Master in Urban Planning

MUP Degree Requirements

A candidate will be recommended for the MUP degree upon satisfactory completion of 80 units, typically completed as 20 units per term. Students must take 28 units of core studio and required courses, 12 units satisfying three Methods Requirements (Analytic Methods, Economic Methods, and Legal and Institutional Methods), 12 units satisfying one of the Areas of Concentration, and 8 units of project-based learning, which are met by declaring an option studio, independent thesis, or two 4-unit pre-approved project-based courses. Students complete the remainder of the program with elective courses, which may include additional studios or project-based courses.

Current students should refer to the Current MUP Degree Requirements based on their date of matriculation.

At the beginning of each year, students are assigned a faculty advisor with whom they discuss curricular schedules and other academic matters. Concurrent and joint degree students must consult the rules governing such programs for additional information on curricular requirements.

First Term

  • 0 units STU 1121 Pre-Term Workshop (August)
  • 8 units STU 1121 First Term Core Urban Planning Studio
  • 2 units VIS 2127 Representation for Planners
  • 2 units VIS 2128 Spatial Analysis
  • 8 units satisfying Methods Requirements*, Area of Concentration Requirement**, Project-Based Learning Requirement*** and/or general electives****

Second Term

  • 8 units STU 1122 Second Term Core Urban Planning Studio
  • 4 units HIS 4152 Urban Planning Theory and Praxis: Comparative-Historical Origins and Applications
  • 4 units SES 5103 Public and Private Development
  • 4 units satisfying Methods Requirements*, Area of Concentration Requirement**, Project-Based Learning Requirement*** and/or general electives****

Third Term

  • 20 units satisfying Methods Requirements*, Area of Concentration Requirement**, Project-Based Learning Requirement*** and/or general electives****

Fourth Term

  • 20 units satisfying Methods Requirements*, Area of Concentration Requirement**, Project-Based Learning Requirement*** and/or general electives****

Footnotes

* Methods Requirements: Students must take 4 units in each of the three methods requirements: Legal and Institutional, Economic, and Analytical Methods. Fulfilling the analytical methods requirement in the first semester is recommended. Students who demonstrate sufficient experience may be able to waive some methods requirements or pass an exemption exam.

** Area of Concentration Requirement: Students must take at least 12 units of preapproved courses in one area of concentration. Core studios, required courses, methods requirements courses, independent thesis, and option studios may not be used to satisfy the Area of Concentration requirement. Only students declaring the Urban Design Area of Concentration may apply a UPD option studio to their concentration requirement.

*** Project-Based Learning Requirement: Students must take a minimum of 8 units of Project-Based Learning, which may be met in one of three ways: an 8 unit option studio, an 8 unit independent thesis, or a total of 8 units in preapproved project-based courses that have a substantial amount of the assignment load (40% or more) comprised of an applied, real-world, project for an external client. Only students who receive a grade of pass or higher in both required core studios may meet their Project-Based Learning requirement by declaring thesis. Candidates pursuing thesis must take Thesis Prep in the fall term.

**** No more than fifty percent of units may be taken outside the GSD in a given term.