The MUP program trains skilled professionals who graduate with a strong education in general planning practice and theory as well as specialized training in planning subfields. The program allows students to develop professional skills in an area of specialization such as Affordable Housing and Community Development Finance, Applications of Technology in Planning, Community Design and Development, Environmental Planning, Real Estate Development, or Transportation and Land Use Planning.
Graduates leave the program prepared with practical skills and theoretical knowledge that they can employ in jobs working to improve the quality of life and economic opportunity for all residents of urban regions as well as improving the quality of the natural environment.
A special mission of the program is to provide planning education opportunities for a diverse student population, including working students who prefer to attend the program on a part-time basis.
The MUP is an accredited professional degree program nationally recognized by the Planning Accreditation Board.
Information about the program and important dates can be obtained at the department website: www.sjsu.edu/urbanplanning.
Admissions Requirements
Candidates must meet all the university admissions requirements. To complete your application, you must submit materials to two distinct bodies: the SJSU Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluation (GAPE) Office through the online CSU application process and the Urban and Regional Planning Admissions Committee. Each has its own timetable. Approval by both offices is necessary to gain admission to the program. Applicants from countries in which the native language is not English must achieve a minimum English-language proficiency test score as indicated on the Graduate Program Test Requirements webpage at GAPE.
- Materials to be submitted to the SJSU Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations Office
- Fill out the on-line application form. The Master of Urban Planning (MUP) program at SJSU is listed on the online application form under Urban Planning.
- Domestic Students - Submit one set of official transcripts from all higher educational institutions attended (even those where you did not get a degree) to the Graduate Admissions Office. Do not send transcripts to the Department of Urban & Regional Planning.
- International Students - International students are advised to closely follow guidelines for submitting transcripts and any other supporting documents, including demonstrating competence in English, available on the Graduate Admissions & Program Evaluation website.
- Materials to be submitted to the Department of Urban and Regional Planning (Admissions Committee)
- Three original, signed letters of recommendation that come from either university instructors who taught you or supervisors who managed you in paid or volunteer work. It is highly recommended that at least one letter come from a university instructor. If this is not possible, ask your letter writers to include an evaluation of your writing and analysis skills. These letters must be submitted to the Urban and Regional Planning Admissions Committee, not to the SJSU GAPE Office. The department will accept only original, signed letters; faxed or emailed letters will not be accepted.
- A short biographical statement of purpose (approximately 1.5 single-spaced typed pages) that indicates how a Master of Urban Planning degree will help you to achieve your career objectives. This can be the same statement as included on your online application.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required for applicants with a GPA below 3.0. Original scores from the testing office must be submitted in a sealed, unopened envelope or sent directly by ETS (the code for SJSU is 4687).
Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy
Students must complete all university requirements for advancement to candidacy for the master’s degree as outlined in the Graduate Policies and Procedures section. Candidacy includes successful completion of the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR). For graduate courses that meet the GWAR, refer to the GWAR Course List on the College of Graduate Studies website. In addition, candidates must pass the Writing Skills Test (WST) at SJSU. Candidates with a previous degree from a California State University campus are exempt from the WST requirement.
Requirements for Graduation
University Graduation Requirements
Students must complete all residency, curriculum, unit, GPA, and culminating experience requirements as outlined in the Graduation Requirements section of the Graduate Policies and Procedures .
Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement
At SJSU, students must pass the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR). For information on the GWAR, please see http://info.sjsu.edu/gcw.html.
