Urban Studies and Planning (CMPL)

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Abstract

The Urban Studies and Planning Program offers graduate study leading to the Master of Community Planning (MCP) degree. (The School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation, in which the MCP program is located, offers a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning and Design -- see URPD for details). The MCP Program is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board of the American Institute of Certified Planners and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning. Dual Masters degrees in Planning and Architecture, and Planning and Historic Preservation, are offered. There is a transfer of credit agreement with the School of Law on the Baltimore campus as part of a joint JD and MCP program. There is also a cooperative program with the PhD program in Policy Sciences at the UMBC campus. Entering students have diverse academic backgrounds, such as architecture, fine arts, English, history, business, geography, sociology, economics, and political science. The Program's faculty specialize in metropolitan and regional planning, housing, transportation planning, environmental and land use planning, social policy, quantitative planning methods, urban design, and economic development planning. Employment opportunities remain strong for graduates in a highly competitive field. The Baltimore-Washington metropolitan region offers diverse employment potential in urban planning and program management in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

Admissions Information

To be competitive, applicants typically need a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with a GPA of 3.5 or higher from an accredited university within the United States need not take the GRE. (In the case of students who are working toward both the JD and MCP degrees, the LSAT will be accepted in place of the GRE.)

Application Deadlines

	Fall	Spring
Domestic Applicants: U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
Domestic Applicant Deadlines	The deadline for on-line application is December 16. .	This program does not accept applications for this semester.
International Applicants: Applicants from Outside the U.S. or U.S. Citizens / Permanent Residents with Non-U.S. Credentials IMPORTANT:   International Applicants and U.S. Applicants with Non-U.S. Credentials must follow the domestic deadlines above if they are earlier than the deadlines listed below.
Applicants seeking admission under F (Student) or J (Exchange Visitor) visas	February 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Feb. 1	June 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1
Applicants seeking admission under A, E, G, H, I, and L visas and immigrants	May 1 If Domestic Deadline is after May 1	October 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign credentials	May 15 If Domestic Deadline is after May 15	October 31 If Domestic Deadline is after Oct.31

Application Requirements

1. Complete application form: (On-line version - www.gradschool.umd.edu)
2. Academic credentials (unofficial to academic unit):
3. Standardized test scores: Graduate Record Examination (GRE) - when required (see above)
4. Letters of Recommendation: Three confidential letters submitted by professors or others.
5. Statement of Goals, Research Interests, and Experiences: 1000-2000 word statement of graduate goals, research interests, and experiences.
6. Resume

Degree Requirements

Master of Community Planning (M.C.P.)
Graduation requires satisfactory completion of 48 credits of course work. The 12 credits in core courses introduce students to the foundations of city and regional planning, research methods, planning process, and planning history and theory. An additional nine "spread" credits give students a grounding in physical, social and economic planning. Nine additional credits are required for a specialization. Specializations include housing, economic development, social planning and management, transportation planning, urban design, historic preservation, land use/environmental planning, and international planning. A studio and internship are required. Courses are listed under URSP. The MCP program accepts up to nine credits from other graduate programs.

Facilities and Special Resources

The University of Maryland is an excellent location for the pursuit of community planning, and graduate students are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities. The university is eight miles from the incomparable library and research facilities of Washington, D.C. In the nations's capital, UMCP graduate students have access to, among other resources, the Library of Congress, the specialized collections of professional associations and international organizations, and agencies at all levels of government. The College Park campus is a 45-minute drive from Baltimore City, whose planning programs have gained national attention. At least two planning studio courses are offered each year, in either Baltimore, the Washington metropolitan area, or an international setting. Baltimore city and Washington, D.C. are ideal laboratories for students interested in research on urban issues and planning.

Urban Studies and Planning is one of five graduate degree programs in the University's School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation. The School administers the National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education, which involves faculty and graduate students from several campus units in: multi-disciplinary research on the fiscal, environmental and social impacts of alternative development patterns; evaluation of growth management strategies (with a focus on Maryland's Smart Growth programs); technical assistance to state agencies and local jurisdictions; and training programs for federal program managers and state and local officials.

Financial Assistance

Aside from student loans through the university, MCP students are eligible to apply for graduate assistantships with URSP and the National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education. MCP applicants who are also Peace Corps veterans are eligible to apply for the Shriver Peaceworker fellowship program that is administered by the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Please note that competition is high for these financial awards. The program also maintains a list of internships, and many of our students work in part- or full-time jobs while completing the program. Program classes are scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to accommodate our working students.

Contact Information

Contact the program at the following address:

CMPL Graduate Admissions
School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742

Or at the School of Architecture web site: www.arch.umd.edu

James Cohen, Ph.D.
Director of Graduate Studies
School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation,
University of Maryland
College Park
MD  20742
Telephone: (301) 405-6285
Fax: (301) 314-9583


www.arch.umd.edu/ursp

Courses: ARCH URSP HISP

Related Programs and Campus Units

Historic Preservation Certificate
Architecture
Smart Growth Research and Education, National Center for
Urban and Regional Planning and Design
Real Estate Development