience, your resume should contain professional experiences, other jobs you have held, a list of groups or organizations that you are involved in, programming languages or other computer skills you have, and community involvement or volunteer work that you do. Think of your resume as another opportunity to tell us about yourself.
Transcripts
Submitting your transcripts:
Step 1: TO APPLY, submit a scanned copy of your official transcript. Applicants must scan and upload an official transcript/academic record into the ApplyWeb online application. This transcript must display the institutional seal and signature of the Registrar or Recorder of Records.
Step 2: AFTER an offer of admission, submit your official transcript. Admitted students must submit to the Rackham Graduate School an official transcript/academic record, front and back, issued by the Registrar or Records Office for each bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree earned. For more information, please see Transcripts.
Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required and should testify mainly to your academic and professional capacity and promise. Letters should be substantive statements from academics and/or professionals familiar with your abilities and accomplishments. For more information, please see Letters of Recommendation Submission Options.
English Proficiency Requirements
Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency unless they meet one of the criteria for an exemption listed below. Please contact one of the testing agencies shown in the following chart and have an official score report sent to the University of Michigan at least 6-8 weeks prior to the application deadline. The scores must be received from the testing agency no later than the application deadline. Language test scores are valid two years from the test date. Photocopies and/or faxes of English proficiency scores will not be accepted. Please take note the minimum requirement is: 95 iBT.
| Description of Test | Assessment Provider | Speaking Test | Minimum Overall Score | Submission of Test Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IBT TOEFL (ITP Plus and TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition) | Educational Testing Service | Yes | 95 | TOEFL scores are sent by ETS electronically to institution code: 1839 |
| Paper/Pencil TOEFL & TWE | Educational Testing Service | No | 600 | TOEFL scores are sent by ETS electronically to institution code: 1839 |
| IELTS | Cambridge, United Kingdom | Academic version | 7.0 | Official IELTS scores are sent electronically to the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. |
Taubman College does not admit students who have not met minimum score requirements. If you are close to the minimum scores outlined above we encourage you to retake the exam to meet the minimum requirement. Students who have submitted all required materials (including English proficiency exams) by the application deadline are given first consideration for admission. It may make you a less competitive applicant to not have your scores sent in by the deadline.
Rackham English Proficiency Exemptions
You qualify for an exemption from taking an English proficiency examination if one of the following criteria are met:
- You are a native speaker of English.
- You completed all of your undergraduate education and earned an undergraduate degree at an institution where the language of instruction is English only.
- You completed all of your graduate education and earned a graduate degree at an institution where the language of instruction is English only.
- If you completed a Master’s degree that was strictly research and no academic classes, that degree does not meet the exemption. This type of Master’s degree is generally awarded at a non-U.S. institution.
- You are a current U-M student.
Please refer to the related Rackham webpage for additional information.
International Student Information
I-20 / VISA
Please do not submit financial information at the time of application.
If you are recommended for admission, and the Rackham Graduate School approves the admission, you will be notified by Rackham to submit the Affidavit of Financial Support for International Students along with the required financial documentation (i.e., bank statements).
Immigration Documents
Immigration Documents for International Students: Please allow a minimum of 2 -3 weeks from the date your acceptance for the I-20 or DS-2019 to be prepared and mailed from the Rackham Graduate School using your preferred delivery service.
Undocumented and DACAmented Students
Detailed information about Undocumented and DACAmented Students for this degree program can be found on the related Rackham webpage.
Application Status and Evaluation
Checking the Status of Your Application Online
Applicants can verify application data and status online approximately 10 – 15 days after their application is submitted. The Rackham admissions office will send an email to each applicant that includes the University of Michigan Identification Number (UMID). You will need to use a login ID and password to confirm some personal data before viewing your application status. Admissions staff will keep all application materials received current, however, please allow sufficient time for processing before contacting the office.
For Applicants Who are Current Students or Employees: Log into Wolverine Access using your existing University of Michigan Uniqname and password then click New and Prospective Student Business.
For Applicants New to the University:
About five business days after you submit your application you will receive an email confirming that Taubman has downloaded your application from ApplyWeb. This email will direct you to set up your friend account.
- Go to the Friend Account Request Form and enter your email address.
- You will receive a confirmation email with a link to create your friend account.
- For more information, see the Information and Technology Services website.
Please allow 10-15 business days for your application status to update.
Evaluation
Applications will not be evaluated until all application material has 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, including statement of purpose, resume, letters of recommendation, etc.
- IELTS or TOEFL test scores (if applicable)
- The number of openings available
- The suitability of the program to the applicant’s area of interest
Using Wolverine Access
Through your Wolverine Access account you will be able to:
- Verify the application information you have submitted, including resume, official transcript, and letters of recommendation, have been received.
- View Bachelor’s, Master’s, Professional, and/or Doctoral transcripts degree that have been received.
- Receive your admission decision.
- Update your address, phone number, and e-mail address.
Allow five business days after creating your account to verify that your application and materials have been received in Wolverine Access.
Notification of Decision
Applicants will be notified of their admission status by late-February or early March. Notification letters will be sent via email. If you are admitted, you will be able to see that you have been recommended for admission by the Urban and Regional Planning Program on Wolverine Access. Any scholarship award decisions made by the Urban and Regional Planning Program will be noted in the letter of admission. The next step is for Rackham Graduate School to review, certify, and process the admission recommendation.
Admitted students are invited to attend Preview Weekend in late March. Preview Weekend is an opportunity for admitted students to visit Taubman College, meet with faculty and current students, tour the facilities, the campus, and downtown Ann Arbor, and attend Taubman College events. Further details are provided in the admission letter.
Enrollment Deposit Requirement
Students choosing to accept admission to the Master of Urban and Regional Planning program 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. The deadline for receiving your acceptance and enrollment deposit is April 15.
Residency Classification
University of Michigan Residency Classification Guidelines have been developed to ensure that decisions about whether a student pays in-state or out-of-state tuition are fair and equitable. Applicants for admission or enrolled students who are classified as out-of-state students, but believe they meet the Residential Classification Guidelines, may submit an Application for Resident Classification. This process can take up to 14 weeks. Please see the University of Michigan Residency Classification Guidelines for additional information.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there opportunities for hybrid, virtual, or part time courses?
Courses are offered fully in-person. The M.U.R.P. 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.
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