The Master of City and Metropolitan Planning (MCMP) is an accredited professional degree that prepares students to achieve excellence in guiding the growth and development of towns, cities, and regions. The core courses emphasize ecological resiliency, smart growth, and social justice through effective communication, collaboration, and innovation. The program blends core knowledge and skills with specializations to prepare students for professional leadership roles in public sector agencies at local, regional, state, and federal levels as well as private consulting firms, and non-profit organizations. Interdisciplinary work, drawing from fields outside of planning, is encouraged. The curriculum additionally features a community-based planning workshop and a capstone professional project. Click here for the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) Criterion 1D/Public Information.
To be considered for admission into the master’s program, applicants must have a fully completed application on file by January 10. Priority deadline for admissions and consideration for financial aid is January 10th. We will accept late applications until February 1.
Application process
The University of Utah utilizes an online admission application system called “Slate” The application can be completed online and submitted electronically once all required fields on the application have been completed. As a new user of the application system, you will first need to create a user account.
Materials
Applicants must write and upload a statement onto the online application. We recommend that you write your statement before beginning the online application. The personal statement should be about 1.5 pages.
The statement should tell the admissions committee who you are, your motivations for becoming a planner, and your aspirations for how you hope to use your degree. We encourage you to write about how your life experiences (opportunities, challenges, accomplishments) have shaped your choice to pursue an advanced degree and career aspirations in planning, as well as why you are a good fit for our program (see: department's vision).
Two letters of recommendation are required for all applicants. We encourage applicants to have at least one letter of recommendation come from a university instructor.
To facilitate this process, you will be asked as part of your online application to enter the names and contact information (including email addresses) of your two recommenders. Once that information is saved, an email will be sent automatically to the recommender with an access code and instructions on how to proceed with the online recommendation.
Note that recommendation requests are sent immediately to the recommenders once you save that information, regardless of whether you have completed your application. Please remind recommenders that letters must be completed and submitted by the appropriate deadline.
Applicants are not required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
Applicants have the option of submitting GRE or other exam results as part of their application materials. Official scores must be received by the Department of City & Metropolitan Planning before the application deadline. Use the following codes to facilitate efficient reporting of your test scores: University of Utah school code is 4853, Department code is 4402.
You are required to upload an unofficial transcript from each institution you have attended. Uploading unofficial transcripts will significantly decrease the amount of time required to process your application. Official transcripts will be required if you are admitted.
English Proficiency: A minimum TOEFL score of 80 iBT (550 pBT) or better, or a minimum IELTS band score of 6.5 or better.
For more information go to the International Graduate Admissions page.
Send official test scores to:
University of Utah
Office of Admissions
201 South 1460 East Room 250 S
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
Additionally, the Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) code for the MCMP is 30.3301 - Sustainability Studies, which qualifies as a STEM program under the guidelines of the US Department of Homeland Security. Under those guidelines, international students enrolled in the MCMP may be eligible for extensions of Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please click here.
- Earn a four-year baccalaureate degree (from any field of study)
- Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better
- Complete a personal statement
- Submit current resume
- Arrange for two letters of recommendation
- Submit an online graduate admissions application on or before January 10