Future students: Graduate admissions
Financial aid
Our department has a limited number of financial aid opportunities available and are awarded on a competitive basis. Information about them can be obtained from the chair during your admissions interview. Urban planning graduate students are eligible for a variety of loan and grant programs from the Graduate School. In addition, the department and the college annually give some awards that carry cash stipends.
Graduate certificate programs
Visit Graduate School admissions for requirements and to apply for the economic development, geographic information sciences, and urban sustainability certificate programs.
Master of Urban Planning (M.U.P.)
Wayne State's accredited Master of Urban Planning (M.U.P.) program is multi-disciplinary with various paths students can pursue in their studies and profession. M.U.P. students will extensively explore shifts from rural to urban to suburban histories and also develop skills to create plans for employment in government, non-profit and private sectors.
Admission requirements
Admission to the M.U.P. program is contingent upon admission to the Wayne State Graduate School. Applications (and supporting documentation) must be submitted through the online application.
- Baccalaureate degree in any field from an accredited U.S. university or an equivalent institution abroad. Important: We do not require applicants to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
- Minimum 3.0 undergraduate honor GPA for the last two years of undergraduate coursework
- Personal written statement of one to two pages explaining your interest in urban planning and how the degree will serve your professional aims
- Two letters of recommendation (should be from non-relatives and at least one should be from someone familiar with your academic potential; unless you have been out of school for some time)
- Résumé and official transcripts
Next steps after applying
If you're admitted to the Graduate School, they'll forward your materials to us. When we have your complete file, you'll be contacted to set up a time for an admissions interview. Applicants not living within commuting distance of the campus can complete this interview virtually.