Program Description
The Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning program is designed to produce graduates with the analytical skills and managerial knowledge to pursue successful careers in urban, metropolitan, and regional planning and closely related fields.
Students will receive an interdisciplinary, holistic educational experience emphasizing sustainability and socially responsible planning.
Curriculum
The Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning consists of 42 credit hours. Each student completes a core of nine courses (27 credit hours), restricted elective courses (9 credit hours), and a Capstone project (6 credit hours).
The Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning (MSURP) program is a face-to-face program. While some courses are offered online, students admitted to the MSURP program are expected to attend face-to-face classes offered weeknights on the main campus. The MSURP also incorporates community-based projects into most courses. Group projects are intended to develop leadership abilities while also providing an opportunity to show students are capable of working as part of a team. Group projects promote important intellectual and social skills and help to prepare students for work in a world in which teamwork and collaboration are increasingly the norms.
Courses and credit hours used for undergraduate degrees cannot be applied toward the MSURP degree, except for Senior Scholar students. UCF undergraduate students approved to participate in the Senior Scholar program may, with the permission of the MSURP program director, use up to 9 credit hours of graduate coursework from their bachelor’s degree toward the MSURP degree. However, no undergraduate-level courses will be accepted in the MSURP program.
Total Credit Hours Required: 42 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor’s Degree
Required Courses: 42 Credit Hours
Capstone or Final Product: 6 Credit Hours
The final product will be a studio experience for six credit hours.
Students work in teams for the final product in the planning degree program under the supervision of a faculty adviser. Students work closely with community partners in conducting an applied planning project. Part of the capstone experience is a presentation of their final project.
Planning Electives: 9 Credit Hours
Internship
Students without practical administrative experience in the public sector are strongly advised to complete an internship (3 credit hours).
Additional Program Requirements
Students must achieve a grade of “B-” (80%) or higher in every course listed under core requirements and in the Capstone Experience courses.
Students must maintain a program of study and graduate status GPA of 3.0 or higher and can only graduate with a graduate status GPA of 3.0 or higher.
The School of Public Administration incorporates service learning into some courses. Service learning is a teaching method that provides a means for every student to enhance his or her academic program with experiential learning opportunities. Service learning provides an opportunity for students to work with community partners by collecting and compiling data and producing quality products that will be beneficial to both students and organizations.
Students are expected to be computer literate and have computer internet access upon entry to the program.
Independent Learning
Independent learning is demonstrated throughout the curriculum through the process of inquiry and dialogue. Tangible projects, such as research scholarly papers, internships, and the Capstone/Final Project also contribute to the self-development of students. The planning study in the Capstone/Final Project will focus on reviewing and analyzing contemporary planning issues in order to help students acquire knowledge and skills pertaining to best practices in a variety of planning subfields. The Capstone/Final Project provides opportunities for independent learning experience.
Application Requirements
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
In addition to meeting general UCF graduate application requirements , applicants to this program must provide:
- An official transcript meeting the minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), in a sealed envelope, from each college/university attended.
- Two letters of recommendation evaluating scholarly and professional capacity. Letters from professors from the colleges/universities attended are preferred, but if that is not feasible, letters from current or past supervisors will be accepted. The recommender must address your work ethic and ability to succeed at graduate-level academic work.
- Current professional résumé including experience in the field (paid or voluntary).
- Goal Statement: The goal statement is a key component of the admission review process and serves as an example of the applicant’s ability to express himself or herself in writing. The goal statement must be no longer than two pages double-spaced (500-800 words) and should address the following: Personal background and career aspirations in urban and regional planning. Reason for pursuing graduate study in urban and regional planning, including future career goals and plans. Specific areas of the urban and regional planning of interest to the applicant.
- Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
- All International students must meet university minimum TOEFL score requirements regardless of the language in which the undergraduate program was completed.
A limited number of students who do not meet the GPA requirements may be admitted on a provisional basis. These students must demonstrate planning experience and provide a clear statement of education goals
Application Deadlines
| Urban and Regional Planning MS |
*Fall Priority |
Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
| Domestic Applicants |
Jan 15 |
Jun 1 |
Nov 1 |
|
| International Applicants |
Jan 15 |
Jan 15 |
Jul 1 |
|
|
*Applicants who plan to enroll full time in a degree program and who wish to be considered for university fellowships or assistantships should apply by the Fall Priority date.
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Financials
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowships
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student’s graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
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