Master of City and Regional Planning

Overview

The PAB-accredited Master of City and Regional Planning degree program prepares students for careers as professional planners with public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Research techniques and skills are applied to real-world planning challenges regarding sprawl, pollution, carbon footprints, economic development, aging infrastructure, and equity.

About The Program

Students in the two-year, 48-credit-hour program have a range of topics upon which they can focus:

• Urban and Housing Policies
• Smart and Resilient Cities
• Transportation Planning
• Design and Development
• Environmental Planning

Certificates available in:

• Development Review
• GIS
• Transportation Planning and Policy

Career Opportunities

• Registered Licensed Urban Planner (AICP)
• Transportation Planner
• Environmental Planner
• Urban Design Specialist
• Geographic Information System (GIS) Specialist
• Land-Use Planner
• Economic Development Specialist

Thirdman / pexels

Degree Options

Master of City and Regional Planning

Complete 48 credit hours in campus-based classes

Required Core Courses - 33

• PLAN 5303 - Planning History, Theory, and Ethics - 3
• PLAN 5310 - Planning, Urban Development, and Structure - 3
• PLAN 5308 - Metropolitan Sustainability and Plan Making - 3
• PLAN 5363 - Leadership and Communication Skills in the Planning Process - 3
• PLAN 5318 - Techniques of Planning Analysis I - 3
• PLAN 5330 - Techniques of Planning Analysis II - 3
• PLAN 5304 - Plan Implementation, Zoning, and Regulations - 3
• PLAN 5316 - Land Use Planning and the Law - 3
• PLAN 5332 - Project Studio - 3
• PLAN 5380 - Research Questions in Planning (taken in the next to last semester) - 3
• PLAN 5333 - Graphics and Multimedia Communication in Planning - 3

Professional Report

• PLAN 5397 - PROFESSIONAL REPORT - 3

Thesis Option

• PLAN 5698 - THESIS - 6

Why Choose Us?

• Accredited program through Planning Accreditation Board (PAB)
• The only program in North Central Texas
• Serving the needs of urban Texas for over four decades
• Located in one of the fastest-growing and largest metropolitan areas
• Attend classes in the evenings
• Internship opportunities within the dynamic Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex

Admissions Requirements

The MCRP program takes a holistic approach to the application review process. Each applicant file is reviewed individually with equal consideration given to the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the student’s record. A complete application includes:

• Undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA): The undergraduate GPA is based on the last 60 hours of course work as calculated by the Graduate Admissions from the official transcript.
• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores: Verbal, Quantitative, and Writing (Exceptions: Outstanding UT Arlington graduates may qualify for GRE waiver providing they meet certain requirements. See "Waiving the GRE" below)
• Letters of Recommendation attesting to the applicant’s potential to do Master’s-level work and complete the program. Letters for Master’s programs should be from professors or supervisors at work (download Letter of Recommendation form)
• Essay by applicant approximately one double-spaced page in length (approximately 250 words). The Essay is considered both for its content and quality of writing. The Essay should address the following questions: 1. Why do you want to earn a Master’s degree in the program for which you are applying? 2. What relevant background and experience do you bring to the program? The essay can also include other concerns you’d like to bring to the attention of the CAPPA Academic Recruiter. the Graduate Advisor, or the Master's Admissions Committee.
• Non-native English speakers only: TEOFL-iBT or IELTS scores meeting University minimum admission standards are required (TOEFL-iBT 79 with sectional scores of at least 22 Writing, 21 Speaking, 20 Reading, and 16 Listening; or an IELTS score of at least 6.5.). However, a non-native English speaking applicant holding either a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university is not required to take these tests. Students failing to meet English proficiency requirements may be admitted on probation to the Pathway Admission program to improve their English skills.

Official transcripts and test scores must be sent directly to Graduate Admissions by the issuing institution or testing service. Letters of recommendation and personal essay should be sent directly to the CAPPA College Recruiter via email or postal service, CAPPA RECRUITER, Box 19108, Arlington TX 76019. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure all application materials are received by the application deadline. Incomplete applications or applications received after the deadline could be deferred.

A student who is well-prepared through an undergraduate degree in planning or related field and has as well five or more years of relevant and verifiable professional experience may be eligible to complete the degree in 30 credit hours.

The MCRP program admits students for the Fall and Spring semesters; the application deadlines are June 15th and October 15th respectively.

Waiving the GRE

The MCRP program waives the requirement that an applicant takes the GRE under any of the following conditions:

1. A completed UT-Arlington undergraduate degree awarded within three years of application for admission and a 3.0 or higher GPA on the last 60 hours of coursework.