Master of Urban and Regional Planning / Master of Architecture

Program Overview

The M.U.R.P./M.Arch. Dual Degree is a formally structured dual degree to develop highly qualified professionals capable of combining architecture and urban planning to work effectively in the professional fields of architecture, urban development, and community development planning. It equips students with a broad range of skills and particular expertise related to the design and planning of the built environment.

Graduates with a dual degree in architecture and urban and regional planning are able to work both in the private sector and with a wide range of public agencies and non-profit organizations. The program combines the two-year/60 credit hour M.Arch. degree with the two-year/48 credit hour M.U.R.P. degree, resulting in a three-year/84 credit hour program.

Course of Study

Students admitted to the combined program are required to complete the first year courses in one school during the first year and to complete the first year courses at the other school in the second year. Students should discuss their course of study with Taubman College Advising.  During the third year of the program, students are permitted to elect courses in either school and are generally not restricted in their choices beyond fulfilling the required course work.

Degree Requirements

The dual M.Arch./M.U.R.P. degree requires the completion of a minimum of 84 credit hours. Specifically, a student must complete:

1. 24 credit hours of architectural design courses (ARCH 552, ARCH 562, ARCH 672, ARCH 662).
2. Three courses (9 credit hours) of 500/600 level elective architecture courses.
3. 30 credit hours of graduate level urban planning courses, including all “core” course work unless waived by the instructor.
4. 9 additional cognate/elective courses are needed to fulfill the 84 credit hour requirement.

Any additional cognate/elective courses needed to fulfill the 84 credit hour requirement. In addition, students who lack college-level economics must complete acceptable courses in that area. This may be counted toward the 30 credit hours of graduate-level urban planning courses, provided they are taken for graduate credit in urban planning.

A cumulative GPA of “B” must be earned in each unit and 24 credit hours may be double-counted toward the two degrees. Each unit maintains a separate transcript, and either degree may be awarded independently, provided the requirements for the single degree have been met. Because enrollment in the dual program involves two separate units, it becomes the responsibility of the student to follow the academic policies and procedures of each.

Admission Requirements

Students must file separate applications to and be admitted by both schools. An application fee must accompany each application. Each school will apply its own deferred admission standards to students who elect to take the first year at the other school. Students enrolled in either program can apply to the other during the first year of study, but not later.